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Josh’s text spreads warmth through my chest.
Me: Shouldn’t you be on a plane right now?
I sit at my desk, my door open so I can see the floor and make sure nothing happens when Henry locks himself in his office.
Josh: I will be in about half an hour, thought I’d text my girl before I’m cut off for the next five hours.
My breath hitches at the “my girl” aspect of his text. It’s the first time he’s used that and honestly, I’m not mad at it. The way it sounds over text will probably pale in comparison to the way it will roll off those talented lips of his. But for now, I’ll let the happiness roll through me as I text him back.
Me: Well I guess it’s my lucky day then.
I send the wink face emoji and decide to get up off my ass and clean a bit since I know if I sit here all day, the day will drag. So I head toward the outfield, and the second I see the mess that spewed around me, I groan. I pick up the stray towels, bats, and baseballs and before long I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket.
Josh: We’re taking off soon. I’ll see you tonight?
My body reacts to that question and remembers exactly what it felt like to be with him, and I know I need more of it. And soon.
Me: I’m working until seven
His text back is immediate.
Josh: Then I’ll see you at seven. I gotta go, see you soon.
I can’t help the shit-eating grin that crosses my face as I make my way back into my office and sit at my desk. We’ve been on a few dates so far over the last month, but it’s the prospect of seeing him again that’s got my stomach doing flips inside me.
I hear a knock at my door and inwardly groan when Angela walks in. As much as we need her to keep the gym operational and for me not to spend every waking hour here, I’m getting sick and tired of seeing her smug face. She looks like she does every day, practically perfect, and when she directs that fake ass smile my way, all I want to do is roll my eyes and tell her to get the fuck out of my office.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” she asks, sitting down in the chair opposite my desk even though I never gestured that she could sit down.
“What can I do for you?” I lace my fingers together and place them on the desk in front of me.
She sits forward and leans against my desk.
“I wanted to see if I could have the afternoon off?”
Of course this is what she wants, it’s what she always wants. I honestly don’t think this girl has worked a full shift in weeks and it’s driving me crazy. I really need to start looking for someone to replace her.
“Why is that?” I lean back in my chair, watching her eyes dart anywhere but where I’m sitting. I know for a fact that she’s trying to come up with an excuse.
“Family emergency.”
Of course. She knows I can’t ask anything more than that, so I take a deep breath, hating this part of my job.
“Family emergency,” I repeat, knowing she’s lying, but I can’t really do anything about it. But then an idea forms and I smirk. “Okay, sure you can leave early.”
“Great, thanks!” she says, smiling as she gets up to leave.
“But if you do, then you will be making up those hours next week.”
Her eyes bulge and she goes to argue before I hold up a hand to stop her.
“Angela, I understand that you don’t like me, and to be honest, the feeling is mutual. But you are an employee here and I expect you to actually work the shifts you’re given or tell me your new availability and we will try our hardest to work around that. But if things don’t improve going forward, then I will be forced to find someone to replace you.”
Angela sits there silently for a minute and then smirks, like what I just said meant absolutely nothing.
“You can’t do that. You’re not my boss.”
I shake my head because that is so far from the truth.
