Late shift (Cherry, Brady)

[tripp]

Name: Braeden Montgomery Aliases: Brady played by: Tripp likeness used: Devon Sawa

_________

Name: Charlotte Winston Aliases: Cherry DOB: August 1, 1990 played by: Lovely likeness used: Hayden Panetierre

[Lovely]

Feb 3, 2008
6:45pm

Florica moved through the diner, her hips swinging this way and that to avoid tables and customers. Damn those two, a waitress and a cook called out tonight -and on a friday night, one of the busiest nights. Flo had put in a call to the Montgomery Ranch hoping Brady would come in for her. If not she was screwed! Already the cook out back was staying late..but would not be able to be here much later. Rushing out back she fixed up plates and shot a grateful look at the daycook. Moving back out she carried plates and drinks -a real expert. She smiled and served the tables...

The cab pulled up front and waited, Braeden flying in and looking around the crowded diner for... "Flo! Hey.. sorry, but I missed the last bus tonight ...cabbie's waiting.. ten bucks and you get it off my tips tonight, k? Thanks... right back."

He was tall, blond and fast, weaving between people and tables like a ghost. It was a shame he was better at the line than waiting the tables... Flo looked like she could really use the help.

He came back in a bit calmer and came back to Flo, getting a status check and heading back to the kitchen, tucking his shaggy hair into a hat. A quick look around, back to the back for a wash of the hands and crack of his knuckles and he hit the ground running. His mother'd taught him well, but this brand of hospitality and talent ran naturally in the Montgomery bloodline...

Florica poured coffees and sodas, delivering drinks to tables and taking orders. d**n it was busy. Ducking into the back after placing her order slip on the wheel, she snuck over and planted a big kiss on Brady's cheek. "Thanks honey. You're a life saver!" She smiled beautifully and apreciatively at him. Batting her borwn eyes his way. "I promise next friday We will both get off...I'll even treat you to a movie if you don't have a date?" She hated to call him on his day off and lately it had been happening a lot.

He smiled, tending burgers on one grill and seemlessly floating to eggs on the other. "Hey, you got it. I'd like that. Nope.. no date.. just started the semester, so I don't know anyone yet."

He watched from the corner of his eye as she stepped around the grill, lining her arm with a full platter. He watched her hips a moment until his finger hit the grill, burning him a little. "Sonuva... ow...," he cursed quietly and tended to the cooking, keeping his attention more focused.

Flo turned as he burned his finger, and winked. "Aw hun, be more careful." She blew him a kiss as she headed out with her stack of plates.

He smiled again and watched her under the hood, reaching for the next order on the wheel. He called an order over the counter as he set a piece of parsley on the plate, "Eggs n hash, crisp.. one bacon, one sausage."

Flo had a certain sway to her hips when she walked, a little more pronounced than some. The low rise jeans and halter shirt, eased over her curves and looked as if it was made for her to wear. Moving around the tables and giving orders out, refilling drinks, welcoming fresh customers in. She was what made Flo's a welcoming place to be for her customers and did her best to make the employees feel the same. Swinging back into the kitchen she took a cloth with clool water over her neck, a quick two-minute break before she ran back out. "It's jumping out there tonight, boys." She smiled.

"Yeah.. looks like you need a little help. Was just talking to fly boy over here and he's willing to stay if you don't mind me coming up front."

"Well if you aren't a man after my own heart." She fluttered her eyes. "I would owe you anything you wanted....name it and I'll get it for you..." She looked utterly grateful for the offer and the help.

He nodded and wiped his hands down on a towel, handing off the grill duties to his coworker. He pulled a uniform shirt from the closet he kept there from his busser days and changed quickly in back, taking his hair from the hat and smoothing it back as best he could. Only a minute or two and he was out with water glasses and table sets, following her with carafes of water and coffee.

She moved fast between the tables lingering at each with smiles and lively banter, making each person feel welcome. She glanced back at Brady flashing him her 'special' smile reserved for those she knew and cared for. The one she used with the customers was friendly but different than her private expressions.

He deftly poured another coffee and promised to return to the table with cream. He zipped back to the serviette and grabbed that along with straws for sodas and lemons.. a small orange juice for table three. Drinks and utensils distributed, he made short work of bussing the abandoned tables and seating new customers. He was quiet, but friendly. Brushing past Flo, he stuck a handful of her tips into her apron, smiling and teasingly holding up a quarter he kept back for himself.

Flo shook her head, grabbing playfully at the quarter. "Mine.." She giggled. One hand on his shoulder as she leaned close, reaching for his other hand. The light scent of passion flower clung to her skin and hair.

He snatched it away, "Nut uhn.. oh.. wait.. I owe you still.. darn cab fare."

He took a breath in filled with the sweet and exotic scent as she leaned for the coin. Her hand grasping completely around his before he let go to it to her soft fingers.

She laughed getting the coin from him, a nice playful moment that helped to keep her from getting too stressed. "Brady...don't worry about the cab. As often as I have had to call you in..." She frowned. "I'm killing your social life aren't I?"

"Like I have one.. please. I'd come in to help you any day."

Flo smiled. "You're wonderful...I'd be lost without you, Brady." She leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll give you a ride home tonight...no need to spend your hard earned on a cab, when you came into save my a**."

"Thanks," he chuckled, relieved he wouldn't be spending the ride back to the ranch tonight with the winos and whackos from town. He grabbed another carafe and made the rounds with the waters while she grabbed another order. It was busy enough he'd have to start taking the orders. "Is there a convention in town or something? I've never seen it this busy," he asked brushing past her at the counter.

She turned to the side her front brushing against his. "I think they heard you were supposed to be cooking!" She was in a better mood and her light flirty personality was shining.

He laughed and shrugged off the compliment, blushing slightly. "Yeah, whatever.. it's all you, you know.. I'll go grab their order, you've got two up."

"Thanks." She turned again, brushing past him to grab her orders and sweep over to the waiting table.

He delivered the food while it was hot. Some of the patrons seemed a bit testy at the wait, but those who understood smiled and enjoyed themselves as Flo and Brady danced about each other, keeping things moving.

[Lovely]

And so the night continued until late hours, then finally slowing down enough to allow them to 'relax' and even catch a bite to eat themselves.


He 'foofed' as he sat in the back booth, one arm on the table, the other on the back of the seat. His head thumped against the wall softly,"Ever thought of serving beer here.. at least to the workers?"

Flo slipped into the booth and rested her head against Brady's shoulder. "Actually.." She smiled and got up returning a moment later with two beers. "My special stash...you deserve it tonight." She opened the bottles and held hers up to him. "Thank you."

"Sweet.. thanks.. just umm.. don't tell Khyler.. he'll have a fit. What about you.. you're always here and I never see your boyfriend."

Flo laughed and shook her head. "I'm not telling your crazy cousin as long as you don't!" She was younger than Khyler but older than Annia and knew of them both though not really close to either. Shaking her head. "I don't have a boyfriend. Haven't for awhile... dumped the last guy -he was such a prick." She smiled at Brady.

"Good for you. Nobody needs that kind anyway. So what gives? You're being really nice tonight, " he blushed a moment, thinking of earlier. "And.. um.. you smell nice, too. I like it."

Flo took a long sip of her beer. "What do you mean? Aren't I usually nice to you?" She looked at him a moment. "I know I may really ride you sometimes but it's just when we are busy and things go crazy. Do you think I am mean to you?" She had missed his point and then caught it a minute later. "I smell nice?" She smiled. "Thanks.."

"You're never mean, Flo.. you don't have a mean bone in you.. something mom would say, but you don't."

Flo shook her head. "I do too have mean bones...you just can't see them!" She teased.

In a moment of bravery, he smiled around the mouth of his bottle, whistling into it a little as he laughed out his words, "Not much place to hide them.. and you hide them..well."

"Well you see..." She stuck her finger in the side of her shirt. "Right there." She smiled, flirting was like breathing... but she did like Brady. He was younger, but had a good head on his shoulders and was raised up right, from what she could tell. She wouldn't mind..... ok Flo don't even think it.

"I'm lookin'," he blushed and looked away, feeling very warm and nervous. "But that doesn't look mean to me."

She pulled on the shirt a tiny bit, looking as if she didn't believe him. "It doesn't look mean? Hmmm what does it look then?" She caught the blush out of the corner of her eye...how cute. She wondered how much she could make him blush...and what he would be like when he stopped blushing and let go. She smiled chiding herself for being so naughty.

He was red down his neck, watching her bare the side of her shamelessly, but he continued watching. He sipped absently at his beer. "It looks.. um.. heheh.. tempting," he said, more into the bottle than out loud.

Flo giggled, the motion making her shake a little. She leaned over and kissed Brady's cheek. "You're too sweet." She sat back. "Are you hungry?"

"Um.. yeah.. sure, I mean sure, yes," he was too flustered to answer her clearly, his attention still diverted, but the red fading to pink.

She wiggled a little in her seat and squeezed his thigh. "Well how about I cook for you, for a change?"

He jumped a little, not expecting that, "Um.. sure.. you don't have to."

She sighed and got up. "Well I need something and food will have to satisfy me for now. So if you want some..."

What did she say?... he was hearing things...no, it was only a few sips of beer.. he didn't imagine it. Maybe that's not what she meant at all. He shrugged and slipped out of the booth. They were both beat.. she didn't need to waste her energy cooking for him. He slid up next to her in the kitchen, seeing what she'd pulled out to fix up, and started to change his mind. "Hmm.. looks good so far," he said, looking more at her, than the food on the counter.

She gave a little wiggle of her hips. "You aint seen nothing yet, babe." She winked at him as she moved around, mixing and tossing things onto the grill. "What are you most in the mood for?" She leaned against him, reaching behind his head for a seasoning off the shelf.

He turned, watching the length of her arm stretch before him, glancing from her shoulder to her nimble fingers, "Here, let me get that for you." He reached along beside her, each using the other for support while reaching to the shelf. His other hand caught along her side, reluctant to let go.

She smiled at him, letting his hand linger at her side. She said nothing about it, leaning closer to him still, her face almost touching his. "Thank you." She whispered close to his lips, her eyes gently looking into his.

His eyes danced, but the quiver in his lip and the pink that deepened to crimson on his cheek spoke more than volumes as he stood frozen like a deer, suddenly aware of the placement of his hands, and the closeness of... feeling her breath on his cheek... his fingers on her side, clenching slightly as he moved to the lips that were so close to his own.. should he?... could he? Was it allowed.. but more so.. could he go through with it? ,.. he tested his resolve.. and leaned to her..

Her lips caught his softly. One part of her brain screamed, what are you doing? The other half just wanted... She sighed, letting her arms come around his shoulders.

He sighed, embarrassed and fidgeting while her arms hung around his neck and he looked at her eyes, seeing them as soft and curious for the first time... "Um... I... we should.., " he stopped stammering as he stared and surrended, the blush fading as his courage grew.

"Yeah, we should..." She spoke as her lips, moved expertly against his, pulling him to a more demanding kiss.

The shock had him recoiling at first, backing against the counter, his hand bracing him from tipping backwards. The sudden stop had her pushing up against him abruptly. All in a blink his hand was off the counter and on the small of her back, holding her to him where she'd made contact...he explored more deeply in the kiss himself, following her lead.

Flo wrapped her fingers into his blond locks, holding his mouth more firmly to hers. Her tongue came into his mouth, very gently. Her body pressing against him and shifted as she moved in the kiss, urging him to go wherever he liked.

His inexperience showed, but so did his willingness to learn. His own tongue teased back tentatively, seeking hers and playfully following as she instructed each bit of the way. His hands slowly moved, his fingers aching to test the softness he'd gazed at before. Sliding up her sides, his thumbs stopped at the edge of her halter top, then nudged gently.

Flo's lips parted more and her kiss became more 'aggressive' as he explored.

His eyes looked over her for assistance, not knowing what to do, what was allowed from here. They were in the kitchen and anyone could... he smiled.. yeah, they could, but that was part of the thrill, he thought, feeling a chill ripple through him. His hand slid to the string at her back. He gently pulled it, watching the fabric become slack. He gazed where she'd pointed earlier... and bent down to inspect more closely with his tongue.. "Nope.. not a mean bone here... or here... or here, either," he whispered, kissing gently as he moved.

"Oh.." Her hands still curled in his hair, she arched back a little, offering him more... It felt so good, was this wrong? ... he was over 18 after all.

She seemed to like the attention, so he guessed he was doing what he was supposed to do... or she was at least letting him believe it. He only ever dreamed.. he'd never.. and what he'd thought about doing with her... was here.. and he was.. and she was here, responding. His mind raced.. his heart did its best to catch up.

The smoke and smell is what did it, what broke the spell. She turned and had to laugh at the mess burning on the grill. "Oh no!" She pulled Brady reluctantly away from her and pointed to the grill. She was busy trying to tie her strings..

He jumped back from her and tended to the smouldering mess before it caught fire at least. He was a deep red again, shaking and clumsy as he moved about, trying to pretend nothing had just happened, panicked that she might fire him for trying to set fire to the place.

Flo was laughing, she smiled at Brady and took the extinguisher from him. Setting it aside, she moved behind him and rubbed his shoulders, gently. "Relax Brady."

He had tensed tremendously, trying to get things cleaned up. "I'm sorry... this... it.. it's all my fault."

She stilled his hands and turned him to face her. "Brady, relax before I slap you silly." She was smiling, her eyes soft towards him. "It's not you're fault... if anyone were to get blamed it would be me..."

The same doe-brown eyes that caught him before started to lure him in again and he blushed, looking down, "Flo.. I... I don't want to screw up... you .. you're nice.. I like you, but what if.. I mean... what just happened.. if we...," he stammered, not sure how to explain. His head lifted and he searched her eyes for understanding, hoping he wouldn't have to explain.

Flo sighed and shook her head. "It's okay, Brady I understand. I'm sorry." She touched his cheek, a soft finger running over the bone. "Just relax alright?"

He found himself leaning into her hand, watching her eyes, still. A light smile crossing his panicked features, "Okay." He chuckled a little bit, the blush returning, but not as fiercely as before, "I .. uh.. guess that wasn't the only fire we started.. was it?"

A playful look came into her eyes. "No it wasn't the only fire... the other one hasn't been put out yet." She gave him a wink.

He searched over her, his lip quivering and eager, as he bent to her lips again, tasting her lightly. This was his boss.. he reminded himself.. then closed his eyes to forget that little fact as he explored.

Her mouth was gentle and soft against is, her tongue gently meeting his. Slowly her hands moved to his waist, her fingers curling into the loops of his jeans and pulling him closer to her. She continued to kiss him, letting him explore and encouraging him.

He dipped into her kisses eagerly now, settled and braver now that the smoke had cleared. .. that smoke.. as she brought more from him... kindled his flames."Thanks for the tip..."

She smiled, liking his new boldness. "Not just the tip I want." She whispered, nipping and kissing his neck.

[Lovely]

March 18, 2008
7pm

Brady had learned his lack of subtlety from Khyler, though much was probably hereditary. The top Flo was wearing didn't help, either. He was stunned and drawn to the top, enticed to trace along it to the ties that held the halter in place as he hugged her 'hello'. "Oops... aalll fall down," he teased.

She laughed in her quiet almost purring way, returning the hug and skimming a kiss over his cheek. "No oops about that.." She smiled, her eyes lighting up.

He laughed a little and held her close, loving the way her hair always smelled so nice. The kiss was really nice, too. "So you like the flowers?" He asked while not looking up at her eyes... still distracted elsewhere...

She smiled again, looking at the flowers that had arrived just before him in a pretty vase. "Yes..I like the flowers. It was really sweet." She watched him not watching her face but didn't make any move to stop him from getting his eyeful.

Brady chuckled again. He wasn't used to being called sweet. His sisters definitely never called him that. He shifted the fabric back to cover her and looked up finally, still grinning. "Are you gonna be warm enough in that?"

"Depends on where we're going and what we're doing.. or someone could let me borrow their leather jacket...that nice leather one.. that I eye all the time.." She hinted and teased with a wink and a little grin.

He smiled and slipped it off his own shoulders, wrapping it over hers. "Actually, I was thinking of taking you to the pier for some 'night fishing'."

She chuckled, her face all soft and sweet. "Thanks.." Curling into the jacket a bit, her dark eyes lifted to his. "Almost.. sounds a bit romantic.. Careful Brady.. you'll make a girl sweet on you."

"Hope so," he admitted, a faint blush shading his cheek, much less than it used to. "You deserve a nice time is all... work so hard and I ... okay, I won't say I owe you cuz you always get mad, but I do, okay? And you do... deserve it, I mean."

Her arms slid into the sleeves of the jacket and then lifted, her fingers resting on his cheeks. "no it's not okay.. why do you think you owe me?.. you don't owe me anything.."

Here we go... he sighed with a gentle grin. "I just do. You let me work for you even when I screw things up... you're nice... more than," he smiled wider and blushed a little deeper. "And... nah... I just do. And you make me smile. Annia thinks it's cute. I could kill her."

"She's right.. it is cute.. very cute." She brushed her fingertips over his lips and leaned to kiss him softly. "You don't owe me.." She whispered against his lips.

He watched her lean toward him and sank happily into the kiss, slipping his hands to her waist beneath the jacket. He chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. "Can I show my appreciation anyway?"

"hmm.. I guess so." She murmured, still holding his face gently and giving him a soft almost shy smile.

[Lovely]

June 10, 2009
1am


Cherry had agreed to work the late shift at the diner, this time of night the only customers coming in were those going in for graveyard shifts, those coming off the late shift, and drunks. She didn't often work at this time but when she did, she found the customers who came in interesting and entertaining. She got an unexpected treat when she saw Brady come walking in, but the way he swayed and sat down heavily made her wonder if he was alright. Cherry had sort of liked him for awhile but he never seemed to return her interest, of course she'd never outright said anything to him. Maybe she just was too subtle in her flirting or more just like a friend.. it didn't matter - he was so cute and probably had four girlfriends already. With a small sigh and then a smile she walked up to his table. "Hey stranger.. how are you doing tonight?" From the smell of alcohol, she guessed he'd been drinking and wondered what party he'd gone to.

[tripp]

"I think I need pie," Brady slurred out. The dessert card he tried to focus on for his choice was closed and he was spinning it between his palms. After a moment he looked up blearily, trying to focus on the girl he now realized was Cherry - at least one of the two was. He wasn't expecting her to be working tonight! He smiled. "Heeey. You're cute tonight," he said, frowning a second. He meant to say something about her working tonight.

[Lovely]

"I think you need coffee." She smiled sweetly and leaned to take the mug from the table and flip it over so she could fill it up. Cherry laughed softly as he told her she was cute tonight. "Mmm just cute tonight?" She teased him and gently pushed the coffee toward him. "You're drunk tonight." She whispered and because there was no one looking and he wasn't likely to remember it, Cherry brushed a kiss over his cheek.

[tripp]

"No! I mean... yeah, like every night - day... tonight too. Yeah I guess I had a little," he laughed, setting the menu down as she pecked his cheek. He turned, stunned and numb, wishing he'd felt it a little more. He reached for the cup before noticing she already moved it and he shuffled around to lean on his empty hand that searched for something to hold onto before he toppled over. He propped himself up and smiled glazedly at her, hoping she might do it again. "What was that for? And how late are you working?"

[Lovely]

"Because I wanted to." Cherry gave him playful little smile that was also a tad bit shy and her cheeks warmed with her blush. She bit at her lip and shrugged, looking down at her finger as she traced it over his arm. "Because.. I think you're cute too.. now drink your coffee.. slowly and I'll see what we have left for pie." She hoped not to have to clean up vomit but on the other hand, something in his stomach would help absorb some of the alcohol. "Hey.. you didn't drive yourself did you?" There was no one else with him, so unless someone dropped him off or her walked.. "Gimme your keys.. I'll drive you home when I get off."

[tripp]

"Drive? Oh, man." He didn't remember driving, but that didn't mean much right now. He usually took the bus but it didn't run this late. He thought harder a moment. "I walked... I think. The party was.. right over..," he looked at the door and tried to remember directions. "Not far. My friend and me? Psh, he knows these girls, right? Total jail bait, I mean really, and he thought one of them and me would hit it, you know? Dude, I'm not... I can't," he said, shaking his head, then holding his temples with his palms. "Yeah, something to eat would be great. You got toast? Toast and pie," he decided, although the table was now spinning in front of him and he wasn't sure he could eat anything. "Wait...," he said, looking up, confused, though his eyes were crimped closed. "Did you just offer me a ride?"

[Lovely]

Cherry laughed a little at the last of it, watching him look at her with his eyes closed, he wouldn't she her head shake or her concerned smile. "No, I just told you I was giving you a ride and if you don't willingly give up your keys, I'll have to frisk you." She told him firmly, glancing over to the counter and trying to signal to the cook for the taost, she thought they got it and her attention turned back to Brady. "Can you even go home like this? I mean will your sister or brother freak on you? You could always crash at my place if it would be better.. but no jail bait for you.. okay?" Toast only took a couple of minutes and she leaned to kiss his cheek again. "I'll be right back with your bread and water." She teased him and bounced off without any alcohol to weigh her down.

[tripp]

She'd kissed him twice and he watched her go back to the kitchen now, deciding that turning back around was a very bad idea once he'd turned this far. He rested his cheek on the back of the seat, muttering as she finally came back with his toast. "Might have to frisk me. I don't remember having keys," he admitted, fumbling for the many pockets of his vest that carried most everything he owned. His thumb caught a moment on the topmost pocket as he tried to let go and push himself back off the cushion. "Cherry, why are you being so nice?" Why was he asking something so dumb? He swore he'd never drink again.

[Lovely]

"I'm not afraid to frisk you.." She set the plate with the toast on the table and leaned her hand on the edge, the other reached to brush his cheek. "What do you mean? Aren't I always nice to you? I guess maybe you don't notice it.. you know when there is anyone else around. I guess you have alot of.. better things to pay attention to." Her smiled faded and she looked down at the toe of her shoe. "I like you.. okay?" He was drunk, he probably wouldn't remember her being nice to him or saying that later, if he did - well, she'd deal with it.