Page 41 of Soothe Me, Daddy
“Could we ask them and try?”
Isaac’s face cleared as he smiled. “We can ask. The worst they can say is no.”
“Yay!” Henley clapped his hands together, wincing when his fidgeting caused his ass to burn.
“You okay?” Isaac asked, glancing over.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Their journey was a short one that day, only an hour away, and soon they were busy with boxes, clothing, orders and complaints. Henley loved every minute of it. When he first applied for it, he knew he would be able to do the job, but he didn’t realise how much he would enjoy meeting new people each day. Even travelling, although tedious some days, was fun. However, maybe that was because he had been with Isaac for most of it.
He knew the following week—four more days—would be his first visit to a store alone. Despite being anxious about not seeing Isaac as much, Henley was looking forward to the actual work.
At lunchtime, he saw he’d received a text from Tracey, so he decided to call her and see if he could catch her before she was busy again.
“Hey! I got your message. How are you doing, stranger?” he said with a grin.
“You can talk, Mr I’ve-got-a-new-guy,” she countered.
“Oi! I see you all!”
“Not as much as you did.”
“And I bet you’re glad about that!” He giggled.
“Too right, troublemaker.”
“Anyway, how are you?” Henley was worried about Tracey. She had been more distant than usual over the last few weeks, missing more of their family time than ever before.
“I’m alright.” Henley heard her sigh. “I’ve taken a new job, but I haven’t told Dad and Pops yet.”
“Why not? You’re not a call girl, are you?”
“What! No, you asswipe! Jeez! I’m a PA still, but it’s for a larger company, and I’m the first port of call for the owner. He travels a lot; hence, I do now. It’s a twenty-four-hour day thing. I don’t want Dad and Pops worrying about me working too hard.”
Henley understood the undertones of what she was trying to say. Dad and Pops, while they meant well, if they get a bugbear about something they thought was harming their children, there was no stopping them. If they believed Tracey’s new job was too much for her, they would go on and on at her about it. They wanted the best for them, but they don’t like their children doing more than they needed to.
“Congrats. It sounds like a good job. You always wanted to travel, now you get to do that. But be careful, please, Trace. I love you, and I don’t want you working yourself to the bone for this guy.”
“I love you, too. And I will be careful. I will also do everything in my power to be fan-fucking-tastic at this job because I love it.”
Henley laughed. “Good. Anyway, loser, some of us have to work. I’ll catch you later, gator.”
“See ya, Hen.”
Though their conversation was short, it was bittersweet. Henley often thought Tracey pictured herself as an outsider because she was brought into their family when she was older, but none of the other family members thought of her that way. Every one of them tried to show her she was perfect for their family. Unfortunately, her gremlins got in the way sometimes.
Henley switched off his phone and shook his head.
“You’re worried about her, aren’t you?” Isaac said, coming to crouch next to Henley’s chair.
Nodding slowly, Henley gave a lopsided grin. “She works too hard, but she loves it. Who am I to complain?”
“You’re not complaining, you’re worried and have every right to be. She’s your sister.” Isaac rubbed Henley’s back soothingly. “I set Sarah up on a date with a guy from a café we went to once. I didn’t know him but when I spoke to him, I trusted my instincts and got him to take her out. They’re getting on well, but I still worry about her. Same for Felicity. Doesn’t matter what age they are, you will always worry about family. Nothing you can do apart from loving and supporting her.”
Isaac was right, as usual.
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