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The line goes silent.
Last week, I made an appointment with a doctor.To get tested.
It’s been five months since I caught Asher cheating on me, and I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to check. I guess I just assumed that because we always wore condoms, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But I feel uneasy knowing that he was screwing who knows how many people, and I need to be sure. I just need to be safe. I’ve never been cheated on before so it was scary to call the clinic knowing the outcome could be horrific. But better to know than assume.
“Hey,” my mom breaks up the silence. “I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want it to seem like I was snooping, but I saw that job application on your desk. Is everything okay with the hospital?” Her voice seems concerned; she knows how hard I worked to be a nurse. But honestly, I’m just over it. Simple as that.
“Yeah, not really. I just want to have more time to spend with you and Em, so I thought I’d look into other job options to free up some time.” Which is also the truth. I’ve been so consumed and exhausted from working at the hospital that mornings like this seem unbearable when I’m supposed to be reliable.
I came back home to help out and make myself available for my mom when she needs me and I can’t do that when I’m working twelve hour shifts four, sometimes five, days a week.
“You don’t have to do that, sweetie. I know how hard you worked for that job. It’s your dream career.” My mother’s sweet voice flitters into my ear through the speaker. I mentally huff, if only she knew how much I actually have grown to hate my so-called dream job.
“It’s my choice, Mama. I’ll be fine. I gotta go, talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too, DJ.” I hang up the call and buckle my seatbelt. Before I attempt to back out of my space, I see my reflection in the rearview mirror. Gosh, my sister was right, I look awful.
But I have to give myself credit, I’m doing surprisingly well considering. I’m taking on a lot more than I anticipated at my age, and I’m also still somewhat recovering from a broken heart.
“You’ve got this,” I whisper to myself as I back out of my space and head to the store.
two
Nolan
God,shewasfuckingpretty,I say to myself as I drive down the road to the office.
Comely. Alluring.
Just a few words I can think of to describe how insanely attractive she is, her green eyes still lingering in my mind.
I know Emsley; her mom usually drops her off and though we haven’t ever talked, I recognized the little girl that the beautiful red-haired woman held hands with.
We entered the school year right after winter break; after my divorce. Jessica and I decided to switch Aria’s school to be closer to where I moved, which is not far from Jessica’s parents either. I also know that Jess was trying to sell the house to live with her parents so it worked out for everyone.
I pull into the parking lot of the office building—Steele North Constructionplastered on the front of the red brick building in big blue and silver letters. I started the company about six years ago, afterthe accident. And even though it was a traumatizing one, it feels fucking great to see my last name attached to something I’m so passionate about.
I walk in the front doors and am greeted by my cheerful receptionist.
“Mr. Steele. Good morning. You’ve got a few calls from your foreman on the Shipman project. I guess they ran into…well I don’t remember but he said he’s been trying to get ahold of you all morning. Sounds urgent.” The older woman smiles apologetically at me, and her wrinkled eyes remind me of my grandmother.
“Thank you, Donna. I’ll get right on that. And please, my name is Nolan. You know that.” I smile as she nods her head at me, and I head back into my office.
Sure enough, my phone is already ringing the second I get the light switched on.
“This is No—”
“Nolan, dude. What the fuck. We’ve got some serious issues here at Shipman and I’ve been trying to reach you all day.” My foreman, Josh, interrupts me, seeming irrationally irritated.
“Well, good morning to you too, sunshine,” I quip as I set my things down on my desk.
“Dude, seriously?” He really does sound mad so I decide to quit the sarcasm and see what the issue is.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, for starters, Harrison didn’t show up. He’s supposed to pick up and deliver the materials from the warehouse that were back ordered. But he’s not here and no one can reach him. Not to mention, the cement truck wasn’t capped. I’m blaming Derrick. And there’s little trails of cement everywhere. Mario did demo the other day, and we’re just now realizing that he demo’d the wrong fucking walls! He was only supposed to demolish the east and north walls, but now the whole fucking thing is gone! And Mitch…don’t even get me started on Mitch. I know he’s your brother and all, but dude has about as many brain cells as that delirious sloth from the ice movie your kid watches.” I do my best not to chuckle at his last admission because damn if I don’t agree with him.
Josh is as straightforward as they come. He’s hard on himself when it comes to the job. Probably because he knows he only has the job because he’s one of my oldest friends. He had a huge drug problem, and most places wouldn’t even take a second glance at him, but he promised he’d sober up. He made good on his word and I gave him the chance to prove himself. And he’s doing it; he just doesn’t give himself enough credit.
