Page 19 of Risking it All

“I’m not apologizing, I’m saying that I hurt for you.”

So, my bid for a switch in conversation that wouldn’t make me feel all tangled up had officially failed. I became one more knot after another. She hurt for me? No one hurt for me. Not even Lyra. And this girl…this beautiful, witty, intelligent, out-of-my league girl…

I shook my head, not able to continue the thought anymore. “Not a lot of jobs for people who steal.”

“Bluegrass Mountain is hiring. We’re desperate for people.”

That caught my attention, and I glanced over at her. “You work at the amusement park?”

She grimaced. “I did. I probably will again. I don’t know. Point is, we never have enough people.”

“How much does it pay?”

“Fifteen an hour, but you make time and a half in overtime, and you’ll always get overtime.”

It was less than I made in construction, but my options were limited until I could ditch the employer signature. “Can you get me on over there? They have to be cool that I stole money out of a car because whoever I work for has to sign papers to the judge to prove I’m working.”

She studied me for a moment, without an ounce of trepidation. “Are you serious about the job?”

“As serious as the judge who gave me the plea deal.” Then I paused. “Is there a bus route that goes to Bluegrass Mountain from here? I also need specific hours.”

“We’re so desperate for people, they’re flexible on hours, and I have no idea on the bus.”

Yeah, she wouldn’t. Reliable transportation wasn’t an issue for her.

“But I’ll ask about the job and the bus routes. I’m good friends with the hiring manager.”

Neither could hurt. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. See, was that so hard? You said thanks, I said ‘you’re welcome.’ I didn’t deny my part of the exchange.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mazie Hutchinson.” I did. As I pulled into her drive, my breath was taken aback at the stunning house before me. “Nice place.”

Macie beamed with pride. “My dad’s an architect. He designed it himself. In fact, he designed almost all the houses in the neighborhood.”

My dad sold drugs that killed people. I’d take her dad over mine any day of the week. I turned off the engine. “Have I earned the privilege of owning my phone again?”

She gave me a shy smile as she handed it to me. “Sorry about that.”

“As I said, don’t apologize for protecting yourself.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I put my number in your phone. If you’re serious about the job, text me.”

Not waiting a beat, I sent her a quick text:I’m serious.

Macie went from smiling that shy smile I had been enjoying to blinking repeatedly. “How are you going to get home?”

“I’ll walk.”

She turned toward me. “You can’t walk. It’s late. It’s night. It’s not safe. It’s—”

“It’s a mile back to the party, only a half mile from home. I walk all the time. It’s not a big deal. I promise.”

She slowly shook her head and there was a wild fear in her eyes. “I don’t know.”

“I do,” I pushed. “I grew up on the streets. I can take care of myself. If you want, I’ll even text you when I get there to prove it, okay?”

She scratched a new section of welts forming on her arm. “Okay.”

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