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“Yeah.”
“Still,” he grumbled, “we were counting on that delivery. We’re already behind with KD Carpentry, and the Campo Brothers have jobs waiting on—“
“I already took care of the Campo Brothers,” I cut him off. “Dee’s Building Supply is gonna cover that order, and we’re going to square up with them once we’re back in stock.”
“Shit,” said Rocky. “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, Dee owes me a favor, anyway. I also talked Kenny from KD off the ledge. His plumbing inspection is running behind anyway, so he’s good with next week.”
A truck rumbled by, off in the distance. I heard the rattle of its empty bed as it crossed the overpass.
“Finally, talked to a different supplier — one we stopped using years ago. They’re under new ownership, and might be able to get us what we need. Cheaper too, which is the best part.”
Rocky unfolded his hairy arms. Slowly, he placed them on his hips.
“Well… fuck.”
“Fuck?”
“Yeah. Jump down from that thing, and follow me into my office.”
Warily I took off my gloves, set them on my seat, and followed him into the little shack my father had built so long ago. Once inside, Rocky slid into his high-backed chair. Bending down, he opened a mini-fridge and pulled out an electric-blue energy drink.
“Want one?”
I had to stifle a laugh. “No, but thanks.”
“Coffee then?”
He gestured to the tiny shelf behind me, where a half-pot of five-hour old coffee congealed on the burner of an ancient machine. Absently I wondered if he’d inherited that from my father as well, just like his chair.
“Sit?”
Now I was actually nervous. Rocky never asked me to sit, and right now he was pointing to one of the two tiny guest chairs. I shook my head.
“Fine then,” he sighed. He took a long sip of his blue drink. “Kid, I gotta ask you something.”
The room fell silent as I refused to say anything. We stared at each other for a while, like two gunslingers sizing each other up.
“Why are you still working here?”
It wasn’t at all the question I expected. My brows knitted in confusion.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Rocky added quickly. “You’re the best there is. You know this place even better than I do. As far as work goes, you’re totally on top of shit.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I’m not paying you nearly enough to do all the things you do.”
Rocky had cold, deep-set eyes set beneath a bushy dark brow. It could be an intimidating combination for those who didn’t know him, but I knew him better than anyone.
“You pay me well enough,” I said, trying hard to stifle a shrug. “Plus the hours are flexible. You give me off whenever I ask. I can leave early for practices and games, or—“
“Is that what you’re working towards?” Rocky interrupted. “An unfettered hockey schedule?”
My mouth curled into a frown. “No, but—“
“But what?” my boss pressed. “Axel, you came with the damn place. When I bought it off your father, I thought you’d work here for a few months and get bored. Instead of showing me the ropes and taking off, you’ve stuck around for years.”
