Axel didn’t blame Rylan for wanting to keep some secrets. But he knew how keeping them locked down could hurt.
“Fine. I’m not your parole officer. I’m not your friend, your coworker, or your therapist. I am your boss. I think you have real potential, but you need to stick to what we tell you. I like guys thinking outside the box. But not new guys. Kelly still does what he’s told. To the letter. And I barely tolerate him.” Axel liked the kid, thought the smartass a funny guy. And it never failed to amuse him that Kelly was still afraid to talk to him, mostly because Mateo talked like Axel was a bear to work with.
“So you’re not firing me?” The hope on Rylan’s face hurt to see.
Axel looked back down at his paperwork. “Not today. I don’t care about a fight that landed you in prison. That’s what you did. I care what you do. This is your last warning.” He glanced up. “And get a haircut.” He tossed a business card at Rylan. “Help out a fellow local and I’ll forget I talked to you today.”
“Oh, sure. Yeah. No problem.” Rylan beamed. “I’m pulling dents and detailing.” The crap work. “And I’m fine with that. Great.”
“Get out.”
“Oh, sure.” He paused. “Um, do you want some coffee or something to eat? I’m going out for a food run. Smitty’s orders.”
Axel had caved not only to a soda machine but also to a high-end coffeemaker for the guys as well. “What’s wrong with what we have in the break room?”
“Um, Smitty said he’s not human unless he has his morning Doppio, whatever that is. I guess he got up late today.”
“Tell him he’s a pussy for not drinking it straight up black and cold. Then grab me a vanilla latte and an egg sandwich.” When Axel reached for his wallet from his back pocket, Rylan stopped him.
“No, Heller. I got this. Consider it restitution for not working on Saturday with you and Smitty.”
Axel shrugged. “Fine. But don’t take all damn day.”
Rylan gave him a mock salute and left. A few minutes later, Smitty barged in.
“I’m busy,” Axel barked.
“Talked to Rylan, eh?”
Axel leaned back. “Ja.He’s good now. I hope.”
“Thanks. He’s got some problems, but I’m trying to help him. I think he could be a real asset around here. Besides, we’re getting really busy.”
“You help everyone.” At times too much. Smitty would give a guy the shirt off his back. Sometimes to his detriment. “Don’t let him step all over you.”
Smitty flushed. “Fuck you.”
“Ah, and you’re back. I worried with all the fancy coffee drinks and your fancy date on Saturday.”
“Again, fuck you.” Smitty flipped him off. “The date went nowhere, thanks for asking.”
“Sorry.”
Smitty shrugged. “His loss. So what about you and Rena?” Smitty looked him over and gave him a sly smile. “You haven’t been such a prick today. So she didn’t throw your ass to the curb, I take it.”
“I went on a date yesterday. Just a walk around the lake. It was good.” Remembering it made him feel warm inside.
“That’s one dopey smile, son.”
This time Axel gave Smitty the finger. “I have a haircut with her later today. But I’m wondering what to do with our next date. Something good. Not pathetic like walking again.” He’d felt unsure about Sunday, but Rena had liked talking to him. Except he’d had to share. He shuddered just thinking about it. “She wanted a lot of talking, Smitty. Is that something I’m going to have to do a lot?”
Smitty nodded. “Yep. Your girl is a talker. You know that.” He fingered his red locks. “She’s talented. My cousin loves sitting in her chair while she makes him look pretty, so he says.” He ignored Axel’s snort of amusement. “But from what he said, that woman cantalk. And she has a way of getting things out of a guy.” Smitty shook his head. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
Smitty left, and Axel daydreamed about what the afternoon might bring. He hoped she didn’t consider this their second date. A haircut? Then again, he didn’t know what to do to romance her into a third date.
Who did he know to ask? Not Smitty. Smitty’s idea of romance included fine dining and mutual blowjobs. Mateo and Axel weren’t on a friendly kind of level. Lou might be a help. Axel’s paint specialist had a million female relatives and had snagged a woman he was head over heels for. Had the dickhead shown up for work today, as he’d been scheduled to, Axel could have asked him.
