Chapter 9
Leon
I’ve been resistant to hiring an apprentice because the thought of having someone by my side all day frustrates me to tears.
I like my space.
I like things done the way I like them.
But once Auggie starts working … I have to question where the bumbling mess of a man I’ve come to know has gone. He’s focused and dedicated as he carries load after load of debris down the side of the house to the front.
I’m surprised he hasn’t chatted my ear off or tripped on something. This can’t be the same guy his dad warned me off so strongly.
I’m also surprised Auggie doesn’t appear to be fading. We’re clearing the piles of rubbish for at least two hours, and he’s keeping the same pace as when we started. His wiry little frame isn’t having any issues with carting old wood paneling and rolls of linoleum.
I stand back and watch as he hefts an old cabinet up onto his shoulder. From the looks of him, I’d assume he has no muscle whatsoever, but the tiny bicep in his skinny arm pops and disappears under the pressure, proving me wrong.
His hard hat catches the sun, and I question again whether buying him that stuff was a normal boss thing to do. If I’m honest with myself, no—I ordered all the other guys the standard safety gear—but when I saw the hat in purple, it reminded me of his boots, and I had to have it.
The look on his face when he saw it was pure joy.
It made me happy.
And yep, I definitely shouldn’t have bought it.
My phone alarm goes off at lunchtime, reminding me to eat, and I call out to Auggie that it’s time for a break. I need to remind myself that a, he’s just getting back into this kind of work, and b, most people take breaks far more regularly than I do.
He’s pouring with sweat by the time he joins me inside, and I throw a bottle of cold water at him. Auggie tears it open and starts to drink, throat working overtime. A dribble slips past the corner of his mouth and rolls over his jaw and down his neck.
I catch myself staring and quickly turn away.
I clear my throat. “So, ah, it’s just occurred to me that I didn’t tell you to take breaks. You can have ten minutes in the morning, half hour at lunch, and fifteen in the afternoon. Don’t wait for me to tell you because I usually forget myself.”
“I’m okay. I don’t need them.”
Whether he’s only saying that or not doesn’t change a thing. “Legally, you have to. And I’d prefer it if you took them.”
“Fine.” His smile turns cheeky. “But only if you take them with me.”
“Can’t make any promises.”
“Then I guess neither can I.”
“You’re awfully confident for someone during their first day on the job.”
He lifts a bony shoulder, and I notice the slight sunburn under his tank top. “I told you I know what I’m doing.”
I wasn’t sure whether I was going to bring up the whole Dad thing, but I don’t like avoiding issues. “Then why did your dad try to warn me off hiring you?”
He pouts out his bottom lip. “Because he hates me.”
“Really?” I cock an eyebrow at his petulant tone. “Seemed to me like he was trying to look out for you.”
“You don’t know my dad. He has to be in control, and by me being up here, out of his reach, working for someone he’s always looked down on … he’s throwing a tantrum that he can’t control me anymore, so he’s trying to do it through you instead.”
After having a few days to think about it, I’m not so sure I agree. I’ll never like Kieran, but I do think he loves his son. Auggie is too close to see it.
“Well, for what it’s worth, he can’t control me either.”
Auggie shifts a little. “Can you promise me something?”
“I could promise you anything, doesn’t mean I’ll do it.”
He looks amused. “It’s … I want to know if he starts interfering. If he tries to make things harder for you or something, I need to know that.”
Ah, there’s some of the nervous little man I know. I cross my arms and lean against a cabinet. “Let’s say he does, and let’s say I tell you. What difference does it make?”
“What do you mean?”
“What will you do if he does decide to be a dick?”
“I’m not sure.” His light brown eyelashes drop as he contemplates his answer. “Quit?”
“Well, that’s a terrible way to repay me.”
“Wha—no. I wouldn’t want to. But I’d do it to make sure things weren’t going to be harder for you than they already are. All it’s taken is one day and I can already tell you’re going to be the best boss I’ve ever—”
“Then why would you want to quit?” I laugh, because I’m messing with him.
I know why that’s his first reaction, but I also want him to see how dumb it would be.
Like playing into his dad’s hands. Also, it’s sort of fun to see him start to get worked up again.
“Auggie, listen. Whatever your dad throws at me, I can handle it. Don’t stress.
I hired you with eyes wide open, now the best thing we can both do is to make sure you work out. That’s all I’m asking.”
His pink tongue darts out over his lips, and he looks for a moment like he’s going to argue. Eventually, he nods. “Okay.”
“Good. Now eat something.” I go to move past and pause to press my thumb against his red shoulder. “And put some damn sunscreen on.”
He grins up at me, but I quickly look away before I smile back.
No one needs to get the wrong idea here, and I’m conscious that we very nearly hooked up last week.
It was a total never-would-have-happened-under-other-circumstances moment, and it’s not like I’m attracted to him outside of the club; it was my dick being needy and not picky.
I glance back at him as I head down the hall. He’s taken off his hat, and his damp curls are pressed down tight over his head. I’m tempted to go mess them up for him, to see if it makes him laugh, but otherwise, definitely no attraction.
Nope.
Nothing.
At all.
We spend the rest of the day checking on the other two sites to make sure they’re on track. Auggie sticks by my side, nervousness radiating off him, and once again he’s almost silent, which catches me off guard.
Over the week, we start to fall into a similar rhythm. Clear out the house, then visit the worksites.
The more familiar and confident Auggie becomes, the more animated he starts to get. At Rowan’s gym, he jumps in and starts the caulking while Oscar finishes installing the lockers in the bathroom without me having to ask.
I’m nervous at first, but it’s clear he knows what he’s doing. His movements are well practiced and competent, and for the first time all week, I feel like I’ve actually made the right choice.
I’m not coiled tight waiting for him to mess up.
Maybe I underestimated him.
We wrap up the gym on Friday, and it’s a relief to hand Circus back the keys and cross another one off my list.
“Like I said, any issues with anything, let me know.”
“I will,” Circus says. “But I’m confident you’ve covered everything. You’ve been here checking every day.”
“This is a small town. I won’t get anywhere by signing off on sloppy jobs. Plus, I want shit to be right. Especially for my friends.”
Circus glances over at where Auggie is chatting with Oscar. He’s laughing at something Oscar’s said, and the tinge of orange in his hair is even more obvious in the sunlight. “How’s he working out?”
“Good. I’ve barely had to show him anything so far.”
Circus eyes me for a moment. “He must be good to get a smile like that out of you.”
“What? I’m eating my words. I needed help, and I lucked out with Auggie.”
“It probably helps that he’s cute as hell to look at.” Circus pumps his eyebrows at me.
“You know he’s not my type.”
“Types change.”
“Not for me.”
Circus gets this playful glint in his eyes. “Hey, Auggie?” He waves him over.
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
“Getting to know the kid.”
“He’s not a kid.”
For some reason that makes Circus shoot me a strange look.
“Hey.” Auggie does a weird flick type of wave and throws me a look that says, “fuck my life, I’m being awkward again,” so I shake my head to try and reassure him, but yes … most people probably don’t shift from foot to foot like they need to pee.
“So how’s it going working for Leon?” Circus asks. “Almost done with your first week, right?”
“Yeah, it’s been great. Almost a whole week and I haven’t screwed up yet, ha ha, so I’ll bet Leon’s relieved.”
“I was never worried.” Total lie.
Auggie gives me a sharp look. “You so were.”
“Not for a minute.”
“You literally told me you were prepared to regret hiring me, and now you’re lying to my face. Here I was thinking you were cool.”
“Ah, well, that was your first mistake. I never once claimed to be cool.”
“Cool or not, you’re still lying.”
“Fine …” I nudge him. “I’m pleasantly surprised you still have all your digits attached. Though we haven’t actually started on the tools yet, so there’s always next week.”
“And I’ll rise to the challenge again.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Circus clears his throat. “I’m glad to see things are going well for you guys. Lucky you cornered us at the Summer Nights Festival, Auggie. I have a feeling you’re just what our Leon needs.”
I send a glare Circus’s way, partially to avoid watching how Auggie’s face lights up, and partially because the asshole isn’t the least bit subtle. “Yes. I needed an apprentice. And now I have one. You’re very observant.”
Circus continues like I haven’t spoken. “And the offer still stands about the gym. We’ll even give you a membership discount. I know how Leon likes his guys big.”
“Circus …”
“Work guys, Leon.” He widens his eyes. “What else would I be talking about?”
“I’ll take you up on that,” Auggie says.
“Hopefully I’m here to stay, after all, and I’ll do whatever I have to if it means I can keep working with Leon.
He’s the best. I’ve never had a boss like him—and trust me when I say I’ve had a lot of them by this point—plus, he’s great.
Really great. You know, like, in general. ”
Is there an off switch for his mouth?
Hearing all that both makes me feel good … and incredibly awkward. I know what Circus is thinking, because it’s maybe kinda occurred to me too.
When Auggie turns his wide green eyes up to look at me, there’s a dopey expression on his face that twists something up in my chest. I’ve seen it a few times this week.
I’ve ignored it a few times too.
But seeing it now, knowing Circus is seeing the exact same thing, I can’t ignore it anymore.
I think Auggie might have a crush.
On me.
Which is so goddamn weird in itself because I’m not crush material. I’m fuck-and-run material.
Plus Auggie is so …
Sweet?
Kind?
Sort of adorable?
Completely employed by me and not my type.
Yes. That.
Do we ignore it and hope it goes away, or do I have to address the incredibly awkward turtle in the room and set some boundaries?
Circus claps Auggie on the shoulder. “I am being one hundred percent real with you when I say I am so fucking happy you’re here. This is going to be great.”