People were desperate for another chapter so here it is. Enjoy!
"So why did you agree to help Brax out tonight?" Ruby, my teenage daughter asked as I finished getting organised later that evening "you're not the most coordinated of people"
"It's John and Gina's vow renewal and he needed an extra pair of hands" I explained "I'll be behind the bar serving drinks"
"And I bet there'll be at least one breakage" she chuckled "are you almost ready?"
"Almost" I replied "so, do I look the part?"
"Brax won't be able to keep his hands off you, or is that what you're hoping for?" she asked
"Ruby Buckton" I proclaimed, shocked
"C'mon, it's obvious you two are gonna hook up sooner or later" she stated
"Ruby, we're friends" I sighed as I grabbed my handbag "I don't feel that way about him and he certainly doesn't feel that way about me"
"How can you think that? Have you not seen the way he looks at you?" she questioned
"Rubes, enough" I sighed "c'mon, let's go"
"Mum" she stated, following me out of the door, locking it behind her
"There's nothing but friendship between us, Rubes" I assured her "c'mon"
We climbed into the car and travelled in a comfortable but awkward silence, her pulling up outside Angelo's…
"Home by midnight, okay?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow
She nodded and drove off as I made my way inside, smirking as I saw Brax's disinterested face as he spoke to a blonde at the bar…
BRAX'S POV:
I watched as Charlie walked over and behind the bar, pulling her jacket off, throwing that and her bag onto the stool in the corner. She began to serve customers, moving around me and the blonde at the bar. Eventually, the blonde left and headed back to her group of friends, Charlie standing next to me as I sighed with relief…
"Need me to save you?" she inquired
"If she comes over again, yes please" I informed her "how's it going? Any breakages?"
"You're almost as bad as Rubes" she proclaimed, sighing
"Why? Did she say the same thing? We both know you too well, Buckton" I chuckled
She smirked and served another customer, making her way back out to the restaurant to collect some glasses…
CHARLIE'S POV:
I made my way back behind the bar as the overeager blonde made their way back to the bar. I smirked and placed the glasses on the side, beginning to fill the dishwasher as she started to chat to Brax again. I shut the dishwasher and made my way over, wrapping my arm around his waist, kissing him softly as he turned to smile at me…
"Can I get you something?" I asked the blonde, raising an eyebrow
"Vodka tonic please" she replied, pursing her lips together as she handed me the money as I handed her the drink "thank you"
"A kiss too? You didn't have to go that far" he chuckled as she walked away
"I had to make a statement. Twice in twenty minutes" I replied
"Are you sure you didn't just wanna kiss me?" he asked
"You think way too much of yourself, Braxton" I informed him
He didn't reply. We just continued to look at each other, our eyes boring into each other's, John and Gina interrupting our moment as they made their way over to the bar…
BRAX'S POV:
I settled up John and Gina's bill and they left, soon followed by most of the other guests. I walked back behind the bar from the kitchen as Charlie was loading the dishwasher…
"Do I smell meat lover's pizza?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow
"Only the best for my top waitress" I informed her "care to join me?"
She nodded and smiled, shutting the dishwasher before setting it going. I locked the door behind the last of the staff to leave, making my way into the kitchen as she sat at the bar, two beers waiting for us both…
"So, how did you do tonight?" she asked as she picked up a slice of pizza
"Better than expected. Could've been something to do with that blonde" I informed her
"She had a soft spot for you, Darryl" she chuckled "it was embarrassing"
"Tell me about it" I sighed, taking a sip of my beer "she was far too clingy"
"Brax, about earlier" she stated
"What about it?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow
As she was about to speak again my phone rang, Casey's number appearing on-screen…
"It's Case" I informed her
"Answer it then. It could be about Rubes" she replied worriedly
"Alright, Case. What's going on?" I asked "is she okay? Okay, we'll be there right away"
"What is it?" she inquired
"Rubes had some sort of a fit. She's stable but they need the next of kin there" I explained "come on, I'll drive you"
She nodded and hurried back behind the bar, grabbing her coat and bag as we made our way out of the restaurant and to the hospital…