Page 21 of Christmas with the Baby Daddy

“So, if you’re interested,” Cole said, “I’d love to hire you for some help. Nothing strenuous or crazy. Just odds and ends. We’ve got a part-timer from the community college who handles a lot of the ‘housekeeping’ things like cleaning restrooms, the floor maintenance, and stuff like that.”

“Okay.” I already told him about my shoulder, and it seemed like he’d understand my limitations.

“Drake—that’s his name—is working for the school through a program that covers a big portion of his pay, and that’s helpful with Mr. Benson not retired yet and on leave. We don’t have room in our budget for this academic year for replacing him or hiring on supplemental staff.”

“Got it.” I huffed a laugh. “I’ll be honest, Cole. I’m not in this for the money.”

He laughed lightly too. “Why are you?”

I shrugged. “My sister, Amanda, suggested it. And I just need… something.”

“Bored since you’ve been home?” he guessed with a careful smile.

“Idle,” I clarified. “I’m not sure that preoccupying myself with some custodial work here is much of a solution, but I agree that having a job of some degree will help me shift from my former life and identity to something more… civilian.”

“Sounds like this is just what both of us need.”

We chatted some more, and he got up to grab some paperwork for me to fill out. I’d start soon, and that gave me a slight sense of purpose. No more walking around at home, staring at the walls, and wondering what I could do with my life now. I’d have somewhere to be. Something to do.

It was a start, and I’d take it.

After we shook hands and shared our contact information, he waved me off in the hallway. “And hey, the offer stands,” he called out. “If you want to catch that game tonight, I’ll be at the bar.”

I chuckled, slightly humored that he was a lifelong fan of my team’s current rival. “Eh, the Packers aren’t going to win.”

He scoffed. “They’ve got better odds than Cleveland does!”

I shrugged, waving at him again. “Maybe. We’ll see.” I felt lighter, not so much at the prospect of hanging out with someone who could be a friend while I was here, but because I had a little something to look forward to.

Heading toward the double doors that would lead out to the wintery cold, I wrapped my coat tighter around my body and prayed I could leave before seeing Reagan coming out of the office.

9

BLAKE

Why? Why would Zach be at the school?

And right when George had to go to the office?

I groaned as I turned into a spot. Whines squealed louder as I put all my effort into turning the steering wheel to manage the maneuver. The power steering pump had to be repaired, but I was really hoping I could stall on that until after Christmas. “Please,” I whispered, begging the van to stick with me. “I’ll fix you. I promise. Just not yet, okay?”

Instead of worrying what it had to mean to talk to a vehicle like it was a sentient thing, I hurried into the school. Sara had to have seen me in the security camera because when I reached the doors, I waved and heard a click of the locks opening.

Once I got in, though, blasted in the face by the heated air forced through the vents at the entrance, I halted mid-step.

Reagan exited the office right then, and as she spotted me hurrying in, letting a noticeable draft in with me as I opened the doors, she narrowed her eyes and stalked over.

“This is getting old,” she snarled.

“Yeah, it is,” I agreed hotly.

“You havenoidea how furious I am.” She flung her arms out. “I was just going about my business at the office, like usual, and then lo and behold, another call came in from the school. I am sick and tired of this.Anotherincident of your son causing trouble in the classroom.”

I shook my head, tired of this shit but not in the mood to let her get away with that lie. “George isn’t at fault.” I didn’t know the details of whatever happened this time, but I knew that my son wouldn’t have started it.

She smirked, donning a really nasty expression as she stalked over. “Listen, Blake. I’ve got an important job. I do important work and make a difference in people’s lives.”

I stood still and set my hands on my hips, daring her to insinuate any more insults about me. Like I didn’t matter. That her time was valuable while mine wasn’t.

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