Like Tattoos on This Town

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack heard his name, shifting in his seat he looked up at the source. "Hayden?" He asked, unsure. He didn't expect to see her, not after the way things were left. He eyed her surprised at how well she'd grown up. She was stunning, and he was speechless.

---

Laney took the meat off of the boiler, before plating them. Then taking the baked potatoes out of the oven. Moving to the table she placed the two plates down. "Dig in." She told him, making her father a plate before putting it in the microwave. Then returning to the table and sitting herself down. She then started to dish out some food for herself. "My mother passed away a few years ago, so I started helping my father with the business." She started to explain, in between bites. "But it got to be too much to handle so I got my GED and now I practical run the place." She shrugged.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Hayden chuckled dryly, noticing the look of surprise on Zacky's face. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she said. Of course, she could say the same thing. Zacky looked almost the same as he had when he'd left, just more grown up. More like a man. "Are you in town for long?" she asked.

---

"Sorry to hear that," Matt said. "But it was nice for you to help your dad out." Matt turned his attention to the plate of food Laney had placed in front of him, his mouth practically watering at the sight. If it tasted as good as it looked, it was going to be the best meal he'd had in awhile. He picked up his fork and cut a piece of steak before shoving it in his mouth. "You're quite a cook, miss Stevens," Matt said, winking at Laney.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack frowned, "It's been awhile." He informed her, knowing that would explain the ghost comment. Shrugging he turned his attention back to the caskets in front of him. "I have a few things to do before I can go anywhrere." He sighed. "Lawyers are a pain in the ass." He said more to himself than her.

---

Laney smiled at him, before feeling a light blush for on her cheeks. "Thank you." She murmured out to him, feeling like a school girl. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She'd always spaced herself from people so she could focus on the business. But getting older and noticed more it made it harder for her to ignore the advances. Turning her attention to her food she continued to eat, hoping to live down her embrassment.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack frowned, "It's been awhile." He informed her, knowing that would explain the ghost comment. Shrugging he turned his attention back to the caskets in front of him. "I have a few things to do before I can go anywhrere." He sighed. "Lawyers are a pain in the ass." He said more to himself than her.

---

Laney smiled at him, before feeling a light blush for on her cheeks. "Thank you." She murmured out to him, feeling like a school girl. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She'd always spaced herself from people so she could focus on the business. But getting older and noticed more it made it harder for her to ignore the advances. Turning her attention to her food she continued to eat, hoping to live down her embrassment.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack frowned, "It's been awhile." He informed her, knowing that would explain the ghost comment. Shrugging he turned his attention back to the caskets in front of him. "I have a few things to do before I can go anywhrere." He sighed. "Lawyers are a pain in the ass." He said more to himself than her.

---

Laney smiled at him, before feeling a light blush for on her cheeks. "Thank you." She murmured out to him, feeling like a school girl. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She'd always spaced herself from people so she could focus on the business. But getting older and noticed more it made it harder for her to ignore the advances. Turning her attention to her food she continued to eat, hoping to live down her embrassment.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"It has," Hayden agreed, her voice soft. She wanted to ask him where he'd been, why he hadn't come back until now, but she knew this wasn't the time or place. "I could help you out, if you want," Hayden offered. "I don't know a lot about lawyers, but I could help you sort some things out. And I own the restaurant downtown now, so I could get you food."

---

"Is your dad gonna be home soon?" Matt asked through a mouth of potatoes. "He's my boss, I should probably meet him." Matt finished his plate a few minutes later and pushed it away, leaning back in his seat with a contented sigh. "That was delicious," he said again. "I'll have to come over for dinner often."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack smiled, he couldn't believe after all these years she was actually still the only person he could rely on. "I'd like that." He said, truth be told he didn't know much about lawyers either. And as far as the Ranch and his grandparents stuff, he still needed to figure out what to do with everything.

---

Laney smiled grabbing there plates and moved to the sink. "He's upstairs." She informed him. "He's not feeling well." She said turning and continue cleaning up the table. "You might see him at work tomorrow." She stated unsure if her father would be up for company, she knew he wouldn't like the fact Matt was here.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Well come on then, I'll give you a ride," Hayden offered. She got to her feet, looking at Zacky to make sure he was following. She led him to her truck and tossed her umbrella in the backseat before climbing into the driver's seat. "Are you hungry?" she asked, her voice still soft. "Or do you just want to go home?"

---

"Ah, well that sucks," Matt said. He stretched his arms above his head before getting to his feet. "I should get going, I need a shower before I hit the sack." Matt walked over to the door. "Thanks again for dinner. And tell your dad I hope he starts feeling better."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack smiled and followed her into her truck, pulling on his seat belt he listened to her ramble he questioned. "I am a bit hungry." He informed her, he hadn't eaten before the funeral. So he was famished in all honesty.

---

Laney followed him to the door, "I will do." She informed him. Though she more than likely wouldn't. "Drive carefully." She told him, even if he hadn't drinken with dinner she would still worry about his safety. "Good night." She said holding the door open for him.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Hayden nodded and headed off in the direction of the restaurant. She didn't really want to take Zacky to her house. The ride there was silent and in Hayden's opinion, very awkward. She was thankful when they arrived at the restaurant, and she hurried through the rain to the door, which she unlocked and then ushered Zack inside. "You can look at this and see what you want," she said, pressing a menu into Zacky's hands.

---

"See you tomorrow," Matt said, nodding his head at Laney. He headed outside to his car. With that delicious meal in his stomach, he was really looking forward to a warm shower and his bed. He was also looking forward to seeing Laney again tomorrow, although he'd have to be careful if her dad was around. The last thing he wanted was to lose his job, or even worse, go to jail.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack entered the diner, but frowned when he noticed it was vacant. "You don't have to cook for me." He informed her, before placing down the menu. "I figured we'd get some Subway or something." He informed her, not wanting her to go out of her way to try and please him.

---

Laney nibbled on her lip as she closed the door behind her. Sighing she bit back a smile, she knew it was wrong to like any man. She was to young, and even though the age of consent was 16. She still knew he father would flip and shoot somebody. Shaking those thoughts from her head, she went into the kitchen and finished cleaning. Grabbing her fathers plate from the microwave she decided to see if he would eat something before she headed to bed.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"We'd have to drive at least twenty minutes to find a Subway or anything, and I don't have that kind of gas," Hayden replied quietly. And besides, she didn't think she could stand to be trapped in her truck for that long with Zacky. Because no matter what kind of grudge she still held against Zacky, he was still mourning and she didn't want to bother him with all the questions she had. "But if you can put some gas in my truck, I'll take you wherever you want."

---

Matt smiled at Laney when he entered the shop the next morning, his umbrella tucked under his arm. The sky was threatening rain and the last thing he wanted was to be caught in a downpour without it. "How are you doing this morning, miss Stevens?" Matt asked, leaning against the counter. "I hope you'll let me thank you for dinner last night. I'll probably have the chance to do a little grocery shopping later this week, so maybe you'd like to join me at my house for dinner on Friday?"

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack smiled at her, he'd forgotten just how different it was here than back home. "Well if you want to cook for me I'll let you." He smirked at her. "Beside I have missed your cooking." He told her. Growing up when she wasn't with him, she was here at this diner learning everything she could. "So surprise me." He told her, knowing that when she cooked what she wanted, it was better than something he could order. He didn't know how many times he'd tell her that when he would come in here while she was working.

---

Laney grabbed herself a cup of coffee before heading to work. This morning she'd taken a little more care with what she wore. Entering the building she was the first to arrive like usual. Settling herself in the office she could hear the noise of the others arriving. Standing she moved around collecting a few things she'd need for the day. Hearing a gruff voice she turned smiling, "morning." She she managed out. Before hearing his offer. "Uh." She started before licking over her lips. "I don't think that's a good idea." She informed him. Knowing if any of the guys got wind of her being at his place alone, it would get back to her father. And she didn't want him to lose his job let alone get shot.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Hayden bit back a bitter reply. Zacky wouldn't have had to miss anything if he'd just stayed here. But once again, Hayden knew that now wasn't a good time to bring up the past. Hayden went into the kitchen, deciding to cook up some of her grandmother's fried chicken. She loved it and she remembered how much Zacky loved it as well. Mashed potatoes would take too long, so Hayden just pulled some bagged salad out of the fridge and piled it on the plates before carrying them back out to where Zacky was. "Eat up."

---

Matt was disappointed, but tried not to let it show. In all honesty, he was glad Laney had turned him down, because after he thought it through, he realized it was a bad idea to invite the seventeen-year-old daughter of his new boss back to his house alone. "Oh well, then I'll just have to think of another way to thank you," Matt said, nodding his head at Laney. He grinned again. "You look nice, by the way," he added, heading off into the shop.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky smiled brightly at the food she'd brought. "Looks amazing." He commented, before driving into it. Moments like this he was glad he'd skipped breakfast. "So." He said once he'd swallowed his bite. "How have you been?" He knew that even though they were dancing around the conversation. It would be better to get it over with. He really had missed her, and in honesty after a while she wasn't even on his mind any more. But that happens when you have to take care of a woman who would sleep in her own vomit it permitted.

---

Laney attempted to bite back a smile, but failed. She could feel the blush taking over her cheeks. She was totally crushing on him. And for a reason beyond her she was pushing away opportunities. Quickly composing herself she sat down at the desk and started on payroll. She'd been dabbling in it the past few days but decided to catch up on it. "Morning sweetheart." She heard a gruff voice meet her ears. Looking up she seen her dad in the door way. Greeting him back she could tell he still didn't feel good, but he was stubborn and refused to stay home if he wasn't on his deathbed. "I missed you this morning." He said, knowing he had gotten a late start. "I was running a bit late so I stopped and got something to munch on." She informed him, knowing that if she told him she'd skipped out on breakfast he'd flip and then send her out to eat. After all she was the only thing he had left in this world.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"I've been...good, I guess," Hayden mumbled. She stabbed at her salad. "I moved out of my folks' house, got my own place." She didn't know what else to say. There wasn't a lot to say. Things in her life had stayed pretty much the same, except for the fact that her best friend had just disappeared with no explanation. "Why did you leave, Zack?" Hayden asked. She bit her lip. She hadn't been able to avoid the words spilling out of her mouth, but she was almost glad she'd said them. She was tired of skirting around the conversation.

---

By lunchtime Matt had worked up quite an appetite. There were no repairs to go at the time being, so Matt decided to take a lunch break. He cleaned the grease from his hands and face before heading into the office. "Laney," he greeted with a smile. He leaned on the counter. "Have you taken your lunch break yet? Because if you haven't, I'd love for you to join me for lunch."

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack listen to her talk, nodding he knew the feeling. Leaving your parents house a milestone that's huge, but not all that excited when you look back at it. But he quit eating once she asked why he left. "I figured you knew." He said, before clearing his throat. "My mom packed us up and moved." He told her, it was the truth but he was down playing it. He shrugged it off, not liking to admit his mother's problems. Now matter where she is in life now, he will always remember her as a drunk.

---

Laney looked up from her computer and at Matt. Shaking her head she smiled. "No I haven't, give me a sec?" She questioned him before turning back to the comptuer. Quickly she finished with what she was doing before saving her work. Closing the laptop, she grabbed her purse before standing up and exiting the office. "Ready?" She qusstioned. It wasn't unusual for her and some of the guys to go out to lunch, so when one asked she usually excepted. They after all were a team and even if she was behind the desk they still felt the need to involve her. But she made sure they kept their distance, with Matt though she wasn't sure what she thought about that.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Zacky's explanation made sense. His mother was never the most stable person, which was why he was so close to his late grandparents. But it still didn't explain why he didn't come back when he turned 18, or why he hadn't at least tried to contact Hayden. "But you didn't come back," Hayden said. "You didn't call, you didn't write, you didn't do anything. You abandoned me, Zack."

---

"I'll drive," Matt offered, showing Laney to his car. He opened the passenger door for her and closed it behind her before walking over to the driver's side and starting his car. "Uh, you'll have to direct me to somewhere to go, since I don't know where anything is." Matt was surprised when Laney accepted his lunch offer, since she'd turned down his dinner invitation. But it made sense, since they'd be having lunch in public, which was less suspicious. He had half a mind to ask her when she would be eighteen so he wouldn't have to worry so much about what everyone else thought. Or at least what Laney's dad and the cops thought. Not that there was anything between the two of them, but Matt just wanted to be careful.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky sighed rubbing his face. "I know." He said before shaking his head. He didn't want to have to explain it to her but she didn't seem to understand the struggles he had to deal with. "I didn't contact you because I couldn't." He shook his head, "between school and work I didn't have time to write, I didn't have money to call." He hated how rude and hurtful the words he said were. "What makes you think I'd have money to come back?" He asked. "I only came here now because they left me money." He shook his head. "I have nothing." He admitted. He had an apartment he could barely afford, and a dead end job that paid shit.

---

Laney thanked Matt as she got into his car, once he was situated she gave him instructions to downtown. There was some fast food joints, a diner or two. And then a groceries store all in the same area, she figured she'd at least show him the heart of the town. "Turn left here." She informed him, the small town seemed to stretch on once he'd rounded the corner. Letting him see the layout of downtown.