Chapter 10 – Jude
Chapter Ten
JUDE
Ineed to chill the hell out.
After I got off the phone with Lola and had a moment to breathe, I could admit I almost respected Mabel’s move of leaving me with my metaphorical dick in my hand.
Do not think about Mabel seeing you with your dick in your hand.
I was prepared to give her the props she deserved but seeing her flirt with that rando, pressing her tits together to give him a glance of those alluring milky globes, I saw red. With the poor guy scurrying off and with that threat gone, I was able to focus on helping Mabel get everything put away.
“You got a foot fetish or something, Muscles?” If all the blood in my body wasn’t rushing straight to my groin, I would have been cognizant of the mirth in her tone. But, goddamnit, Mabel’s hot as sin voice, her asking about my fetishes, and giving me a nickname?
Not the most original nickname but she can call me whatever she’d like.
I cough to clear my throat and do my best to stop my voice from cracking. I need to respond or she’s going to think I really did have a....well, maybe if it was her feet.
Nope.
No, no no. This is about work safety and nothing else. I’m finally able to push out a rough response.“That’s not very work appropriate.” I lift a box and angle it as best as I can to keep my semi covered up. Work inappropriateness as far as the eye could see at the Warren Honey booth.
“I’ll start taking these back to your truck, lest you feel inclined to ask about my other fetishes.” I allow my voice to drop slightly and make eye contact with Mabel. I’m not-so-secretly praying she would want to know about what got my motor running.
“Yeah, you do that.” She growls out and I do my best to hold back my laugh at how angry she sounds. I’d be worried that I’d crossed a line but I saw her pupils dilate as I looked at her.
We make quick work of breaking down the booth and loading up Mabel’s Farm truck, almost in complete silence. When she climbs into her truck I try and fail at keeping my eyes off her wide hips and her voluptuous bottom. She drives off without another word.
The cold shoulder does nothing to stop the excitement strumming in my blood. Mabel may not like me but she’s attracted to me and that is definitely something I could use to try and put some cracks in the wall she’s built up to keep me out.
“Hey Boss!” I stop my mid-step and look over my shoulder, my eyebrows furrowed. I’ve told everyone who works on the Farm to not call me Boss but the chuckleheads that live with me in the Bunk House never listen, they think it’s hilarious.
Reese, one of the new guys, jogs towards me. I don’t understand the expression on his face. He looks worried but I can see a strange sparkle in his eyes, like he’s trying to remember the punch line to a joke.
Once he’s close enough we don’t have to shout at each other, I give him a quick nod.
“What’s up, man?” Reese bends over, hands on his knees, taking in big gulps of air.
I pull my ball cap off and wave it in his face, a poor attempt to cool him off.
I was on my way to watch Mabel’s process for making honey sticks and the last thing I want to do is to miss it because Reese passes out from over exertion.
“Sorry, Boss. Just got word that one of the temp guys found a box of puppies near the apple orchard and Lola’s out” I let out a curse at his words.
Frustrated, I tug on my hair before slapping my hat back on my head, flipping it so it now rests backwards.
The apple orchard is on the opposite side of the farm and this is a situation that will need to be addressed immediately.
With the sun now at my back, I want protection from the sun on my neck.
No one tells you this but neck sunburns are the fucking worst.
Reese and I make our way to one of the empty golf carts that allows employees to get around quickly. There’s an awkward moment when Reese tries to sit in the passenger seat at the same time as me, his smaller frame basically bouncing off my body.
“You gotta drive, man. You got the report of where they are.” I point out, sliding into the seat. Reese nods before shuffling over to the driver’s side and starts driving.
I don’t know Reese as well as I should. He’s a newer employee, hired alongside one other guy in the last month or so.
With Lola’s new shadowing program I haven’t been able to spend as much time with them as I would have liked but from what I’ve heard, Reese is fitting in more than the other new guy.
From the brief encounters I’ve had, that checks out on all levels.
We ride in silence, my thoughts jumping between trying to figure out what to do with a box of puppies and getting to Mabel as quickly as possible. Today just so happens to be one of the very rare times Lola takes a day off, which means that I’m unfortunately in charge.
It’s not the responsibility that gives me the willies, I’ve worked at the Farm for ten years and I’m confident enough in my ability to get jobs done, but the fact that it feels wrong to have someone that’s not a Warren be in charge.
I’m just a regular guy.
The Warrens sometimes feel like they are above it all.
Reese stops the cart and lets out a harsh cough, pointing to the fence line. “Was told the box should be right up there, Boss.” I glance at him as I unfold myself from the cart. His face is red and he won’t make eye contact with me.
“Allllright. Let me go check ‘em out and see what we’re dealing with.” I tap the top of the cart once after Reese gives me a jerky nod. I make quick strides to the fence line, anxious to resolve this issue and get back to my regular schedule. Get back to shadowing Mabel.
Shadowing has been going slowly, I don’t want to push Mabel too much and I definitely don’t want to allow my personal feelings to get mixed up with learning her side of the business. She essentially does it all herself.
I see the box but there’s no movement or any fluffy heads poking out with curiosity.
Huh, maybe the pups are asleep?
I pick up the pace, my gut churning with slight worry, hoping the animals aren’t overheating or something.
What the hell?
The box is empty. I squat down to inspect for hints that the animals got free, it has happened before but typically the box would be knocked over or something, this box is perfectly placed and standing tall. “What the….” I reach out and pick up a slip of paper taped to the bottom of the box.
Have a good excursion, muscles?
Xoxoxo
Oh. Good. Hell.
This woman is going to make me go prematurely grey, I swear to god.
Though, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a smile trying to sneak out as I pocket the note and make my way back to Reese and the golf cart.
“False alarm.” I stare at Reese, his face is red and I wonder just how much he knew about the legitimacy of this excursion.
“Take me back to the office, would ya’?” He nods enthusiastically, probably relieved I’m not asking him too many questions.
No, I know who was behind this little prank.
Game on, Trouble.