“I mean it when I say to stay away from Walt. He’s dangerous.”
What am I supposed to say? There’s already someone who wants my head on a spike, so the crotchety old guy can get in line behind him?
“Thanks for the warning. See you bright and early.”
I hang up and finish the sauce.
For the rest of the evening, I try hard not to think about the man who wishes I were dead instead of his family. It’s always a futile effort, and tonight is no exception. When hate is strong enough, clear enough, it’s easy to feel. He may as well be next to me, with his raw and unfettered hate radiating from his pores.
That night the nightmares return.
4
Connor
This Monday is notlike other Mondays.
Well, it is, but only sort of.
I got up at the ass crack of dawn, went to my parents’ house, and got the week’s schedule. I said hi to my dad and sat down to have a cup of coffee with him. His slurred speech wasn’t as prominent this morning as it sometimes is, but I’ve learned not to get my hopes up. Some days are better than others, a result of the medicine doing what it can for him.
I can’t stay for much longer, not if I want to make it to Brynn’s on time. At twenty minutes to eight, I stand up to leave. My mom pulls biscuits from the oven at that same moment, using one hand to hold them and another to wave their buttery scent my way.
“I know you’re not starting the first job until nine.” She turns around, sets the sheet pan on the stove, and takes three plates from a cabinet.
“I have to be somewhere at eight, Mom. I hired someone and need to go over some stuff before we start work.”
“Good.” She smiles and takes out two Tupperware containers. “Where did you find him?”
“Her,” I correct.
Her eyes widen. “Her?”
Dad chuckles, but it’s a stilted sound.
“I met her…”in the street…in front of my bumper… after she caused a minor accident that left my car in need of bodywork…“downtown.”
Mom finishes wrapping up two portions of biscuits and ladles her sausage gravy into a stainless steel container.
“Breakfast,” she says, pushing the food into my arms. “For you and your newemployee.” She lifts her eyebrows a few times to make sure I get her drift.
“She is just an employee, Mom.”
I know what she’s getting at. My mom is as transparent as a glass door, and she can’t keep a secret to save her life. Maybe I should tell her Brynn might be as crazy as Walt, just to get her off my back. If I did that, she would insist I fire Brynn, and I don’t want that to happen. I’m curious about her. I want to know why she’s in Brighton.
It must be her vibe that has me interested. She’s kind of mean. She puts out these ‘stay away’ signals, the kind I’m sure most people listen to. Unless she causes an accident that dents their car and actually looks like she feels really bad about it. For three seconds, anyway. Then something happened, and she froze over.
Probably a good thing. A girl like Brynn needs to be left alone. And a guy like me? She’s the last thing I need.
“Bring your new employee by sometime soon, Connor. We’ll need to at least meet her.” Mom places a hand on my arm. “Not that I don’t trust your judgment, but I would like to know who’s representing the Vale name.”
“Will do. Gotta go, Mom.” I nod at my dad and back out of the kitchen, trying not to run to my truck.
I’m late. I send Brynn a quick text at the number she called me from yesterday, letting her know I’m on my way, and drive off.
Nerves eat at me on the way, and that annoys me.
Okay, yeah, Brynn is gorgeous, but she also has an attitude bigger than Alaska. And as hard as I tried not to appreciate those cut-off jean shorts, I liked them a little too much. Her lips were sumptuous, and I don’t think I’ve ever used that word to describe someone’s lips. They are full, pink, and I’m certain kissing them would be like enjoying a lavish feast. Until she opens her mouth and slices me with her sharp tongue, anyway. Honestly, it might not be too high a price to pay.
