Unknown number:Sophia, please call me when you get this message. We’ve things to discuss. BR, Ethan Kingston
Ethan Kingston. Why does that name sound so familiar?
I search his name online and realize how I know him. He’sKing, the famous owner of King Tattoos. He also happens to be Jax’s eldest cousin, if I remember our conversation from the night we met right. He looks nothing like Jax with his heavier build, longer medium brown hair in a man bun, full beard, and deep brown eyes. The only thing they share is their height and love for tattoos, based on the photo of them together. Still, Ethan Kingston is damn hot. Even thinking about his pleasing appearance makes me blush since he’s the one offering me a job. He could be my boss.
Pressing the call icon, I put my phone on speaker and a husky male voice answers after a few rings. “King speaking.”
“Hi, um, it’s Sophia Kennedy. You texted me to call you about what I assume is the job offer.”
“Hi Sophia, it’s great to hear from you. How are you doing?”
“Well, you know, I'm stuck at the hospital until my surgery tomorrow to repair the damaged soft tissue. But I’m lucky I didn’t break any bones, and the healing process should be quite easy.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry to hear about your injuries,” he tells me. “If I can be frank, I didn’t expect to hear from you immediately. But it’s a good thing that you called.”
“How so?”
“I was thinking how hiring you could solve our issue with the Brooklyn location staffing. You see, Jax needs help with the paperwork and everyday tasks as he gets busy managing the shop while tattooing. I also heard you need extra cash, so I’m ready to interview you for the position.”
I’m still unsure why he’s offering me the job. “Ethan, canIbe frank with you?”
“It rarely ends well if someone asks that,” he points out, humor evident in his voice.
“Okay then, I’ll just get to the point; aren’t you afraid I’ll steal a bike again or something similar?”
There’s a beat of silence, and then I hear him chuckle. “We all make mistakes. It’s what we learn from those mistakes that counts. If I’ve understood your situation correctly, you’re remorseful for your actions. Is that right?”
I huff. “You’ve no freaking idea. If I could only turn back time, I would never do what I did.”
“That last sentence sums up my life story. So, let’s focus on now instead of yesterday. I would still like to meet and discuss you working at our Brooklyn location. I understand you’re hesitant, so let’s chat more and see if you’re the right match for us.”
“Okay. Um, thanks, Ethan. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know, but I like to help people whenever possible.” There’s silence before he continues. “My assistant will email you three possible times. Let them know which one suits you the best, and they’ll book the online meeting for us.”
I thank him one more time before we say our byes. And I’m left pondering if working with Jax is that bad after all. At least his cousin seems like an understanding boss.
“Knock, knock,” Haisley says at my bedroom door.
It’s been three days since I got home from the hospital. The arthroscopic shoulder surgery went well, so they discharged me early. Now I need to immobilize my arm and shoulder using a sling for the next four to six weeks, depending on how well I’m healing. I’m meeting my doctor to monitor the process in ten days, and we’ll discuss my future care in more detail. But I already know that after using the sling, I need up to six months of physical therapy to rebuild muscle strength and restore the range of motion to my arm. It doesn’t happen overnight, but I got lucky as my injury is something that can be fixed.
I try to tidy up my room, but it’s no use because my best friend walks in before I can do anything and scrunches her nose. “What’s that smell?”
“That would be me.” I wince and step away from her. I need a shower but don’t know how to do my hair care routine with my hurt arm. My doctor told me to wear the sling during the day to make healing as easy as possible. I didn’t want to worry my parents, so here I am, reeking like yesterday’s garbage.
“Let’s get you cleaned before anything else,” Haisley bosses me and moves to the bathroom next to my room.
“What are you doing, H?”
“You smell like someone left a bag of trash outside in the summer heat for hours.”
I gasp dramatically. “I do not!”
“Yes, you do, chica. But that’s okay. We need to make sure not to wet your arm. I’ll get the plastic wrap from the kitchen,” she tells me and walks away. I start taking off my leggings. It takes more effort with only one hand, and I remind myself that slow and steady wins the race.
I manage to take off my pants before Haisley returns, smiling from ear to ear. She’s proudly holding plastic wrap, a shopping bag, and tape. “Your mom helped me find these. Get naked, and I’ll help you into the shower.”
If she were any of my other friends, I wouldn’t be comfortable with this. But Haisley and I have seen each other naked before as we go to the same gym, and they have public showers.
