Page 43 of The Fixer

“Not as long as I have the floor.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Noah leaned back in his chair. “What else you got going on?”

Charlie pushed out a breath and looked at the ceiling before bringing his gaze back to Noah. “I’m trying to get a client to make a damn decision. I’ve got Cully twisting in the wind, and we both know what a bad ideathatis.”

“I’m still not sure why you hired that flake. I get that you guys were in the same class and played baseball together in high school, and while your loyalty’s commendable, that’s not exactly a compelling reason to hire someone, little bro.”

Charlie didn’t need the big-brother lecture, and his defensive warning systems locked in. “It’s got nothing to do with growing up together. The guy needed a break, and no one else was willing to give it to him.”

“Maybe because he didn’t deserve another break?”

“Would you let me finish? He needed a job, and I needed a project manager. He has construction experience, and the other candidates didn’t.”

“What about Luanne’s son? He needed a job too. Carl Weatherly ended up hiring him, and that’s a damn shame because he’s going to teach him all the wrong ways to do construction.”

“Did you hear me say no one else had construction experience? That includes Luanne’s kid. And there’s the operative word, ‘kid.’ I needed someone man-strong and man-smart. Hiring him because ofyourloyalty to your waitress wasn’texactly a compelling reasoneither. ’Nuff said.” Damn it, Noah was dealing the coup de gras to the upbeat mood Charlie had startedout with this morning. Trying to manage Joy Holiday had started the downward spiral. And why the hell was he defending his business decisions to his brother anyway?

“Calm down, okay? I didn’t mean to sound like I was second-guessing you. It’s just that the kidseems so eager to learn, like you were back when Grandpa took you under his wing.”

“Then why the hell didn’tyouhire him?”

Noah shrugged. “I don’t have any openings right now. I can tell you one thing. Even if I had a position to fill, I wouldn’t have hired Cully. I don’t trust the guy, and I still don’t get why you do.”

“Because,” Charlie griped, “he’s less flaky than the other flakes, and he said yes. You, of all people, should understand what it’s like when you try to add staff who aren’t fucking losers on the verge of getting their asses thrown in jail. And even then, you might hire them anyway because you have no other options.”

Noah nodded. “Does Cully understand what a break you’re giving him?”

Charlie raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know, man. I mean, if he works out, it’s a break for me too.”

“I thought hewasworking out.”

Charlie had been desperate when he’d hired Cully. He’d been wary too, but he’d needed a new foreman after his had left for a bigger, better gig in Aspen, and Cully had been the most qualified—and the most willing to take the job for the money. When Cully had first started, he’d done a decent job, showing up where and when he was supposed to, taking charge of whichever crew was in play, putting in the hours it took to get things done. Charlie’s optimism had soared. Taking a chance on his old classmate had seemed like a gamble that paid off. But then things started to slip, along with Cully’s attitude.

“I did too. He was great in the beginning, but I’m seeing some signs that make me a little nervous. I’m praying to God it’s a blip and not the beginning of the end.” Cully ghosting Charlie yesterday stuck in Charlie’s craw like a fish spine. He still didn’t know where the hell the guy had gotten to, though he had his suspicions, which didn’t bode well for a long-term working relationship.

“And what about Helene’s daughter? How’s that going?”

“It’s going … maybe. She’s the client who won’t make up her damn mind.”

Charlie’s feelings were mixed when it came to Joy. Watching her devour the pastries this morning had made him want to laugh out loud, and it had made her seem human. But then her steely side had taken over, and she’d come at him in full uptight business persona. He needed the job, but did hewantthe job? Well, yeah, he did—he loved that building—but at the cost of dealing withher? He wasn’t so sure.

If she stuck around Fall River, remodeling Crystal Harmony Haven might not be such a good idea for either of them. She’d be underfoot constantly, which was bad enough if she was pleasant. But she was about as pleasant as a tick burrowing into his ass. He couldn’t remember feeling quite so tangled before, but hedidknow he didn’t have time for her shit.

Noah leanedwayback and gave him an appraising look.

“What?” Charlie barked.

“Maybe you’re attracted to her.”

“You’re out of your mind!”

“Your reaction says otherwise, bro. It’s not like you to get so worked up.” Noah seemed to fight a smile Charlie wanted to knock off his face before it formed. “I mean, I get it. She’s a hottie, and she’s got this vibe going on with her fast cars—you know, fast cars, fast women? I don’t think Micky’s stopped drooling yet. And let’s not forget, she’s Zoe Saldana’s doppelgänger.”

This comment further fueled Charlie’s irritation. “She doesn’t look anything like Zoe Saldana! And Micky drools over any breathing being with female plumbing.”

“Are you implying the same doesn’t hold true for you?” Noah let out a chuckle, the asshole.

“This chick is definitelynotmy type. She struts around in her high heels with an attitude nastier than a wolverine’s while she’s cutting you to ribbons with that sharp tongue of hers.” He paused a beat. “And she’s too damn skinny. What the hell would you hold on to?”

---