Chapter Three #2
“Looks great, man.”
Jonah glanced down from the metal beam he was standing on three stories up. He lifted his hand and waved to the couple below. It wasn’t often that he got visitors at his job sites. But these two had infiltrated his world, and Jonah wouldn’t complain.
The scaffolding was rigged with a ladder at the far end. He made his way past the guys seated on the ledge enjoying their last break of the day. He descended, making his way across the bottom ledge, and jumped down, adjusting his sunglasses.
“Looks like you’ll finish by Christmas, huh?” Bogs craned his neck, peering up at the framed structure.
“If the weather holds up, my estimate is right after Thanksgiving.” The job was one of his biggest and most lucrative.
There’d been several bids from reputable construction companies.
No one was surprised more when he received the call that they were going with him.
While he’d never admit it, Jonah suspected Ethan had played a part in securing the job.
The money was great, and he needed it, considering he’d have two kids in college next year.
But it came at a price. The hours were long.
The work was taxing. Overseeing a whole crew had its own challenges.
Long after he left the site at six, he continued working into the early morning.
Then at five o’clock the next morning, he’d wake up and do it all over again.
“Nice,” Bogs said, stretching out his hand as they got closer.
“Hey, Jonah.”
“How’s it going, Kenz?”
She stepped back into Bogs chest, gleaming. He watched how easily she fit into her man’s grasp and how comfortably she did it. Jonah smiled, thinking of how much these two had been through. It was worth it, though.
“Things are good. Got a promotion.”
“Yeah? That’s great. Congrats, you deserve it.” He wasn’t sure if that was actually true since they didn’t talk much about her job when they’d spend time together. But he knew Kenzie deserved the best of everything, so his statement was universal.
“We’re celebrating at the steakhouse down on Center Street.” She clasped her hands over Bogs’, resting on her stomach. “Saw your truck and thought we’d see if you wanna grab dinner with us.”
Jonah flattened his lips. This wasn’t the first time they’d invited him to go out.
In fact, between the two of them, it’d happened a handful of times.
He was pretty sure Kenzie felt indebted to him for some reason.
There was a connection. Nothing romantic on either end, but a common ground that made for a strong bond.
“I would, but I gotta finish up here and get home to the boys.”
Kenzie pouted. “I thought you’d say no.”
“Another time, I promise.”
She smiled and widened her eyes. “Fine. Are we still on for next Friday around four? If I get dropped off, can you drive me to T and Cassie’s afterwards? My car’s in the shop.”
Bogs rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “I told you he’d do it.”
Kenzie knitted her brows. “And I told you I wanted to do the polite thing and ask.”
Jonah chuckled, enjoying their banter. “Yeah, I can do that. Swing by any time after four and I’ll show you the wood I picked out.”
“Perfect. I can’t wait.” Kenzie bounced on her toes, gripping Bogs’, and jolting him in the process.
“Fuck me. I got you talking about showing my girl your wood.” He shook his head and glared at Kenzie. “And you're all excited about it.”
She playfully slapped his chest. “Oh, shut up, Bogs.”
“Pretty girl, you mess with my ego when you get like this.”
She curled into his side and whispered, “I’ll stroke it later, okay?”
Jonah glanced down at the concrete, keeping his smile at bay. These two had something. It was slightly strange, but it worked. They were happy, and that was all that mattered.
“Plan on staying for dinner at T’s when you drop off Kenzie. Gonna have everybody there. Free food, beer and good company. I mean, I can’t vouch for the rest of them, but I’ll be there, so it’ll be a good time.”
It was Kenzie’s turn to roll her eyes. “So humble, Bogs.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” While Jonah appreciated the offer, his schedule was tight and left little time for anything personal.
He’d carved out some time for fun, a particular dinner date, in a few days.
Still, he never wanted to commit unless he knew he could make it happen.
His word was important to him. Some time ago, it was the only thing he had of any worth.
“Sounds good.”
They chatted briefly for the next fifteen minutes. Bogs and Kenzie always made a point of asking about his brothers. It was a part of his life he’d been extremely protective over and kept private. The only family I have left. Jonah never took chances when it came to the boys.
“Alright, man. Well, we'll catch you later,” Bogs said, wrapping his arm over her shoulder and leading them to his truck.
He watched as they left the parking lot.
It was good they had what they did, but it left Jonah envious.
Women were the least of his concerns at the moment.
Sure, he missed the companionship and the closeness a woman brought, but by the next morning, he was slithering out of bed, knowing their next rendezvous would only be about sex.
Those were his terms. His current situation was conducive for both parties.
They had the same agenda, with no expectations for anything more than one night.
It worked. Having the real thing wasn’t an option for Jonah.
Had it been, he’d be looking at another woman.
Fuck me. If he thought too hard about it, he’d be slapping himself across the face.
There were some women who were untouchable, the kind with whom once or twice would not be enough.
The type of woman who’d have a man like Jonah wanting more, wanting it all.
And that wasn’t something he could ever have.