“Watch out, Harlow,” I heard Angel yell as I looked up just in time to see a piece of the drop ceiling break in half and fall in chunks down over my head. It wouldn’t have hurt. There had been water damage from heavy rain and too long with no maintenance had just destroyed the cheap panels. They were light and would have caused no pain, but were soggy and gross so I managed to duck out of the way just in time to avoid getting hit square in the head.
“Good looking out, Angel,” I said as I surveyed the extra mess in the room. I had been at Glass City Guard for almost a week, and Gabe had been right. We were still in the housekeeping phase. There was so much work to do, and we had made a lot of headway in the first section of the first floor. That was until the ceiling tiles decided they’d done their duty for long enough and started giving up on us. I looked over at the corner where JJ was busy coloring in his Power Rangers coloring book. He hadn’t noticed a thing. That was probably due to the pair of headphones and a small music player that Jeanette had brought in for him to use. Even though Gabe had let me bring JJ to work with me while I was still in the process of finding childcare services, we found out quickly that the boys sometimes had a hard time minding their language. Especially after Dino stepped on a row of carpet tacks and it went right through his shoe. JJ learned a new “F” word, and Dino learned all about damage control with an angry mama. I couldn’t keep bringing him to work with me long term, but for now, it helped immensely that he could occupy himself in a corner while I got some work done.
Even though it was mostly cleaning. I was getting paid way too much to do housekeeping work. I had been discussing with Gabe what kind of equipment we wanted to buy, and what kind of software we should be running in the office and the best ways for all of us to stay connected. Especially when someone was “on target” and needed to be in contact with the home office. That was Jeanette and me, and I quickly found out what a stellar part of the team she was. Not only did she handle the boys like an expert, she was an organizational machine. I was jealous. She was really something.
Angel wasn’t even on the payroll, but she hung around a lot lately. Even though Gabe gave her a hard time about her upcoming deadline we really appreciated her help. “I work better under pressure,” she’d told him smartly, the last time he asked her how the writing was going. “Don’t worry about how I do it. I don’t tell you how to shoot bad guys, or whatever it is you do.” It had sparked a forty-five-minute argument about the difference between being a soldier and being a protector for hire. If you didn’t know them you would think they didn’t get along, but I was learning every day that everyone here was actually really close. Angel and Gabe had known each other since they were kids but had only been a couple for a few months.
Jeanette and Dino were together too, but you would never know it at first glance. Those were two people that lived to get under each other’s skin. If it wasn’t for how Dino snaked his arm around her waist and gave her a quick squeeze whenever he walked by, I would think they didn’t like each other at all.
I guess it really does take all kinds.
I was just about to start picking up the waterlogged pieces of ceiling tile when my phone buzzed. I rarely got messages anymore, and most of the people who had any reason to contact me at all were in the building with me, so I was surprised and pleased to see it was a message from Jesse. I’d been thinking of him a lot since last week. Trying to find a way to see him again but not knowing how. I didn’t drink, and I couldn’t go out by myself even if I did. I had no babysitter for JJ and I wouldn’t just leave him with anyone I didn’t know anyway. Except for I had, when I left him with Jesse before, but Jesse didn’t seem like a stranger. I had to admit to myself.
I missed him.
You forgot your cookies.
I had forgotten them, and I’d avoided bringing that up in front of JJ or he would be upset that I didn’t bring home his present that he worked so hard on. I’d been in such a hurry to get out of there after JJ screamed in Jesse’s father’s face, that I had completely forgotten they were in the kitchen still. Lucky for me, JJ was four and still had a four-year-old’s attention span. He wouldn’t remember it unless I brought it up, and I wasn’t planning on doing that.
I’m sorry. I’d had a crazy day. It’s my only excuse. God, I was lame. I’d met a man, practically ran away from him and mooned over him for an entire week, and then when he contacts me like I’d been hoping, that was the best conversation I could come up with?
I was so long out of the game it was pathetic.
I was forced to eat them myself. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make—for you. Tell JJ he did a really good job. I had to laugh at his obvious exaggeration.
How are things at the new job? Is Gabe being a slave driver yet? It seemed like even though I was a shit conversationalist, Jesse wasn’t deterred.
Work consists of trying to get this building cleaned up enough that we can actually conduct business inside of it. They let me bring JJ with me until I find long-term child care, which is great, but it won’t be long before he’s bored with it.
I was hoping I’d get to see you again.
And there it was. He was so honest about it too. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to come out and say it like that, even though I’d been thinking the exact same thing for as long as it had been since I’d left Nasta’s the last time. My breath caught in my throat. It was the closest thing to someone admitting they were interested in me than I had experienced in five years. Since Elliot. And he never really said any sweet things to me, we just kind of fell together because of our lives and proximity.
I must have waited too long to reply because Jesse texted again.
Is that too forward? Sorry. I was thinking about it, so I mentioned it. I almost dropped my phone in an effort to respond.
No! I was just surprised. I’ve been thinking the same thing, I just didn’t know what to say. Things are crazy and it’s not like I have an excuse to come to the bar—especially with a four-year-old.
You and JJ are always welcome, you don’t need a reason, Jesse texted. But I understand. I still would like to see you, I can make time whenever you’re free. Anything going on this weekend?
Ugh. This weekend. Of course, there was. Not that I wasn’t excited about the move, but it was happening so fast that I felt like my head was spinning.
Moving into the Washington Arms this weekend. Gabe worked it out with the landlord and they are getting a truck and movers for me. It’s nice not having to lug everything by myself, but it’s still crazy busy moving to a new place.
Not that we had a lot to move. Most of our furniture was old and worthless, and I didn’t have money for too many toys or luxury possessions like gaming systems or extra jewelry and makeup. Not that I would wear any if I did. I was more of jeans and hoody type of girl. No, it wouldn’t take much to get us moved in, but things were happening so fast I had a hard time grasping it anyway. It just seemed like there was so much to do, but in reality, Gabe and the guys had taken care of everything.
You are going to love it there. Another message from Jesse. The people are nuts but the best around. There’s no safer place to be than the Washington Arms. This was followed by the smiley face emoji with the crazy swirls for eyes.
What did that mean?
You know of it? It seems like you know everybody.
I’m a bartender, Harlow, there are very few people I don’t know. How about while your moving truck comes I come and keep JJ company while you direct the moving traffic? How’s that? That way, I’ll get to see you and you won’t have to put off anything important.
Was he really volunteering to watch JJ while I finishing moving in just so he could see me again? Was this man for real?
Saturday morning at ten sound good? I can’t promise fun but I can promise donuts and coffee. JJ will call anything with a fruit filling though, so unless you are prepared to fight to the death I would stick with the brown sugar kind. Oh, my God, I needed to be saved from my o
wn lack of communication skills.
I’ll see you Saturday morning. Looking forward to it. I waited a moment, but it seemed like that was the last message he was going to send. Putting my phone back in my pocket I looked up to see Jeanette and Angel looking at me. Jeanette still somehow looked sophisticated in her yoga pants and off the shoulder sweatshirt, while Angel wore a pair of ratty sweatpants that looked suspiciously like they may have belonged to Gabe at one time, and a T-shirt with the phrase “Everyday I’m Mugglin’” in gold letters on the front. Both women wore knowing smiles.
“What?”
“What nothing,” Angel said with a grin. “No woman looks down at her phone and giggles like that unless there is a man on the other end.”
Giggling? I wasn’t giggling. I don’t think.
“It was just Jesse asking about how things are with the new job. It’s not like that.” I know I said that, but I really was hoping it was exactly like that.
“Jesse? Jessie Belton from Nasta’s?” Jeanette asked incredulously.
“What’s wrong with Jesse?” Angel asked with a gasp. “Jesse is an amazing person. She should totally go out with Jesse.”
Were they really arguing about this right now?
“Oh no, I agree with you. Jesse is like, a corner lot. He’s prime real estate girl, go for that.” Jeanette nodded her head at my phone. “He’s young, unmarried, has his own house and is smoking hot.”
“Hey! You never tell me I’m smoking hot,” Dino complained from the hallway. That man was silent, he came and went like a ghost.
“That, my love, is because you tell yourself that every day. You don’t need me to corroborate.” But she grinned as he crossed the room and gave her a big smacking kiss on the cheek. They were so weird together, it was fun to watch.
“Yeah, Jesse’s been my friend for a long time, Harlow. He’s a great catch. I just wish he wasn’t wasting his life at Nasta’s. He doesn’t belong there.”
I shot Angel a questioning glance. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t know if I should spread his business, but Jesse’s dad isn’t what you’d call a real dependable guy.” Angel shook her head in disgust. “He’s nice enough, but he’s incredibly self-centered and pretty much just drinks himself stupid every night and leaves Jesse to run the bar. Jesse was an apprentice in a famous bakery on the West Coast. He only came home because his mom passed away. His dad pretty much went to shit and Jesse stopped everything to help him out and make sure the bar didn’t go under. It was only supposed to be temporary, but his dad is just getting worse. I think he was always like that though. I’ve known Ed Belton since before Jesse came back to the bar. I just think his wife worked really hard to hide a lot of that from Jesse.”
I looked over in the corner where JJ still listened to the Disney soundtrack on the music player and colored—a content little boy. I wanted so many things for him in his life. Not one of those things was giving up his dreams to take care of me for any reason. As long as I was able-bodied, I would be damned if I was ever a burden on my child.
“Well, I am kind of interested,” I said, my face heating up with the admission. “But it’s hard to get out and d…date. I mean I have JJ to think about, you know?”
“I’ll babysit.” The two women volunteered their tribute at the same time, my mouth dropping open in shock. Angel laughed.
“I love kids. Especially in small, pre-determined blocks of time where I can do all of the fun stuff and then return them to their mom sugared up and exhausted,” she said with a wicked grin.
“I don’t really have a lot of experience, but I like JJ, and if I could keep myself alive these last few years after my ex-boyfriend tried to kill me, I think I can handle a four-year-old.”
“Wait,” I interrupted, my mouth hanging open in shock. “Your ex-boyfriend tried to kill you?”
“More than once,” Jeanette muttered bitterly. More like she was pissed about it than because it was anything weird.
“Yeah, well he shot me,” Dino said, smiling widely at my growing discomfort.
“You got shot?” I squeaked, thankful that JJ still wore the headphones and would not be asking questions about any of this.
“And Angel got kidnapped. I rescued her though.” This from Gabe who had just walked back into the room from taking a huge load of trash out to the dumpster. The multi-millionaire had barbecue stains on his t-shirt and a pair of red basketball shorts on. There was dust in his hair and his short beard. He smiled at the woman in question and blew her a kiss.
“Yeah but I also got tased—by Dino,” she emphasized. “And attacked by a junkie that worked for the psycho Chaz Malone—no offense.” The last part was offered to Dino, who nodded his head as if to say, “None taken.” It was impossible to wrap my head around what they were talking about.
“All we’re saying, Harlow, is that we are experienced at taking care of ourselves and others. We’ve all been through some shit.” She covered her mouth with her hand and glanced in the corner at JJ, hoping he hadn’t heard her swear. He hadn’t.
“Nobody here is perfect, Harlow,” Jeanette said, wiping her hands on her yoga pants and giving my arm an affectionate squeeze. “We’re all just like you. Doing our best to live a good life and take care of the people close to us. You can ask us to help, you know?”
“I feel like all you guys have been doing since I met you is helping me,” I said truthfully.
“Yeah but you’ll get your chance to pay me back when I really start putting you to work,” Gabe laughed. He walked over to where JJ was sitting in the corner and gently moved the headphones off his head. “Hey, Buddy, I have to go to the store, wanna go?”
JJ jumped up, eyes shining. “Yeah! Mom, can I go to the store with Gabe? Can I?” Coloring book already forgotten he was racing to make sure the Velcro on his shoes was fastened properly.
“Yes, you can go to the store with Gabe.”
“Can we get candy again, Gabe?”
“Jesse,” I scolded. “You do not ask for things you don’t need from people. If you are offered that’s one thing but you know your manners.” Then I turned my attention to Gabe, who was giving the shush face to JJ before he noticed me looking at him. “I can run and get the booster out of my car, just give me a second.”
“No need. I figured we would probably all be taking JJ places at some point, so I just picked up a couple of extra boosters yesterday. I put one in my truck and I figured I would leave the other two here in case someone needed one in a hurry or something.”
Then he turned and focused his attention on JJ. Like it was no big deal. I’d been there a week and my son and I were already enough of a fixture that he bought booster seats for everyone to share. Like a family. I blinked back the tears of gratitude that threatened to spill over. He wouldn’t have seen them anyway, he was already walking out the door with JJ. But not before I overheard him talking down to my son in hushed tones.
“JJ, man, it’s secret candy. Man candy. We can’t have secret man candy if you tell your mom about it.”
“Don’t eat too much secret man candy or you won’t have any room for dinner,” I called out of the room as they rounded the corner.
No one answered, but I heard JJ giggling for a few seconds before they walked out the door. I was not worried about my son in the hands of any of these people. Jesse said they were good, and I believed him.
10
Jesse
I rolled up to the parking lot in the back of the building to absolute chaos. I knew Jolene and Gerta, because who in town didn’t, but I had never actually been to their building before. There was a moving truck in the lot, with the back open and facing the building. There was also a huge furniture truck that took up most of the parking spaces, and a confused looking Harlow standing by the door, her hair pulled together on top of her head in a fluffy brown poof and a frown on her face.
To the left of Harlow, in the window of what I assumed was a first-floor apartment, stood a grim-faced
man with a steel grey crew cut, wearing a dingy white t-shirt and a pair of khaki pants. I bet, if he were to come outside, I would see a pair of black dress socks and slippers on his feet. He looked like a typical grandpa type of guy—except for the scowl. I locked eyes with him as I walked up to the building, bouquet of flowers in my hand, and I gave a little wave with my empty hand. He didn’t acknowledge me, so I kept on walking.
“Gabe, I didn’t order these things! They are bringing in a new bed and everything,” Harlow was yelling into the phone. I was surprised to hear her addressing who I could only assume was her boss, in such a manner. She was visibly frustrated. Movers with blue uniforms were carrying in boxes from the truck, and men with the furniture store logo on their bright yellow shirts were bringing in a mattress and box springs. They moved around Harlow like she wasn’t even there—probably scared they were going to get yelled at too.
“What do you mean it's not your fault, Dino did it? He’s too big for a toddler bed, Gabe, and I know it’s cool because it’s shaped like a racecar and everything, but he is just going to crawl in bed with me, like he has done every night, so it’s a huge waste of his money, which I can’t figure out why he's spending it anyway!” I smiled as I got closer and stood in front of her. She was mad, and it was adorable. Her cute mouth pulled into a pout and her cheeks puffed out with air. I kind of wanted to reach out with a finger and poke one, but I also didn’t want to be on the receiving end of her yelling, so I walked past her and up the stairs to see what JJ was up to.
Inside was just as chaotic as outside. There were boxes stacked in rows against the walls and there were guys with yellow shirts inside as well. One was in the back room putting together a bed frame and two were setting end tables next to what looked like a brand-new sofa that sat against the wall next to the door. I could tell it was new because it still had plastic wrapped around the wooden feet on the bottom.
Well done Gabe. Pissed her off, but she should know better about Gabe by now. And if she didn’t, she’d learn. He always gets his way.
Jesse (Glass City Hearts Book 3) Page 8
