AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you to Braxton54 for reviewing and everyone else continuing to read.
"All okay?" Brax asks Kyle as he walks out of the storeroom.
Kyle nods.
"I've served a couple more customers because Alyssa was busy; I hope that's okay? I know you said only serve the customers you tell me too," Kyle asks, timidly, wanting reassurance from Brax.
Brax smiles and pats Kyle on the upper arm.
"I'm proud of your initiative, Kyle. Even though this is a punishment, you are doing a mighty fine job, and I'm impressed," Brax praises.
"Thanks Brax. I'm going to clear a few of those tables," Kyle announces and walks off, feeling elated that his brother felt proud of him.
As Kyle clears some plates and cutlery onto a tray and takes them into the kitchen for washing.
Sid and his family walk into the restaurant with Xavier, who has an arm wrapped around Indi's waist.
Brax greets them and situates them at one of the booths.
As Kyle emerges back into the main restaurant area, ready to finish cleaning tables, Brax approaches him.
"Before you continue with some cleaning, could you serve Sid and his family," Brax requests.
Kyle looks over at the booth in which Sid, Indi, Sasha, Dex and Xavier are sitting and he instantly becomes embarrassed and hesitates.
The last time Xavier had seen him was the day he and Casey were harshly reprimanded for damaging Brax's Ute and then spanked.
Kyle is too humiliated to approach them in the fear that Xavier would have for sure, informed his crush Indi about what happened and what would she think of him then?
Kyle looks at Brax with pleading eyes.
"Do I have to serve them?" Kyle pleads.
Brax frowns.
"Is there a problem, Kyle?" he asks with concern.
Kyle sighs and glances over at the booth, in which Dex has now noticed Kyle standing near the bar and starts waving madly at him.
Kyle doesn't want to tell Brax the real reason behind not wanting to go over to the Walkers and Xavier for he knew Brax would say it was a ridiculous excuse, especially given that the discipline was deserved.
Kyle shakes his head.
"No," he whispers, "but, please Brax; can't you serve them?"
"Kyle, you've been serving customers all day and besides you know Sid very well and Dex is your best friend; it shouldn't be an issue serving them," Brax replies.
"I know, but..."
"But nothing, Kyle; now I have asked you to do something, so don't disobey me, unless you want to see me angry; remember you are doing this as punishment," Brax says sternly.
Kyle hangs his head and swallows a nervous lump in his throat.
"Sorry," he mumbles.
"After you serve Sid and his family and clear a few more tables it will be time for your break."
Kyle nods and shuffles his way towards the booth.
He hears Indi let out a giggle and sees Xavier leaning in whispering in her ear.
Kyle's face flushes; instantly panicking that Indi is being reminded of what Xavier saw; he will never be able to live this down, assuming Indi now thought of him as some unruly child.
Kyle gulps and briefly glances up at the family.
"Hello Kyle, it's lovely to see you here and coming out of your shell a bit and very good of you to be helping Brax out in the school holidays for I'm sure it would be quite a busy time for your brother," Sid greets with a warm smile.
"Yeah I guess. Thanks," Kyle mumbles.
"Hey Ky! How are you doing? How come I can't contact you on your phone, it says it's out of range or off," Dex greets and questions.
"I'll explain later. I have my break coming up so we can talk then," Kyle replies.
"Sounds awesome; I've been dying to hang with you since the holidays started!" Dex cheers.
"I can't hang for ages though, I think I only get half an hour break," Kyle confesses.
"Still an opportunity," Dex replies.
"You know you should be more like Kyle, Dex and help out with some work in the school holidays," Indi comments and playfully slaps Dex on the arm.
Indi's comment causes Kyle to blush.
"It's not like I can go to the hospital and help Dad, or work at the child care centre," Dex argues back and notices Kyle's flushed cheeks, knowing too well about his crush on his older sister.
Indi rolls her eyes.
"Honestly Dex there is more to helping out in the holidays."
"Why'd you imply it meant..."
"Dex, Indi: please, we are in a restaurant for lunch; be polite," Sid says.
"Sorry Dad," Indi replies.
Dex crosses his arms and glares at his sister.
"Sorry Kyle, I think we are ready to order," Sid informs.
Kyle holds his notepad in his shaky hand.
"Xavier would you like to start," Sid offers.
"Can I get the steak and chips and a cola, please?" Xavier requests.
"May I please have the pork belly with steamed veggies and water; thank you Kyle," Indi requests second.
Kyle jots down the orders, trying to avoid glancing at Indi.
"I'll get the steak and vegetables and water; Dex, Sash?" Sid asks.
"I'm having the crumbed chicken with pesto sauce and chips, and a pepsi," Dex speaks up.
"I want the pesto pasta," Sasha adds.
"The pesto pasta is my favourite," Kyle comments as he writes down the meal requests.
"What would you like to drink, Sasha?" Sid asks.
"Um...lemonade and oh can I also get chips!" she asks enthusiastically.
"No Sasha, not with your pasta," Sid answers straight away.
"But Dad..." Sasha whines but is instantly cut off by Sid.
"I said no, young lady," Sid says.
Sasha slumps back against the booth seat with a sulk and Sid gives his youngest a stern gaze.
"Do not sulk, young lady."
Sasha sits up immediately after her father's stern words.
"Is Casey here?" she asks Kyle.
"Yeah, he's been cleaning dishes but now I think he's doing something in the storeroom," Kyle responds.
"Casey cleaning dishes, how much is Brax paying you guys for all this? There is no way Casey would volunteer for that job!" Dex laughs; knowing his friends too well to know that Casey wasn't one for dish duty unless it was something important.
Kyle sighs, not wanting to explain to Dex until his break but Dex is leading him into a corner.
Sid interrupts turning to face Kyle.
"Have you got all our orders down alright, Kyle?" he kindly asks.
"Yes, sorry. I'll go put it in now; it won't be long," Kyle clarifies nervously and walks away.
Alyssa helps Kyle take the meals to the Walkers and Xavier once they are ready and Kyle goes back to cleaning a few tables for the next thirty minutes until Brax approaches him and slaps him on the back.
"Go and take your forty minute break. I'll ask Henry to whip you up some lunch," Brax says.
Kyle puts down his cloth and nods.
"Um Brax, is it okay if I catch up with Dex, please? It's just that I said I would on my break.
"Alright but it does not mean you get any longer; you understand me? And you must eat something before you go off," Brax informs firmly.
"Yes Brax; I promise."
Kyle waits in the kitchen for Henry to make him a tuna and avocado, pasta salad.
After quickly eating it, Kyle makes his way over to Dex.
"I'm on my break now, but if you're not ready, I can catch up with you when you're done," Kyle announces.
"I'm done eating; I can hang!" Dex cheers.
"Yes we are all finished Kyle," Sid adds and as he moves out of the booth to let Dex out his beeper buzzes in his pocket.
"Looks like I have to be going anyway," Sid comments.
"I thought it was your day off?" Indi asks.
"Yes, but we've had an emergency and need all surgeons on deck. I'm just glad I got in a good lunch before having to go in," Sid chuckles, "Xavier and Indi would you mind making sure Sash and Dex get home alright?"
"Sure thing Dad," Indi replies, with a sweet smile as Xavier places his hand around her shoulders.
"Dad, I'm sixteen I can make my own way home, besides I'm hanging with Kyle."
"Yes, well make sure you are not interrupting Kyle's work," Sid replies and heads towards the bar to pay for the lunch.
Kyle and Dex walk out onto the verandah.
"So, what's up man?" Dex asks.
"Casey and I are grounded. I got three weeks and Casey got six weeks and we got a lot of loss of privileges, including no phones. Brax even took away my lego," Kyle explains in a sad whisper as he rests on the bannister of the verandah.
"Geez; what did you guys do?" Dex exclaims with his mouth agape.
"Vandalised Brax's Ute," Kyle says shamefully.
"Why the suicide mission, man?" Dex asks with a slight chuckle, still coming to terms with what his friends had done.
"It wasn't meant to be his. It was meant for Heath, it was Casey's stupid idea of getting back at Heath and well you know Casey, he doesn't take no for an answer when it comes to me, and that's why we are both working here at the restaurant; we have to pay back Brax for having to get his Ute detailed and Heath's Ute detailed for good measure," Kyle confesses.
"Well that all really sucks, Ky; especially missing out on the entire school holidays," Dex comforts and places a hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"Don't remind me and it's only the first few days."
Dex rests his arms on the bannister and glances out at the beach.
"I bet Casey's taking it hard," Dex says.
Not wanting to spend his short time with his best friend talking about his annoying little brother, Kyle gives a short answer.
"He just can't accept the consequences he's been given."
After a brief moment of quiet, Kyle speaks up, "I guess you better tell Romeo and the others about Casey and why I can't hang with any of them either."
Dex nods, "Sure."
"Dex: though can you please not say anything to anyone else, like your family," Kyle whispers.
Dex smiles and glances back into the restaurant at his family.
"I get it. I know you have a crush on Indi and you don't want to be embarrassed and Sash can be a bit of a big mouth. Xavier probably wouldn't care, but I won't tell him either," Dex says with a chuckle.
Kyle stares down.
"Xavier kind of already knows, well he saw me and Casey getting berated by Brax," Kyle mumbles.
"Geez, so Brax yelled at you and Casey out in the open? How embarrassing dude, sorry."
"You have no idea," Kyle mumbles, too embarrassed to admit even to his best friend about having been spanked as well.
The two teens continue to talk for a few more minutes until Brax comes out onto the balcony.
"Your break time has finished Kyle," he announces, calmly.
Kyle sighs and looks at Dex.
"Sorry, I have to go. I'm glad we had a chance to catch up. Guess I'll see you when school gets back."
"Just think: school holidays always go quick," Dex comforts and Kyle smiles.
"See you."
Dex farewells Kyle and once Kyle goes back inside to go back to work, Dex goes inside and back over to his sisters.
"You coming home with us then Dex?" Indi asks.
"Yeah," Dex answers.
Meanwhile at the gym downstairs Heath is assisting a client with the cross trainer when Bianca walks in.
Heath excuses himself and greets his girlfriend with a kiss.
"What brings you here?" Heath asks.
"I'm here to work out and learn from the best PT trainer in the Bay," Bianca smiles, lovingly.
"You sure you're not just checking up on me?" Heath teases.
"If I was, would I be dressed like this?" Bianca asks and Heath looks at Bianca's attire of leggings and tee-shirt.
"You may just be looking the part for me?" Heath teases.
"Are you going to stop flirting with me Heath Braxton and teach me some of these workouts you are so famous for?"
"Come right this way lovely lady," Heath encourages and gets Bianca started on the treadmill then she moves onto the bike, and finally the weights and resistance bands.
After working out for forty minutes, Bianca stops and wipes herself down with a towel.
"I was thinking if you're free tonight you could come over for dinner?" Heath asks, wrapping his arm around Bianca's shoulders.
"And I promise it won't be anything like last time; it's more like a whole family dinner," Heath assures.
"Sounds lovely," Bianca says as she continues to catch her breath.
Heath leans in for a kiss but Bianca pushes him off.
"Heath: I'm all sweaty!" she laughs.
"Doesn't bother me; you're still gorgeous. I'll pick you up later," he says and quickly kisses Bianca's cheek.
Bianca finishes up and leaves.
Heath makes his way up the stairs and into the restaurant.
"Hey mate; how's work been?" Brax asks as he greets Heath.
"Steady. Listen I asked Bianca over for dinner tonight, so I was hoping you could work some of your magic and make an amazing meal?" Heath says.
Brax raises his brow.
"What ever happened to asking first then inviting?"
Heath shrugs.
"Never mind; it's fine; I'll cook up something nice, but next time more notice would be nice Heath."
"And this is why you're the big bro," Heath laughs and Brax huffs.
Heath spots Kyle coming out of the kitchen as he's on his way back towards the exit.
"Hi: Bubs! Keeping busy I see? Good boy; keep it up!" Heath says and waves to Kyle.
Kyle doesn't have time to respond before Heath leaves to go back to the gym.
Brax sighs and starts jotting down a rough shopping list, knowing he'd likely have to duck out to grab the groceries towards the end of his shift in order to be as prepared as possible and have as much time to cook dinner, considering Bianca and Heath are now coming over to enjoy a big family dinner.
Brax walks into the house with a bag full of groceries, Kyle and Casey follow closely behind. Brax walks into the kitchen with the grocery bag and places it on the sink.
"I want you both to have a shower before dinner; freshen up before Heath and Bianca come around," Brax announces.
Kyle and Casey's heads shoot up; only hearing about this dinner gathering now.
"Miss. Scott is coming over here for dinner?" Kyle clarifies.
"It's Bianca, Kyle!" Casey snaps with a huff and stares at his big brother.
"When was this decided?" he asks Brax.
"Heath just told me earlier today; invited Bianca around, so I want you both on your best behaviour and cleaned up after your day at the restaurant, so hurry up and get showered and into your pyjamas; they are coming around six," Brax orders as he starts unpacking the groceries for the dinner.
"I'm not getting into my pyjamas!" Casey protests and Brax raises his brow at the teen.
"Bianca is still the Principal of the school, Brax, and I don't want to be seen wearing my pyjamas around her!" Casey rants.
Kyle by now has wandered into the bedroom to get ready for his shower and unlike Casey, isn't as embarrassed to be in his pyjamas around Bianca because she'd already known about his humiliating ordeal with the school bullies and nothing could be worse than that .
Brax sighs and shakes his head.
"Honestly, Casey, all going well, Bianca and Heath are an item and she will be coming around more often and undoubtedly she will see you in your pyjamas; it's nothing to be embarrassed about," Brax explains, frankly.
Casey huffs; not understanding how Brax wasn't seeing his point.
"Besides, Casey, once dinner is over and all is cleaned up you are still going to bed early, so rather than stuffing around later you can be organised early," Brax explains.
"But Brax," Casey moans.
"But nothing Casey, you will do as I asked please. Now I'm done arguing about this, I need to get onto making the Chicken with peppercorn sauce and spaghetti for dinner," Brax says, now pulling out some pots from the cupboard.
Casey stands in his same spot and huffs.
"Can't I just change into other clothes and get in my pyjamas before bed?" Casey asks quietly.
Brax pops his head out of the kitchen and glares at Casey standing in the lounge room.
"Casey: will you stop? Just get and have your shower," Brax dismisses.
"But Kyle's in there now," Casey mumbles.
Brax huffs and rolls his eyes over Casey's stubbornness.
"Fine, come and set the table then," Brax instructs, then points a firm finger at his teenage brother.
"And before you say another word about it, it's because I asked you to and it's to do me a favour," Brax states with a no-nonsense tone.
Casey makes his way into the kitchen and opens up the cutlery draw.
"I wasn't going to say anything," he mumbles as he grabs out some knives and forks and places them onto the dining table.
Brax finishes cutting up the chicken and tosses it into the frypan with a little oil.
Casey finally finishes setting the table and leans up against the wall in the kitchen, watching Brax cook the dinner.