“If it is to do with you then of course I want to know,” Bonnie said gently, all traces of teasing now gone from her voice. She was under no illusion that a business like Alex’ would be able to keep the same neutrality that the diner was able to have and couldn’t help but worry if that was what was bothering her. “If you’d prefer not to talk about it though I will not make you.”

“look – i mean, everything’s fine. it’s just – we’ve been dealing with some stuff at the club.” alex sighed, pouring herself another glass as she pondered just what and how much to tell her best friend without putting her at risk. “they’ve – a while back, they started running their money through the club.” who ‘they’ were, was unnecessary to explain. it was a given around these parts. “which is fine – i guess. i mean, i let them, kinda. rather than have them just – do it – i figured i’d let them do it on my own terms. but now – they’ve started using it to sell drugs. which – is the last thing i want, or need. i don’t need my people ending up like i did.”

“Oh please do,” Bonnie said with a smile before turning to look at the menu he was looking at. She was proud of what she’d accomplished with the restaurant so to hear someone praise it always brought her joy. “Well my spouse says they’re nydelige but I’ll let you be the judge.”

nikko’s jaw dropped slightly at the words that left the woman’s mouth. he was still as shocked whenever he heard someone speaking norwegian in the states as he was the first time it happened. having always figured that would wear off eventually and that he would get used to it – he had yet to see that happen. and while he had always made it a point to teach his children the language – it being the main way he communicated with benjamin – it was rare to hear it outside of the family. “they do, huh? guess i’ll have to give it a go then. don’t think i’ve had a real one since i left home about twenty years ago.” sitting down at one of the stools by the counter, he offered a smile. “so whereabouts is your spouse from?”

“A girl can have dreams right? One day we might all be behaving at the same time.” Joanna chuckled leaning into Lee’s affection. “I know you are, and I love that so much but right now the two of us are managing alright. You could always stay over if you want? And sort of, Thomas has been doing the majority of the prep really.”

“You didn’t drag me anywhere Cody I wanted to come to see you.” Rose said gently, she couldn’t imagine staying anywhere that didn’t involve at least one of her siblings. She felt the familiar tug of her heartstrings when Cody spoke about the man meant to be their caregiver and shook her head trying to resist the temptation to hug him once more. “You and the others were all I had Cody, I wasn’t going to let anything put you away.”

"so was you guys. i should’ve dealt with the consequences of my own actions. that wasn’t on you. when you said you’d fix it – i didn’t think you were gonna take the fall for it.” cody swallowed, looking up at his sister. if there was one thing he had been struggling with for the past ten years, it was this. everything he felt he had taken away from her. “i’m just – i’m sorry you had to do that. i love you, and i’m really happy you’re here.” 

“Ah the busy social life of little children,” Zoe said with a bright laugh. Rajan was usually the exact same as shy as his mother was he didn’t seem to have the same uncertainty. “Yeah of course, I’d love that.”

“he’s got more of a social life than i do. damn.” nikko sighed, a small chuckle following suit. “sounds like a plan. plus, that would mean i would get to talk to a grown up who isn’t inside a hospital. sounds like a dream honestly.” he chuckled, finishing his drink. “you been working here long? i mean, it’s one of the nicer – establishments in its genre i’ve seen.” 

Rose was used to staying out of people’s way and she was almost getting ready to move when he explained and she gave a small laugh. “Oh, no need to worry about that I’m not very good at picking up cues that’s all. I’m Rose, Rose Wilder, I only moved here recently.”

“or maybe i need to work on my people skills.” max chuckled, holding out his hand for her. “i’m max.” no last name needed. she would find out soon enough, he figured. if she didn’t already know that was. “wilder, huh? not a lot of those around here.” taking a sip of his drink, he looked back at rose. “you don’t happen to be related to that kid – the troublemaker – what’s his name? cody?”

“Oh but then I wouldn’t have an excuse to do this,” Bonnie teased gently. She knew that her difficulties with public displays of affection were difficult for her spouse at times so she tried to be better at showing it. “Come on then, but don’t eat them all at once.”

“Something? Are you really a believe in instinct?” Rose said with a small smirk but despite her misgivings she followed after him, she had nothing else to be doing after all. “It’s complicated. I grew up in Baltimore but my parents were from England so it leads to this,”

“you don’t believe in gut feelings?” nikko chuckled as he padded in the direction of where he thought he might have seen the library. “england and baltimore, huh? that’s quite the combination. what brings you all the way out here then?”

“Your job changes all the time Alex, I’m just doing what I can to help you with that.” Zoe smiled. She wanted so badly to help Alex that staying a few hours later to get some work done seemed like the least she could do. “By food do you mean your attempts at cooking or have you been to Bonnie’s?” She teased.

“it’s still not your problem though.” alex smiled, getting up from the desk. a small chuckle slipped from her at zoe’s teasing. while she was thankful she had her around, and wouldn’t change it for the world, she also didn’t want the other exhausting herself. “it’s not your lack of work ethic that’s gonna get you fired, you know. it’s you thinking you’re being clever that’s gonna get you in the end.” she teased back, making her way back over to the door. “i’ve been to bonnie’s. so, you gonna come eat or what?”

a smile settled on her lips; playful in nature but sincere. “oh yeah?” she asked with a chuckle. “and what happens if i forget?” she asked, challenging him in a teasing nature. “do i get in trouble?” she added. it was hard to describe how easy it was to slide back into the arms of cody, even after the disasterous end to their companionship the first time. but when so many things had been left unsaid, unfelt, and undone; was it any surprise? if kassie really looked inside, and she wouldn’t because that was messy and she was perfectly content with avoiding that, she’d have known that at the drop of a hat, she’d go back. she’d have known what she wanted, who she wanted, despite how frightening that was. perhaps if they’d gone into it with the intention of attachment and love, they wouldn’t have been scared off before. perhaps.

kassie exhaled with a laugh, a completely enchanted smile settling on her lips. “maybe there’s magic in your method,” she murmured taking another sip of coffee. she licked her lips before arching a brow.

“fancy playing hookey?” she asked.

“i’ll have to remind you.” cody smirked as he tucked some hair behind kassie’s ear. it felt so natural and comfortable, like it had always been this way and it was always meant to be this way. his head dipped before he pressed a few small, soft kisses to her jaw, nuzzling his nose against the skin he found just below her ear. “but i don’t really think you need reminding.”

pulling back, he pressed a kiss to her lips. he had no idea how, but the sensation still made his head spin, despite the countless times they had been in that exact moment before. despite how many times he had felt that way before – it seemed like it would never go away. like she would always be able to make him feel like this. resting his forehead against hers, a small smirk accompanied cody’s trademark mumble.

“You have my word that Rose will always be under the radar, even if she’s not.” Archer spoke, looking at his best friend as the words left his mouth. Archer knew how close Rose and Cody were - or used to be? he couldn’t really remember, but it didn’t really seem important at this moment - and he would do anything to protect those that were important to Cody. “I’ll do my best, boss.” Archer joked, though, he was serious. He knew that keeping Rose safe was priority, just as keeping Lana safe was for Archer. “What do you suggest we do? What should we change up to keep low?”

“good. she’s sacrificed enough already. just like you have.” cody nodded, picking at the fries in front of him. he wasn’t really hungry, but he also knew he hadn’t eaten all day. it was as if the worry of things catching up to him was occupying too much of his attention at the moment. “less dealing during the day. we do more when it’s dark out, people’ll leave us alone then. they’re scared enough to be out past their bedtime as it is.” chewing on one of the fries that had eventually made its way into his mouth, he rubbed his neck in thought. “and be more selective with who you’ve got pushing stuff. only the people we know we can really trust. at least for a while, until the cops fuck off.” 

Bonnie tilted her head as she considered his accent, she was almost certain she recognised it but didn’t want to ask in case she was wrong and made him uncomfortable. “As long as you behave you don’t have anything to worry about.” She teased. “Yeah, I opened it.”

“i’ll keep that in mind.” nikko promised, a smile forming on his lips. “it’s a cool place. the kinda place i always thought diner’s should look like, but had yet to see over here.” he chuckled, glancing up at the wall as he laid eyes on the menu there. “cinnamon rolls, huh? they any good? i’m just asking ‘cause i’ve been burned before. seems like there are a lot of misconceptions about that particular baked good.” 

lana watched ash hop over the bar and she couldn’t help but smile. she instantly felt safer. and god was it good to see a woman asserting her authority and power especially over a letcherous man. she watched to two leave, thankful for the space and breathing room, finally. when she saw ash return, lana exhaled with a smile. 

“thank you, ash,” she told the other woman, dipping her head to drop onto ash’s shoulder. she exhaled. “i’m fine. much better now that i have space,” she added. “usually they’re okay, a little bit too friendly maybe, but a few too many drinks and a tight leash at home, and they forget manners, appropriateness and a common sense of decency,” she uttered. “i love this job, but i hate that some people think that just because you make eye contact with them in a dance, that you’re suddenly theirs for the night,” she uttered, shaking her head. 

Since he was with Pat and he wasn’t interested in actually getting anyone into trouble but himself, when he was out with others, he knew how to behave himself. It’s not like he’d fogotten, it was just a distraction, after all. It makes Tim laugh when Pat says what he does, Tim had long since foregone pretending anything wasn’t “wrong” persay. That would have been impossible at this point, his behavior recently had been so far out of character from the calm, quirky, if not annoying at times, personality he’d settled himself so comfortably into. Now, apparently he was just ‘moody’. “Am I really not fun to be around, anymore? I thought we were having a pretty good time.” Tim smirks, tilting his head to the side as he effortlessly lands a shot. “You know what, don’t answer that. I can’t believe I even asked. What’s going on with you? What have you been up to, huh?” He asks before picking up his drink to take a few swigs, quickly changing the subject.

“i didn’t say that. i just said you’d be more fun if you weren’t always brooding.” pat emphasized, rolling his eyes. a small groan left him as tim landed his shot. the ever so calm and gentle patrick had a way of getting competitive when it came to games, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. he squinted in thought, dragging out the sip from his drink as he tried to figure out what to answer. it wasn’t like he hadn’t been busy working – he didn’t necessarily have to tell him on what. “think you’re being slick changing the subject, hm?” patrick asked, putting his glass down before leaning against the pool table. “nothing’s going on with me. i’ve just been busy fixing people’s cars. seems like they’re all falling apart these days.” 

TW: STRIP CLUB LANGUAGE ?? IDK

lana loved dancing the main stage. the sound mixing was always fantastic, money was good, but mostly, it was because she got to flex her dancing. although there was a particular type of dancing wanted at the grind, a particular want from it; you could pepper a lot into a routine. and lana loved to drop in a fouette, barrel turn, or a grand plie into a squat with a hip whine. but the real money ( not counting main stage on a weekend ), was private dances. and there was plenty of room for private dances in outer costello. 

ending on her knees, hands in her hair, lana held the position for two beats before pushing her hair from her face with a grin. she elegantly grabbed the tossed money on the stage, pulling it into a messy wad and tucking into her shirt between her breasts. she came off the main stage, making sure to walk by the next girl. she met her, pressing a kiss to her cheek and holding onto her hand as she walked towards the centre of the stage for a second longer than necessary.

the johns loved it when the girls interacted. 

her eyes clocked him before his words reached her. with a quirked brow and a small smirk claiming her lips she sauntered over. “if you know my schedule, you’re here too much, max,” she told him. 

“it’s my job to know everyone’s schedule, you should know that by now.” max smirked, tilting his head as he kept his eyes on her. while max was careful – it was no secret who he was. his reputation had a way of preceding him. not that he had anything against it. things were always easier when people knew who they were dealing with. and they had a way of being more – cooperative when they knew max was showing up. 

“don’t act like you’re mad about it. everyone knows i’m your favorite.” his trademark smirk was still plastered on his face like usual as he reached for his drink, soon downing the rest of it. 

Seeing Nikko sitting at the bar Zoe almost did a double take, this was the last place she expected to see her friend but she couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him tucked away at the bar rather than watching the acts. “I’ll admit I didn’t expect it to be your scene.” She teased. “He’s doing good thanks, keeps asking when he can have benji over to show him his toys instead.”

“i’ve been to masen’s too many times this past week, it’s getting embarrassing. but my son has more plans than i do, and i don’t know what to do with myself anymore. i didn’t think he’d be acting like a teenager at five.” nikko let out a small chuckle, looking up at his friend. “ah man, benji would love that. let me know when you’re off work and we’ll figure something out?” 

the redhead locked eyes with him, nodding her head in agreement. “i think that’s wise,” she admitted with a chuckle. her lips parted in understanding as her eyes raked over his uniform. “pt makes sense,” she said. “i’m a trauma surgeon but i’m strictly prohibited from long surgeries at the moment,” she told him, making a face that said ‘i’m not happy about it’. “so when i’m not fixing minor injuries or doing surgerys no longer than three-four hours, i’m here, sutchering and offering trauma diagnosis’,” she added. alfie found her heands resting on her belly. it was subconscious now. an action that needed to thought. “oh six months, almost seven actually, i’m a few weeks out,” she admitted. alfie shrugged. “as long as i sleep, rest and eat, it doesn’t matter much to me if it’s in the day or at night,” she told him. “my kids are grown now, 21 year olds don’t need mom home, or so I’m told,” althea echoed her son’s words, before chuckling. “well i haven’t planned any of my children, so why start now?” she asked.

“makes sense? what’s that supposed to mean?” nikko smirked, leaning back into his chair as he kept his eyes on the woman. “trauma surgeon, huh? that’s fancy. tough. decisive. quick on your feet. i can see that. i mean – probably quicker on your feet when you’re not about to give birth to a watermelon, hm? but still. very impressive.” he sent her a teasing look. “wow, going from twenty-one year olds to a newborn? that’s – something to get used to.” he smiled, glancing down at the lock screen of his phone. somehow, the three babies he had made with cameron still brought a smile to his face whenever needed. “my two oldest, twenty and eighteen, fucked off to college and left me and my five year old to our own devices. apparently that’s what the cool kids do these days. at least they’re still in the country though. could’ve been worse, i guess.” he smiled, a small chuckle slipping from him as he was reminded of his own decision making at nineteen.