Page 99 of Still Bruised
“Sure,”Jude said, grinning. “I bet. You still landed in county for a couple of months from what I heard. Did you get fired from your last job because of that? Is that why you’re working here now, as Bob’s errand boy?”
The key machine stopped just as Rick said, “Motherfucker, let me tell you som?—”
Bob spun when he heard Rick’s raised voice.“Rick!”
Rick’s lips closed, and he slowly spun to face Bob.
“In the back,” Bob growled.“Now!”
Rick muttered under his breath, glaring at Jude. He turned and walked to the back without another word.
Bob closed the gap between them. “I’msosorry for whatever he’s said to you. It has no business here.”
“It’s fine,” Jude said even though it wasn’t. “It’s not your fault he’s a prick.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why didn’t you want him to touch your keys?”
“Wouldn’t put it past him to make a duplicate to cause some havoc,” Jude replied. While that wasn’t a false concern, it sounded better than the fact he simply didn’t want Rick touchinganythingof his.
He wouldn’t trust Rick with anything.
Bob sighed. “I was doing a favor for his dad by hiring him. I knew he’d had troubles in the past but hoped them not turning a blind eye this time might’ve scared some sense into him. Jail often does that. Apparently that’s not the case here.”
“Do me a favor. Don’t fire him,” Jude said.
Bob frowned. “He’s been here three days and has to be the laziest man I’ve ever met. What he just did to you might be the final straw.”
“If you fire him, make sure it’s after he fucks up a couple more times. I don’t need him blaming me for losing his job—because he will. I don’t need him harassing me.”Again.
Bob shook his head and sighed deeply. “I suppose I could wait until my back room is clean and reorganized at the very least.Ifhe ever gets it finished.”
Jude grinned. “That’s the spirit.”
Bob handed him the original set of keys—along with two new sets. “No charge.”
Jude shook his head. “No, you don’t gotta do that.”
“Yes, I do. He’s in my employ, and he was rude to you. I don’t want to lose your business.” Bob shoved the keys into his hands. “Lemme know if you have any problems with them. I’ll recut any, if need be.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Jude said. He glanced toward the door Rick had disappeared through before nodding to Bob and walking out.
As soon as he was outside, he could breathe a little easier. His legs felt shaky, and his gut was still clenched too tight. He made it back to the shop, but instead of going to work, he detoured upstairs and collapsed onto his sofa, allowing his body a moment to recover. His arms and legs felt like weak noodles and fatigue had set in.
After replaying the scene in his head, he realized he hadn’t handled the confrontation as well as he should have, but at least he hadn’t run away. No, he’d stayed and poked the bear. Hopefully he wouldn’t regret that.
His cell buzzed in his pocket. After fishing it out, he eyed the screen.
Anton
Wanna get a drink tonight?
Jude cringed. Of course he was up for a hang, but he’d already agreed to let Foster come over for dinner and another payment. He couldn’t tell Anton he had other plans, not unless he was ready to fess up to what those plans were.
Jude
No go. Don’t feel
That wasn’t completely untrue. He was a still a bit off after his confrontation.
