Chapter 9
GOOD SAVE
The light turned green, a horn beeped and Jayce took off before Farrah answered his question.
Archer was giggling in the back. “You need to pay attention, Jayce. Or Mom won’t let me drive with you. She lectures Grandma all the time.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Archer is overreacting. My mother isn’t bad. But I can’t help wanting to make sure my son is safe with other people.”
Guess she was going to ignore his question. It was for the best.
He was trying to decide if he should consider this a date or not.
The pathetic part of his brain wanted to grasp on and hold tight as his emotions swirled around in his head.
The logical side said he was helping a friend out. Not even one he could consider an ex.
Yeah, she was one. Two months in high school counted to him.
They’d kissed, he’d had his hand in her shirt and down her pants. She’d done the same to him. Had they seen each other naked, or without shirts on? Nope, they hadn’t.
Would he like to do it now? He’d be lying if he said no.
But this was about Archer tonight. Getting to know her son more so that he didn’t fail in his babysitting duties.
After next week, then he’d test the waters on if there was anything there between him and Farrah.
Could be he was reading it all wrong.
She obviously didn’t have a significant other in her life. It hadn’t come up once and if it had, he’d think the guy wouldn’t be too happy with Jayce being around.
“I think it’s normal to want that for those you love,” he said. He turned to the back seat. “How hungry are you, bud?”
“Starving. After school I had just one granola bar and normally I eat more. But I want an adult meal today.”
“Hey, from what I can see, you put away more food than most. Get what you want.”
“My treat tonight,” she said.
“No,” he said.
“Jayce. Don’t argue with me. You paid last time when we went to lunch.”
“And you cooked me dinner. So if we are keeping score and taking turns, it’s my turn.”
“It’s not the same.”
“It kind of is. I provided the first meal for you, you provided the second. Archer, based on the pattern, who is next?”
“Jayce! Is this how I win an argument with my mother?”
Oh shit. He was only joking but the narrowing of Farrah’s eyes said he might have just pushed that a tad bit too far.
“No,” he said. “You need to be respectful of your parents at all times and at every age. Mom is the boss of you and right now, she’s the boss of me spending time with you.”
Farrah’s frown turned to a laugh. “Good save. And I’m paying.”
“Got it, boss,” he said.
She playfully shoved his shoulder with her arm. The way she had years ago when they were goofing off.
That she was comfortable enough to revert to that led him to believe he might have a shot at something more.
He parked his car and they got out.
Archer giggled and ran in front of him to get the door and yank it open. Jayce reached over Archer’s head and held it for Farrah to go in.
“Table for three,” she said when she got to the hostess. Looked like she wanted to take charge and he’d let her.
He wasn’t sure the last time he had dated a woman who had done that. Most of the time they expected him to do everything.
Or maybe he never gave them the chance and just stepped in and spoke first.
Again, not dating Farrah.
They went to a booth, Archer slipping in one side, Farrah following next to her son, and him opposite.
“Lauren will be your server. She’ll be over in a minute.”
The menus were set down, and Archer immediately picked it up to scan.
“Hi, I’m Lauren. First, does anyone have allergies?”
“Peanuts,” Archer said.
“None for me,” Farrah said.
“Nothing,” he said.
“Good,” Lauren said. “I’ll make a note for the chef. What can I get everyone to drink?”
“Milk,” Archer said.
“Lemonade for me,” Farrah said.
“I’ll take a water,” he said.
The server moved away and Farrah said, “You could have gotten a beer if you wanted.”
“I didn’t want one,” he said, smiling. Maybe he thought of it for a brief second, then changed his mind. “Besides, not so great for my ulcer.”
She cringed. “Forgot, sorry.”
“Good thing I’m not your patient,” he said. “You might have failed there.”
Her face flushed and he felt horrible for the joke.
“Burn on you, Mom.”
“You’re a little stinker tonight.”
“You love me this way,” Archer said. “I’m getting a double bacon burger.”
“I’m not sure your mouth can open big enough for that,” Jayce said. “Let me see?”
Archer opened his mouth, the kid stretching it as far as it could go. “I’ll just squish it down if I need to.”
“He’s done it before,” she said. “Nothing stands in the way of my kid’s gut when he’s hungry. I should have asked—how are you feeling?”
“Much better,” he said. “Thanks.” Their drinks were placed down. Archer and Farrah ordered and he got a boring grilled salmon with rice and a vegetable dish.
He was used to eating healthy, but had to admit he was missing some wings, or maybe a pizza. Soon enough, at least from what his mother told him about his father with a flare-up.
He was an idiot who got himself in this position. He should have done something about his job over a year ago. Either pushed more that he was working himself silly, or looked to leave.
But his ego told him he had it handled. To make himself invaluable. That he could work his way up to the one in charge of marketing and get that big office.
Rub elbows with the brass, spend more time with the players. Be looked at as being more important than making sure the team got what they wanted and were looked after in the best light on top of promotions and press.
There were times he was doing it all. Every open position, part of those responsibilities landed on him and it seemed they were never taken away.
Throw a bit more money his way if they thought he was frustrated and he’d bite his tongue.
The uncertainty of his future wasn’t even causing headaches like the job that he’d loved so much had.
That alone should have said everything.
And no one looking at him would think there was anything uncertain in his future. He had to get over that.
The rest of the conversation was centered on Archer, that he’d be up before Jayce got there and fed. Farrah left for work at seven fifteen, she’d be home by four thirty most days.
“Thanks for dinner,” he said when he dropped them off. He wasn’t used to saying that either. It was killing him not to pull his credit card out and pay for dinner when the bill came.
“Can you come over on Saturday?” Archer asked when he climbed out of the back seat.
He was glad Archer seemed to be in his corner.
“That’s a question for the boss lady,” he said.
“I’m sure Jayce has plans and you’re going to see him on Monday and every day after that next week.”
His mouth opened to say he didn’t have plans, but again, that would push it.
“I’ll text you later,” he said. “Just to make sure I’ve got everything I need.”
She smiled, her eyes brightening up his mood that he was driving away from them, then nodded her head and shut the passenger door.
He hadn’t done that with a woman in his life ever. Just let them get out and drive away.
It sure was hard to break a lifetime of habits.
When he got home fifteen minutes later, his mother was in the kitchen making a cup of coffee.
“Hi,” she said. “Have a good time tonight out?”
He hadn’t said what he was doing or with who. They were being good about not asking, but he might as well let them know so they didn’t think he was blowing off work next week.
Not that he decided either, but he was leaning toward staying. It might do him well to reset his life as his parents suggested.
“I did. I won’t be in the office next week. Remember how I said I ran into Farrah Hughes? Lane. Farrah Lane?”
“Yes,” his mother said. She pulled her cup of coffee out from under the spout and then he put one there for him. Caffeine didn’t seem to bother him.
“She has no one to watch her son next week. Guess her ex-husband canceled spring break. I offered to do it. I went to see them last Saturday and then dinner tonight to spend some time with Archer. He’s a good kid.
It will be fun. Just didn’t want you to think I’m blowing anything off, but I committed to her. ”
“That’s wonderful, Jayce. I’m glad to hear it. She’s always been a good girl. Your father and I have seen her at the doctor’s a time or two.”
“You could have warned me,” he said. “I didn’t have her when I went, but I saw her. I overheard her talking to her ex about the canceled trip and offered to do it.”
His mother hummed in her throat. He knew that look. Maybe he was okay with it because he was thinking the same way.
“She’s a very attractive woman.”
“She is,” he said, smirking, then picked his coffee up for a sip.
“Are you doing this because of her son or to get closer to her?”
He could lie, but his mother would know the truth. “Both. He’s a great kid. She’s in a bind. I liked and got along with her years ago. She seems to be the same person as back then, only different. Can’t really put my finger on it.”
“That about sums you up too,” his mother said. “Your core values and personalities are there, but you’re more mature. You’ve lived more years and had ups and downs.”
He let out a breath. “Yeah. Tell me about it.”
“Why don’t you come into the living room and talk to Dad and me for a bit, unless you’ve got something to do.”
“My time is your time.”
He followed his mother to the back of the house into the family room. His father had a glass of scotch next to him. Not something he saw often during the week.
“Good,” his father said. “We want to talk about work and salary. If you decide to come work for us, you should know what you’ll be paid. I’m sure it’s less than you were making for the Hornets.”
“Life was different there,” he said. “I got paid extra being on the road. I’m not counting that.”
“Good, because we aren’t either,” his mother said, laughing.
“Your brother and sister make the same.”
“They do?” he asked.
“They have different responsibilities, but both manage a part of the business. You will do the same. You’ll make the same as them.”
“You’re kidding me,” he said. “Why would you do that when they’ve been there for years?”
“Jayce, that’s not how you sell yourself,” his father said.
“You have the same years of experience in your field as Jocelyn. Whether or not it’s for us doesn’t matter.
Some might argue that what you did is more experience than what we need.
It’s only fair that all three of you get the same salary.
Bonuses are done at the end of the year. ”
He’d had no clue about any of this. He’d never asked. Never cared either.
His mother slid a piece of paper across the table to him. “That is your salary if you choose to stay and work for the company. The rest of the benefits are listed. You get the same as everyone else. Same time off, insurance and so on.”
“I didn’t expect differently,” he said. His parents were fair. They were reasonable on top of it.
The last thing he wanted was anyone to think he was coming in and getting away with whatever he wanted.
He picked up the piece of paper and coughed. “You’re joking, right?”
Jesus. His siblings were making more than him by ten thousand and they didn’t work nearly the hours he did. Probably didn’t have a fraction of the stress either.
“No,” his father said. “I know it’s not Charlotte money, but it costs more to live there.”
“Honestly. This is fine. It’s more than my base was. More than I might have gotten at another job right now for sure.”
“We did research to make sure it was fair, even though the plan was to keep you even with your siblings.”
“I’d be stupid to turn this down. But I don’t want to feel as if it’s a pity job.”
His parents looked at each other. “You know better than that, Jayce,” his father said sternly. “Your spot has been waiting for you to take it. If you don’t want it, but do ten years from now, the stipulations are going to be the same.”
“I don’t know what to say,” he said.
“Say yes at the end of next week if you really want it. We told you we were giving you three weeks to just chill, but to do those things, you need to know the information. Now you’ve got it, and we’ll leave you alone until the end of your babysitting duty,” his mother said.