Page 42 of Debts and Desires
“Like office shit, papers and organizin’.”
“Oh, yeah. I worked as a receptionist during college.” Andmy mom and dad were pissed when they found out. So much so that they called and demanded I was fired, claiming I lied to get there. Luckily, my boss, Leslie, was a sweetheart and knew better. She “fired me” but sent me the rest of my two weeks—even though I’d only worked for half of one—and all of my vacation time. All of which I used in my “freedom” savings money. Money that was stolen from me. My shoulders sagged. Carter eyed me.
“Did I say somethin’ wrong?” he asked. I shook my head.
“No, sorry. Just thinking about my parents. Anyway, what did you say?”
“I said I need you to stay in there when there’s customers.”
“Why?”
“‘Cause. That’s the agreement. You wanna work, you stay out of sight.”
“Okay.”
“Good. And whatever days I bring you in here, just total up your hours. I’ve never hired anyone before, so I don’t know what to pay you. Is nineteen an hour fair?”
“What?”
“Twenty? I figure with what you do here, you’ll save back up what was stolen and then some.”
“Whoa, whoa, rewind. You’repayingme?”
“Well,yeah. Under the table, but yeah.”
“Are you going to take a percentage for my car?”
“No. And I won’t take it if you offer it neither.”
“So, you’re going to pay me real money to work and not let me pay you back with it?” I stared in disbelief.
“Correct.”
“But that doesn’t?—”
“I got a taste of you, Buttercup, and I ain’t about to let our previous arrangement go because of that. You’re still gonna pay for the tow and the work on your car with that sexy fuckin’ body of yours.” I immediately turned red when he said that. Carter thought I was sexy? “But I’m gonna help you out. All you gotta say is, ‘thank you, Carter.’”
“T-thank you, Carter,” I parroted. “Seriously, though. Thank you.” I could’ve cried. He smirked.
“You’re welcome. Now take your ass in that office and get to work before I bend you over Miss Etta’s car here,” he growled. I scurried away.
Carter hadn’t given me much direction. Scratch that, he gave menodirection. I took it upon myself to open one of the filing cabinets when I walked in and immediately regretted it. It was crammed full of papers, some crumpled and with oil stains. The first thing I did was shut the drawer and shake my head, debating on going back into the bay and telling him to drive me back to his house. My eyes met the little ones on the wall. The little cat on the poster looked at me, judging me, no doubt.
“Fine,” I said to the judgy cat poster. “I’ll do it.” With a loud sigh, I reopened the drawer and got to work.
18. ALL PLAY, NO WORK
September 12
Day Sixteen
155 Hours to Go
It was a little after one and I was about to open the last granola bar I’d brought when I heard his boots stomp in. I looked up from my hands to where he stood in the doorway. He leaned on the frame, looking over the stacks of papers around me. Carter had taken off his jumpsuit, but his hat was still on backwards. For a mechanic, he was pretty clean most of the time.
Andwaaaaaytoo sexy for his own good.
“Why didn’t you come get me?” he asked.
