13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter thirteen
R yder
“Both the Riley’s and the Johnson’s want us to do the work, but luckily the Johnson’s aren’t in a hurry, so we should be able to do both jobs no problem. If this keeps up, we may have to bring on another guy.”
“Wouldn’t be the worst thing if we did. I know a couple of guys who’d love to work for you full-time.”
Desi went to grab our chairs out of the back of the truck so we could eat lunch, and I grabbed both of our lunch coolers. Then I joined him under the shade of the back porch.
“You think so?” I asked. I’d never really given much thought to hiring anyone else on full-time.
“Yeah, I do. Most of the guys we’ve worked with like you. They think you’re a perfectionist and don’t tolerate messing around, but they also think you’re fair, which is more than a lot of them can say for their current bosses.”
“Well, let’s not jump the gun. Let’s see how things go over the next couple of months. Then if we decide to do it, we could bring someone on before you take time off for the baby.”
“What on earth are you eating for lunch?” Desi asked when I pulled out the container Brennan had given me this morning. Brennan had fixed my lunch every day this week so far. I didn’t understand why he wanted to do it, but for some reason, he seemed to like it, and I wasn’t about to argue with him.
“It’s a Greek salad Brennan made.” I shrugged.
“He made you cookies. Damn good cookies, by the way, and now he’s packing you a salad? Are you sure there isn’t something going on there besides him organizing your files?”
“You’re right, those were damn good cookies, and there are only three left, so I’m not sharing. And no, he just likes to feed people.” I insisted, but he’d been awfully cute this morning when he’d come in.
He’d seemed a little unsure of himself when he set the container on the counter. I can still make you a sandwich if you want, but I made this for dinner last night , and it was really good. I thought you might want to have it for lunch.
He’d been so damned adorable that it wouldn’t have mattered what was in the container—I would’ve happily taken it.
I figured if I didn’t like it, I could always get something out and he’d never know.
Lucky for me, it had been delicious and was a nice change from my normal sandwich and chips.
Although over the last few days, there were fewer chips and suddenly more fruit in my lunch for some reason. Sneaky boy.
“Likes to feed people, huh? Or likes to feed you?”
“People. Now eat your lunch so we can finish up.”
Most of my days ran late, and it was usually going on seven before I made it home.
I’d told Brennan that and made sure he knew his knock-off time was five and not to wait for me to get home to leave, but I admit I was still a little disappointed when I pulled in a few minutes after five and he was already gone.
I’d thought maybe getting off so early today that he might be here, not that I needed to talk to him or anything, but I could’ve thanked him for the lunch.
It was Thursday, and I was meeting the guys at Big O’s.
I got cleaned up and took the short drive over to the bar, but it was only me, Max, and Owen tonight.
Well, me and Max, I guess since Owen was technically working.
As Cooper had predicted, he was busy getting people’s lawns ready for the holiday weekend, and Lucas was behind on getting a custom bike ready for a show.
I hadn’t expected Travis to be here, but he was sitting at the end of the bar talking with Max.
Max had started a relationship with Travis three years ago, right around the same time I was seeing Casey.
I’d liked Travis right from the beginning and was glad they’d managed to make a go of it.
“Hey, Max, Travis,” I said, taking my seat.
Travis stood up and grinned at me. “Hey, Ryder, long time no see. Daddy said we’re going to your house for a cookout.”
“That’s right. We’re going to cook ribs, drink beer, and sit around. Sound exciting enough for you?”
“Sounds perfect. Now I’ll leave you to whatever it is you do sitting here at this bar. I have places to be.” He leaned over and gave Max a kiss on the cheek. “See you tonight, Daddy.”
Max grabbed him, not letting him go without a proper goodbye kiss. “Be safe, baby boy. I’ll see you at home.”Travis left, and Max watched him until he was out the door.
“You two are doing well,” I said.
“We are. That boy is everything I ever wanted and more.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Who’d a thought a grumpy son of a bitch like me would end up with a boy like him?”
“Anyone who ever saw the two of you together, man. It was obvious from the start.”
“Well, obvious doesn’t mean easy. It was a little dicey for a while there, but what matters is everything worked out.”
“Really? It seemed to me that you and Travis were solid from the start.”
“Nah, man. I’m sure it seemed that way to most people.
I hadn’t known you long then, and you were too busy with Casey to notice, but it was a train wreck for a while there.
I was working crazy hours, and Travis didn’t think he was important enough to me.
Neither one of us did a good job communicating what we wanted or needed from each other. ”
“Really? Travis never struck me as someone needy,” I said, and I could tell by the flash in Max’s eyes that was the wrong thing to say.
“Travis has never been needy a day in his life. Casey was needy because he’s a brat. Being needy because you’re a brat and being unhappy because your needs aren’t being met is not the same thing.”
“Sorry, you know I like Travis. I think he’s great. I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”
“You know, Travis and I ran into Casey in a club a couple weeks ago.”
“Really?”
“Yep, he was in there with his Daddy.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize he had one,” I said, not taking the bait. It was obvious Max had a point, but if he thought I was going to ask him about it, he was wrong.
“Yep.” He took a drink of his beer and didn’t say anything else. He just waited me out.
So much for not taking the bait. “Fine, I’ll ask. How was Casey?”
“Same as always.” He chuckled. “All up in Jerome’s space, pouting and practically begging for attention.”
“So needy then,” I said.
“Yeah, needy, and you know what? Jerome loved every minute of it. I’ve known Jerome for years, and it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
There’s nothing wrong with being a needy brat.
And there’s nothing wrong with you not wanting a bratty boy.
You just weren’t a good pair. That doesn’t make him a bad boy, and it doesn’t make you a bad Daddy. ”
“I know that,” I said, and he gave me that but do you really look that he was so good at. “Really, I do. I just don’t think I have the time or the energy to try again. It’s not like I was in love with Casey or anything, but—”
“But you don’t fail well.”
I sighed. I would’ve liked to argue with him, but he knew me too well for that. “No, I don’t fail well.”
“Maybe it’s time you stopped taking that all on you by thinking you failed and instead realize that sometimes two people just aren’t good for each other.”
I took a long drink of my beer, buying myself time to think. “Maybe,” I conceded. “I don’t know, but I’ll think about it.”