Hello my lovelies! I hope y'all are okay after the last chapter! I still don't think I am and I even know what happens next!

Thank you to @JFarley for all of the comments on the last chapter!

I'm still waiting to hear from you quiet creepy readers!

Alright next chapter!

Reedus kisses for everyone!

Here we go, Nords!

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Then

The bar was loud and filled with the haze of cigarette smoke, but I kept working. I needed the money. Sure bussing tables wasn't the best job, but it was making ends meet. I had struggled my way through college and had barely graduated, but I did and now I was drowning in student loan debt.

My tub was full of dirty plates and empty beer bottles and I was about to exchange it out for another one when a chorus of laughter erupted from a booth in the back causing me to turn my head. The same group of men that sat there every Friday night was back there again.

I didn't know any of their names. Well all of them except one. He was sitting on the outside of the booth this week. His long legs were stretched out in the aisle. A cigarette hung lazily from his lips. What got me the most was the way his eyes lit up when he laughed.

I had never formally introduced myself to him, but I had learned his name was Jeffrey, but most people called him Jeff. Our eyes met and he gave me a soft smile. I felt my cheeks heat up and I quickly averted my eyes before heading to the back and switching out my tubs.

Friday nights were always busy, but being busy meant really good tips. I collected a couple while cleaning off the next table. 'Hotel California' by The Eagles came over the radio. I hummed quietly to myself while continuing to clean. A smile slowly came on my face. There was something about The Eagles that always put me in a good mood.

*Jeffrey's POV*

"What are you smiling like a goof ball for?" my friend Paul nudged me and asking bringing me out of my trance. I glanced over to see all my friend's staring back at me. "Oh, Jeffy's got a crush!" Paul said while grabbing my shoulders and shaking them.

"On who?" Mark asked while looking around the bar. Paul scanned the crowd before pointing. "Her!" he said. By the time Mark turned around someone had stepped in the girl's way. This girl was dressed in a short tight skirt with a low cut shirt.

"Oh! Jeff's getting some tonight!" Mark exclaimed, but Paul shook his head. "Not her.....her!" he said pointing again. Just then the underdressed woman moved and revealed the girl who was busy bussing tables. Mark stared at her for a long minute before setting back in his chair.

"If that's what you go for man. She doesn't look really well put together," he said. Her shirt was dirty and a little wet. Her hair was up in a messy ponytail that looked like it needed to be fixed, but she looked like she was on a mission to get her job done.

I had never caught her name, and she didn't wear a nametag. "Dude, it's Friday. She works in a bar. It's busy, she's-," "Beautiful," I heard myself saying cutting Paul off. Both of their heads whipped around to look at me. Paul smiled and chuckled.

"Ask her out man!" Paul said. I shook my head. "I don't even know her name," I said taking another sip of my beer. Mark grabbed the hand of the next waitress that walked by. "Excuse me, Gorgeous, but do you happen to know the name of the girl over there? My friend across from me has a liking for her," he said pointing at me before pointing to the girl bussing tables.

The waitress smiled. "That's Veronica, but most people call her Ronnie. I can pass your number along if you'd like?" she asked now addressing me. I quickly shook my head. "That's quite alright," I said while quickly finishing my beer. She nodded.

"Well, let me know if I can help in anyway!" she said before walking away. "Dude! Are you crazy? That could've been your way in!" Mark said. I shook my head. "I don't need someone's help asking a girl out," I said. Paul chuckled while patting my shoulder.

"Then go ask her out," he said once again. I shook my head again. "It's not the right time." I said. "And why not?" Mark asked. I shrugged and watched as Ronnie carried a heavy pan full of dirty dishes through the swinging doors. I grabbed another cigarette out of my pocket and lit it.

"She's working. It's not appropriate," I said. The boys looked at each other and both rolled their eyes before falling silent. Ronnie came back out of the swinging doors. This time she was in a different shirt and her hair had been pulled down from the messy ponytail, brushed and tucked neatly behind her ears.

I could now see just how long and curly it was. What I wouldn't give to run my fingers through it. Fingers snapped in front of my face bringing me back to reality. "Sorry what?" I asked Paul who was staring at me. He pointed. "She's leaving for the night," he said. And I watched as Ronnie made her way to the front door through the crowded bar.

I shrugged. "I'll catch her another time," I said while pulling my wallet out of my pocket. I laid a couple of bills on the table before standing up and shrugging on my coat and hat. "I'm gonna head out. Catch some sleep. Same time next week?" I asked.

They both nodded. I gave them a small wave before making my way through the crowded bar. Reaching the outside, I let the fresh air fill my lungs while walking the couple of blocks to my apartment in the peaceful night with Ronnie on my mind.

~~

Now

Brittany's face fell when I walked through her door with tear stained cheeks. We went out back and sat on the deck where we could see the kids playing. "What happened?" she asked. I ran my shaky hands over my face. I shook my head slightly.

"He acted surprised when I showed up. He walked me around his farm and then we started talking," I said. Brittany gave me a look telling me to continue. "He yelled at me. Basically told me to stop playing the victim because I put my own self in this situation," I said.

I looked over at Brittany to see what she was thinking. "Did you tell him about Charlie?" she asked. I shook my head. "No, he didn't give me any time to explain anything before kicking me off the farm," I said. Brittany's contagious laughter filled the air.

"What's so funny?" I asked her. She chuckled again before looking at the flare on my face and shutting up. "I'm sorry, but he hit the nail on the head. He said everything we've been telling you. Maybe it just hurt worse coming from him," she said.

I felt my blood boil. "So Jeffrey's right and I'm wrong?" I asked rhetorically. "I didn't say that, but what I am saying is that you lied to him. Now you're blaming him for your unhappiness. That's not fair to him," she said. I stood up immediately.

"Ronnie," Britany said trying to stop me. "Charlie!" I called out. "I can't believe you," I said while looking down at her. Charlie came up and grabbed my hand. "I'll see you later," I said walking out the door with Charlie in tow. I quickly loaded her in the car and jumped in the driver's seat.

"Momma!" Charlie said interrupting my thoughts as we took off down the road. "Yes baby?" I asked while glancing in the rearview mirror. She was frowning. "What's wrong?" I asked her. "Are you mad at Aunt Brittany?" she asked me curiously.

I let out a huffed chuckle. Sometimes she was just too smart for her age. "It's alright Charlie. Don't worry about it," I said. I saw the familiar fence line starting to pop up. "Mommy! Let's go see the farm!" she said but I kept driving. I looked in the rearview mirror to see her pouting as we drove right past the farm. I just wanted to get home and forget about what had just happened.

I pulled into the driveway and shut off the car. Silence fell around me. I rested my hands on the steering wheel. I looked in the mirror again to see Charlie was in her own little world now. I shut off the car and got out. I helped Charlie before making my way into the house.

"Charlie, why don't you go change into some play clothes and we'll bake some cookies," I said gently pushing her towards her bedroom. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Jensen's number. It rang a few times before going straight to voicemail.

I sighed and hung up. My phone buzzed instantly and I looked to see it was a text from Jensen. "Talk later," it read. I sat my phone on the counter. Something told me he was mad at me. I shook my head and grabbed all the ingredients I needed to bake cookies.

Charlie came into the kitchen with her play clothes on. I looked to see her shirt was on backwards. I chuckled and helped her fix it before helping her up on a small stool and handing her a spoon. I dumbed some of the ingredients in the bowl and we got started on the cookies.

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So it was kind of a filler chapter! The then portion of it gave you a little more insight on how they met. Sort of. Are y'all loving Brittany's character? Is she too truthful?

Predictions?

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