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Me.
“You’ve made a big impression over the last month and you’re already an asset to the team. That, coupled with your own life experience, makes you the perfect candidate. There’s a formal application process, but me and Debra both agree it’s yours, if you want it.”
“Thank you, I’m… wow, I’m speechless.”
“We don’t need a decision today. Take the week to think about it. You’ll need at least one personal recommendation, but I figured it shouldn’t be a problem getting one from Coach Ford.” He winked.
Julian knew about my brother, about Jase and my coaching job at the school, but he didn’t know everything.
Fuck.
This was… it was a huge opportunity to finally get my life on track and make something of myself. To make a difference to kids like I’d been once. Lost and confused and afraid.
“I’ll think about it, thank you.” I stood and reached forward to shake his hand.
“Good.” Julian pierced me with a hard look. “I think you could make a real difference here. I hope you’ll make the right decision.”
Stunned, I left his office and headed straight for the staff bathroom. I’d never in a million years expected this. I’d signed up to volunteer to keep myself busy and feel like I was doing something positive with my time. Something more than the endless cycle of unskilled labor I was stuck in.
But he needed a personal recommendation, and the only person able to give me one hadn’t spoken to me since the day I’d left Rixon. But what was it that Tash had said to me? Don’t let something as foolish as pride get in the way of what you want.
And I wanted this.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled out my cell phone and opened a new text message.
Me: Hey, I know it’s been a while. But I need to talk to you.
Jase: It’s about time.
My lip twistedat his reply. Typical Jase.
Me: Tomorrow night, my place? Cameron has the address.
Jase: I’ll be there at six.
Me: Thank you.
I didn’t knowwhat I would say to him yet. How I’d repair the damage done to our friendship. But he was willing to give me a chance…
And that’s all I could ask for.
* * *
“This place isa damn sight better than that shithole you had in Rixon.” Jase stepped into my apartment and surveyed the tidy living room.
“It’s okay.”
He scoffed at that. “You got any beer?”
“No, I’m… detoxing.”
“Guess it’s coffee then?”
I nodded, making a beeline for the coffee machine. “You came straight from work?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He rubbed his jaw, perching on one of the stools at the breakfast counter. “How have you been?”
“Okay, I guess. I keep busy enough.”
