Page 20 of Rags's Awakening
“Are you following me, too, like Jeremy?”
“Jeremy’s following you?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what’s going on. I’ve seen Jeremy tailing me a couple of times now after I get off work. I’m sure you’re doing it, too.”
His eyes widened in mock surprise. “Have you seen me doing it?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean anything. You know how to do it better than Jeremy. I want both of you to stop it. Now. Tell Mom and Dad to stop treating me like a child.”
“And this from a woman who just ordered a shake with fuckin’ sprinkles on it.” The side of his mouth hitched up.
“Stop it, this isn’t funny.” Clara’s voice wavered as she blinked rapidly.
“Come on, now. I was just teasing.” Rags reached over and patted her hand. “Sorry. We’re all worried about you, that’s all.You know what’s going on with this fuckin’ psycho. Before this shit started up, was Jeremy making sure you got home okay?”
“No.” Her voice was slightly louder than a whisper.
“Then… don’t overact to all this. Your car isn’t in the best shape, Mom and Dad are trying to let you grow but they’re scared to death of this bastard who’s preying on young women. Look at it from their point of view. This is all temporary. Don’t fret about it so much. Jeremy and I know you’re grown up.”
“I wish I believed that.”
“Here you go,” Maddie said, placing a large frosty glass piled with whipped cream covered in sprinkles. “I’ll let you have some time to look at the menu. Enjoy.”
“Thanks,” Clara mumbled, staring at the glass.
“Go ahead and drink your shake. You know you can’t wait to dig in.” He nudged the glass closer to her. “So, is this what you wanted to talk about?”
Clara shook her head before putting a big spoonful of whipped cream in her mouth.
“Then what?”
She met his eyes. “Don’t blow my job by hitting on my boss.”
Rags jerked his head back. “What the fuck?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I saw the way you were looking at her when you came by the office a couple of days ago.” Clara put another large spoonful of whipped cream into her mouth.
“You’re crazy. I was looking for you and ended up going into her office.”
“I know you, Rags. You like pretty women—dark-haired, nice figure, sort of sassy. That’s Casey to a T.”
He huffed out a laugh. “I don’t remember sharing ‘my type’ with you. And for your information, smartass, I don’t have a type.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Glad you’re here to inform me on that. Hell, I’d be lost without all your wisdom.”
“Rags, I’m serious.” She leaned in. “Leave her alone. You’ve got the club girls for whatever it is you do with them.”
A crease pinched the space between his brows. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“I’m not some sheltered little girl. I’m a woman. Anyway, I’m just saying besides those women at the club, there are plenty of ladies in town. Leave my boss alone.”
Clara grabbed the straw, took a long sip, and gave him a pointed look.
“Fuckin’ unbelievable,” he muttered, reaching for his coffee.
“Prove me wrong, then.” A bratty smile twitched on her lips, and she went back to her milkshake, clearly satisfied that she’d gotten the last word.
