Page 54 of The Boyfriend Boycott
Some people might find that feeling boring, and I might have too at one point in my dating history. Now though, I recognize his solid, steady presence as a grounding force. A gravitational pull keeping me rooted to the earth.
I lean against the frame of the double doors to the gymnasium and watch as he climbs the few steps and meets the principal on stage. He’s smiling wide as the principal shakes hishand, and it takes me a second to register that I’m smiling, too. It’s subconscious, my body physically reacting in time with his.
The principal pulls out one of those big cardboard cheques and thanks Grady for his commitment to Heartwood, to the Heartwood High students, and to ensuring their future here in their hometown. It’s heartwarming, and I can tell by the expression on Grady’s face that this means more to him than just beating Carter. He really does believe in this, that supporting locals is the way forward for Heartwood.
Grady takes the microphone, and he calls a student by the name of Alice Montgomery to the stage to accept her award.
“How does it feel, Alice? To be the first recipient of the Landry Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship?” he asks and extends the microphone towards her so she can answer. Her eyes are misty, and she clears her throat before she speaks.
“It feels incredible. Thank you. Really, I have no words.”
“What do you hope to do with the money?”
“I want to open my own pet store. Offer grooming services and maybe even boarding. This money will help me with the deposit on the vacant storefront on Main,” she explains.
The Parks. She’s going to apply for the Park’s restaurant. Good for her. Yet another reason why we need to make sure Grady wins at the council meeting. My eyes flick over to where Carter is standing. His face is beet-red, the muscle in his jaw flicking as he grinds his teeth. It’s almost comical that he feels the need to compete with this sweet girl who just wants to look after other people’s dogs. You have to be a special kind of prick to look at Alice up on that stage and hope for her downfall.
Grady poses for a photo with Alice, taken by the news reporter I ensured would be there myself. The camera flashes a few times, Alice and Grady both beaming. My phone vibrates in the back pocket of my jeans, stealing my attention, and I fish it out.
Sasha.
I answer as Grady makes eye contact with me from onstage, and I throw him a thumbs up before slipping out through the lobby of the school again.
“Give me an update, Spencer. What’s the sitch?” Sasha says, half distracted. I can hear her typing on the other end of the phone.
“I’m almost at the finish line. One more week, and I’ll have a completed portfolio for you,” I explain in rapidly-uttered words. “What I can tell you is that things are going to plan. So far.”
“Good to hear.” More typing. The smacking sound of her chewing gum. “The recruiter from Mile High is getting impatient. Can you send me what you have?”
“Now? I haven’t—” I stammer. I know that what I have so far isn’t exactly a compelling application. All I have are outlines of plans, how they may impact people’s perceptions of Grady. Nothing concrete. Nothing to say that my strategy was successful in any way. I won’t have that until we’ve won over the council, and even then … I wonder if I could collect some interviews from people in town. Maybe Eleanor would be willing to attest to how Grady has changed over the last few weeks …
“Just something, Spencer. Anything.” She’s more focused on our conversation now. The typing has stopped, and her tone lowers to a more serious cadence. “Listen, they called me today and told me that they have another candidate that’s come forward for the position. They’re getting antsy. I guess chlamydia girl is threatening real legal action. They want to find someone, and soon. There’s only so much I can say about how great a fit you’d be without some concrete proof.”
My heart drops with a solid thud inside me as I take in this new piece of information. It’s the fear I was trying to shove down, the insecurities that tell me I’m not good enough. What if this candidate is way more qualified than I am? Who am Ikidding? Of course, they’re more qualified than me. Panic licks at my throat, my breathing becomes shallow. I took too long, and now the only opportunity I’ve had is going to be taken away from me.
That right there is the sobering thought that reminds me of the mantra I have lived by my entire adult life.I am the only person I can safely rely on.And I’m not going to let myself down.
I have watched my mother have everything taken away from her, the rug completely ripped out from beneath her feet because of other people, because of her over-reliance on other people to give her what she needs.
This job was mine. Itismine. I worked for it so that I could secure the life that I need, the one I never had growing up. Where the roof over my head isn’t going anywhere, where I know that I’m coming home to sleep in the same bed. It’s the only reason that I’ve hustled for every contract, every opportunity to make that dream a reality.
“Don’t worry, Sasha. Stay close to your inbox. I’ll send some stuff over to you soon,” I promise, trying to force my racing mind to form a logical thought, one that might actually help me.Eyes on the prize, Sinclair.The final hustle. The last push.
I hang up with Sasha as I hear a roar of applause from the gymnasium. I can see from where I’m standing that Grady is coming down off the podium, his smile still just as bright as before. Now though, mine has faded as he beelines towards me.
He embraces me the second he reaches me. His warmth is comforting, and all I want is to sink into him.
But where I usually feel comfort against Grady, a sticky, sick feeling bubbles up my throat. My conversation with Sasha was yet another reminder clock ticking on this project, and on my relationship with Grady. I’m more determined than ever to prove that I can do this. I don’t need anyone else to take care ofme, I can take care of myself. I will get this job, and I will live the life I’ve always imagined. One where I am independent, self-reliant—alone.
CHAPTER 23
GRADY
It’s beena few days since the career fair, and the deadline for the council meeting is looming. So is my deadline to convince Spencer to stay in Heartwood. She spent the last few days furiously working on her computer at my dining table, putting together her portfolio for this job that she’s determined to get.Little does she know, I’m just as determined to show her that she can have everything she wants right here in Heartwood, too. Something she said at the fair gave me all the inspiration I needed, and now I have a laser-like focus on my end goal.
“Where are we going that you had to get me up at the ass-crack of dawn?” Spencer groans, her voice still sleepy. The sun hasn’t even risen over the mountains, and that’s the point, but knowing how much she hates mornings, it was a risky move on my part. Waking her up today was like poking a sleeping bear.
“You’ll see. Just drink your coffee,” I say, handing her the thermos I brought with me for this very reason, to keep her from getting too grizzly.
