Broken Beginnings

Chapter 16

Galen

I tossed the rag onto the table after rubbing the grease from my hands. I normally took such care in wiping my hands because I didn't want to dirty my truck, but today I was thinking about the horror of staining Chloe's clothes. I could only imaging her eyes getting wide and a sigh toppling from her lips as she tried to assure me she didn't care about the material. But I knew she did. The girl didn't have a lot of clothes – so I was certain that she cared about the ones she had.

I glanced at the clock and grinned. It read 3:30pm. "Hey Brad I'm out."

Brad's voice echoed from beneath the hood of a little red car. "That time already, eh?"

I nodded. "I've gotta go pick up Chloe."

"So that's it for your late nights?" Brad stood and his eyes were twinkling. "Meet a girl and your job goes flying out the window."

I frowned. I knew he was teasing me and he had a right. I cancelled on women all the time because I had work to finish. It was because of that I felt the need to defend myself. "She doesn't have a car."

"Uh huh," Brad nodded.

"I live out of town." I ran my hand through my hair, feeling instantly stressed. "She's staying with me and until she gets a car, I have to drive her home."

"You want to drive her home." Brad grinned. "We both know you don't do anything because you have to. You do what you want to do when you want to do it, Galen. Don't try and fool me – but seriously, stop trying to fool yourself. You like the girl. I listened to you whine about her all day long. You like her."

I turned my back on Brad, waving as I walked to the door. The exit was looking more and more like an escape. "Later man,"

"Admit it." He called. "You want her."

I walked out the door and into the afternoon sun. It was a beautiful evening – perfect for a few hours on the lake. I hoped Chloe was up for it. The thought of spending time with her in the middle of the crystal water was something I longed for.

I drove my truck across the street and left it running as I walked into the diner. Chloe was going around to the tables and wiping down the salt and pepper shakers. As soon as she saw me, her eyes lit up in her face and she smiled. Oh hell, that was a reaction I loved.

"I've been wondering when I'd see you." She set the shaker down before walking toward me.

"You miss me?" I teased, hoping she said yes.

"I miss my bed." She grinned. "This place is busy!"

I laughed, "Jaylah tired you out, huh?"

She nodded. "Oh yeah."

"I'll have to talk to Jay about that." I stepped toward her and she pointed at my chest.

"Don't you dare! You've talked to her about me enough." My heart stuttered. "I know you got me this job. Don't deny it."

I swear I was going to kill my sister. "Chloe,"

"So thank you." Wait what? Had I heard her right? Was she thanking me? "I really like my job here. The people are great and your sister is great." She blushed. "So thank you."

Wow, I never would have thought I'd hear that from her. I had been ready for her to rip my head off, but instead she thanked me. I nodded. I could get used to that. "You're welcome, baby."

She narrowed her eyes, but she didn't tell me to stop with the pet name. That was another good sign. This girl was poles apart from the woman I had dropped off this morning. I liked her. A lot.

"Are you ready to go?" She asked.

I nodded. "If you are."

She sighed. "You have no idea."

I watched Chloe pull at the strings of her apron before tugging it from her body. She was damn cute in a little apron, but I liked her better in her pajamas. Particularly running away from me.

***

Chloe

Galen pulled the truck into the drive, instantly killing the engine. The drive had been filled with useless conversation – but it had been comfortable.

"What are your plans for the night?" Galen asked.

"I was hoping you would take me down to the lake?"

"Rough day?" He teased with a wink.

"Not really," I smiled. "But I need to talk to you about something."

He stiffened. His eyes instantly started searching my face as though he might find the answers hidden there. No such luck for him. If there was one thing I had mastered, it was keeping my emotions from showing in my face. "And you want to talk on the lake?"

"I do."

"Why?"

I hated that I was so nervous. My palms were sweaty and it was all I could do not to wipe them against my jeans. "If we go out onto the lake then we have to talk." I stuttered. "I won't be able to run away from you if I happen to get uncomfortable."

Galen laughed. "Let me get this straight. You're planning on trapping yourself in the middle of a lake because you need to talk to me about something that has you getting all uncomfortable?"

I nodded. "Yup. That sounds about right."

"All right, Chloe." He opened the door before jumping down. "We're going to the lake."

I took in a deep breath. "I'd like to change first." I looked down at my jeans. "If you don't mind."

"Not a problem. Just meet me in the house when you're ready." 

***Let me know what you're thinking so far*** <3