Coldhearted Boss(30)

I could apply for work somewhere else, but I’ve been in this town long enough to know that’s a dead-end road. There are a few decent jobs around Oak Dale, but not for someone who barely graduated from high school. The familiar twinge of resentment over my lack of education settles in the pit of my stomach.

If we could afford to get our car out of the shop, I could drive into Livingston or another nearby city to look for work, but even that would be a major waste of gas and time, and there’d be no telling how well the car would hold up if I was driving it around that much.

With a heartbreaking sigh, I realize I’m just as stuck now as I was four years ago. I’ve been working so hard trying to claw my way out of this hole life tossed me into only to slide right back down to the bottom time and time again.

My job with Lockwood Construction was the first sign of hope I’d had in a long time, and I hate Ethan Stone even more for taking the opportunity away from me.

But then I realize—maybe he didn’t.

He didn’t technically fire me, and I didn’t technically quit.

So what if I hate him? A lot of people hate their bosses.

The fact is, right now, I don’t really have another option, so Saturday night, I come up with my plan. The first step? Call Jeremy and demand we make a stop on our way out of town tomorrow afternoon. I’m spending every last cent of my paltry paycheck on a new pair of boots—ones that actually fit.





The second step in my plan is to find Hudson as soon as we make it back to camp the following evening. This proves more difficult than I thought it would because while searching for him, I also am trying hard to avoid Ethan. I’m forced to hover near buildings and trees in case I need to duck and cover. Work doesn’t start until tomorrow morning, and I’d rather not cross paths with him until then. Of course, this method means I draw quite a few concerned glances from passersby, but I put on my best smile and wave like everything is all good. “Don’t mind me, just checking the hardy plank on this building.” Knock knock. “Yup! Good as new!”

I eventually find Hudson when he walks through the center of camp with a backpack. He’s just returned and is probably heading to unload his stuff, but I can’t afford to lose track of him. We have important things to discuss.

“Hudson! Hi,” I say, leaping into his path.

His eyes widen as he takes me in.

Oh right, I’m not wearing the baseball hat, and the baggy flannel shirt is gone too. I’m wearing a light blue t-shirt and a pair of my own jeans. My hair hangs loose down my back. Apparently, it’s really throwing him off.

“I’m Taylor,” I offer, trying to alleviate the awkwardness. “Ethan’s assistant.”

I don’t embarrass either of us by pointing out that I am, indeed, a woman. If people were duped by my hilariously poor disguise, that’s on them.

He nods and quickly reins in his reaction. “Right. Of course. What do you need?”

I haven’t had much interaction with Hudson, but he seems like a loyal servant to Lockwood Construction. I have to play my cards just right.

A gentle smile spreads across my face. “I know you’re probably very busy and likely don’t want to be dealing with this right now, but I was wondering if there was any way for me to transfer to a different position on the crew?”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Just…I was wondering if there was anyone else looking for an assistant?” My eyes flick up to his face. “You! Maybe? Do you need an assistant?”

His cheeks redden and he tugs at the collar on his shirt. “I’m not authorized to shift personnel around like that.” He’s looking away, planning his escape.

My smile turns pleading. “Oh, I know I’m being a nuisance, and I would never want to get you into trouble. I’m just not sure this position with Ethan is the right fit for me. Maybe you and I would work better together?”

I need him on my side. I need him to want—no, need—me as his assistant. I wish I could prove my skills right here on the spot. Wait! Listen to how well I take a message! Watch how good I am with the copier!

As it is, he fidgets and shuffles his feet, angling to get around me. I’ve really put him on the spot. He can barely look me in the eye.

“It’s Ethan you need to discuss this with,” he says, sounding resolute.

“And if I can’t speak with Ethan…for reasons I’d rather not say…does he have a boss? Or a supervisor of some sort?”

That question elicits a hearty laugh from Hudson. “No, Ethan does not have a boss. He has three partners, but they won’t override a decision like this.”

“And what about an HR department? Do you guys have one of those?”

I didn’t see any HR-looking people around the camp last week.

“Not here on site. There are a few people back in Austin.” He narrows his eyes now, skeptical of me. “We’ve never had a crewmember request to meet with them. Are you looking to make a formal complaint about Ethan?”

A formal complaint? That sounds official and permanent. No, I don’t think I want to go down that path yet, not only because I’m not sure what chain of events that would set off, but because I don’t exactly have my hands clean in this situation. If I called HR, what would Ethan do? Call the police? At this point, it’s his word against mine.