Chapter 3

Nicole followed me back to the kitchen after my second run in with Shane. She dragged me into the supply closet. If anyone had seen that, they would probably think we were lovers or something. We're not. I am very straight.

"So what's going on with you and the pop star?"

"Nothing," I said, because there really was nothing going on.

"Oh, don't give me that. I can tell that you like him." Did I? He was quite the looker, and so much more than he looked. The fact that he trusted me with such secrets about himself had me reeling. How could he be sure I wouldn't go to the first paparazzo I could find? I wouldn't, but how did he know that? After five seconds of knowing me, he told me exactly why he was here. Who would do that? Also, the fact that he drank brought back awful memories. He was a bad drunk too; this reminded me of stuff I thought I had buried long ago.

"He's alright, I guess."

"Alright? I know you better than you think. You obviously like him, but I can tell that there's something putting you off. And it's not just the wall you always put up. So talk to me. What's the issue?"

I sighed. "He's a drinker, Nic. Not an alcoholic. But like my father. From what he's told me, he's a violent drunk. I can't deal with another person in my life like that. The first time was bad enough. Not to mention the fact that he sounds depressed. I'm like that enough. If I get into a relationship with someone like me, it could get worse."

"But it could get better, because most people in relationships are happy."

"I don't want to put my trust in someone who could so easily break it by simply drinking. And on top of all that, my life is a complete mess at the moment. A relationship would just over-complicate things. And I would feel obligated to tell him about my other job. I don't like telling anyone about that."

"Mitch, you're far too careful. You should just take a chance for once in your life. You never know, it could be the best decision you make."

"I need to think about it."

"How about we make a deal?" Oh god, the last time she said that weird things happened. I nodded anyway. "If he comes in again tomorrow, you have to let him in a bit more. And not just a little bit, tell him about your mom."

"Okay, but she isn't my mom. She's my mother. Mom is far too affectionate for someone like her."

"So you'll do it?" She said. There was a certain excitement in her voice.

"Yes, but he isn't going to come in again. He doesn't have an excuse. He only cane in today to get my name."

"Exactly, he came in just so he could get your name. He's pretty hooked up on you. Trust me, he'll be in here tomorrow, and he'll be sitting in the same booth."

"Seriously, Nic, you're delusional."

"And you're in denial." We left it at that and exited the closet.

Nicole left me with a lot to think about. So, I liked Shane. That much was pretty obvious. But to me it was like a crush. Sure, he was good looking, and was nice to me. But both times I had spoken to him he was pretty sober. Did I really want someone as volatile as him in my life again? I hadn't let myself go near someone like that in four years.

Maybe I did have to take a chance though. He said he only drank occasionally. This meant that I could distance myself from him when he was having a bad day. Or I could get to him before he was able to touch the liquid.

God, listen to me. I was beginning to sound like I thought I actually had a chance with him. I didn't. Why would he go for a wreck like me? I would just ruin his career. And a relationship between us would never work, because my life was here and his was in LA. I needed someone who would always be there for me; he wouldn't. He would always be touring, and such. Also, I don't think he would be very acceptable of my other job.

Why would he go for me at all? I was just a dowdy waitress. I hadn't had a haircut in ages. My figure wasn't anything special. I wasn't anything special. So, why would he like me?

Another night, another order at that booth which I had to take out. Gus had wanted Nicole to do it but she told him that I would do it. I wasn't going to complain; it might get me more tips. That was until I saw what table it was. This meant that I would have to tell him something I didn't particularly want to tell him. Crap.

It was him again. I noticed his hair as soon as I stepped out of the kitchen. Christ, this was not going to be fun. I hated telling people about my past. I really didn't want to tell someone I'd known all of forty-eight hours.

"Okay, I'm seriously going to report you for stalking me." I said placing his plate down.

"Oh, but I think that you're stalking me. Why is it always you who brings my order? Are there no other waitresses here? Oh, I know there is. There's the one who took my order. She had medium length brown hair. I think her name began with an 'N'."

"That would be Nicole. She's my best friend, and she would have taken your order but she bribed me." Once again I took a seat in front of him. I had a story to tell him today, and it was a long one.

"Gee, that makes me feel really special."

"You get enough boosts to your ego, pretty boy."

"Oh, so you think I'm pretty?" Shit, why did I have to say that?

"Um... well... uh," I stuttered. Oh, way to cover it up well. "Well, you're alright, I guess." I said, trying to get back into character.

"You and I both know that you aren't being entirely truthful." God, why did I have to be so obvious?

"Fine, you have a little something, something."

"Go on." He said with a smirk.

"Oh, you're just enjoying my discomfort, aren't you? I guess I can day that I now know why millions of girls swoon over you."

"Come on Mitchie, you know you want to boost my ego a little bit more." God, he was getting annoying.

"Christ, okay, yes, I find you gorgeous. Is that enough, or do you want me to into detail about your perfect hair and your amazing body." I clamped a hand over my mouth. See, this is what happens when I get annoyed: I say things accidentally. He grinned at me.

"I knew it. No one can resist me." He said victoriously. I noticed that he wasn't wearing his leather jacket, so his torso was only covered by a thin, white t-shirt. He should take off that jacket more often. His arms were mesmerising. I could see ever line in his biceps but they weren't incredibly huge or anything. Just the right size really. And his forearms, were just plain sexy.

"Mitchie?" I hadn't realised that I had been daydreaming. I looked up at him and blushed. "Wow, I'm better that I thought. But since you've taken the effort to compliment me..." He moved his plate and leant across the table. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever been lucky enough to meet, Mitchie." He whispered to me. I blushed and looked down.

"No, I'm not." I said in a small voice.

"I don't lie, Mitchie, unless it's about my drinking habits." Wow, how perfect that was. He got right on the subject I had to talk to him about.

"That reminds me; Nicole told me to be more open yesterday. So I thought that I'd start with you. I'm going to tell you about something I mentioned on the night we met" he looked enthralled already. "So, my mother's an alcoholic. She started drinking when I was about ten. She didn't get really bad until I was fifteen. That's when the abuse started. Not physical; verbal. She used to call me ugly, a whore, a cow, a bitch, and everyday she said I was a mistake and wished that I was dead. My own mother wanted me dead. And the fact that she wanted me dead, made me feel like I wanted to die sometimes; just so I could please her, because nothing else seemed to. And even though she was one of the biggest factors to me running away, I still can't find it in myself to hate her." I felt a tear make its way down my cheek. I reached to wipe it away, I always cried when I remembered those moments. A tanned hand beat me to it. I shivered as he wiped the tear away. I felt a spark run through his hand to my cheek. I looked at him and noticed that he had moved around the booth to sit right beside me. I jumped in surprise. He smiled at me.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that. I'm glad you're letting me in. But I'm not going to push you into telling me anything, because I know that you've been betrayed ad you don't like letting people get close." How did he know that? He seemed to read my mind. "I can just tell by the way you speak, and act around me." I pulled myself together. I hated letting the stupid memories get to me, because they got to me enough at the time. I couldn't let things get to me four years after they happened.

"I need to get back to work." I moved to get up, but Shane grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.

"I didn't get what I came for." He said.

"Which was?"

"Your number." I got my pad out from my pocket and noted down my number. It seemed a bit stupid because I knew he wouldn't do anything with it. He would probably lose it at some point. I gave it to him, and then he moved his fingers to my chin and pulled me in towards him. He kissed my cheek. I felt that shock again. What was he doing? Oh well, I wasn't going to stop him. No one did that to me under normal circumstances, so why would I stop him? His lips were as soft as they looked. They only touched for a short amount of time, but they still felt as if they were there after they had left my cheek. I walked away slowly, I was rather bemused. Why would he kiss me, even if it was only on the cheek?

I got back to my apartment flicked the lights on and shoved my keys on the table I was looking forward to my day off from both my jobs the next day. I collapsed onto my cheap couch. I picked up my phone from the table. One new message: Unknown it read. I opened it, intrigued. Who had my number without me having theirs?

Call me as soon as you get home – Shane

Oh, of course, Shane. Wait, Shane? I didn't think he would actually do anything with my number. And why did he want me to call him? I programmed in his number and hit the call button. He answered quickly, as if he had been waiting for me to call.

"Hey Mitchie."

"Hi Shane, what did you want?" I asked tiredly. Could you blame me? Nine hour shifts were killers.

"When do you have a day off?"

"Tomorrow, why?" I said warily. What did he want?

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

AN: Dun, dun, dun! So what did you think of this chapter? Please review, because last chapter I only got 17 compared to the previous 22. Where'd y'all go? So, Nicole has her first proper part, woo. She'll love me now. And the bit about the arms was for Laura. What do you think of Mitchie's past so far? R&R