by Jami Wagner
“Well, I’m glad to see the two of you getting along.” Mom steps inside, leaving the door propped open so I can haul broken boards from the shelves I couldn’t save out to the dumpster.
“Hi, Mrs. Warren,” Skylar greets my mother before I can and in a sweet, soothing voice I’ve never heard before. I don’t like that either. “He still doesn’t care for me, but at least we’re making progress on the store.”
Mom’s eyes meet mine, and I turn to grab a few more boards. Skylar’s right, and if I were to argue right now, it would be in that tone Mom doesn’t want to hear, so I may as well busy myself and not say a word. Once all the boards are out, I’ll head to the bar earlier than I really need to be there.
I picked up an extra shift at the BA tonight, since I still don’t know exactly when I can reopen the store. Bartending means I won’t have anything to stress about. These days, all my stress is focused on the Warren’s Books and little bit on the blonde whose silky smooth arm just brushed against mine. Okay, maybe more than a little bit.
“Sky, do you have plans tonight? I thought I’d invite you over for an early dinner. Tonight I’m making cheese ravioli, Luke’s favorite.”
What the…
“Yeah, she’s busy,” I answer for her. Skylar and my mother, alone. Not happening.
“Actually,” Skylar smirks at me and then faces my mother, “I’d love to join you for dinner, but I have plans tonight.”
“Doing what?” I immediately regret asking the moment the words leave my mouth. I can’t sound like I care, and that’s exactly what I sounded like just now. Think before you open your mouth, Luke.
“I actually have plans with Alex,” Skylar says. She glares at me and then turns to my mother. “In fact, I should get going to her place. Do you mind if I head out for the day?”
“Not at all. I hope you have a good time tonight,” Mom answers.
“What?”
She can’t leave now. There are still boards that need taken to the trash and books that need to be put in order so it’s easier to place them when shelves come in, and the floor around the front counter needs swept and—
My mother shoots me a warning look and, damn it, even though I’m a grown man, she can shut me down in a heartbeat.
“All right, sure, go have fun,” I say instead of arguing.
I can feel my mother’s stare on me once Skylar is gone from the room.
“You need to learn to be nice to her. That girl is sweet and smart and funny. I don’t think she could do something like this, and I’ve let you go on long enough.”
“But she did break in, and why are you talking like the two of you are friends or something?”
She sighs. “Luke, I know you are convinced that because you saw her here, she did it, but that isn’t the case in this situation. I need you to let it go. I don’t want to hear about it again, and I’m sure I can speak for your friends in this matter, too.”
It’s like I’m back in high school.
“I don’t need to be told what to do.”
“Are you sure? Because your father was just as stubborn, and you’re growing up to be the spitting image of the man, but that doesn’t mean I want you to hold grudges like he did.”
I give my attention to the James Patterson poster on wall instead of to my mother. Dad held a grudge for everything. Even the smallest thing, like me hitting a baseball through the basement window. Years later he told me I could have had a nicer car the day I turned sixteen if he hadn’t had to spend so much money fixing the window, the wall, and the TV that the ball went through. I know it couldn’t have cost that much, but that’s not the point. He never let anything go, and I hated hearing him tell the stories of my screw-ups over and over.
“That, and it was your father’s request that if your life suffers in any way by owning this store, I am to suspend joint ownership.”
“My life isn’t suffering,” I tell her.
It may not be where I thought it would be, but I’m not suffering.
“Luke. I won’t stand by and watch you act this way toward that girl or miss out on having fun in life, all for the sake of this store.”
This is total bullshit. It’s like she’s telling me everything I’ve done isn’t worth it.
“Fine, I’ll work on it,” I grit through my teeth.
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
She rubs my back instead of giving me a hug before she leaves. I stay for another hour and a half. I don’t get much done by myself.
And I couldn’t help but notice, Skylar never did come back down the stairs to go to Alex’s place. Why did she lie to my mom, of all people? Great, another reason to not like her. Unfortunately, I can’t sell the store if I’m not joint owner and I can’t stay joint owner without being nice to her. Then again, no one said I had to mean it. I could fake being nice. How hard could it be?
Skylar
Alex gave me a nice dress with sandals and a cardigan to wear for my interview today. I already had it, so I didn’t really have to go to her place last night, but I didn’t want his mother to have to witness the argumentative mess that is me and Luke. She deserves better, but that meal sounded amazing, and a part of me was tempted to just show up for dinner.
I push the door open and hold my head high. My first interview is for a receptionist position at a dental office. Answer phones and make appointments. I don’t have experience, but I have a drive, and that counts for something.
I really want this job. I need to get away from Luke. Everyone keeps telling me about this totally different person. A guy who is funny, sweet, and kind. One who has manners and knows exactly how to get the girls to fall for him. His physical appearance makes me believe it, but when we talk, all I see is a man who is stressed, conflicted, and unhappy. If I’m the only person everyone is trying to convince that he is a good guy, then that can mean only one thing: I’m the reason he is unhappy and stressed. And as much as I would love, love, love to stick around to show him how wrong he is, I can’t. I lived too long with people who made me unhappy; I don’t want to be that person to anyone, ever. Not if I can help it anyway. I have four interviews over the next three days. I’m bound to get one of them. Then I’ll move out.
“Hi,” I say, smiling at the woman behind the counter. She smirks and goes back to what she was doing. “I’m here for an interview.”
“Have a seat.” She doesn’t look up.
This must be why they are hiring. I may not have experience, but I have manners.
I sit, as she told me to do, and I wait. I wait ten minutes. Then I wait ten more. When thirty minutes pass—because I don’t know how long I should wait for something like this—I return my attention to the girl behind the counter.
“Me again.” I smile and try to laugh. “I just want to make sure I had the right time for my interview?”
“You did, but it turns out, we just filled the position. I’m so sorry for your trouble.”
“Oh, I see.” I pause. How did they fill it if I’m the only person who has been waiting? “Well, thank you for letting me know.” I turn for the door when she doesn’t respond and walk back out into the warm air of the afternoon. So my first interview didn’t go very well or even at all. I’m sure this has happened to everyone at some point. Maybe not getting this job is a sign that I’m meant to have another position.
* * *
“We are so terribly sorry to have you come all this way, but we filled the position yesterday.”
I smile and nod, just like I did at the dental office and leave the way I came. So, two jobs so far haven’t worked out. I still have two more. I haven’t lost hope.
But it is strange that they seemed happy to have me come in on the phone and now, I don’t even get a two-minute chance to tell them this would be a great for me. Something doesn’t add up. Is it because I put the bookstore for a phone number? Maybe that turned them away.
I head back toward my apartment by foot. I could easily go to the BA, t
he way Alex and Beth keep telling me to, and get a job, but that would defeat the purpose of getting out of Luke’s way. A small part of me wants to yell who cares? and tell him to get over it. But I want to move on, too, and I don’t want someone holding their stupid accusations of me breaking into their bookstore over my head.
I stop.
Could they know? Would Luke stoop that low? I mean, he wants me gone, right?
* * *
After the third interviewer informed me that they had already filled the opening, I started to suspect something, but this, this fourth rejection, just screams that something is going on. I might not have a lot of experience, but to not get any of the jobs—it’s not just me.
“Again, I am so sorry you came in here today only for us to inform you that we offered the position to another person first thing this morning.”
“I understand,” I tell her in my cheeriest voice. “Thank you.”
I turn for the door.
“Such a shame when you work so hard for something and someone just takes it all away. Poof, it’s gone,” she says with my back still facing her.
Bingo. Luke.
My teeth grind together under my tight-lipped smile. I knew he had something to do with this. I shove the door open and with heavy steps, head for the store.
I’m only a few blocks away, picking up the pace as I get closer. The clock in that office read two thirty; Luke will be out of class by three. I hate that I know his schedule. He’ll come by the store to make sure I’m working before he heads to the BA, and I’ll be there waiting for him. I have a half hour to come up with words of fury.
I round the corner, a couple blocks from the store, when a man placing a Volunteers Needed sign in the window catches my attention. The second thing I notice is the small, yellow Lab puppy under his arm. He disappears from the window that I’m still standing in front of. I search the window for a name—Mrs. Mulligan’s Pet Care in small letters at the bottom.
It’s not a paying job, but my parents never let me have a dog, which is why “get a dog” is on my list. Until I get a place that allows pets, this is as close as I’m going to get. Playing with puppies is exactly what I need right now. There is also a good chance Luke won’t have gotten to them before I walk in here right now.
The bell over the door chimes as I push it open. It’s loud in the quiet waiting area and immediately I hear musical barking come from the back room.
“Damn it, I have got to remove that bell,” says a man as he comes through the back room door. He couldn’t be much older than my age, with jet black hair that shines from all the gel under the light. His eyes look almost as dark as they settle on me.
“Can I help you?” he asks.
I stand straight and nod. “Yes, I want to volunteer or, if possible, apply for a job.”
The left side of his mouth twitches up as he leans onto his forearms on the counter in front of me. “Well, we aren’t hiring, but we are accepting volunteers. My little brother usually does the job, but he’s got a lot going on with school, so I’m filling in for him, but I can’t seem to get his job done on my own.” He chuckles and I find myself smiling back.
“Are you the one who gets to make those decisions? I mean, about bringing in more help.”
“No, but I can almost guarantee it’s going to be okay. Come on back,” he says, waving me to follow.
“Oh, I can start now?”.
“Yeah, but don’t wear white pants next time because they will be dirty in the first thirty minutes.”
We step through a door that leads to a hallway of cages. It’s just the way I imaged from the movies. Kennels line each side of us, and so far, we’re only halfway down the first row and almost each one has one pet inside.
“We keep the cats in a separate room.” He pushes open another door, showing all the cats. “These are the two rooms you’ll most likely be in. But before that, I should show you what you can do to help. Let’s go meet Mrs. Mulligan. She’s owned this place for as long as I can remember.”
He knocks on a door and opens it before this Mrs. Mulligan can answer from the other side.
“Hey, Rose, this is …” The guy pauses, waiting for me to fill in his sentence with my name.
“I’m Skylar, and you are?” I ask.
“Cory.” He flashes me a grin that warms my cheeks.
“Cory, stop flirting with all the ladies. That gets you and your brother in more trouble than either of you need.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, although he’s laughing, so I’m not sure any of what I just witnessed was real. “Skylar is here for the volunteer position.”
“Come in, dear, let’s have a chat.” She points to the chair next to her.
I get right to it. “I’ve never had a pet before, but I want one. I also am pretty sure I can’t have one where I’m living, but that’s okay because I don’t even know how to take care of a pet, so I thought maybe if I volunteered here, I could learn.”
Her brows dip together and she leans back in her chair.
“You don’t know how to take care of an animal? How old are you?” she asks.
“I know the basics,” I answer, because I’m pretty sure I do. You feed them, bathe them, and let them out to us the bathroom and stuff. Of course, you give them endless love, too, but what about shots and appointments and how do I know what food to give them and is it bad to give them treats all day?
“Call me crazy—” Rose begins.
“We all do,” Cory cuts her off from the doorway.
Rose throws a tennis ball at him. I can hear his laughter all the way down the hall.
“Call me crazy,” Rose continues, “but I’m going to give you a chance.”
“That’s it? No more questions? What if I’m a murderer or something?” The moment the words are out of my mouth I wish I could take them back. Way to go Sky—the one chance to get away from Luke and you blow it.
“Are you a murderer?” she asks.
“No.”
“Than that settles it.” She stands with her hand in front of her. I do the same. “You remind me of someone I know. If you’re anything like her, you will be perfect for this job.” She shakes my hand and then points to the doorway. “I’m surprised you aren’t looking for a paying job. That apartment can’t have much in it, what with it being vacant for years.”
I freeze the moment I’m standing again. “You know who I am?”
“Why, yes, dear. Luke hasn’t shut up about you since you shattered the glass into his life.”
I try not to smile. That’s the first I’ve ever heard it put like that.
“Of course, he isn’t saying the nicest things right now, but all boys are mean when they like a girl. It’s how we humans work.”
“I don’t think that’s the case with me and Luke.”
She hands me a few papers and a pen. “You can sit back down; we may as well fill out these papers now and you can start tomorrow. Don’t want to get your pretty outfit all dirty.”
“I can start today. I don’t have anything else going on.”
“So you aren’t out for interviews?”
Who is this lady?
“I hear everything in this town, and, dear, if you want a job, you should look to your friends at the bar. They are the best part of life.”
I laugh. “If you hear everything, you must know that Luke works at the BA, so me going there isn’t the best idea.”
“Well, he did tell everyone he could that you were the girl who broke into his store—which, if anyone listens to gossip like I do, they know that isn’t the case. I don’t think you’ll have much luck finding a job elsewhere. I’d say it would serve him right.”
“What would?”
“He clearly doesn’t want you getting a job, so why not get one at the place he works? Don’t let his actions keep you from getting what you want. Karma sucks, my dear. That boy needs to be put back in line, and you’re just the woman to do it.”
I start filling out my paperw
ork, allowing her words to sink in. She’s right. I can’t let him get in my way, and a job is the first step to getting everything I want. The moment I leave here, I’m heading straight for the BA.
Chapter Eight
Luke
“Are things improving with you and Sky?” Mom asks over the phone. I called her on my way in to work tonight to see if she needs anything. I was implying food, money, that kind of thing, and maybe to bring up her signing over her half of the store, again.
“It’s great,” I lie with a big smile. I mean it’s not bad. Per se.
“Hmmm.” The disbelief is crystal clear though the speaker.
“Hey, so before I forget,” I attempt a smooth transition to the more important subject. “Signing your half over could mean—”
“Oh Luke, you are always so focused on work. It’s time for you to live a little. Go out.”
“I go out,” I say.
“Mmm hmm.” Is she distracted?
“I do. I’m actually going to Conner and Alex’s barbeque this weekend.”
“Huh.”
“With Skylar, we’re actually going together,” I lie. This isn’t good. I keep lying to her. But she seems to only want to chat these days if it’s about me and Skylar. And I need Mom to talk if she is going to sign over her half.
“You are?” I can hear her smile.
“Yeah, I’m picking her up and everything.”
“Oh, that’s fantastic.” She cheers, and if I’ve heard right, sighs into the phone. “You better get to work. I’m really happy to hear things are already getting better. I knew you would come around.”
She clicks off the line, leaving me to sit in my car trying to understand the phone call. Skylar must be my key to full ownership right now. Hopefully, Skylar will be just as easy to please as my mother was. There’s only one way to find out.
Looks like I’m inviting her to ride with me this weekend.
I know I’m not the first one to arrive to the BA because Conner’s, Sara’s, and Logan’s vehicles are here.
Sara and Logan own the bar, and Logan occasionally works here, but Sara never does now that they have a baby at home. Her being here is more than likely one of two things: someone is being let go—highly unlikely since we are a close group—or they are hiring someone new.