Page 100 of Roommate
“You’d better get busy, then. Here’s a tip—google ‘Randall cattle.’ It’s Vermont’s only heritage breed. I quit.”
“What?” Mr. Pratt yelps. “But we have some work for the farmers’ market association, too.”
“Deacon can draw it, whatever it is. His portfolio needs a few new images. Originals, this time.” Man, it felt good to say that. “And my last check had better not be short, or I’ll contact the department of labor.”
Yup. That felt good, too.
“Kieran, wait!” Mr. Pratt calls as I head for the door. “Deacon will apologize!”
“Save it for the next guy,” I say. “Poor slob is going to need it.”
* * *
I leave in a blaze of glory. At least, that’s how it feels.
Quitting this job was not on my to-do list, but it should have been. Mr. Pratt used my skills without ever treating me like I had any. And his son is just a first-rate asshole. They deserve each other.
Now what? my truck asks as I sit there letting the engine warm. It’s only three o’clock on a weekday. Setting aside the fact that I’m suddenly underemployed, I have a few empty hours all to myself. That never happens.
And I really want to talk to Roderick. Right this minute. Giving in to this craving, I pull out my phone and hit his number. He should be finishing up at the bakery right now.
“Hello? Kieran?” he answers on the second ring. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I grunt, suddenly shy. What did I think I was going to say to him, anyway?
“I thought maybe you had car trouble.” He chuckles. “Or does that only happen to me?”
“It’s more like life trouble,” I say, because the sound of his laughter in my ear is so nice that I feel a pain in the center of my chest. “I just quit my job at Pratts’.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I just had all I could take of Deacon Pratt. He made it easy, though, by calling me a faggot.”
“Oh honey,” he gasps. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
I think it over for a moment and realize that I really am. The interaction was more shocking than hurtful. “Honestly, it was just a wakeup call. I don’t care what he thinks of me. But I can’t work for someone who says that.”
“No, you can’t,” Roddy agrees emphatically. “Why did he say it, anyway? Random slur? Lucky guess?”
It’s funny, but until now I’d forgotten to even wonder. “I think he must have seen us somewhere. Whatever. It doesn’t really matter. I walked out, and you should have seen their faces.”
“You amaze me,” he says softly. “Congratulations. But I’m sorry you’re out of a job.”
“Yeah.” I let out an awkward chuckle. “I didn’t think that through. I need a nighttime job now, seeing how I also got my financial aid package today. So I’m definitely starting school next week.”
“You did? Congratulations! This is so exciting.”
“Thank you.” I clear my throat. “So anyway, I’m free right now. And we haven’t cooked together in a while. What if I went to the grocery store and got us something to make?” Maybe I sound pathetic right now, but it’s worth it. I don’t want to be alone tonight. My life is completely up in the air. But the only thing I really care about is how much I miss him.
“Sure,” he says softly. “In fact, swing by the house and pick me up. We’ll shop together.”
“Okay, yeah.” My heart gives a happy kick. “I’m on my way.”
Then I hang up before he can change his mind.
Roderick
Here I go again, breaking my own rules. Spending time with Kieran isn’t the problem. He had a crazy, shocking afternoon, and I am here for him. The problem is the hope that’s fizzing through me as I climb into his truck and see his bashful smile. There’s no denying how we feel about each other.
