Coldhearted Boss(15)

My brain is working overtime, trying to figure out what I want to do with this gift. Yes, gift. In the month since I first encountered her, I’ve been unable to push her out of my mind. My inability to forget about her has only made the wound she inflicted on my ego fester. I don’t know why she’s proven unforgettable. Sure, there’s the possibility that our searing kiss in the bathroom left its mark on my memory, but more likely, my pride wants some kind of resolution.

“Look at those lips.” Hudson is still talking. “No, I refuse to believe that’s a guy, because if it is…” He scratches his neck. “Well, I guess I might be into dudes. Who knew?”

Without a reply, I forcefully push him toward the door of the trailer.

“I want you to make sure that guy gets hired.”

He trips over his feet trying to match my pace.

“Why?” He turns back to look at me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

I open the door and move to shove him out, but he leaps down the first few stairs just in time to avoid my “gentle” nudge, which is for the best. I’m not trying to hurt him. Much.

“Go.”

He holds up his hands in defeat. “Okay! Okay!”

And then he’s out the door and I’m back at the window watching the girl in the blue baseball hat sitting at a table with a recruiter. Hudson rushes over to whisper something in his ear and just like that, she’s hired.

I know I’m not handling the situation the right way. I should drag her down to the police station and report her crime, let the authorities take care of her—I’m sure she’s wanted for a multitude of other offenses—but something about that course of action doesn’t feel right. Maybe I want to handle my own problems. Maybe I like the idea of toying with her a little, teaching her a lesson. Maybe my pride has finally found a way to seek resolution in the form of retribution.

I feel like the big bad wolf setting a trap.

I almost feel bad for her.

Almost.





Chapter 7





Taylor





“You didn’t say anything about bunkhouses when you told me about this job!”

Jeremy deflects the punch I aim at his shoulder and manages to continue driving just fine. “That’s because I didn’t know about them, but I actually think it sounds fun.”

“Fun?!”

Another punch dodged.

Now he’s holding me at arm’s length to keep me away. My puny arms can’t reach him. Stupid wing span.

“Yeah. I mean, it makes sense. The jobsite is an hour and a half away from Oak Dale, even more since your trailer is on the other side of town. Driving back and forth every day would waste too much gas and too much time. Besides, they’re giving people the option. You can either stay in the bunkhouses or commute every day.”

“Well, you’re my ride and you’re staying there.”

He smiles wide. “So then problem solved. What’s there to worry about?”

Oh, I don’t know…everything?!

This is how Jeremy explained it to me: Lockwood Construction is building a luxury resort on the old grounds of Pine Wood Camp. They have the resort laid out so that the new hotel complex will be built over the existing stables, obstacle course, and meeting hall because those areas all have lakefront views. The bunkhouses we’re supposed to be staying in will eventually be turned into luxury cabins, but that phase of construction won’t happen until much later. Thus, until then, they’ve given the crew the option to live in them while we work.

“You of all people shouldn’t want to do it. When will you see Khloe?”

I think I have a very convincing argument until he shrugs nonchalantly.

“On the weekends. As it is, I’m too busy working the late shift at the mill to see her much during the week anyway. Nothing will change except for my paycheck—or have you forgotten that part?”

I cross my arms and glare out the window. Of course I haven’t. I might not think it’s a good idea to go camp in the middle of the woods with dozens of gruff construction workers, but the money is too good to walk away from, not to mention I’ll have Jeremy there as a buffer between me and the guys.

“Well I don’t know if I can leave McKenna during the week like that. Who’s going to make sure she gets her homework done?”

“She’s a good kid. You worry about her more than you need to.”

“Who will cook dinner?”

“I think she’ll manage to make her own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just fine.”

Wow. Okay. Harsh, but true.

“Still…I don’t think it’s a good idea. For other reasons…”

He shrugs. “Then don’t do it.”

Wait—he was supposed to convince me otherwise. I thought that was what we were doing here, a little routine where he goads me into this so I can blame him when it all goes up in flames.

I turn to face him, brows furrowed. “You don’t think I should?”

He shakes his head. “Eh, I’ve thought about it. The work will be hard, and it’ll be hot out there in a few weeks when summer hits. Better just keep working at the hotel. At least that’s air-conditioned.”

I know exactly what he’s trying to pull and yet my pride still rears its ugly head.