Page 24 of First Chance

The flat bed is caked in dried mud.

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My waterlogged fingers are burning from scrubbing so hard. My back is so stiff that a sharp biting pain radiates through me if I move too hard, but I did it. I cleaned the truck until it was spotless and the sun disappeared from the sky.

I’m proud of myself despite the menial job Lochlan gave me. He was testing me, and I definitely passed.

“Where have you been?” He asks me as I approach the house.

“I cleaned the work truck?” Can’t he see the dirt crusted up my arms and legs?

“It’s dark, you shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“Of course, I’m doing something wrong. My mistake,” I snap, stomping past him. “You are so frustrating, you know that?” I yell over my shoulder when I realize that he’s following me. “You told me to do a job and I did it. I just about killed myself to do it perfectly, too. But you’re still mad.”

“Dammit, Jo. I’m not mad. I’m trying to keep tabs on you so I don’t have to worry about your well-being!”

“Stop worrying! No one wants to talk to me, they’ll hardly look at me because they’re so damn scared!”

“You chose this, I’m not forcing you to be here.”

“I know!” I slump onto the porch steps. “I just don’t wantto be trapped in the guesthouse by myself,” I add pitifully, hanging my head in my hands.

I don’t need friends, I’ve gone long enough without them, but it’d be nice if anyone would socialize with me besides the grumpy man in front of me.

A rugged growl erupts from him, forcing my head up. “Go take a shower and get dressed, meet me right here in 30 minutes. Go!” He demands, stomping inside his own house.

I don’t give myself even a minute to question it before I take the fastest shower I’ve ever taken and pull on the most casual sun dress I own.

I’m ready and waiting before my half hour is up when Lochlan walks out of his house. He must’ve just showered, too. I’m drawn to the scent of his soap as he comes near me.

He starts walking across the dirt lot towards the bunkhouse without instruction, expecting me to follow, and I do, skipping merrily behind him. I don’t know what we’re doing, but I’m happy to be included.

“Behave,” he warns gruffly before holding the door open to the bunkhouse. Everyone’s voices fall silent as I enter.

It’s a wide-open barndominium with a living area in the middle. Two large sectionals square off in front of a massive flat screen TV. Behind that is a pool table and a large table that resembles something from a school cafeteria.

One side of the barn has a spacious kitchen, and the other side looks like dormitory showers, or something you’d see in a locker room.

Stairs lead up to a second level that contains the bunks. They’re private but open at the same time.

“You need something, boss?” Ryker asks. He’s another parolee that I don’t know very well. He asks the question asif it’s unusual that he’s here.

“Jo’s bored, someone entertain her.”

I gape at him, throwing me under the bus. Hayes cackles from the other side of the room. “We were just about to run a table tournament, you in Loch?” He eyes his friend knowingly, and I can’t help but watch the interaction.

Hayes is so friendly, it’s hard to believe he beat someone badly enough to go to prison. Lochlan seems more susceptible to committing a crime like that with his glowing personality.

“Sure,” Lochlan grunts, planting himself on the sofa.

“Jo’s on my team,” Hayes adds, and Lochlan’s eyes narrow.

“I’m sorry, team for what?”

“Billiards, single elimination, winner stays on,” Curtis enlightens me while Hayes and Lochlan continue their stare off.

“I’ve got the boss, then,” Seiver yells from somewhere in thekitchen, and before I know it, everyone’s standing around the pool table laughing and shouting as the teams take turns.

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