Page 7 of My Young Rebel Daddy

Of course, I see the irony – I’m hardly succeeding going about things the old school way.

Maybe I should give this God damn app a try.

At the very worst it would stop Kyle riding my ass about it.

‘Um, not yet,’ I reply. ‘But… I’ll get on it. Seriously. I’m going to get it.’

‘I’ll believe that shit when I see it,’ Kyle roars, turning away from me and getting back to work.

I’m about to get my ass back to work too when I look across the construction site and see a face that I truly don’t want to see…

‘What’shedoing here?’ I mutter, shaking my head slowly.

I’m staring over toward the absolute Grade-A asshole that is Werner Hodge.

He’s a big-time property developer who has been pretty much top dog in the business here for the last twenty-five years.

In and of itself, this ain’t a problem.

But it’s how Hodge handles his business that bugs me.

I’ve heard about all of the shady dealings and scare tactics that Hodge has used to put other companies out of business. I’ve also heard from good sources that he’s not afraid of bribing the local authorities if it means he can get around a building restriction or even to use less than optimal building materials.

All in all, I think Werner Hodge is the kind of dude I want nothing to do with – which is a shame, because that sonofabitch is walking right toward me.

‘Jason Rock…’ Werner says, his slicked-back black hair dripping with grease under the hot sun. ‘I hear you’re thinking of going solo with your merry little band of men?’

‘What of it?’ I reply, not wanting to give much away.

‘Oh you know, just interested,’ Werner replies, the big scar on his right hand drawing my eye. ‘I’d hate to see you try and go it alone and then… crash and burn.’

‘Don’t worry about us,’ I say, standing proud and with my two bros behind me. ‘We’re good. Just trying to earn anhonestliving.’

‘I see,’ Werner sneers. ‘Well how about this for some honest advice from one man to another. I don’t think there’s room for another small, easily broken independent construction company in this town. Just my advice.’

‘How about this for some advice from me,’ I reply, my blood boiling and my jaw clenching. ‘Keep the fuck away from my business.’

‘You heard him,’ Taylor adds, his grip tightening on his hammer.

‘We’re cool. But don’t push us,’ Kyle adds, his eyes locked in on Werner.

‘Tough guys, eh?’ Werner laughs, phlegm coughing up into his mouth. ‘Pffft. I’ve seen plenty of young jerks like you before. Well, don’t say you weren’t warned.’

With that, Werner Hodge turns and walks away.

I want to kick his ass right here and now.

But I know I can’t do that – and I know I’d be playing right into his hands if I did that too.

No, I need to keep my cool and stay focused on the goal.

‘Okay, show’s over guys,’ I say, the anger still audible in my voice. ‘Let’s get back to breaking some rocks. Hell, we can imagine it’s Werner Hodge we’re smashing to pieces, right?’

I’m joking… kind of.

But the three of us laugh and get back to work.

Suddenly, I’m looking forward to my post-work beer way more than I could have imagined just a couple of minutes ago.

---