“A man? Why the hell would he hire a man?” I looked at the door worried someone might hear me. “I mean that man basically only hires you if he thinks you're hot.”
“I heard it was that man that was here with your brother’s friends on New Year’s Eve.”
“What? They play hockey, there is no?—”
When I realized who she was talking about, my cheeks heated.
“I don’t know how well he’d do here, but you know that man was basically sex on that damn bull,” she said, fanning herself.
Beau was sex, literally. Jude had told me he was a cam boy and innocent me thought he did YouTube videos. I didn’t realize what cam boys did, and I had a rude awakening when I looked him up and found him naked on a website,naked.
“Oh, that still doesn’t explain why he hired him,” I said, feeling my cheeks getting hot.
“You saw all those ladies going crazy for him,” she said, like it was obvious.
“So, he’s trying to tap into the women market here?” I wondered why a man like Beau was coming to Sterling Ridge.
“I mean, isn't the female’s gaze worth something too?” She shrugged.
“I guess,” I said, putting my jacket on.
“Wait, why are you going home?” she asked, looking me up and down. “I’ve been here longer.”
“I don’t know,” I said dismissively.
“That’s bullshit he should be cutting me instead of you,” she groaned as she rolled her eyes up.
“Sandy, it’s fine,” I said, hoping she didn’t make a big deal.
“Girl, you got four hours,” she scowled. “That’s not fair and?—”
“I’ll be fine. Now you go make that money,” I said, pushing her out of the break room.
We all knew why they cut me instead of her. Sandy was raising her brother and sister because her mother was dying from cancer, but she hated feeling like a charity case, so we all said nothing.
“Iris that is the second time this week he?—”
“I know and it’s because I can’t keep my mouth shut,” I said, throwing my purse over my shoulder. “Plus, you haven’t ridden the bull, so go show them how it’s done!”
I slapped her hip and turned around before she could say anything. Mindy, the bartender, waved at me as I left. The crisp March air was still colder than I would have liked, but it seemed winter had its hold on us for a little while longer. I hopped into my truck, blasting the heater on as I checked my phone, seeing a text from my older brother Theo and one from my husband. I opened his first.
Deadbeat Husband: Can you return my calls, please.
I laughed at the please he added. Nash was sounding desperate and it brought me a little bit of joy as I opened Theo’s message.
Theo: Nova made albondigas. Stop by after work and eat or pick up some food for tomorrow.
My heart warmed with affection for my brother. We hadn’t always had a good relationship, but moving here was the best decision I could have made for me and my family. They were my consolation prize and kept me going even when I felt like a failure with our family’s farm. One day I would have both, but tonight I would enjoy having my family back.
3
nash
The camera flashedas I give my best smile, another flash and I smoldered at the camera, another flash I looked directly at the camera like I wanted to fuck it. A few more minutes of pictures at different angles and poses, then I was free.
“I think we got it,” the photographer said, giving me a thumbs up. “Tanya will show you the proofs in a few days!”
“Great, thanks,” I said, walking off the platform to the dressing room, which was really a closet.
