Page 46 of Against the Autumn Pines
“An employee.” Their jaws dropped. “Her name is Jade. She graduated from high school this past spring. Apparently she did a bunch of culinary classes in school and wants to become some kind of chef. She said she’d been eying the bakery as a great learning opportunity, but I’ve never been interested in hiring.”
“So wait, why did he hire you an employee?” Aspen questioned.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Ivy giggled. “Ember worksallthe time. She is literally a one-woman operation. Of course if he’s watching you, he sees you need some damn help, so instead of saying that and stating the obvious, he went out and found a qualified woman who would be eager to learn and do a good job for you. Truly, that’s romantic as fuck.”
“Oh,” Aspen replied, her eyes wide as she stared at me, but I just shrugged because I didn’t get that out of it either. I was more so along the lines of him being a controlling asshole, but at the same time, Ivy’s idea made a great deal of sense,given his comment about having more energy for him now. “Well, I mean, did you like her?”
I sighed. “She’s perfect. Her only downside is she’s never had a real job before, but she’s eager and excited. I told her we’d start her off with three days a week and see how she was doing before I just hand her over the reins to close alone or anything.” I shrugged.
“You don’t seem very excited about this,” Aspen stated.
“She has control issues,” Ivy whispered with a smile.
I couldn’t help the small smile that hit me. Ivy was a breath of fresh air, and her sunshine was contagious.
“Exactly, and I know I need help. I’m exhausted. I just…I’m scared. The bakery is literally my child.”
They both scooted over and wrapped their arms around me. “Don’t worry. We can help if you want. Get her settled in and then stop by when you aren’t there. See how she’s doing. It’ll all be amazing,” Ivy whispered as they both hugged me.
“Thank you guys, I appreciate it.”
We sat like that for a few minutes before Aspen sat up rather quickly and stared at me, wide-eyed.
“Wait. You said you talked to himallnight at my Halloween party?” she asked.
“Um, yeah?”
“Was he by chance…um, Batman?”
I felt myself slowly nodding before Ivy’s mouth dropped, and she looked back at me too. “Oh my gosh!! You’re THE Poison Ivy?!” Ivy gasped and screeched. The excitement clear as day in her melodic voice.
“I mean, yeah? You both knew that. Who the fuck is Batman?” I didn’t mean to sound as sharp as I did, but it seemed everyone knew everything now except me.
They both looked at each other before their gazesreturned to me. “Batman is Rowan’s twin brother,” Aspen answered.
“No, but that would mean….” I trailed off.
“Wyatt,” Ivy screeched as she squirmed excitedly in her seat.
My heart dropped, along with my mouth.
My Batman was Wyatt Carragan.
22
LATE NIGHT STROLL
Wyatt
Two beersdeep and Oliver walked in looking mad as hell. My brothers and I had come over to have some beers and hang out, play catch-up, since Rowan had been kicked out of his house so Aspen could have a girls’ night.
“What’s going on with you? You should’ve been back an hour ago,” Rowan stated.
“The fuckers next door! I know they’re fuckin’ cuttin’ my god damn fence down near the gully. I need to get it on video to send to the cops before I take it into my own fuckin’ hands!” Oliver bellowed, making me glad Mom had Hudson tonight. Oliver never lost his cool in front of his son, so this was a rarely seen side of my big brother.
“Woah. Sit down, have a beer, and tell us what you’re talking about,” I said calmly as I handed him the beer I just opened.
Oliver plopped down in his recliner and snatched the beer from my hand, drinking half of it in one take, his eyes staring off into the distance at nothing.
