Page 10 of Forever Filthy

“One of the new guys found asbestos in the roof, all construction has to be halted until we can fix that problem.” I’m grinding my teeth so fucking hard I may actually break them!

“Drew, this is the fifth hold up we have had?—”

“I can’t help these problems, I wasn’t the one who built the school so you need to blame those assholes.” His tone is grating on my nerves, I hate how he and Ford speak to me like I’m stupid. “We’re doing the best we can and working overtime, my crew is busting their ass.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” I take a deep breath and try to compose myself as I exit the building and head for the beach. “I’ll have David source a crew?—”

“We know some guys?—”

“No!” I cut in as each time he has suggested a crew, they have taken longer than needed to fix the problem, which is why I’m starting to think him and his partner are just fucking with me now. “I’ll have a crew of my own brought in and since your crew is clearly tired and under the pump I will be bringing on a new crew to help with the workload.”

“Hell no! Ford and I work alone and?—-”

“You either do as I’m telling you or I fire your company and bring in a whole other crew that I’m sure won’t run into the amount of problems you have. I’ll have David send you the details.” I end the call without waiting for a response. “Fucking males always thinking women are stupid,” I growl out.

“Well, that's not fair to the rest of us good males who think women are amazing.” I snap my head up to see Dawson standing a few feet away with a warm smile on his face and a volleyball clutched between his hands. I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.

“Sorry, I just got… work problems.”

He purses his lips and nods. “What’s your plans for the day?” Before I can answer my phone rings, cutting off my reply. I sigh when I see it's David. I hold my finger up and shoot him an apologetic look as I answer the call.

“Drew called you, didn’t he?” I say as I bring the phone to my ear.

His answering sigh gives me the answer before he voices it. “Yes, he isn’t happy.”

I turn my back to Dawson as I answer him. “I don’t give a shit, he has been playing us David?—”

“I know, but we need to keep the brothers happy.”

“Why?”

“The night of the Saints.” I grind my teeth, he has been mentioning that for months now. I have a backup plan. If they try to vote me out they will all lose!

“They vote me out, then they will lose everything. Fix this, David. I want this matter handled before I get home.”

“There’s been another delivery from our bird.” I still instantly. “A letter was delivered.”

“What did it say?”

“I didn’t open it.”

“Why not?”

“It states on the back that you are to be the one to open it when youreturn.”

I gasp, fear trickles down my spine. “He knows where I am,” I breathe out.

“Yes, I have sent six men to you. You need to return with them?—”

“No. I’ll leave tomorrow afternoon and not a minute earlier.” Before he can argue I end the call, then take a few deep breaths and try to calm my nerves. It takes longer than I want to admit but feeling a presence behind me leaves me no choice. I turn and crane my neck back to see Dawson studying me with a look of concern. He takes one look at me and then nods.

“Come on, you look like you need some fun.” A humorless chuckle escapes me.

“Yeah, I could use some fun.” He smiles, grabs my hand and leads me toward the beach. He doesn’t press me for what soured my mood, he talks about mundane shit and I find myself appreciating him for trying to take my mind off things without prying. When we reach the beach, I see a few students playing volleyball. Dawson tries to lead me toward them but I plant my feet.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

I nibble on my lip trying to figure out a way to tell him that I don’t want to be around people right now. “She just wants to hang out with her bestie. Don’t worry, she’ll totally watch you from here though.” Dawson frowns for a second but when Ishoot him a small smile he nods and releases my hand, then runs off to join his friends. “He seems… nice.” I ignore her, this was my beach day to hang out by myself and of course she had to turn up.

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