Page 25 of Over My Dead Boss
“Oh, I see,” I say, trying very hard not to ask the question that just shot through my mind. “Are you from around here then?”
She nods and smiles at me. “Yes, born and raised.”
“How come you know Phoenix?”And have you given birth to his son?
“Oh, well…” she begins, but is interrupted by his return.
“I’m going to get some Hot Dogs and a beer. What can I get you, ladies?”
Both of us ask for water since we have to drive and I eagerly wait for Phoenix to leave again.
“I was hired to help out Mrs. Cyrus when she moved here a couple of years ago. She didn’t want any help, but Phoenix insisted. He paid me very good money, so I offered to take care of his cabin whenever he wasn’t around. Back then, he still spent most of his time in the city. Anyway, Phoenix would call me at least once a week to check in on his grandma, worrying that she would lie to him about whether something was going on with her, because she was worried that he’d worry too much. And I guess that’s how we became friends.” She gives me a genuine smile. “What about you? Since when have you two been dating?”
The question makes my body heat rise immediately and I can’t even feel the chilling breeze anymore. “Dating? We’re not dating. I am just working for him and if he could have his way, I wouldn’t even do that.”
“Hmm,” Liz lets out. “I mean, if you say so… It’s just that Phoenix never lets anyone into his cabin, much less allows them to stay there. Plus, it looked like he literally dragged you here.”
“Well, me staying in his cabin wasn’t really his decision.” I scratch my neck in embarrassment. “This sounds terrible, but I kinda forced him to let me stay. But, yeah, he did drag me to your date, which I still find somewhat bewildering.”
Liz laughs out loud as I look around to see if Phoenix is already coming back. “This isn’t a date, Olivia. He promised my son he would come to watch one of his games. Ryan would sometimes come along to my work when I didn’t have anyone to look after him. That’s how he met Phoenix. I don’t know how he did it, but Ryan talked him into sponsoring the entire team’s equipment and so naturally he wanted Phoenix to see him play in it.”
The bill from the sporting goods store. I guess it wasn’t for steroids, after all.
“I see. That’s nice of him.”
“Two waters and some Hot Dogs,” Phoenix cuts us off, struggling to carry all the beverages along with the food.
We dig in as the game kicks-off and I am surprised by the fact that Phoenix does actually seem to care about the outcome. He cheers loudly when Ryan, who is playing quarterback, makes the run for the first touchdown. By the second quarter, I am just as swept up in the enthusiasm and shout along to the chants initiated by the cheerleaders. By the third quarter, we’re high-fiving whenever the Spartans take the lead as the teams go head to head. By the fourth quarter, now wrapped in his leather jacket, I am laying in Phoenix’s arms when Ryan makes the final touchdown pass seconds before the end. Liz looks at me with a giant smile on her face as my head rests on his shoulder for a second during our hug. Feeling a little caught in the act, I push myself off and turn back towards the field, watching the players celebrate. Eventually, number ten makes his way onto the bleachers and is congratulated by Phoenix before extending his hand and demanding for Phoenix to pay up, which is promptly interrupted by his mother giving him a little smack to the back of his helmet.
“It’s alright,” Phoenix laughs. “I made a bet with him. Your son won fair and square.” He pulls the money clip from his pocket and hands over $500. “Pizza for the team on me. You guys did well. Make sure to get extra pineapple.” He eyes me from the side during his last sentence and with a jump of joy, Ryan is on his way back to show his team the spoils of their win.
I excuse myself to go to the bathroom and when I return, Liz is nowhere to be seen. Phoenix explains that she had to take care of something at home but that she’d like to hang out again some time, so we slowly make our way back to the car to head back home.
“So,” Phoenix says when we enter the car, “how did you like my date then?”
“Funny,” I reply as I fish for my phone. “Guess I should have known. She’s clearly too smart to go out on a date with—” My mother’s name is flashing on my display.Oh no, I promised to call her.“Hold on,” I say and step out again. “Hey, mom, sorry I haven’t called yet. Got kinda busy. Is everything good at home? How’s dad doing?”
“Ah, don’t worry about us, honey. You know I love it when you’re causingtroublefor once. We’re doing fine,” my mom says so convincingly that I am close to believing she believes it herself. “Dad has his quarterly check up next week, but he’s been doing quite well recently, so I have been picking up some extra shifts at work.”
“That’s good, mom, but don’t overwork yourself. You have enough going on at home. Is he still off the respirator at night?”
“Yes, we’ve been going on walks, too. He hasn’t been this energetic in months, it’s great. Last night he even—”
“MOM! Don’t!”
“He even read your book to me, you little deviant. What did you think I was going to say?”
From behind me, I hear the window being lowered and Phoenix asking if I am still hungry. Quickly, I walk a few steps out of earshot, but it’s too late; the damage is done.
“Who was that? Your boyfriend?” My mother verbalizes her thoughts without hesitation, making me wish I wouldn’t have taken her call with Phoenix being right there. “Are you out on a date on a Saturday night? Like a normal person of your age would??”
“Stop it, mother. It’s not like that. I am working. That was my boss.” I turn around and see Phoenix leaning out of the window, eyes wide open, listening intently. “But I am going to fire him soon.”
“You’ll fire your boss?” she asks, now a little confused.
“Yeah,” I answer, walk back over and push his head back into the car, giggling a little at the unaltered facial expression that’s pressing into my hand. “He deserves it.”
“Well, I am sure you know what you’re doing and I have the fullest of confidence in your decisions.”
