“Good thing you don’t have to.” I pulled the door open and held it for her.
She stopped short and narrowed her eyes at me. “What does that mean?”
I blinked innocently at her. “What does what mean?”
“Dyl-aaaan,” she whined, drawing out my name. “You have to stop doing everything for me.”
“Hey, this isn’t me, this is the company. We all have phones through Badass Builds. And you’re an employee now, which means…”
“That sounds fake and too convenient.”
“It’s real, I swear. You can go ask Ryan in the truck if you want. Although fair warning, he’s been known to swing when he’s startled awake, so make sure you’re out of arm’s reach.”
She gave me a look like she didn’t believe a word coming out of my face, and I worried I’d taken it too far. But after a beat, she nodded. “Fine. But I don’t need any data. Every place has Wi-Fi, so it’s pointless.”
“Not up to me.” I raised my palms as I entered the store behind her. “We’re all on the same plan. So you get what you get.”
She grumbled some more under her breath, but when the sales guy came over to help us—finally—she didn’t put up much of a fight. She only asked if we could transfer her old number over, which we were able to do.
We picked out a phone and transferred settings from her old phone. When the endless paperwork came out, I had to come up with a diversion.
“You want to meet up at the used bookstore?” I asked as I picked up a stylus and waved off the hovering sales guy. “They might have that title you all picked for book club if you want a physical copy. Or if you just want to browse. I know it’s Maddie’s favorite place to visit outside of the library of course.”
Indy narrowed her eyes at me. “Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No. You’re more than welcome to watch me fill out all these forms. Just trying to be helpful.” I turned back to the tablet in front of me and tapped at the screen.
“Fine.” Indy huffed behind me. “I’ll meet you over there in a few, okay?”
I grinned to myself. “Sounds good.”
A few seconds later, I heard the door open and close.
“So you ready to discuss payment?”
“Yeah. Can we put it on this card?” I asked, pulling out my wallet. “And set up automatic payments with the same card?”
“No problem.”
“And also make sure any billing questions come to me and not this number.”
* * *
An hour later as we pulled up to the shop, Austin stood out front with his arms crossed over his chest. I tried and failed to not roll my eyes.
“Seriously, guys?” He asked when I opened my door. “A two-hour lunch? You know we have a build due in a couple of days, right? I need those cans painted tonight. And the wiring is going to take forever, Ryan, if you’re never here to do it.”
“Hey, don’t blame me.” Ryan shook his head. “I was an unwilling captive. I’ve been sleeping, waiting for these two to finish up.”
“Oh,” Indy whispered. “I-I-I guess it’s my fault we’re late. Dylan was getting a company phone for me because I don’t have one right now. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that it was—”
Austin waved a hand at her, remorse clouding his features. “I’m an ass. Ignore me. I’m sorry, Indy. You definitely need a phone. Forget my little rant. Please.”
She nodded at my brother then turned and gave me a tremulous smile. “Speaking of phones. I’m going to get back to work. Thank you, Dylan.”
The three of us watched as she entered the building then Austin turned to me and raised his eyebrows. “You don’t have the ability to add a phone to the company plan.”
I shrugged and headed for the paint shed. It didn’t matter what I said or did. Austin would always find something wrong with me.
