Page 5 of After Hours

Iwoke up in time to hear Carter and Finn talking about the possibility of hiring me on at Halcyon. Even though I had to pee like crazy, I stayed in my room and eavesdropped through the door rather than venturing across the hall. It wasn’t fair to expect them to give me a job and a place to live, but it would solve one of my biggest problems.

The rumble of their voices ebbed and flowed, and I couldn’t make out all the words. Something about new hires and budgets and the kitchen and guest services, whatever those were. What I could hear left me feeling really young and stupid. Working only for the family business had stunted my ability to adult properly, it seemed. The idea of applying for jobs scared me, but I couldn’trely on Finn and Carter for everything. They were already being so incredibly kind letting me stay in their house.

Eventually, my bladder couldn’t take it anymore, and I headed to the bathroom. While taking care of business and splashing water on my face, I tried to give myself a pep talk. Back home these usually focused on patience and not getting caught being myself. I didn’t have to worry about that anymore. I could finally just be gay with no one threatening doom and damnation. The face in the mirror didn’t look too sure of that. Maybe I’d believe it one day.

Uncle Finn and Carter stopped talking when I walked into view downstairs. Carter picked up his mug and took a sip while Finn glowered. I couldn’t tell yet if it was just his normal expression or if he actually was upset.

“I’m sorry, Carter and Finn. Uncle Finn,” I muttered. “I knew this was a bad idea, but I really didn’t know what else to do. That’s stupid, though, because I’m an adult, so I could’ve just moved out, got a job, and a place of my own, and—”

Finn waved his hand. “You can call me Finn. To be honest, it feels a bit odd hearing ‘uncle’ when I’ve had nothing to do with the family for decades. And don’t apologize.”

Carter set his mug down and folded his fingers on the table. “Finn talked to your father again last night. He called here.” One hand reached out to settle on my uncle’s arm when Finn growled. “We understand why you left and why you came here, and it’s okay. It’s okay, Oscar. You’re welcome here. We’re going to figure this out together.”

I looked down and blinked rapidly. I’d cried enough before I left home, and on the drive out here so much I had to pull over a few times. I was tired of it. “I don’t expect you to give me a job. I never looked for a job before, but I’m sure I can figure it out.” When they both looked confused, I went on. “My dad, uncle, brothers, sisters, and cousins all work at the family business. Idid, too. It was expected of us all, so I never had to apply or interview or anything.”

Finn huffed out a dismal laugh and shook his head. “O’Donnell Masonry. I worked for the family business as a kid, too, before I left. My father started it.”

“Yeah, Grandpa still does part time office work sometimes.” My voice trailed off. Chatting about the family back home wasn’t going to make me or Finn feel any better.

Carter tapped on the table as if calling a meeting to order. “We can give you ten hours a week. I know that’s nothing, but it will be enough for gas money and such until you find something better. We just hired on a new porter and kitchen staff and simply don’t have anything else to offer.”

I nodded, curls bouncing against my cheeks. “That’s perfect. Thank you so much.”

“A friend of ours, Gabe, said something about seasonal openings at his partner’s job. He works at a kind of summer camp vacation spot,” Finn added. “Apparently tons of people book spots for the fall leaf tours in the area. I’ll give you the number.”

We pulled out our phones and sent a round of texts to each other to get the contact information. Carter left shortly afterward to head to his office in the city. Finn explained that he owned a huge real estate investment firm. He still put in quite a few hours every week although the inn was his real interest. They kissed in the doorway like long-lost lovers, and I tried not to look when my uncle ran his hands over his partner’s butt and whispered something in his ear.

“Carter forwarded you the first week’s pay to make sure you can get anything you need. Call the camp. I’ll see you tonight.” Finn stomped into his boots, pulled a plaid flannel over his long sleeve henley, and headed out.

Bandit came out of hiding and rubbed against my ankles as I checked my texts and my bank balance. I still hadn’t seen any sign of the other cat, Scamp. I had serious doubts that my dad would send the partial last paycheck he owed me, but I had enough to fill up my car and buy toiletries and stuff.

My phone dinged and a text from Finn appeared with the number for Camp Rocky Cove and the person to contact there: Holly McGrath. I leaned down to pet the cat for a moment to steady my nerves, took a deep breath, and dialed.

***

Holly was a no-nonsense woman with steel gray hair and a firm handshake. She directed me to the passenger seat of a rugged UTV before zooming off into the woods. Primitive cabins much smaller than those at the inn sat back among the trees and cleared tent camping spots huddled around stone fire pits. She slowed as we approached a wooden building with anOffice Hourssign on the door and pulled the vehicle into one of two spots.

“Come on inside.” After settling behind an old, messy desk, she folded her hands and peered at me. “We have full time work available for the next eight weeks. Overtime, too, if you want it. Cleaning, carrying stuff, trail maintenance, pretty much anything we ask of you.” Her gaze roamed over my shoulders and arms for a moment, and her lips pressed together. “It’s hard, physical work, Oscar.”

“I’m stronger than I look.” When she didn’t look convinced, I leaned forward and jabbered on. “I’ve worked at my family’s masonry business since I was fourteen, carrying tile, moving power tools, loading the trucks. I’m small but mighty.” The moment the ridiculous words left my mouth, I wished I could pull them back again.

Holly cracked a smile, though. “Well, we’ll see. It’s not like we don’t have muscle around for the bigger jobs. I’m sure you can lift a loaded backpack or clear fallen branches easily enough.” She pushed a box of brochures out of her way, opened up a laptop, typed and clicked for a minute, and then shot me a bigger grin. “That means you have the job, by the way.”

“Thank you!” I bounced in the chair and clutched my hands under my chin. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”

Her smile turned into a chuckle. “ID? Let’s get you entered into payroll.” She finished all the administrative stuff while keeping up a steady stream of chatter about job duties, safety details, and things that the Campy Rocky Cove staff did not provide for visitors. “There’s no room service or special perks. The only things you might have to deliver are clean sheets and towels to one of the premium cabins. Maybe emergency first aid kits if a visitor scrapes themselves on a rock or burns themselves on a toasted marshmallow. You don’t make swans out of the washcloths or plump pillows. You’ll help wherever you’re needed, but you answer to me or Jamal. He’s the head of maintenance and grounds.”

The mention of clean towels brought my midnight helper to mind. Zane, the handsome guy with the short, sandy hair and the strong grip. I blinked back to reality to see Holly watching me from the doorway. “Oh, sorry! Yes. I got it.” Great. I had the job for ten minutes, and I was already screwing up in front of my boss dreaming about some man I’d probably never see again.

“Take a look around,” she said as she climbed back into the UTV and pulled out. “I’m sure you can find your way back to the parking lot. And we’ll see you tomorrow at seven.” One hand waved over her shoulder before she zipped off around the bend, scattered autumn leaves flying her wake.

Getting to know the layout of the camp would probably impress Holly more than losing track of our conversation in theoffice. I tucked my hands in my pockets and strolled down the wide, paved path toward the main dining hall. She’d said it was used for social gatherings and events during rainy weather, too.

I was hurrying forward and staring up at the ridiculously bright red leaves of a maple tree when I slammed into the back of someone who had just stepped off the deck in front of me. My hands automatically reached out for something to hold onto, but they caught nothing but a t-shirt. I bounced backward and went down, my butt slamming into the ground hard enough to rattle my teeth, and the thin fabric of the shirt came with me.

The man staggered once but stayed upright, his white tee still looped around his neck, one arm, and his waist. The rest had come off in my hands. His eyes shot wide as a weird blend of shock and humor swirled across his face.

“Are you alright?”

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