“Elaborate, you gobshite.”
“Twelve missed texts, five different girls. It won’t ever stop. I set a precedent that I’m available whenever, wherever, and it’s like I’m on a fucking hamster wheel.”
“So change it.”
I stare at him, confused, and he rolls his eyes. Without a word, he walks over to my desk, pushes me out of the way, takes my phone, and smashes it to bits.
“What the fuck, Declan!” I cry.
“Step one of Operation Belle: get a new number,” he says as he goes to leave.
This is why Declan’s the smart one. It never once crossed my mind to get a new number.
“Hey, Peters?”
“Aye?” I fake an Irish accent, imitating him.
He smirks. “You’re an eejit.”
“I know.” I laugh.
“In all seriousness. I know you have hang-ups, but you deserve to be happy too. You won’t let her down.”
“You’re so sure?” I call, repeating what I asked John.
“Aye, without a doubt. I see you for more than you see yourself, Jackson. You’re good people, and you’ll do right by the lass.”
I watch as he walks out of the office, then stare at the door in thought long after he’s gone.
If only I had the same confidence everyone else had in me, this would be a lot easier.
But for once, maybe I need to give myself a chance.
* * *
“You’re sure everything will transfer to the new phone?” I ask the sales guy for the tenth time. This kid definitely wants to kill me.
“Sir, you have the cloud. It’s all going to transfer.” I open my mouth and am quickly cut off. “Yes, all your notes and all your pictures will be saved. I know you have important things in there.”
I nod dutifully. “Okay, sorry. I had to check once more. Thanks for all your help.”
He doesn’t answer; he walks away. I guess I deserved that.
So what if I asked a lot of questions?
I walk out of the store and check my phone to make sure again he’s not lying, and he’s right. It’s all there.
My special notes, my saved photos.
Good.
I put my hand up to hail a cab to return to the office but stop mid-step.
Trumans.
I grab my phone and open my email. That little shit! My email isn’t synced yet.
I call my assistant quickly.
