Page 100 of Possession

He couldn’t really imagine anyone having issues with Foster though. He’d come highly recommended by a friend of Gayle’s, who thought he’d bring a fresh perspective to the camp as a trans man. Tomas didn’t care so much about whether he was cis or trans as much as he wanted someone who would care as much about the kids as the MC did.

Foster’s whole face lit up. “Really? You’d like to give me the job?”

“I would.” Tomas clapped him on the shoulder. “But like I said, it’s not a done deal. I can’t imagine anyone taking issue with you though, especially with your education and experience. I especially loved your ideas for expanding the camp into multiple sessions.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” Foster said, voice softer than it had been the whole time they’d talked about the job. There was cute pinkness in his pale cheeks, like he wasn’t used to getting compliments. “And if there’s any other questions I can answer—from you or one of your officers—I’m happy to do so. Either in person or you can email them to me.”

Tomas really did like him. He had a very upbeat attitude that he thought the kids would probably appreciate, especially since a majority of them came from families involved in calls the MC went on.

He also liked that Foster had a degree in childhood education, though he wasn’t currently working in that field. He had experience as a preschool teacher and working at a daycare center before starting his own business. When Tomas had asked why he’d want to give up his summers working at the camp, Foster had simply said he missed working with kids but wasn’t interested in doing something full-time.

In Tomas’s opinion, he was an ideal candidate.

He knew most of the officers would agree with him. As he opened the door and ushered Foster out, he met the eyes of the one person who would disagree.

Marv watched Foster walk across the clubhouse and out the front door before he turned on Tomas and crossed his arms over his chest. “We don’t need to hire someone full-time. The club can’t afford it.”

Tomas rolled his eyes and headed back in to sit at his desk. “We can. I made sure it was in the budget.”

“I disagree,” Marv said.

“And I appreciate your perspective, but as you’ve refused the Treasurer position, it’s not your job to look out for our finances,” Tomas said as he lowered himself into his chair with a sigh.

It had been a long day, and he was about ready to go home and spend time with his boys. Tomorrow, they would be taking their first ride of the season, and to say Vinnie and Mason were excited about it would be an understatement.

Marv rolled his eyes. “It’s my job?—”

Tomas held up a hand, saying firmly, “I know what your job is, and you know what my job is, and we both know that just because things have gotten quiet, it doesn’t mean some other asshole out there in the community couldn’t start coming after us. The mayor might be gone, but the sheriff is still out there. If he decides to come after the club again, we need to make sure there’s somebody in place who can keep the camp going.”

“In case we have to leave Ridgewood,” Marv finished for him, jaw tight.

“Yes.”

Running a hand down the back of his neck, Marv shook his head. “Fine. We can hire him.”

It was Tomas’s turn to roll his eyes. “Thank you for your permission, and since you’re so concerned about the camp, you’re going to keep an eye on things when Foster starts.”

Marv held his hands up. “I’m not a kids person—or a camping person, for that matter.”

Considering some of the shoes Tomas had seen him wear over the years, he believed that. For his day job, Marv always wore expensive-looking suits and ties that complemented his eyes and shit. The rest of the club teased him about it, but Marv had always liked what he liked, and looking good and being comfortable were two of those things.

“I can appreciate that,” Tomas said. “But we’re taking a risk hiring an outsider, no matter how much I like Foster. I wantyou to make sure he’s not a waste of our money.” When Marv wrinkled his nose, Tomas sighed. “You just have to go out and check in on things every once in a while. Talk to a few counselors—and yes, maybe kids—and keep an eye on his spending.”

“What exactly is it you think he could get up to? Lead the kids in a seance?”

Tomas shrugged. “I suppose that’s one possibility. Another is he steals from the camp and leaves the kids hanging. But you’re not going to let anything happen to those kids, are you?”

There was an edge to his voice, letting Marv know that this wasn’t under discussion, not really. He wanted it done, and he expected it to be done.

“No, I’m not going to let anything happen to them,” Marv said, heading for the door. “You can be a real asshole when you want to be, Prez.”

“I know,” he called after him. “Say hi to Bull for me. You are going to see him tonight, right?”

Marv paused in the doorway. “Yeah. Mom said he’s mooning over some straight boy at Bo’s, wants me to take his mind of things, so I’m going to put him to work helping me lay tile in my bathroom.”

“Such a good brother,” Tomas said dryly. “Try to convince him to come prospect while you’re at it.”

“Ha.” Marv shook his head and headed out. “In your dreams, man.”

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