Page 19 of Before the Storm
Jack tossed his head back and laughed. “God, no. There is nothing there and Pam is full of shit. You know, she went after Maverick for a hot minute when she was first hired. Hensley put an end to that real quick when she came into the picture. The thing with Pam is she wants to marry a certain type of man. Phoenix checks all those boxes for her and then some.” He leaned a little closer. “You’re a threat to Pam.”
She tapped the center of her chest. “Me? How?”
“Are you blind? Phoenix has been enamored with you since the moment you walked through that door. He’s out in the main room waiting to walk you to your car.”
“Excuse me?” She swallowed. Part of her was flattered. It reminded her of all the kind and sweet gestures that Jason had done three years ago. But Jason was married to Anne Marie. His affection stemmed from his passion to help girls like Janelle.
“I’ve known Phoenix since construction on this place began. He’s a guarded man. The few women I’ve seen him date weren’t the kind of ladies he could become attached to. He always told me he wasn’t looking for anyone special. Just a good time and frankly, it showed. But in the past year, he’s been restless. Barely taking anyone out. When you walked through that door, his eyes lit up like a damn Christmas tree.”
“I’m not sure how to take that,” she said softly.
Jack cocked his head. “He likes you. He’s protective of you. I’ve never seen him like this before. Pam’s noticed it and so have others. But she’s the only one who has a problem with it because she’s jealous. Not just because he likes you. Pays attention to you. But because you work your ass off and that’s going to get you the extra hours when Veronica goes on maternity leave, and possibly her role as manager, something that Pam desperately wants but doesn’t have the mindset for. Her actions today proved it to me and the Snow brothers.”
“I don’t want to come in here and upset the balance. She’s been here longer. She deserves it.”
“My God. You are a breath of fresh air.” He patted her shoulder. “That attitude is why you’ll end up getting it.” He smiled. “I best get going. Enjoy your day off tomorrow.” He turned and disappeared out the door.
She hugged her purse. That was a lot to take in. Part of her swelled with pride. The accolades felt good. During her time with Brother Jim, they were few and far between. These last three years, she’d kept her head down and did what she needed to in order to survive. She never stirred the pot. This was the first time that she had to deal with any real conflict and that made her want to run.
Again.
Something she’d become quite used to.
She sucked in a deep breath and headed into the bar area.
Phoenix leaned against the bar. “Hey, you,” he said. “Ready to go home?”
“You didn’t have to wait for me.”
“Actually, I did.” He held up a set of keys. “I have to lock up. Besides, while this is a safe area, I can’t let you go out into the night alone. One never knows and my mother would have my head if I let a young woman walk to her car at night alone.”
Back at the compound, women were only allowed to move about with their husband or father’s permission. They could never leave the compound without a chaperone. They weren’t allowed to talk to anyone in the outside world. Had Janelle not had so many complications with the stillbirth and had to be taken to the hospital, she would have never met Anne Marie.
She owed that woman her life.
Phoenix’s gesture felt both comforting and confining at the same time. She appreciated his concern for her safety but resented how controlling it felt.
“Thank you.” She knew enough about the outside world to comprehend that this should be considered an act of chivalry and she should be grateful.
“Come on.” He waved his hand. “I’ll follow you home.”
Clutching her bag, she made her way out the door and toward the back parking lot where all the employees parked. There were only two vehicles left. Her dilapidated junker and his shiny pickup truck. Inwardly, she groaned.
“Well, shit,” he said. “You have a flat tire.”
“What?” She ran to her car and examined the rear driver’s side tire, letting out an audible sigh.
“Not a big deal. I can change it for you.”
“I don’t have a spare,” she said softly.
“Seriously?” He bent over, running his fingers over her tire. “Why not?”
“Because I got a flat a few months ago, and that is my spare.”
He stood, raking his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Why haven’t you bought a new one?”
“I didn’t have the funds at the time and I just haven’t gotten around to it.” She had to admit he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever met, and she had never looked at men. Ever. Not once did she ever consider dating. Jason told her that one day she would be able to have all the things thatnormalpeople had. A life filled with love and happiness.
