I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 99

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

The first man lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Talya. “I’ll take a black coffee and a bowl of whatever soup you have on hand,” he stated, his voice steady yet devoid of warmth. Talya quickly scribbled the order down, her pen gliding over the notepad as she focused on the task at hand.

“And what about you, sir?” she inquired, turning her attention to the second man, who sat across from his companion.

“Same,” he replied, his eyes still glued to the table, as though he found the grain of the wood more interesting than her presence.

“Alright, I’ll fetch that for you,” she said, forcing a cheerful tone into her voice as she pivoted away from their table. As she walked toward the kitchen, she concentrated on maintaining a calm demeanor, even though her heart raced slightly. “Hey, Joe?” she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the bustling diner.

Joe turned from his post at the grill, a spatula in hand and a hint of grease on his apron. “What’s up, sweetheart?” he asked, his tone warm and inviting.

“Could you take care of those two guys in my section?” Talya requested, lowering her voice. “I don’t know what it is about them, but they’re giving me the creeps.” She glanced back at the men, who remained engrossed in their silent conversation.

Joe’s brow furrowed slightly in concern. “Sure thing. You just leave them to me. Why don’t you clock out early and head out the back door? I’ll handle it from here.”

A wave of relief washed over Talya. “Thanks, Joe,” she replied, her shoulders relaxing just a bit.

“Anytime,” he said with a nod. “Have a good night, and be careful on your way home.”

“Thanks, you too,” she replied, her gratitude genuine as she untied her apron, letting it fall to the floor. She stepped outside into the cold night air, the chill biting at her skin. Spring was supposed to be here, but the evening still bore the remnants of winter’s chill. She shivered slightly, quickening her pace to the bus stop. Fortunately, the bus arrived just as she reached the curb.

Once aboard, Talya plugged in her headphones and leaned back against the seat, savoring the brief moment of tranquility before returning home. She noticed a few messages from Brandon lighting up her phone but chose to ignore them for now. She would respond once she settled in.

Upon arriving home, she slipped through the door quietly, locking it behind her with a soft click. She was careful not to disturb her grandparents, who she knew needed their rest. As she passed their room, she peeked in and saw them both peacefully asleep. It was a comforting sight; her grandmother had been struggling with health issues lately, and Talya often worried about her.

“Are you coming or what?” Brandon asked impatiently, prompting Talya to grab her backpack and hop out of the car.

In her first class, Sage sat behind her, but today she was unusually quiet. Talya waved at her but didn’t engage in conversation. Her mind was elsewhere, not entirely focused on her studies, though she was confident in her ability to ace her classes without too much effort. The day flew by, and at work, she managed to find someone willing to cover her shift, allowing her to leave early.

At precisely 6:45, Talya slipped into her seat at the game, a wave of relief washing over her as she settled in. She plugged in her headphones, closing her eyes for a moment, seeking solace before the chaos of the game began. She hoped Sage would arrive soon; her friend was a constant source of support at these events. Just as she began to unwind, a tap on her shoulder startled her. She opened her eyes to find Liam standing beside her, a grin plastered across his face.

“Hey,” he greeted, his enthusiasm infectious.

“Uh, hey,” Talya managed, feeling a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked, gesturing to the empty spot next to her. Panic surged through her momentarily as she considered the implications of his question.