Chapter 13
JINX
“And what’s on the landscaping agenda this week?” Jesse swivels his office chair my way bright and early on Monday morning. The full EE crew, including Hayden, sits around us in the main part of the Enders Excavating office, most of them mainlining coffee in preparation for the day.
“We’ve got our usual residential upkeep, including the hedges by the school, and later today, I’m meeting with Wes and Lexi Carlisle to go over the design for their backyard water feature.” I tap my notebook on the desk beside me. “Jack is gonna play football this year. Since varsity practice starts the second week in August, we’ve only got him for two more weeks.”
Jesse looks at Jack with a grin. “No kidding.”
He presses his lips together and nods. “Yep. Probably gonna get my ass kicked, but I want to play for Noah.”
The chatter and the restless movement in the office come to a halt, and I give the kid an encouraging thumbs-up. This past spring, his best friend was in a car accident that left him paralyzed and cut his promising football career short. Jack, being the awesome kid he is, is stepping out of his comfort zone. Not only is he playing, but he’ll be wearing Noah’s number.
“That’s friggin’ amazing,” Jesse says. “Is there anything we can do to help? You got all your equipment set?”
Jack dips his chin. “Most of it is provided by the school. Just gotta get my cleats and girdle.”
“We’ll cover that for you. Just let Hayden know what you need.”
Jack’s face turns red, but he nods. “Thanks, Jesse.”
I grin with pride. I’ll miss having him around for the rest of the summer. He’s a good worker, and we’ve gotten close these past couple of years. He’s like a little brother to me.
“All right…” Jesse sits forward in the chair. “Sounds like we’re set for the week, hopefully finishing up the Willis project and getting ready for the municipal building site next week. Jinx, can you hang back for a minute? Wanna talk to you about the bucket truck.”
I nod, and everyone else starts to clear out.
“We’re gonna get started on our route,” Connor says, tipping his head toward Jack.
“Sounds good. I won’t be far behind you.”
They head out as well, and Hayden gets up to refill her coffee mug.
“First things first,” Jesse says, “I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you.”
“He was supposed to do it two weeks ago,” Hayden chimes in from across the room.
“Is that so?” I lift a brow. I was starting to wonder what the hang-up was.
“I can’t get away with anything anymore,” my brother grumbles. “But yes, she’s right. I got busy and put it off.”
Another reason why me having a little more decision-making power would make things easier.
“Anyway, I called and talked to Mike this morning. He still has the truck for sale, and I told him we’d take it off his hands.”
That’s great news. But why the hell did he have to jump into the middle of a conversation I was already handling?
I rub a hand around the back of my neck and take a deep breath. “Thanks, but you know I could have done that.”
He shrugs. “I felt bad about making you wait.”
“It was my deal, man.” Sure, he signs the checks and has final say in financial decisions, but I’ve been working deals on my own for years now.
Jesse furrows his brow. “I thought I’d help you out.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need your help.”
The retort comes out stronger than necessary, and Hayden winces as she joins us again.
“What the hell is your problem?” Jesse snaps. “I’m fucking sorry it took so long, but you know how things get around here.”
“Yep, I do.” I look at Hayden and lift a tempering hand. “And no offense to you, Hay, because you coming on board has been a godsend.” I turn back to my brother. “But maybe if you’d let me out from under your thumb, things would run smoother around here.”
“What?” Jesse roars, pushing to his feet. “From under my thumb? What the fuck are you talking about? You have free rein over everything related to landscaping.”
“Do I?” I challenge him. “Because you’re the one who called Mike.”
He laughs bitterly. “It was a phone call, dude.”
I run my tongue around my teeth in a meager attempt to keep my cool. Admittedly, I’m in a pissy mood this morning. All the late hours and coaching are kicking my ass, and I know I only have myself to blame for that.
Maybe it’s time to come clean.
“Do you have any idea how many hours I work a week?” I ask, jaw tight.
He stares at me for a beat. “Is that what this is about?”
“Answer the fucking question, Jesse.”
Hayden takes a careful and strategic seat between us.
“This is ridiculous.” He turns away, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I know you work a lot, okay?”
“I put in fifty-four hours last week. Sixty, if you count the freebie work I do for the church and the cemetery.”
Beside me, Hayden gasps.
Jesse spins around, eyes wide. “What?”
“Same the week before. And sixty-two without the volunteer hours the week before that.” I shrug. “You want me to keep going?”
Jesse continues to stare in shock. “You don’t get paid for that.”
“No shit!” I laugh. “I told you last summer I needed more help, and you told me you’d have Ma put out an ad. Never happened. I told you in the fall when things slowed down that we should get someone else lined up for the summer, even another high school kid, and you told me we’d worry about it closer to summer.”
Recollection dawns in his gaze, and his stance softens.
“I know you’ve had a lot going on. And it’s only eased up since Hayden’s taken some of the load off your plate. But if you expect me to uphold my part of this deal, then I’m going to need you to either do the same or give me more control.”
“We can hire someone else, Jinx,” Hayden interjects calmly. “In fact, I’ll get something posted today.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
She dips her chin and jots herself a note.
“What kind of control do you want?” Jesse asks with an edge to his voice.
“I don’t know.” I lift both of my hands and let them drop. “But what we’re doing now isn’t working for me anymore.”
We stand there like that, the truth finally out between us, for what feels like forever.
“Come up with a plan and then we’ll talk,” he grits.
I nod once. “I’m already on it.”