Chapter 2
FLETCHER
“Boss, the kitchen is ready for your final inspection.”
“Thanks, Jose. I’ll be right there.”
I don’t look up from my work, needing these last few paint touch-ups to be absolutely perfect. I want nothing to delay our final sign-off.
Jose joins the crew in packing up the tools and hauling away the ladders.
Their joyful conversations carry easily through the house, calming me.
Everyone’s moods are phenomenally better today, the relief palpable.
We’ve been working on this remodel for two months, overcoming multiple problems and expensive repairs, and we’re all eager to be done with it.
The truth is, I was worried we wouldn’t make the deadline, especially with the permit delay from the city. But, as usual, my team pulled through with exceptional work. They always do.
Del and Christian walk into the room to gather the tarp and spare paint supplies. Their voices echo off the walls.
“What are your plans for the weekend?” Del asks.
Christian’s cheeks puff out in a wide grin. “I’m taking my girl on a date.”
“Oh, yeah? Taking her to McDonald’s again?”
Christian jabs him in the ribs. “Shut up, bro.”
Del cackles before turning to me. “How about you, boss? Any plans for the weekend?”
I finish the last stroke with my paintbrush before sitting back on my heels and looking up at the beefy man. Del is twice my size with broad shoulders and thick tattooed arms. He’d intimidated me the first time we met, but deep down, the guy’s a gentle teddy bear.
“Nothing except for a good long soak in the hot tub,” I say.
He grins. “One of these days, you’ll invite us over. It sounds like heaven.”
I chuckle. I like my crew, I really do, but no way in hell am I inviting them over to use the hot tub. That thing is sacred. Even my daughter’s friends have to be vetted and approved before climbing in.
My knees creak as I climb off the floor.
After disposing of my brush in the dump bucket, I seal off the paint can and reach for the iPad on the counter to start my inspection.
I walk slowly through each room, noting every detail.
Aside from a few missed tape pieces on the floor, everything is perfect.
Pristine. The old house has come a long way—from an abandoned project home sold at an auction to a modern two-story beauty.
The only room we didn’t touch was the game room in the basement.
Everything else has been sanded, waxed, primed, or painted. It’s truly some of our best work.
The kitchen is my favorite part of the full remodel. The warm sage color coordinates perfectly with the ivory cabinets and marble countertops, creating a place of comfort and peace—exactly what my client deserves after her brutal divorce.
Carlos enters through the front door, face as stoic as always. “The trailer’s loaded, Boss, aside from your stuff.”
“Good. Have everyone gather in the front room. I’ll be right there.”
He nods and disappears down the hall, his voice booming through each room as he barks commands. If Del is intimidating in size, then Carlos is intimidating in tone. He’s been the best team lead since we opened the position.
I take one more loop through the lower level of the home to get a few photos on my phone. This is definitely going to be a job we talk about for years to come. It’s earned a place on our Wall of Pride at the shop.
Finally, I meet the crew in the front room. All seven of them are spread out, hats askew, holding open energy drinks or water bottles. Their conversation dies quickly, waiting for the final word.
I clap my hands together. “Well, I think it’s time to call it, guys. This job is finished. Great work.”
Everyone cheers. Ahmed curls forward, bracing his hands on his knees as he huffs out in relief. “Finally!”
I can’t help but laugh. Hell, I am just as relieved as he is. We’ve earned this victory.
“This project has been a challenge from the start,” I continue. “I think I aged a year just dealing with the electrical issues. But you all kept showing up, every day, and you didn’t complain… much.”
A few of them laugh, nudging Ahmed playfully. He’d slipped into his native Arabic tongue at least once a day.
“We all had to push through, and your dedication did not go unnoticed. So, drinks are on me tonight. Or food, if you prefer. Whatever you want. Meet me at Graham’s Bar in an hour and we’ll toast a job well done.”
The chorus of agreement echoes loudly through the empty room. Someone throws a fist in the air while another claps me on the back. It’s not uncommon for me to invite the crew out after work—we do it on a weekly basis—but this was a tough job, and we celebrate those. Always.
“Should I take the trailer to the shop first?” Carlos asks as everyone disappears.
“Yes, please. Call Darren to let him know too.” My brother is at the Southside Plaza site today, but he likes supporting our crew as much as I do. He’ll want to be a part of this.
Carlos nods. “Will do. See you soon.”
Finally, with everyone gone, I call the homeowner to tell her the house is done.
She arrives within twenty minutes for a walk-through, hoisting her two-year-old daughter on her hip.
Her praise as we walk from room to room fills me with pride.
She’d lived here during the entire process, of course, but knowing this is the end always hits differently—a mix of awe, joy, and disbelief.
It’s my favorite part of the job, seeing them happy.
After getting her final sign-off on the iPad, I thank her one last time before heading out.
I text my daughter to let her know I’m on my way home. A minute later, my phone bursts into song.
I shake my head in amusement. Georgie frequently changes her personal ringtone just to keep me on my toes. Today’s tune is “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
I hit answer. “Hey, Georgie.”
“Hi, Dad.” She pauses. “I was wondering if I could stay at Avalon’s tonight? I know it’s a school night, but we’re both caught up on homework, and you know we won’t stay up super late.”
My heart deflates. I was going to surprise Georgie with some cheddar caramel popcorn while we watched another rerun of Stranger Things. But as usual, my teenage daughter prefers the company of her friends to her old man. Not that I can blame her. I was the same way at that age.
I’m just grateful Georgie’s friends aren’t like mine were. I shudder to think of her doing the things I did at fifteen.
“Did you get all of your chores done?”
“Yes. I even took Bones for a walk. And the laundry is in the dryer too. Everything’s done.”
“Alright. That’s fine with me then, as long as you promise you aren’t missing any assignments at school.”
“I’m not.”
I could log into the school system to see for myself, but Georgie isn’t the type to lie just to get her way. In fact, she rarely causes trouble—to the point my ex-wife and I joke about winning the child lottery.
And her request isn’t that unusual, either. Avalon has been Georgie’s best friend since they were toddlers. Her parents were my closest friends until the divorce. We aren’t close now, but I still trust them completely, especially with my daughter.
“Okay. See you after work tomorrow, then. But text me when you’re on your way to school in the morning so I know you’re up.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“Love you too, hon.”
A hollow feeling settles over me as I disconnect the call. I miss my daughter’s company more and more, and by next summer, she’ll have her driver’s license, which means she’ll be around even less. It makes my heart ache. She’s growing up too fast.
I still swing by the store to grab a bag of popcorn on my way home, then leave it on her bed along with some cash. It’s the easiest way to win her love these days.
After a brief pause to scratch my dog’s ears, I drive to Graham’s Bar to meet my crew. It’s fairly quiet when I arrive, which is not surprising, given that it’s the middle of the week.
I park near the entrance and head inside.
The bald, stoic bouncer greets me with his familiar, curt nod.
Vince is the textbook version of a bouncer: broad, muscled shoulders, sharp eyes that are always scanning the room, and he rarely makes conversation.
I’ve tried a few times to get to know him like I have with all the other employees, but he always shrugs me off.
Whatever. I don’t come here for Vince. I come for the company and good food. Graham’s has always had a unique atmosphere, and it’s even better since the remodel. Plus, the upbeat music is refreshing after a long day.
Of course, it helps that the hottest bartenders in the city work here too.
Declan is behind the bar, red hair gleaming under the bright lights. He’s bent over a notebook, which he quickly closes and puts away as I pull out a seat in front of him.
“Hey, man,” he says. “Is it Friday already?”
I laugh. “Nah, just coming in to celebrate the end of a tough job.”
“Oh yeah? The one with the electrical issues?”
“That’s the one. We finished it today.”
His grin is immediate as he throws a hand up for a high-five. “Congratulations! I bet you’re relieved.”
“Extremely.” I sit back, my chest warm. Declan has always gone out of his way to get to know his customers. It’s part of why I love coming here. He makes me feel at home.
He looks around. “Is your crew coming?”
“Some of them, yeah. They had to take the trailer and supplies back. They’ll be here soon.”
“Ah. Well, can I get you anything while you wait?”
“Some onion rings would be great. And start a tab for the guys under my name, would you? I told them I’d treat them tonight.”
“Sure. Any limit?”
“Two drinks, or some food. Whatever they want. As long as it’s not crazy.”
“You got it.”
As Declan makes a note by the till, I look around. “Where’s your partner in crime? I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“Jordan? Oh, he’s taking some time off with his boyfriend.”
“Is that right? I didn’t know he was seeing anyone.”