Page 108 of The Fixer

Judging by Cully’s getup, he was planning to join them shortly. He pulled out his wallet and slid the check inside. “So this is it, huh?”

“Yep. This is it.”

“You gonna tell me why you’re firing me?”

Charlie ran through the reasons he’d given Cully before: not showing up to the job, showing up late, leaving early, not getting the work done, insubordination. Nothing Cully hadn’t heard before. What Charlie didn’t say—and couldn’t because he had no proof—was he was firing Cully’s ass for the slashed tires and the electrical panel. Yeah, that hadreallypissed him off.

“There’s also whatever’s going on with things disappearing or getting damaged on both job sites.” He wasn’t accusing, simply floating it out there.

Cully’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t do any of that shit.”

“I can’t prove that you did, but it’s a little suspicious that you were around each site when things went sideways. And I really didn’t appreciate you telling Joy about the lumber before you told me.”

Cully shrugged. “I figured she should know. You said you guys were partners.”

“That’s a bullshit excuse, and you know it. You just wanted to stick it to me, and congratulations, dude, you did.” Charlie pointed at the wallet Cully still held in his hand. “That’s your payoff, and it’s more than you deserve.” Charlie had padded the check with more time than Cully had actually put in.

“Well, thanks for nothing.” Cully slid the wallet back into his pocket.

Charlie ground his back molars to hold himself in check, to keep himself from saying, “I hired you when no one else would, and I paid you well, asshole. Thanks for nothing right back atcha.” While it would makehimfeel better, no good would come of it. It would only add fuel to the heated exchange.

“See you around, Cully.” And Charlie would too, which would be awkward at first, but they’d both get over it.

Cully grunted in response, and Charlie hopped into his truck and left the parking lot. He drove to the other job site to check on Felix and the rest of the crew. Today they were framing, and Charlie inspected the wood to be sure it was the right grade. He let the guys know that Cully wouldn’t be returning, and if he did, they were to report to Charlie ASAP. Felix especially was quiet. Had he and Cully formed a friendship? It was always weird when one of the team was let go, and guys were usually nervous for a week afterward, wondering if another shoe was going to drop and they’d get the ax too. Charlie couldn’t afford to let any of them go.

He pulled into his gravel driveway and let himself inside, looking forward to finding Joy making herself at home in his house on a semi-part-time-temporary-permanent basis, stopping when he heard her yelping in the other room.

“Sterling, I told you, I’ve got this! What part of that do you not comprehend?” She was silent for a moment, probably listening to herpartner chew her out on the other end, and Charlie’s fists clenched at his sides. Sunny and Luna crept over beside him, barely making a sound, as if they sensed the tension in the air and wanted to fade into the background.

Joy spoke again, her voice dropping an octave into a range that reminded him of an animal ready to attack. “I. Will. Handle. It.” Another pause. “No, I don’t know yet, so stop asking me,” she snapped. “Maybe at the end of the week. Estelle is arranging everything.” A large exhale whooshed from her. “Yeah, I know. Yes, I will. I’ll let you know when that happens.”

She went silent, except for a few muttered curses he couldn’t decipher.

“Honey, I’m home,” he announced. His dogs’ tails began to wag. “Well, at leastyou’rehappy to see me,” he whisper-shouted to them.

Joy emerged from the bedroom and headed straight for him. Instinctively, he opened his arms and let her walk into them. Her arms wound around his waist, and she laid her head against his chest and sighed.

He stroked her hair. “Everything all right?”

“No, but it’s better now that you’re here.”

His heart turned a little gooey around the edges. He pulled her head back and looked down into her sherry-colored eyes, hoping he didn’t see tears there. He didn’t. Instead, she gave him a half-smile.

“I have some work I need to finish up.”

He laid a light kiss on her forehead. “I do too. Meet you back here in an hour?” He still had one job he needed to complete, and he could only do it with her out of Crystal Harmony Haven—it was time to act on his ulterior motive. “Then we can go pick up your car and get something to eat.”

“And drink.”

“And drink,” he agreed.

Hours later, around dinnertime, they grabbed two barstools on Hailey’s side of the bar. She buffed the bar top and dropped two coasters on it. “Hey, you two. What can I get you?”

Turning to Joy, Charlie raised an eyebrow. “White wine?”

“No, I’m going to have something a little stronger tonight.” When her old-fashioned and his Jameson arrived, they toasted. He took a big swallow, relishing the feel of the liquor blazing a trail down to his stomach.

He leaned against her shoulder and placed his mouth beside her ear. “I fired Cully.”

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