Page 5 of Time for Change

I jump in my truck and take off for the office, where my best friend and partner, Caden, will be waiting. Together, we went through school, and eventually trade school and into the apprenticeship program. We were both hired by a local man, who was an incredible mentor, and helped us get our five years in to take the contractor’s examination. When it became time for him to retire last year, we knew we needed to make some decisions. Despite barely being thirty, we decided to start our own business, Premier Electrical, and after the first six months, hired an additional part-time employee, who works for us three days a week. Glenn is on the verge of retirement himself and wanted to work just a few days a week to get himself out of his house.

Parking next to Caden’s truck, I jump out of mine and head for the front entrance. “Morning,” I holler, stepping into the open front office space.

“Morning,” he grumbles, sipping his cup of coffee.

“You’re looking a little rough,” I comment, taking a seat at my desk, which faces his.

A smirk spreads across his lips. “Didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Shaking my head, I lean back in my chair and take a small drink of my own hot coffee. “I thought things between you and Krissy were a little rocky,” I say, recalling how much he complained about her this past Friday. Krissy is a sweetheart but is definitely husband hunting. She went from fun and casual to leaving ring choices around his apartment.

“Yeah, this wasn’t Krissy,” he states with a full-watt grin.

All I can do is look at my friend and sigh. “When Krissy shows up and boils your bunny, I don’t want to hear one complaint.”

“First off, I don’t have a bunny,” he states unnecessarily. “Second, Krissy knew the deal. I never led her on. I’ve been one-hundred-percent honest with her from the beginning. She knew I didn’t want a relationship and told me she was fine with casual, and after a month changed her tune.”

Sipping my coffee, I ask, “Would it be so bad to give the whole relationship a try? You have to be about out of single ladies to sleep with at this point.”

He snorts. “There are plenty of women to sleep with,” he replies with a wink. “I’m not saying I won’t try a relationship someday, but today isn’t that day. Tomorrow either. I’m having fun, enjoying myself. You should try it.”

“I have fun.”

Just a different type of fun.

“Uno with your kids on a Saturday night isn’t what I’m talking about, Jack,” he counters, setting his coffee down on his desk. “When was the last time you went on a date? Got your dick played with by someone other than yourself?”

My eyes narrow. “I dated Nicole Jones.”

He laughs. Actually throws his head back and laughs. “You went out on three dates, and she was still seeing her ex-boyfriend the whole time. I’m pretty sure you didn’t even get to second base.”

I just stare at him, since I can’t argue. He’s right. I didn’t even get to second base. “I can’t be as carefree with my personal life, Caden. I have two kids to think about.”

“I get that,” he tells me, holding up his hands. “All I’m saying is you can be a dad and still date and have fun. Preferably where your dick gets sucked on occasion.”

My dick actually wouldn’t mind that, but I’m not looking to just find any random woman to do it for me. While Caden and I click in the friendship department, we’re night and day different in our private lives. Not that I didn’t partake in a casual hookup every now and again back when we were in trade school, but it has never been my thing. I’ve always been more of a relationship guy, which is probably why I ended up married at such a young age. It just felt like the right thing to do.

“If you want some numbers, let me know,” he says, pulling me back to the conversation.

“I don’t need numbers, Caden, unless they’re for prospective clients. Any messages?” I ask, steering the conversation toward work.

“Actually, yes.”

We spend the next ten minutes going over the jobs already scheduled for the week and prepare to return calls for prospective clients. I take the messages and start dialing, while Caden goes to the shop in back and starts gathering what is needed for today’s jobs. Glenn arrives, throwing me a wave before he refills his coffee cup and goes out to the shop to help Caden. By the time I’ve returned all of the non-emergency messages from the weekend, we have three additional jobs on the books and one that’ll require our attention today.

When we have everything set for the day, the three of us jump into our work-issued trucks and head off to work. My first stop is taking me to the used bookstore on Main Street, where I’m scheduled to do some wire upgrading in one of their current storage rooms so they can utilize the space differently this year.

I position my truck at their back entrance as instructed and slip out. The sky is gray, the threat of rain or snow hanging low in the January air. At least I’ll be working inside most of the day, unlike Caden, who’s installing a home generator today. That’s if he can get it completed before the sky opens up.

I definitely pulled the long straw today.

Time to get to work.

***

“Can we decorate for Valentine’s Day?”

I glance over my shoulder at Gianna, who is sitting in the back seat with a wide smile on her face. “It’s a little early, don’t you think? We haven’t even taken the Christmas tree down yet,” I add, making a note to remove all Christmas decorations later in the week when the kids are gone to their mom’s.

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