Chapter 8
Auggie
It’s lucky Mom is supportive because thanks to her help, I was able to come up with the rent for a small apartment in Sunbury at short notice. It’s above the hardware store on the main road, so I figure at least I’m in a prime position to collect supplies if I need to.
I get back late Sunday night, with a suitcase full of clothes and a box of necessities.
Mom will meet the movers tomorrow who are delivering my bed and some basic furniture they’re letting me take from the house, so by this time tomorrow night, my little place should have more of a homey feel to it.
I’ve got a room booked at the motel though, and the plan is to have a relaxing night followed by a long sleep so I’m in top form tomorrow.
And not top “Auggie form” but an actual functioning human being.
I keep thinking back to Leon’s last text message though.
I’d been mortified to overhear Dad on the phone, like he was calling up some parent about a playdate.
He had no right, and I wish I’d said something instead of chickening out and sulking in my room.
I’d wanted to confront him so bad, but Dad is intimidating when it comes to work and what I’m doing with my life.
I would have ended up a rambling, teary mess.
What else is new?
I’d messaged Leon, fully prepared to back out of the job, but then he’d texted me back.
And was so freaking sweet he made me smile even when I wanted to throw something.
Down, killer.
Sure, he was being patronizing, but there’s something about the pet name that turned me into jelly.
Which of course I’m not thinking about because he’s my boss now, and that’s completely inappropriate.
Still, it’s not like spending every day with him will be a hardship.
Work with a view sounds like the perfect career choice, and I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure I hold on to this job.
I told Leon he wouldn’t regret it, and I’m fully prepared to follow through on that.
I’ll be extra careful. Extra diligent.
Not the screwup that I normally am.
I follow all my usual calming techniques to attempt a proper night’s sleep, but it doesn’t come. I’m too wired.
I’ve been in this position so many times—the first-day jitters are real—and then lack of sleep on top of that makes everything a thousand times worse.
By the morning, I have a headache no coffee can fix, but nothing can kill the buzzy, twitchy happiness shooting right through to my fingers. I make sure to force down food so there are no more embarrassing fainting incidents, and then I think I’m as ready as it gets.
I’m nervous and sort of anxious to see Leon again. He’s sweet and kind, but I have no idea if that translates into what he’s like as a boss. I’m determined to impress him though, and even if he’s the meanest boss in the world, which I doubt, I’ll make sure he has no choice but to love me.
Umm, love my work. Obviously.
Because I do know my stuff.
It’s the whole getting my limbs to cooperate with me that’s the problem.
Leon has organized for us to meet at his place, and the first thing I notice when I pull up out the front is the giant dumpster taking up the driveway.
Before I can hesitate or second-guess myself, I unclip the seat belt and walk up the front path to Leon’s place, tapping my lock button as I go. The front door is wide open, so I take that as an invitation to head in.
“Leon?”
“Back here!”
I follow the voice through the house to the back room. Being so early, it’s flooded in morning sunlight, and once he’s finished renovating, this room will be the selling point.
“Morning.” I try to keep my voice even and not sounding like I’m about to piss my pants like an excited dog.
“Hey, Auggie.” Leon steps around from behind a stack of Sheetrock, and it takes all of my energy not to react.
He’s shirtless again.
Little builder shorts and tool belt and big heavy boots, but absolutely no shirt to cover his thick chest and distract me from ogling him.
Professional, dammit!
He’s so dreamy …
And also my boss.
I shake away the mini argument trying to take over my thoughts and remind myself that this is the very last building position I can probably get, so I need to stop being a horny ho and focus on my work.
“So what’s on the agenda today, El Capitano?” For some reason I swing my arm like a sailor, and I immediately hate myself and my life and this whole day.
What the actual fuck is wrong with me?
Leon eyes me strangely but thankfully doesn’t mention the way my awkwardness is awkward.
“The thing is, after looking at my place the way you would have seen it the other day, I’ve decided it’s time to prioritize the renovations.
I’ve got two projects going on at the moment that my team is handling, so if we do a few hours here in the morning, and then a few hours on-site in the afternoon, between the two of us, that should balance things out. ”
I nod because it sounds like a great idea. Many hands and all that. But also … “You only realized that after I was here?”
He shrugs. “I’ve gotten used to how the place looks. I didn’t realize what a shithole it is.”
“I didn’t mean to call it a shithole.”
“You didn’t.” His lips twitch. “But you agree, don’t you?”
“I …” Need to choose my words carefully. “Don’t not agree?”
Leon laughs all loud and free, and it makes me warm. “You’re honest, that’s perfect. I don’t have time for people who bullshit.”
“Dishonesty isn’t my favorite thing either.”
“I’m glad we got that covered.”
“So, where do we start?”
“Come with me.” He heads for the hallway, and I follow. “I got you something.”
I trail after him, trying not to think too deeply about how his voice lightened with those words. When he says “something,” it’s probably like more paperwork or tax stuff to look over, and if that’s the case, he really, really shouldn’t have.
I watch his back, studying the tan lines and freckles from the sun. He looks rough and warm, and I have the strangest urge to press my cheek against his skin and close my eyes.
It takes me a moment to realize we’re in the kitchen, and my gaze immediately lands on what’s lined up on the counter.
Before I can stop myself, I squeal. “For me?”
Leon picks up the bright purple hard hat. “I have a feeling I should take out shares in safety equipment.”
I gaze up at him as he slips the helmet over my hair and checks it’s the right size. Of course, like Cinderella, it’s a perfect fit, and I amuse myself a little as I picture Leon as Prince Charming.
His prematurely graying hair, the laugh lines at his eyes, his sun-beaten skin, hairy arms, barrel chest … oh yeah, Disney should have used him as inspiration for sure.
“I also grabbed some gloves, goggles, earmuffs …”
“The earmuffs are purple too.”
His stare immediately drops to my boots. “The other things didn’t come in that color.”
And okay, maybe I’ve been swooning over the eye candy since I met him, but the fact he noticed my boots and then specifically looked for gear in the same color makes me feel … weird.
It’s … considerate. I’m not used to considerate. I don’t know what to do with it, or how it fits, or if I need to respond. Thankfully, Leon doesn’t give me too long to stress over it.
“Oh, I got this too.” He grabs a roll of industrial-sized bubble wrap and hands it to me with a wink. “You can never be too careful.”
My God. He’s a giant, playful idiot. “Someone thinks they’re funny.”
Leon is … one hundred percent not what I was expecting. The few bosses I’ve had—and even my dad—are all very business focused and don’t have time for much else, especially joking around.
The guys I work with are usually either sweary dickheads or total goofballs, but Leon isn’t either of those types. It’s like he’s genuinely trying to set me at ease, like he was prepared for my Auggieness and wants to break that ice as quickly as possible.
I catch him watching me and give him a peace and pout. “How do I look?”
“Like a professional who isn’t going to wreck my shit.”
I sigh. “Looks can be so deceiving.”
He nudges me on his way past. “Come on, we’re clearing out all the mess today. Surely you can manage that while staying upright?”
“Time will tell.”