Page 100 of Every Broken Piece
I laugh because this guy, he’s a hoot. “He didn’t fire me, and I didn’t actually work for him. I worked for a company he contracted with, and I was assigned to him.”
“So the company fired you.”
I pause as a wave of grief washes through me. Because losing a job you love is like grieving. I miss my other clients. What did they think when I suddenly disappeared like that? “Yes. The company fired me.”
He pushes away from the counter. “I bet Dad was pissed because he liked you better than the other assistants.”
“Yeah?” I try not to smile but I can’t help it. I take pride in doing a good job and Gabe was a difficult client at first so I’m glad he liked working with me.
“He’ll find you a job in his company. I wouldn’t worry about looking for one. He’ll also be pissed if you move out. He likes you.”
“Pax...” I don’t know what to say to that.
“I thought it would be weird having one of Dad’s girls here, but you’re kinda cool.”
“Thank you?”
“He’s never brought someone home like this. He thinks I don’t know that he’s dated, but it’s kinda hard to keep that a secret when I come across pictures on social media. Of course he doesn’t have social media, so he doesn’t know the women he dates put pictures up. They just want to brag that they’re with him.”
Every word is like a tiny slice to my heart. Of course, I knew Gabe dated. I saw the pictures Pax is referring to, but to come face to face with its a different story.
“Do you mind?” I ask softly. “That he brought me home?”
“Nah.” He flicks his fingers in the air. “You’re pretty cool.”
And that right there is high praise coming from Pax.
To my surprise, Pax spends the rest of the day with me. He says he knows more about the city than I do, and he knows where the good apartments are.
“Can’t have you living in a bad part of town,” he says as he settles in next to me at the overly large kitchen table. He frowns at my old laptop but doesn’t say anything.
I quickly learn that his idea of a good apartment is vastly different than mine. We look together, discussing amenities and location while I dream of being able to afford something. Not large like this place, but larger than my apartment in Cincinnati. What we don’t discuss is me looking at different cities.
Around lunchtime Pax roots around in the freezer and pulls out two frozen pizzas.
“Two?” I raise my brows.
“One for you and one for me.”
“I can’t eat a whole pizza.”
“But I can,” he says as he unwraps them and preheats the oven.
True to his word he eats a whole pizza and half of mine as I search for jobs.
“I’m telling you,” he says as he swallows. “You’re wasting your time. Dad has a huge corporation. He can find you something.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“He won’t think you’re imposing. My guess is he’ll want you close.”
I eye him over the top of my computer, then lower my eyes because I feel myself blushing. These Strong men are dangerous with their confidence.
The doorbell rings and I still as my heart lurches. Pax jumps up and jogs to the door. I want to tell him to not open it. I want to hide, but oddly I also want to stand in front of Pax in case it’s the man my mother sent after me. Then I remind myself that we’re in a very secure apartment building that doesn’t let just anyone up to the top sanctuary.
Pax swings open the door like a person who’s never confronted evil on the other side.
“Luis, my man. What’s up.”
