Page 27 of Unbelonging
What Bolger was really requesting was me. Why, I had no idea. The guy's tips had mysteriously doubled to an amount that was borderline obscene, even by his already high standards.
Was I willing to sacrificethatmuch income to avoid a little ass-patting and sexual innuendo? If I had an ounce of pride, I would. But pride was a luxury I couldn't afford.
I thought of my new job. Soon, I'd be signing the papers. On impulse, I made a decision. I felt myself smile. Screw the idea of holding onto this job a couple more months. I'd quit waitressing the minute I started that other job. No more double-shifts, no more degrading uniforms, no more hairspray.
And no more Mr. Bolger.
I felt my smile fade. That was still almost a month away. I was here now. And until I actually quit, I'd be stupid to let a little thing like personal dignity stop me from making the most of the time I had left.
"No, I've got it," I told Josie, feeling a sinking feeling even as I said it.
Eddie, my favorite bartender, sidled over to us. "You waitin' on Bolger?" he asked. Eddie was about my age and built like a linebacker. He doubled as a bouncer when the need arose. "He gives you any trouble, you just let me know, alright?"
I nodded and made my back toward the dining area. Just a few more weeks, I told myself.
Chapter 16
Over the next few days, I walked Chucky as usual, but saw no sign of Lawton. He wasn't hanging out in his yard. He wasn't leaning against his fence. And he certainly wasn't waiting on the sidewalk with shiny bags of doggie treats.
Stupidly, I missed him. So did Chucky, and somehow, I didn't think it was all because of the treats. Sure, Chucky was still a spaz. That was a given. But to me, it seemed like Chucky was just going through the motions, chasing squirrels more by obligation than for the actual joy of it.
I knew exactly how he felt.
I didn't think Lawton was out of town, because I saw signs of life at his house. Sometimes his gate was open, and sometimes it was shut. One day, I saw that same muscle car in the driveway, but no one inside. It made me think about our last conversation.
Whyhadhe been hanging around the neighborhood so much? He made it sound like it had something to do with me. But that seemed so far beyond the realm of possibility that I refused to think about it.
And even if it were true, his interest in me had obviously waned. I couldn't say I blamed him. I hadn't exactly been encouraging.
Still, it made me glad we hadn't actually kissed that day on the sidewalk. That kiss would've meant nothing to him, but it could've cost me plenty, starting with my house-sitting job if the wrong neighbor talked.
Besides, I knew how these things went. It wouldn't have ended with a kiss. It never did. And if all the guy wanted was an easy good time, he had the wrong girl. I might be a good time, but I definitely wasn't easy.
After going nearly a week with no sign of him, I vowed to forget him entirely. It was a good thing he lost interest, or at least that's what I told myself. He was a complication I didn't need, and a temptation hard to resist.
He had a track record, and it wasn't exactly encouraging. From everything I'd read, no girl could resist him. I could totally see why. He looked like a bad-ass, but acted like a gentleman. It would be easy to fall for a guy like that. Plenty of girls had. If nothing else, at least I was in good company.
Early Friday afternoon, as I laced up my tennis shoes and got Chucky ready for his walk, I debated taking a different route. If I changed it up by just a few blocks, I could avoid Lawton's place entirely. Out of sight, out of mind. Right?
But my feet didn't cooperate, and neither did Chucky. Before I knew it, we were coming up on Lawton's place like we always did. Chucky strained at his leash, and kept my eyes studiously ahead, repeating the same thing in my mind, "Don't look at the house, don't look at the house…"
But then, I couldn't help it.
I looked at the house.
And there he was. He stood just inside his gate, his hands in his pockets and his gaze on me. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't frowning either. My heart rate quickened, and my mouth grew dry. Meanwhile, Chucky was going nuts, tugging me toward Lawton with a series of yips and barks that sent birds flapping from a nearby tree.
When Lawton pulled out a shiny bag of doggie treats, Chucky squirmed his way through the gate, leaving me holding the leash on the other side. Lawton crouched down beside Chucky, surrendering the treats and ruffling Chucky's fur as I stood outside his estate, locked out and feeling foolish.
And then, Lawton looked up. His dark eyes met mine. When they held, I couldn't look away.
"Hey," he said.
My heart was fluttering, but my voice was calm. "Hey yourself."
His voice was low. "Want some company?"
"Well, Chucky certainly does."
