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“Okay, then, everyone, you can go,” Mr. Coleman said. “Gather up the equipment and safeguard them, then take the rest of the afternoon off. We’ll start fresh another day and see how best we can undo what’s done today.” He cut his attention back to Karl and me. “You two, stay behind.”
The men trudged on in silence. It was a rare moment when they weren’t flapping their gums. The tension didn’t leave with them but remained heavy as Karl glared at me.
“Karl,” Mr. Coleman said. “I’m removing you as the supervisor for this project.”
The shock on Karl’s face was laughable. He was gaping like a fish as he processed Mr. Coleman’s words. It was a moment of reckoning, a realization that his negligence and disregard for the safety of the crew had consequences.
“You can’t do that,” Karl finally stammered. “I’ve been running sites like these for years!”
Mr. Coleman’s voice remained firm but composed. “Your track record speaks for itself, Karl. I’ve received numerous complaints about your management and lack of presence on-site from your last project. Today’s incident was the last straw. We need someone who can prioritize safety and lead by example.”
Karl’s face turned red, and he clenched his hands into fists. “You can’t replace me! I built this team!”
“Then you should have valued their lives and listened when a crew member brought something to your attention. You’re just a lawsuit waiting to happen for this company. Pack your shit and go. I don’t want to see you back on-site.”
Karl swung his gaze from Mr. Coleman to me. “You”—he stabbed at the air in front of us—“are going to regret this.”
He stormed away, kicking up dust in his wake.
“Look, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” I said. “I’m sure if you talk to Karl and give him an ultimatum, he’ll stop shirking his duties and pay more attention. Otherwise, the project will be shut down until you find a replacement for him.”
“I have no intention of shutting this project down, Burke. I’ve been looking into your records since we first met. You’re no stranger to construction.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I’m going to make you supervisor on this site.”
18
SCOTTIE
“Scott.” Lucas popped up next to me, almost giving me a heart attack. “We’re going to eat lunch at Murray’s. You in?”
I smiled and shook my head. “Sorry. I brought lunch.”
“So? Dump it. Don’t you want the company?”
I did, but not their company. It’d been four days since my ex ruined my date with Griff, and Griff hadn’t suggested we meet up again. He texted and called me every day but didn’t show any interest in seeing me. I couldn’t even be mad at him. That night, I’d practically run away instead of talking to him about my past like a grownup.
“It’s okay. I have some reading to catch up on anyway.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
He walked away, his gaze lingering on me, but I pretended not to notice. Lucas always invited me, but I only accepted a few times so the others wouldn’t think I was stuck up. While he was nice enough as a colleague, I didn’t feel anything for him.
If only he would ask me out directly so I could turn him down. Then he might get a clue. When his invitations always extended to group activities, though, how could I bring up the subject of not being into him?
With a sigh, I used the bathroom and washed my hands. Maybe I should have gone with them for lunch. The turkey sandwich I’d made didn’t seem as appetizing anymore.
I checked my phone, and my heart sank. Griff hadn’t called or texted me at all today. Had my meltdown on our date driven him away for good? I’d hoped after a few days he wouldn’t have remembered how I’d reacted.
A knock sounded on the door, and the security guard, Hank, poked his head inside. “Scott, you have a visitor,” he said.
“Me?”
Hank raised his eyebrows. I gave an embarrassed chuckle. Of course he was talking to me. No one else was in the breakroom.
“I’m coming.”
