Chapter Eighteen
Ω Blakely Ω
I typically work from my house when there’s things I need to get done. But today, there was a team meeting, and I wanted to be here for it.
“Long story short. we’re all doing amazing work with keeping things flowing. We’ll be adding another position or two to help with upcoming projects, so if you know anyone that is looking for a job and fits the requirements, send them our way,” my manager, Rebekkah, tells the team in front of her.
She’s done an excellent job at helping keep things running smoothly. Most days, I don’t even have to do anything. I actually really like it. It gives me more time to work on the projects that I want to work on.
After everyone leaves to go back to their desks, Rebekkah looks at me with a grin. “What? Were you coming in here to check on me?” she teases.
I laugh. “I have to come and check on my business from time to time. I can’t have our people thinking that I just got up and left.” I stand up so I can hug her.
Rebekkah comes over quickly and wraps her thin arms tightly around me. “You know we welcome you anytime. Was there a specific reason that you wanted to stop in, or were you just free today?” Rebekkah asks as she walks to the front of the table.
She has a large stack of papers. She likes to work in the conference room. She says she's more accessible that way for when people need her.
“Nah, I just made some time to come in today. I picked up another project that I’ll be working on personally.” I was supposed to be on vacation.
But I can’t say no to Charlotte. She’s so excited about getting to run Alexander's marketing for his business. Alexander also does all the work on my cars personally. So, I consider it a favor to him, too.
I look out the large window in the conference room and see that there must be a storm or something coming in. It’s starting to get windy. I should leave soon.
“Girl. You were supposed to be taking a break. You’re out here still making sales?” Rebekkah sits down in the bright pink office chair. “I’m going to call your dad on you.”
I laugh and take a seat next to her so she can continue to work on whatever she’s working on. Should I offer to help?
“My dad knows about the project. It’s not like I didn’t tell him. It’s a passion project, really. A close personal friend asked me for help. So it’s not the same thing as me going out and making a sale,” I explain.
I know I need to take a step back. Charlotte just makes doing my job that much easier. She knows what she wants. We’ve just been talking through different possibilities.
“You don’t have to say yes to everyone, Blakely. You deserve a break, too.”
I playfully roll my eyes. “I can’t just sit and do nothing all day. I’m pretty sure I would lose my mind.”
Rebekkah smirks. “You wouldn’t do nothing all day. You could go hangout with your dad.”
I laugh again. “I do have other friends other than my dad.” I shake my head. “He works. Like all the time. He actually is my, um…” I stop talking.
Rebekkah drops the pen in her hand and looks up at me. “Your ‘um’ what?” she asks.
“Nothing.”
I don’t know how to explain what Bronx is to me. He never asked me to be his girlfriend. He just kind of… claimed me? So how do you tell that to your friend without sounding crazy?
“Are you dating someone?” Rebekkah asks. I’m silent for a second too long, and Rebekkah takes this as my answer. She sits up straighter and squeals. “Omg you’re totally seeing someone! You need to tell me everything!”
I feel my face warm. I can’t help but smile. I want to talk to someone about Bronx. And as far as I know, Rebekkah doesn’t know him at all.
“There’s not really much to tell. He’s a paramedic…”
Rebekkah fans herself dramatically. “HE’S A FIRST RESPONDER! That’s hot. Is the sex good? He must have really good endurance. Tell me all about him. Is he a paramedic in town? Or do you travel out of the city to see him? OMG, does your dad know! What does he think of him?”
I kind of just stare at Rebekkah. She met my dad once, and she’s been obsessed with him ever since. My phone buzzes, and my heart skips a beat. I know it’s him. We’ve been texting all day.
I pull my phone out and smile when I see I was right.
Bronxy: Hey, butterfly. Is there a reason why your dad is out for my head today?
I don’t even get a chance to text back before Bronx is typing again.
Bronxy: I hope I didn’t upset you in some way and you sent him to enact your revenge.
I laugh causing Rebekkah to tilt her head in confusion. “It’s… Well, it’s him,” I tell her honestly. She was going to figure it out anyway.
“What’s he saying?” Rebekkah whispers like he can hear her.
“He’s telling me about something at work.”
It’s not a lie. It’s just not the full truth.
Blakely: I don’t know why he would be out for your head. I can stop by and see what’s wrong.
Bronxy: NO. He’ll somehow figure out that I texted you to tattle on him, and it’ll get worse. Don’t do that.
I stand up and pat Rebekkah on the back. “I guess I’ll need to tell you all about my paramedic next time.” I don’t wait for a response back before heading out to my car.
I’m thankful I claimed a front row parking spot that I can easily back out of. My phone starts ringing with the ringtone I specifically picked for my dad. I hit answer and put the phone to my ear.
“Hi, dad.” I unlock my door and open it. I hear crackling and look down at my screen. Is it my reception? I put the phone back to my ear. “Dad?”
There’s silence on the other end of the call. I don’t know what’s going on. “I don’t know what’s wrong with this thing.” My dad’s grumbly voice comes through.
There he is.
“Princess? Can you hear me now?” my dad asks.
I laugh. “Yes, dad. I can hear you.”
“Are you on your way home? There’s a storm rolling in.” My dad sounds worried, which means I definitely need to get home. “I don’t want you driving on the roads in this.”
The wind comes through before I’m prepared and rips the door out of my hand. Metal cracks against my knuckles. All I feel is pain shoot up my arm. I gasp. My phone falls out of my other hand, but I manage to catch it between my shoulder and ear.
“What’s going on?” my dad practically shouts. “What just happened?”
I need a second. I breathe through my nose, but I don’t feel like it’s working. My lungs burn as I try to take a deep breath in.
“I-” I hear my own voice, and I hate how shaky it is.