West Richland Tavern.

[raiguy]

DJ shrugged. "Just catch me before I leave, and we can go see if any of the braces fit," he said, moving through the equipment, unplugging what he would be taking home, and then locking up everything else.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Alright, let me go change into something other than a corset and a miniskirt," Alexa said. She headed upstairs, undressed, and redressed in sweats, sneakers, and a sweatshirt before heading back down. "Ready?"

 

[raiguy]

After checking to make sure he had everything, DJ nodded. He stopped, figuring he needed to be sure of what Tess was going to do. "Let me go check on Tess. I asked if she wanted to stay with me until the door to her room is fixed. I feel like she doesn't want to, but I want to make sure," he said to Alexa, before heading up to check on Tess.

He knocked softly, before stepping into Tess' room. He saw the open window, before stepping next to it and saying, "Hey, I'm heading home. I wanted to check and see what your answer was. If you don't want to stay with me, no biggie. If you do, I'd be more than happy to make sure you are okay and safe," he said, before waiting for an answer.

 

[feistyphoenix]

DJ's voice yanked Tess out of her zone. Shed been daydreaming of being on a boat in the middle of the sea, away from anyone who could hurt her.

"Hey, just a second," she climbed back through the window and immediately noticed the bruising on DJ's face looking worse and more swollen. She reached up to touch him gently, he was very warm and she frowned, "you don't look so good, are you ok?"

 

[raiguy]

DJ sighed, before nodding. "I've had worse. Unfortunately it comes with the past I have. I wish I haven't had worse, but that's just the way my life played out. It'll end up clearing up quicker than you'd think," he said, feeling Tess' hand on his face. He smiled slightly, before looking at Tess.

"I don't want to force you to stay with me, and I'm not going to. I was just offering you a place if you wanted it," he said, before looking at Tess, his eyes soft. He didn't want to push her, or scare her, but he wasn't going to stand around waiting forever for her to trust him either.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess thought for a minute,"I dont want to sleep in an unfamiliar place, it'll just make the anxiety worse. But you could stay here if you wanted?"

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled. "We will see. I'm taking Alexa to see if any of the braces I have fit her. I don't eally use them anymore, and if one of them works for her, it saves her money and a trip to the store, and it gets rid of something I don't use," he said to Tess.

"My only issue would be knowing where to sleep. I have slept on couches before, and they aren't really my favorite spots to bed down for the night," DJ said, before stepping back. "I need to run home with Alexa to see if the braces fight her ankle. I don't want to keep her waiting longer than I should," he said, trying to excuse himself as he backed out of the door.

After heading downstairs, he smiled at Alexa. "Sorry. We are good to go now. Ready?" he asked her, grabbing his equipment and standing by the back door.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess hated it when he did this. He'd make her an offer and she would try to take him up on it and he would turn around and try to get her to do it on his terms. Well forget it. She grit her teeth and stripped her bed, throwing the sheets into the laundry pile. She went to the linen closet and got down a new set.

Troy had left the keys in the locks of the unoccupied rooms so she unlocked the room next to her own and made the bed. She brought over her mini alarm clock, purse, and the bag that contained all her cash from working so far. It was all she would need for the night. She went to her closet and changed into her cotton shorts and a tank top. She was still irritated when she went downstairs to get a glass of water.

 

[merryohmd]

Rex had stayed out of all the turmoil all evening, picking up the slack as the girls went about their "business". He endured some comments from customers about his outfit but made some good tips for speedy service as Hannah kept the drinks flowing for him. He was tired and ready for the place to close. He and Kit had gotten the place cleaned up and ready to close.

Rex decided to make sure the dogs were OK for the evening. They had been really glad to see him when he first got back and fed them.

"You know guys", Rex said absentmindedly to the pair of canines, "we have quite a bit in common since we all just found this place and Hannah."

He patted each and headed upstairs to bed. He barely noticed the broken door before closing his door and getting in bed.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa nodded and she smiled. "Yeah, I'm ready, let's go," she said, helping him with his equipment.

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled, before helping Alexa out to his truck. He loaded everything carefully into the back seat, before holding Alexa's door open, and helping her into the truck. He made his way back to the driver's side, before climbing in and starting the truck up. He pulled out of the lot, before looking at Alexa. "Would you like to grab something to eat before we get back to my place? My treat. I could go for a chocolate shake though," he said softly.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Something to eat would be fantastic, I tend not to eat while I'm working," Alexa confessed, blushing a little.

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled. "what sounds good to you? We have DQ, McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, Subway, and a local joint that is still open," he said to Alexa, wanting to know what she wanted as he waited at a red stoplight.

 

[celestialdragon]

"I'll take McDonald's," Alexa said happily.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Rex had stayed out of all the turmoil all evening, picking up the slack as the girls went about their "business". He endured some comments from customers about his outfit but made some good tips for speedy service as Hannah kept the drinks flowing for him. He was tired and ready for the place to close. He and Kit had gotten the place cleaned up and ready to close.

Rex decided to make sure the dogs were OK for the evening. They had been really glad to see him when he first got back and fed them.

"You know guys", Rex said absentmindedly to the pair of canines, "we have quite a bit in common since we all just found this place and Hannah."

He patted each and headed upstairs to bed. He barely noticed the broken door before closing his door and getting in bed.

Hannah had been meaning to speak to Rex, but when he couldn't be found she sighed. She made her way out back to.spend time with the strays, when she got an awful feeling. Her heart raced and her stomach knotted for a moment.
Quickly she shook the thought away and attempted to.unlock the back door, but as she touched it, it swung freely open. Low growls met her, but as she stepped into the sun the grumbles formed into soft yips. The mutts crowded around her as she sat on the rear stoop. The nagging feeling of dread never leaving.

 

[raiguy]

DJ maneuvered the truck into the drive-thru at McDonalds, before looking at Alexa. When he was asked what he wanted, he said, "Large chocolate shake, fries, and.....?" He looked at Alexa, waiting to see what exactly she wanted, his smile growing wider.

 

[celestialdragon]

"A. . . double quarter pounder with cheese, fries, a large sweet tea and a strawberry shake please," Alexa replied, blushing a little about how much food she was getting.

 

[raiguy]

DJ paused, glancing at how tiny Alexa was. He shook his head, before repeating the order into the speaker. "That'll be $13.72," the lady said. DJ smiled as he pulled the truck around, before paying for the food. As they pulled up to the second window, he smiled. "How is the ankle doing now?" he asked.

 

[celestialdragon]

"It feels better, but it still hurts a bit," Alexa said, smiling. "Thanks, DJ."

 

[raiguy]

DJ shrugged. "With my past, you learn how to handle these things. I hope that the swelling goes down tomorrow. I'd recommend icing it down pretty well tonight, and then stay off of it until you have to work," he said as he was handed their food and drinks. "Okay, lets get back to my place so we can sit and eat comfortably," he told Alexa, grinning.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Sounds good to me," Alexa agreed, sipping on her sweet tea. "And yes, I plan on eating all of this food." She grinned.

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled. "If you order it, you eat it where I come from. Besides, I'm willing to bet you've eaten more than this in one sitting before," he said to Alexa with a laugh, smiling at her as he grabbed a few of the fries, before smiling as he pulled into the driveway, and then garage, of his house.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Whenever I can," Alexa agreed, shoving a few fries into her own mouth as she began to get out of the truck.

 

[raiguy]

DJ quickly grabbed his gear, before moving to Alexa's side. "Grab the food. I'm carrying you. It'll make it easier on your ankle. Once we get inside, I'm going to prop it up and then put ice on it. Hopefully it'll kill some of the swelling," he said, before picking her up. "If you grab the food and open the door, we will be good to go!" he said with a smile.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa laughed and grabbed the food. "As the doctor orders," she teased.