Page 14 of Enemy Crush
He chuckles. “It’s a small town but they talk loud,” he jokes.
“When ya coming back?”
“Oh, I got another month here.”
“Well, hopefully the store is back on track by the time you get here.”
“I’m sure it will be, but if it’s not, that’s okay too.”
“Alright, I gotta get back to work. I’ll talk to ya later, Dad.”
“Bye, son.”
“Bye, Dad.” I hang up the phone and take a deep breath.
Hanging out at the store alone all day is boring and I find that thinking about Stella is a nice distraction from the failing store. I can’t keep my mind off her and even think about calling her, but I don’t even know what to say. I already know she doesn’t have anything to show me so there’s no point in bugging her. I decide on just sending her a text to stay in touch.
PAXTON: Thanks again for doing this. Feel free to reach out to set up our next meeting whenever you’re free.
I drop the phone and pray that she doesn't think I’m a loser. I let out a long breath, annoyed with myself. You’d think that I’d never liked a girl before. Truth is, I’ve always liked this girl and she’s always hated me. My biggest fear to doing something that makes her hate me more.
My phone chimes and I pick it up quickly to read the message.
STELLA: I sure will! I’ve got a few ideas already that I need to research before presenting. Talk to you soon!
I smile at her words on the screen and read the message, hearing her voice in my head.
Okay, that’s enough. I’m a man and have to get this shit under control.
STELLA: Also, if you want to start going through books that can be marked down that would be great. Mark down the overstock too! Get them outta there so we can get some new stuff.
I slide the phone into my pocket and start walking through the shelves. I find that I have ten copies of a book that’s nearly five years old. I grab all of them and move them up behind the counter, starting my pile. Other stuff I find is old, but not old enough to be considered special, so I set them aside too. It takes me several hours of working to sort through only a few rows of books, but it makes the day go by faster.
I mark the books down to half price and put them on the SALE shelf before updating the website on price and quantity. After only a few moments of doing that, I manage to sell two. I grab them off the shelf, package them for the postal service, and carry them out with me after locking up to drop them in a mailbox.
I go home actually feeling as if I’ve done something today. It feels good to start making the changes needed to improve. Not to mention, all the movement has me feeling more tired and relaxed than I usually do after a day of working the store. Usually I sit on a stool, reading or watching TV. I drive straight home and the moment I arrive, Bundy is squeaking and fluttering his wings, ready to be set free.
I walk over to the cage and open the door. He jumps onto my finger, allows me to pet him for a moment, then flies to his bookshelf where he walks back and forth across the top. I laugh and shake my head but sit on the couch and turn on the TV before pulling off my shoes. I get caught up in a baseball game and don’t think of making dinner until almost eight. When I do, I just throw a frozen pizza in the oven and pop the top off a beer.
My phone chimes from my pocket and the moment it does my heart starts to race, thinking it’s Stella. I look at the screen and see that it isn’t her though and my heart calms.
MARK: Heard you took Stella up on her offer. Good for you!
PAXTON: She’s presenting me with her ideas this week. Hope it works out.
MARK: Stella is amazing. She won’t let ya down. I’m sure of it.
PAXTON: I hope you’re right.
I think about what this store means to me, and at this point, I’ll do whatever I can to save it.
Chapter Nine
Stella
Friday rolls around and I’ve worked all week on Paxton’s pitch. Once I get to work, I send him a text.
STELLA: I’ve got everything ready. Dinner tonight?
