7
SOPH
Currently playing: Shake It Out by Florence + The Machine
I’m still fuming two hours after Jax left my hospital room. How can one person make me this mad? When he left, I cried and then tried to sleep, but picturing his fiery eyes when he spewed all his nasty words distracted me.
I’d rather be dead than work with him. Okay, that’s a lie. After the accident, I can’t even joke about death. It was a close call. The idea of working with him intrigues me, too, in some twisted way. I have always loved tattoos, so a tattoo shop wouldn’t be the worst place to work at. But it’s with him, so I don’t know.
Trying to wrap my head around all my thoughts, I don’t hear the door opening until I hear my mama’s voice. “Chicklet, mama and da are here.”
Crap. I was hoping I could escape this hospital without my parents knowing, as I didn’t want to worry them. But I totally forgot that they’re listed as my emergency contacts.
Opening my eyes, I notice that someone has dimmed the lights in my room. While my eyes don't hurt as much anymore, I'm grateful that the low lights keep the headache at bay. I look up and see mama standing beside my bed. She’s been crying, and I feel awful. “Mama, don’t cry. Everything’s okay.”
“But Chicklet, you could’ve hurt yourself or someone else tonight.”
“I know. It was stupid, but I thought I had everything under control,” I admit and try not to think how terrible things could have been.
It’s my da’s turn to speak. “What were you thinking, taking that poor guy’s bike? I thought that we raised you better than that.”
They did raise me to be a better person than I was last night—I let my feelings control my choices. I’m reasonably sure thatI wanted revenge on Jackson Bennettisn’t a good enough reason. After all, I lost my job, crashed his bike, and got myself in the hospital.
“I thought it would be fun to take his bike and ride around. There was nothing more behind it. But then it all turned out to be one fucking?—”
“Chicklet, language!” Mama shouts, giving me a disapproving look. Even in my mid-twenties, that look always makes me feel bad.
“I’m sorry, okay? It never was my intention to crash that bike. I just wanted to take it for a ride.”
Mama looks at da and sighs. “We talked to your friends on the phone before coming here, and Rose told us about the job opening at the tattoo shop Jax manages. We think it sounds like a great opportunity. Since you need to pay for the damages.”
I try to cross my arms to show my opinion. But it isn’t that simple with an IV drop in my hand. “Ow, that hurts. Fu—” I catch myself and see my mother’s expression before finishing. “—dgenugget.”
Mama rolls her eyes at my last-minute save. “Well, you can’t blame anyone else but yourself for this pickle you’re in, Sophia. I know everything hurts right now, but it’ll get better, and then you need to find a new job.”
“Honey, let’s give her space for now. She needs time to recover if she wants to be able to work anytime soon. We’ll discuss the job offer later,” da promises.
“But da, I haven’t even told them I’m interested!”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “And why not? That job is the best one you’ll get after the stunt you pulled.”
“If Jax’s the shop manager, I don’t think he’ll enjoy having me working for him. It can’t be easy for him after what I did.”
Da shakes his head disapprovingly. “Or you could have a job during normal business hours, better pay, and benefits like insurance unless you decide to become reckless again. There are times in life when we have to work with people we don’t like, and that’s called adulthood. Time to grow up, little princess.”
Ouch, that comment hurts more than my injuries. But I don’t blame him for making that comment.
After my parents leave, I’m left alone to consider my options. Turning on the TV, I watch the reruns of another reality show favorite. Usually, shows like this one help me relax, but I can’tstop thinking about my current situation. I’m screwed without a job. I need money to support my parents and pay my bills. I can’t be out of work longer than a few weeks. No way. I could always try to find another bartending gig, but I won’t get any recommendations from my old job. Finding a good-paying position without those isn’t easy in New York.
Reaching for my phone, I send the GIF of James Van Der Beek crying to Haisley.
Soph:My parents think I should work with Jax
Soph:I don’t know if I’m ready
Soph:What do you think?
Ten minutes later, my phone vibrates with a new text. Expecting to hear from Haisley, I see a text from an unknown number instead.
