Chapter 10
As I watch Amber storm out of the party, her shoulders set in that stubborn line I've come to know so well, I can't help but smirk. She thinks she's won, but oh, how wrong she is. I'm just getting started.
I turn to Harvey. “See, bro? I’m looking out for you,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder.
He’s quiet as he glances at Jen, probably to see her take on it. The awkwardness is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
I shift my attention to Jen, who's been watching this whole exchange with wide eyes.
“Did you bring it?” I ask, hoping she came through.
Jen nods, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper.
“She's going to kill me,” she mutters, but hands it over anyway.
“She won’t ever find out,” I assure Jen. “Just make sure it happens.”
Jen nods again, looking like she's already regretting her life choices.
I start looking around the party, trying to figure out where a pen would be. I need to fill this bad boy out before Jen leaves.
“I need to find a pen, so I’ll be right back.”
I hunt for a writing utensil, looking through drawers until I finally find one with a dozen pens and pencils.
I grab the folded paper and unfold it. The Grind Stone logo is at the top and the beautiful job application is blank before me.
This is exactly what I need for the next phase of my plan. I start filling out the application.
Name: Matthew Pearson
Age: Old enough to know better, young enough not to care.
Previous Experience: Expert at pushing Amber’s buttons.
Honestly, I’m filling this out and wondering what was running through Amber’s mind when she decided to work at the Grind Stone. I wonder what she was like when they called her in for an interview. It couldn’t have been half as nerve-wracking as the law firm. I have to give it to her. She has guts.
“Do you think you’re taking this too far?” Harvey leans against the counter, staring at the application that I’m almost done filling out.
“What?” I ask, filling out the address of the college.
“You know what. You’re applying to her job now?”
“Yeah, and your friend, Jen, is going to make sure I get on the same shifts as her.” I whack his chest. “I’m not going to let her get away with leading you on.
” I continue the application. “And for trying to sell my truck. She made me spend two hundred bucks on sushi and then she paid a bunch of girls to be all over for me for an hour––what a waste of my time. She thinks we’re even, but we’re not even close. ”
“So, you get this job and then what?”
“I make her life miserable.” I list Harvey as my emergency contact. “It’s called karma.”
He shrugs. “I think karma has a different meaning than what you think.”
“I know what it means, you trick.” I swat him with the folded application. “Where’s Jen?”
“Right here?” she says from somewhere behind me.
I turn around and smile. “There she is. This is for you.”
“Okay,” she says, taking the application and shoving it in her back pocket.
“When will I find out if I get it?” I ask, leaning against the counter and tapping it with my pen.
She immediately gets nervous. I have that effect on women.
“We need someone right away, so I’ll make sure that person is you.”
“And make sure you switch the schedule around so that she and I work together. Can you do that?”
“Yeah.” Jen nods. “I can do that.”
“You’re the best,” I grin, throwing the pen on the counter. “Now what do you say? Let’s have some fun!”
I walk over to Crew who’s been playing beer pong this entire time. I ask him to let me throw the next one. He passes me a ball. I shoot and score, and the whole crowd cheers. Crew shakes my shoulders as I laugh.
“Jen, Harv. Get in on the next one,” I shout over the crowd as Crew pats my back. “Crew,” I call out as he tries to walk away. “Play with us.”
Crew stands next to me and says, “So, what was that all about earlier?” He points his eyes in the direction of the girls in the corner.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Grind Stone chick paid those girls a hundred bucks a piece to be all over me for an hour.”
Crew breaks into laughter, using my shoulder to catch himself. He’s already buzzed from the earlier game of beer pong. “Grind Stone chick did what?”
I throw a ping pong ball and make it in the cup. I point at Jen, so she takes a shot. I blow out hot air. “Unbelievable, right?” I smile, and Crew nudges me.
“Come on, man,” he laughs. “I wish she offered me a hundred bucks to be all over you. Is she rolling?”
I shrug. “Jen told me that Amber works at an attorney’s office, so probably.”
“Damn,” Crew says, throwing the ping pong ball and missing. “Then why does she work at the Grind Stone making sandwiches for idiots like you?”
I laugh. “Good question.”
He shakes my shoulders again. “I think I need to find a job. The place I’m staying at is nice and all, but Ryan threw me in it. Basically told me I need to keep a close eye on his sister. He didn’t bother to tell me how expensive being a roommate would be. Maybe I should apply.”
“The house you’re in is nice,” I admit. I can’t imagine how much the place cost in rent as a whole, and then it’s split three ways.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “Sydney is an interior designer, so that makes the place look ten times nicer. Bro? You know what, Matt? I’ve missed this.
Everything with Maddie, even before she got with Grey––it just hasn’t been the same with you.
I’m glad to have Matthew Pearson back. It’s about fucking time you didn’t mope around. ”
“Fuck off,” I say seriously but in a joking way. “Nah, I know I’ve been in the dumps. And I was M.I.A. when I started dating her. Thanks for sticking it through. You’re a good friend, man.”
Crew nods his head to Jen and Harvey. “What’s going on there?”
“I don’t know. Should we give him shit? Plant some seeds in his head?”
Crew laughs, shrugging. I laugh too because I’m just fucking around.
Jen throws the ball in our direction, completely missing the table.
“So, Jen,” I say, catching her attention while she takes a drink from her beer. “What does Amber say about me?”
She glances over at me, innocently as Crew throws the ball. “What do you mean?” she asks.
I smile. “Come on, I need the inside scoop. What do you know?”
“Nothing,” she shrugs. And if she’s lying, she’s far too good at it.
“Look, I know there’s girl code, but we’re bros now, so bro code. Now tell me.”
Harvey shoots the ball into one of our cups, so I take a drink from my beer and remove the cup.
Jen says, “She hasn’t said anything about you.”
Crew smiles. “It’s all in your head, Matt.”
Harvey asks, “What does she say about me?”
Jen looks over at him. “You? That’s a different story.”
Crew hollers at that, and I roll my eyes. Jen’s proud of herself for that one.
Jen wears a big smile as she continues, “She thinks you’re a nice guy.”
“Nice?” Harvey asks, deflated.
I snark, “She stole those words from my mouth.”
“He is nice,” Jen defends.
“Yeah,” Crew teases. “The nicest guy I know.” He glances at Harvey. “Dude, you really are.”
“You are, man,” I agree.
We start laughing when Harvey pretends to be flattered. He makes a waving motion, hiding a smile, and shrugging.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” I announce, opening my arms and glancing around the room. I receive a few takers. “Harvey Reynolds, the nicest man you’ll ever know.”
Harvey glances around the room to see who’s looking. When he realizes he has some attention, he walks over and dances to the beat. He’s whispering his own lyrics, “Nicest guy. I’m the nicest guy. Nicest guy.”
Crew cheers him on, whistling and hooting.
I point at him, joining in on the dancing.
Harvey puts his hands on his knees and arches his back to the beat.
He keeps his ass in one position and only moves his back.
Fucking hilarious. Me and Crew start rolling in laughter.
Harvey laughs, breaking his pose. Others start laughing, so now he’s doing the stanky leg to stay in the spotlight.
We’re all fanning our noses to get rid of that stank.
And then he dances back to his place to continue the game.
“The nice guy is always winning,” I mutter as a few people call out Harvey’s name. Harvey fist pumps the air to some of the guys from the team.
I throw the ball and it lands in the last cup. I point at Jen. “Drink, drink, drink!”
She chugs, finishing off her beer. I join in and finish mine. I grab her bottle from her so I can throw it in the recycle bin.
“Hey, Jen,” I say, walking back to her. “I’m heading out, but don’t forget about what’s in your pocket. I know it’s a huge favor. Promise me you’re going to make it happen.”
“Yes, I promise, I’ll make it happen.”
I look her in the eye, making this even more awkward. “Promise?”
She chuckles nervously. “Promise.”
“Okay. I’m counting on you.”
She gives me a thumbs up. “Got it, Matt. Don’t worry.”
Mom: I met someone
Matt: (Draft) Again?
Matt: (Draft) What?
Matt: Who is it?
I’m trying to catch up on some homework.
Thanks to my roommates for pestering me over it.
Smartasses put a whiteboard in the living room, so on Sunday night, we sat in the living room and asked each other about our assignments.
Alex drilled into me because I have the longest list. But he needs to cut me some slack, I’m putting in effort now.
Before my mom texted me, I was in the flow.
But now, my mind is trying to connect the dots with this woman.
She cannot be single for one moment. Her biggest joke when I was younger was that she needed a bouquet of men.
One for every occasion. I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life.
My mom is the biggest red flag. I’m sure the new guy is a dick, but I know there’s nothing I can do about it.
Mom: His name is James. He’s a mortgage loan officer. He’s a dad. His daughter is married with kids. He’s a good guy.
Matt: He sounds great.
Mom: You have to meet him. He’s dying to meet you.
I flick my pen a little too hard, and the pieces of it go flying everywhere.
I scratch my face, wondering when text messages like this will no longer bother me.
The woman is infatuated with the honeymoon stage, and I guess I get it, it’s all exciting and fun until time sets in. Then everything’s different.
Matt: Okay
Mom: You’re going to get along really well with him. You’re going to like him. How does dinner sound?
Matt: I’m getting a part-time job, and I have hockey. Plus games. I don’t know mom
Mom: That’s okay. We will figure something out. Check your schedule for your next open night, and we’ll do dinner then. Have a good night. Get back to me soon.
Matt: I will
I find the spring from the pen and put it back together. When I try to write something else on the paper, the pen breaks again. I gather the pieces and throw them away this time. I’m searching for another pen when my phone notification goes off again. I huff, grabbing my phone.
Jen: Hey, Matt. It’s Jen. So, I talked to the manager, and he’s cool with hiring you because I told him you’re my good friend. He warned that he has no problem firing you if it doesn’t work out. But everything is ready. You start training with Amber tomorrow. Does that sound okay?
I smile. My mood has turned upside down.
Matt: Yes, that’s awesome. Thank you so much. I will be there tomorrow. What time?
She sends over details. I’ll need to fill out more paperwork to get on the payroll, but I’m officially a part-time sandwich maker.
I lean back in my chair.
Hell yeah.