My attention moves back and forth between Archer and Cohen.
Cohen is the first to speak. “So, is this a full-time thing?” He raises a brow. “I thought it was playing pretend in front of her parents?”
I suck in a breath. “Honestly, I have no idea. Grace is having issues with the baby’s father, and I don’t want her to go through this alone. If she needs someone to help play dad for a minute, I’m game.”
Cohen nods. “Understandable.”
“That’s how the job offer came to life,” I tell them. “They want me to be with her at night since Cassidy and Lincoln sometimes work late.”
“If it’s a better opportunity for you, take it,” Archer inputs. “If the job fucking sucks, you’re welcome back here at any time. Don’t feel obligated to stay here. I don’t want to hold you back from a good thing.”
“Agreed.” Cohen slaps me on the back. “Congrats, man.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“One question, though,” Cohen says before I leave the room. “Do you have to wear a suit?”
Archer snorts. “Oh God, are you going to start wearing fucking loafers, Finn?”
This time, I’m the one flipping Archer off … and then I direct it to Cohen. “Both of you, fuck off.”
Cohen laughs. “We’re going to miss you, and your ass had still better come hang out here.”
“That’ll never change.”
I pull the business card from my wallet and stare at it.
Never did I think I’d ever have a job opportunity like this.
I was born into a white-trash family, to addicts, to nothing but scum. They’re all labels I’ve heard my entire life. At first, it hurt to hear the truth, but as time went on, I started agreeing with them.
Meth addicts.
Thieves.
Deceitful.
Those words described the few family members I knew of.
I dial the number, a hard swallow with each digit.
“Brian,” I say when he answers, “it’s Finn. Grace’s—”
“I know who you are,” Brian says with a deep chuckle, his voice matching the millionaires you see in business movies.
“I’ll take the job.” I say this with deep confidence, so he doesn’t regret the offer.
That strong tone lowers. “Thank you.”
He’s thanking me?
I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “No, thank you.”
“It means a lot to Faith and me that we’ll have someone there for Grace. When can you start?”
“Whenever you need me.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow works.”
My life is changing more and more each day.
Chapter Fifteen
Finn
I’ve never felt so out of place in my life.
Never felt like a damn poser.
It was a forty-five-minute drive to the dealership since no one in Anchor Ridge has the bank account to purchase a vehicle that costs as much as some people’s homes. I felt poor as fuck as I parked in the parking lot filled with cars I’d never seen before.
As soon as I walked into the dealership this morning, my surroundings screamed wealth. Every wall was made of shiny glass. Range Rovers, Bentleys, a Lamborghini, and Mercedes decorated the showroom floor. There was an entire bar with expensive waters, champagne, and snacks in the corner. Nothing like I’d ever witnessed.
Brian greeted me, his bright smile wide, to give me a tour and go through all my employee shit. My mouth dropped open when he disclosed not only my pay but also the commission I’d receive from selling these high-end cars.
From the whispers, I learned it was uncommon for the VP of the company to pay so much attention to a new employee who hadn’t proven himself worthy of selling one car.
“Whose dick did he suck to get this job?”
“Nepotism at its fucking finest. I’m sure it’s a cousin, friend, sister’s boyfriend. Dude isn’t even wearing an expensive suit.”
All comments I heard in the background.
Unfortunately, unlike my job at Twisted Fox, I can’t throw an asshole out for talking shit. This will take some adjusting.
At least Tim, the guy training me, is cool, but he caught on that Brian and I had a personal relationship. Unless he wanted to lose his job, he had to be nice to me.
Something else I’m not used to is early mornings. I chugged a coffee on my drive before chasing it with an energy drink and am still struggling to keep my eyes open. It didn’t help that I had been awake until four this morning since I worked a shift last night.
What a dumbass move to tell him I could start today.
“All right, man,” Tim said. “You ready to learn about some badass cars? Another perk of the job? We get to test-drive them.”
“Want to grab lunch?” Brian asks, poking his head into Tim’s office and interrupting him schooling me on the differences between Mercedes models. “Celebrate your new job?”
A rip of guilt presses through me as I shake my head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m bringing Grace lunch.”
I’ve never done that before since our sleeping schedules were opposite. But things have changed now, as we’re not only friends, and I want to see her. The school she teaches at isn’t far from here, and it’ll be nice to surprise her.
I also need a break from the dealership, and no doubt if I have lunch with Brian, there will be work talk. Grace is always a breath of fresh air … like a damn Prozac when I’m having a hard time. She’s an optimist, always seeing the glass as half-full—the opposite of me.
We make a good team.
She keeps me positive.
I keep her from dealing with shitty situations by herself.
Not wanting to feel like a jackass, I add, “Tomorrow?”
He smiles and nods. “You did a good job today. Tim said you’re catching on well.”
I text Grace as soon as I get in my car.
Me: Can I bring my baby mama some lunch?
It’s not until I hit send that I realize I didn’t put fake in front of baby mama.
It’s the first time there’s no reference to it being fake when it comes to us dating or her being pregnant with “my” baby.
My phone beeps with a reply minutes later.
Grace: I’d love that. Lunch break starts in 10.
Me: Craving anything specific?
Grace: Surprise me.
Me: Be there soon.
I drive to her favorite bistro she likes when we’re closer to the city, order our sandwiches, and rush to my car. The faster I get there, the more time I can spend with her before our breaks get cut off. I pull into the school’s parking lot, kill the engine, and jump out of the car.
The sun peeks through the clouds, and I pass benches spread along the walkway and rows of pine trees while heading toward the brick building. Today isn’t the first time I’ve been to Sunset Hill. I came once when Grace was hosting a charity auction and another time when she needed help bringing in supplies for the new school year.
Light classical music plays when I enter the administration office.