His curvy surprise, p.21
His Curvy Surprise, page 21
“It is, and it’s a damn good resume. I wanted to hire someone who already knows the place, the work, and the employees.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I only posted the job because no one said they were interested. I mentioned it a few times.”
Jason nodded. “After I screwed up with Jude and that call, I…”
“That’s forgiven and forgotten, Jason. It was a mistake, but it wasn’t something intentional. You weren’t negligent.”
“Yeah, but—”
“If you had this job, it would mean more responsibility. It would mean counting on you to make sure things are done. I want to hire someone so I have more time with my son.”
“I get it. And I understand if I’m not the right person for the job.”
“I am not going to tell you it’s yours right now. I would like to interview you and a few others, but my preference would be someone who’s been here a while. Someone I know and trust. Someone like you.”
“Yeah?” He grinned for the first time since he walked into my office.
“Yeah, Jason. It’s a huge factor.”
“Okay, well, thanks, Derek.”
“It’s no guarantee.”
“I get it. I know. But I really appreciate you considering me for it.”
“You’re a good guy, Jason. I’ll schedule time for us to sit down during your next shift. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“Thanks. Get back out there. I know you’re in the middle of something. Sorry I dragged you away.”
“All good. I’m almost done.”
“Thanks, Jason.”
Jason left my office door open and hurried back to the shop. He walked out smiling, and he wasn’t the only one.
His resume was impressive. He had a business degree, which I didn’t know, and was a certified mechanic. He had references from two former employers included with his resume, something the posting said could be requested but wasn’t required to be included. The fact that he included them showed initiative.
I looked back through his employee record since he started working at Stone Auto Repair. He’d never been late to work, never called in. He took his vacation time, which I encouraged, and he worked a lot of overtime and was always open to whatever schedule was set for him. He was a model employee.
But would he make a model office manager?
I knew the tasks I wanted to hand over, the things I needed help getting done. It required attention to detail and organization.
Jason was able to get both a closer look and an unfair look as a current employee. No other candidate would be someone I could evaluate in the same way. But no other candidate was someone I could consider so heavily either.
I liked the idea of hiring Jason. But I’d gotten a lot of applications and felt I owed it to them to consider every one of them.
I looked at Jason’s schedule. He was already fully assigned to work for his next three shifts, so I blocked off an hour next Tuesday for an interview. I made a note to speak to him before he left so he would know when it was.
With that done, I reached out to the four best candidates besides Jason and set interviews with all of them for the end of the week and early the following week. If any of them were half as good as Jason, I’d set second interviews for the end of next week and try to get someone hired.
Pressure eased from my shoulders. After debating for so long about hiring someone, having the process underway and the interviews scheduled made me anxious to get someone in the job.
I went out to the shop and let myself get lost in the work for the rest of the day. It was good to get my hands dirty and to see a project finished. And when I went home, I knew I was making the right choice hiring someone.
“Do you want to spend the night with Cameron on Saturday?” I asked Jude the next day, after I confirmed with Sebastian again that they could keep him.
“Really?” Jude asked.
I nodded. “Yep. Sebastian reached out and asked if you could spend the night.”
“Yeah! Can I?”
“I wouldn’t ask if you wanted to if I wasn’t willing to let you.”
“Do I have to go to work with you on Saturday?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But it might be one of the last Saturdays.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to hire someone as the office manager. Someone who will likely work most weekends so I don’t have to.”
“So we can do things instead?”
“Yeah. What kinds of things would you want to do?”
“Go to the movies, the park. Maybe have friends over. Can we get a dog?”
“I don’t know about that last one, but we can do the others.”
Jude scowled. “I knew you were going to say that.”
I chuckled. “Let’s see how things go. It’s been a long time since we’ve had weekends free.”
“So, maybe we could get a dog?”
“Maybe one day. I make no promises, though.”
“Yes!” Jude cried, pumping his arms in the air.
I laughed. It didn’t take much. Just a dog and a few weekends where he didn’t have to go to work with me.
Even better news, when Saturday morning came, Jude didn’t argue at all about going to the shop. He was ready when I asked him to be, and he climbed out of my truck and went right to Ricky to help him start the day.
I missed too much, and I was ready for that to change.
The day was painfully slow for me. I was ready for it to be over so I could see Chelsea, but it took forever. Every vehicle had an issue, every customer was short on patience. It was a long day, and only longer when I thought about Chelsea and my plans for the night.
I made us reservations at a nice Italian place, one I’d never been to but she was a fan of Italian food. It was too cold for something like a walk outside, but I got us tickets to see a movie at MacKellar Theater. A movie meant we wouldn’t have a lot of time to talk, but I planned to keep her up all night. To learn everything there was to know about her.
When the last customer of the day pulled out, I sighed, feeling like we’d won some kind of war we weren’t prepared for. The weary looks on the other guys’ faces said they all felt the same.
“Thank you, everyone. That was a hell of a day, and you all did amazing.”
They grumbled their thanks, and I knew I had to do something for them. Something special. Next week, when they were all recovered.
Jude followed me to the truck after we checked the doors and made sure everything was locked. He climbed in, bouncing in his seat like he wasn’t exhausted.
“Are you ready for Cameron’s?” I asked him.
Jude nodded. He’d packed his things the night before and had his bag in the back of the truck so I could drop him off on my way home. I was going to shower before I picked up Chelsea, but there was no reason for Jude to wait to go to Cameron’s.
“Cameron said we’re going to have pizza for dinner. And play games. He said we might go out for ice cream, too. We’re going to watch movies all night long. What are you going to do, Dad?”
I hesitated. I’d never told Jude when I was dating, but it was different with Chelsea. I was already thinking about talking to Jude about her, and if I was going to do that, I needed to tell him I was dating first and get his reaction.
“I have a date, actually.”
“With Ms. Chelsea?” he asked.
“What… Why would you ask me about Chelsea?”
Jude shrugged. “I just figured it was her.”
“Why?”
“I saw you two kissing on the couch. She was sitting on your lap and you were kissing her.”
“When was this?”
“I don’t know. After we had dinner with her last week, I think. Why? Do you not like her anymore?”
“No, I…” How did I explain it to him? He was still young. Relationships and sex and dating were foreign concepts. He didn’t understand, and I didn’t want him to.
Before I could say anything, Jude continued, “I love Ms. Chelsea. She’s great. She’s funny and she’s smart and she bakes me cookies and she lets me stay with her so I don’t have to go to that afterschool program.”
“Yeah, I…”
“I think you should date her. Then she can be my mom. Would that mean she and Dozer could move in with us?”
“That’s…”
“Oh, we’re here!” Jude shouted.
I pulled into Sebastian and Zoey’s driveway and turned off my truck. Cameron ran outside with Sebastian and Zoey right behind him.
Jude opened the door and jumped down, then climbed back in to grab his bag from the back. He and Cameron talked on top of each other about all the things they were going to do.
“I think they’re excited,” Zoey said, appearing next to me. “I’m glad this worked out.”
“Yeah,” I said, my throat tight. I cleared it and pressed my lips into a smile. “Thanks so much for having him.”
“He’s a pleasure. They have so much fun together. Amber is coming over, too. That way, both older kids have a friend for the night. We’re ordering pizza and watching movies and letting the kids be kids.”
“Jude’s really excited. He’s been looking forward to this.”
“Cameron, too.” Zoey looked closely at me. “Are you anxious about tonight? You look like something’s bothering you.”
“I’m good. Fine. Just thinking about work.”
Zoey rolled her eyes and laughed. “You sound like Sebastian.”
“I guess we’re all the same.”
I glanced at Sebastian, who was talking to the boys and making plans. He waved, but he didn’t come over.
Good thing, because he wouldn’t have been as easy to push off as Zoey.
“You should go,” Zoey said. “Get ready for tonight. We’ll be here all day tomorrow, so no rush on when you want to pick him up.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Enjoy your night,” Zoey said.
“Thanks.” The boys were still talking, so I called out to them. “Hey, Jude, I’m going to go.”
“Okay.” He raced around the truck and gave me a hug. “Bye, Dad.” He met Cameron in the front, and the two of them ran inside.
“Thanks again,” I told Zoey and Sebastian.
“You’re welcome. Any time,” Zoey said. She looped her arm through Sebastian’s and led him inside.
He waved and followed her.
I climbed back into my truck and backed out. I waved when Ramsey honked his horn and pulled away so he could drop off Amber.
I drove home on autopilot. My mind kept replaying Jude’s words.
I love Ms. Chelsea.
I think you should date her.
Then she can be my mom.
The first woman I dated, and he was marrying me off. He wanted a mom. A woman who was there for him. Someone to count on.
Jude had already decided. Which was what I was afraid of. He saw us. I was careless and reckless and I risked my son’s heart.
It had to stop. He came first. Always. And getting his heart broken was not an option.
I parked in my driveway and looked over at her house. I was supposed to be at her door in an hour to get her.
I couldn’t do it. I backed out and left.
22
Chelsea
I bought a new dress. Haley did my hair. I put on makeup. I stopped at new shoes, but I pulled out a pair I didn’t wear often from the back of my closet. I was ready. And I looked fucking amazing.
Dozer watched me the entire time I was getting ready. I made sure he had extra water and that he was fed a little early so he wouldn’t be hungry. The doggy door was unlocked so he could go out on his own.
I had a clean pair of underwear and comfortable clothes in a bag by the door. It felt presumptuous, but Derek said he wanted me in his bed, so I was prepared for it. I wasn’t going to want to put my dress back on in the morning. Even to walk across the driveway.
A glance at my phone told me he would be there soon. Butterflies flew around in my stomach, making me anxious and excited at the same time.
It was a date. A real date. Our first one. I was so ready for it.
I sat on the couch and drew a breath. My phone buzzed with a text, and I grabbed it, expecting it to be from Derek, telling me he was on the way.
Haley
Good luck! Have fun. I can’t wait to hear all about your date tomorrow at book club.
Me
Thanks! I can’t wait to tell you.
She sent a heart. I locked my phone again, noting the time. Five minutes late. I peeked outside. His truck wasn’t there.
It was fine. Maybe he got hung up at work. Or dropping Jude off. I could wait five minutes.
I turned on the TV and flipped channels. Nothing good was on, not that I was paying any attention to the TV. I glanced at the door, then my phone.
Thirty minutes passed. Forty minutes.
I looked outside again. His truck still wasn’t there.
Did something happen? Was he in an accident?
The butterflies were sinking in my gut instead of fluttering. I grabbed my phone, sick of waiting.
There were no messages from Derek, which made me more anxious. I opened Book Boyfriends Wanted. I pulled up his name and our previous conversations.
CutHairDontCare
Did I get things mixed up? I thought you were going to be here at 7.
I stared at the screen. Nothing happened. No message saying he read my text. No bubbles telling me he was texting back. Nothing.
CutHairDontCare
Are you okay? I’m worried.
Still nothing.
I chewed on my lip and debated. He was taking Jude to Zoey and Sebastian’s house. I had Zoey’s number, but I’d never called her. If I did, and everything was fine, I’d feel like an idiot. But if not…
I called Zoey before I second guessed the decision.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Zoey?”
“Yeah. Chelsea?”
“Yeah, hi. I’m so sorry to bother you, but um, have you seen Derek?”
The background noise grew quieter. “He dropped Jude off two hours ago. I thought you two were going out tonight.”
“Yeah, um, I thought so, too. I haven’t seen him, and his truck isn’t here.”
“Hold on.” The phone went silent on the other end, like she put me on mute.
I pressed my ear to the phone, as if I would be able to hear something through the line.
“Chelsea?” Zoey said, her voice sad.
“He’s not coming, is he?”
“I have no idea what happened. Sebastian called him. He answered because he thought something was wrong with Jude. Sebastian asked what’s going on, and he wouldn’t say. Just said to tell you… he can’t.”
“He can’t? That’s all he said?”
“I’m really sorry, Chelsea. Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”
“No. I’m… thanks, Zoey.”
“Chelsea…”
It didn’t matter what she was going to say, I already hung up.
He can’t. More like he didn’t want to.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and closed my eyes against the building tears. I was not going to let him take that from me. Take anything from me. I thought he was the one. I fell for him, and I thought he was the one, and I was wrong.
Because he can’t.
“Fuck him,” I breathed.
I looked around my house and suddenly couldn’t be there. I thought of him pushing his way inside four days earlier and leading him to my room. Kissing me in the living room, sex on the couch, orgasms against the wall. Sitting on my patio and laughing, him telling me he wanted me.
He can’t.
I grabbed my bag and walked out. I couldn’t sit there. I couldn’t do it. I got in my car and backed out of the driveway before I put my seatbelt on. I had to go. Fast. Before he came home from wherever he was.
He can’t.
I drove home, to my parents’ house. I parked in the driveway and walked up the front walk with my bag over my shoulder. I realized when I got halfway there I never packed another pair of shoes.
Too late now.
I rang the doorbell, not wanting to risk walking in on my parents doing something I didn’t want to see. I looked up and down the street, as if Derek was going to follow me.
Ha. He couldn’t show up when he was supposed to. Why would I think he’d show up when he’s not supposed to?
“Chelsea?” Mom exclaimed when she opened the door. “What are you doing here? Come in, come in. You have to be freezing.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“What’s going on? Why are you in a dress?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Dad came around the corner just in time to hear what I said. He exchanged a look with my mom. “Want some dinner?”
I nodded and let my mom lead me to the kitchen. She sat me down at the table. Dad dished me up some dinner.
They talked while I pushed the food around on my plate. I wasn’t hungry, but I needed food. I stabbed a piece of chicken and stuck it in my mouth. It was a little dry, but I had a hard time caring.
I ate my rice with the chicken. Broccoli came last. By the time I was done, my parents had finished, but they didn’t leave me.
Plates were cleared, and a pint of ice cream came out. My dad handed me a spoon and said nothing else. He and Mom went to the living room to watch a movie.
I stared at the ice cream. It wouldn’t make everything better, but it would be good.
I picked up the pint and the spoon and followed my parents. I curled up in the oversized chair next to the fireplace, the one I always sat in when I was in high school. The movie started, and I took a scoop of ice cream.
It was cold, and sweet, and perfect.
I didn’t need a boyfriend. I had everything I needed right there. Ice cream, a movie, and my parents.
Maybe I could live with them until I sold my house.
