Page 13 of Say You'll Stay

Chapter9

Lucas

It’s my first day actually working. Tom has me shadowing him closely and I can’t say I’ve actually liked any of my previous bosses as much as I like Tom. He’s stern and intimidating, but he’s also a real coach. Everyone seems to love and respect him.

I can already say the same.

Yesterday, he got my contract through the chain and got me an immediate start date and a meeting with the principal, John. After meeting with him this morning, I learned Allie is his assistant.

As for the other day, I’ve concluded that maybe she was just in a rush, and I shouldn’t judge her based on first impressions. I probably misread everything. There’s no way she didn’t like me from one handshake.

Her empty desk sits waiting outside John’s office with a purse sitting on the floor beside the swivel chair and toys with an opened juice box. Looks like Jadon came with her to work today.

John walks me out to the hallway after our meeting and shakes my hand. “We’re lucky to have you, Lucas. We were looking for someone with more experience, but you seem to have good connections here with the highest recommendation.”

I’m about to ask who recommended me, but am cut off by the hurried steps echoing in the hall. Allie and Jadon seem to be in a rush.

“Oh Allie, I thought you already left for your appointment,” John asks her.

“I am. I just forgot my purse, then I’m off.” She rushes past us, ignoring me once more. I could be misreading her again, but it looked like she yanked Jadon to her other side when they got close.

“Lucas, this is my assistant, Allie.” He gestures between Allie and me. “And her son, Jadon.”

Allie stops mid-rush in grabbing her purse and looks up at me for a split second before continuing in her haste. So, is she rude to people she just doesn’t know? She didn’t even smile to acknowledge me or make a sound. She just shoved past us to grab her stuff.

Unlike the last time I saw her, she doesn’t have her sunglasses on and I realize she looks vaguely familiar. I can’t quite place it. Those eyes, though. If I wasn’t in an otherwise serious relationship… Nope. Tom’s daughter is off-limits. Also, he mentioned she was in a relationship.

But,damn, it’s hard to focus. I’ve never felt so unsure of myself, and her blatant disregard is kind of emasculating. I won’t lie.

“If you ever need to set a meeting with me or anything, Allie will help you.”

“Great, thanks.” I look back at John and shake his hand with a smile.

“Alright, I have some calls to make. If you need me, let Allie know.”

“Thanks, John. Looking forward to working with you,” I tell him and head to the door to go out to my car.

My plan is to call and check in on Katrina and then let my dad know about my good news. As I near the double doors, Allie flies past me with Jadon on her hip. She bumps into me, dropping her purse.

“Shit!”

“Here.” I kneel to help her gather her purse and the few items that fell out. It’s going to be a side mission to find out if I offended her somehow. I don’t need someone hating me. I don’t think I’m that bad of a person. At least, I try not to be.

Among the things that fell were a few papers out of her purse, along with her wallet and keys. I try to gather the papers for her, and notice applications for something, but she yanks them from my hands.

“Nope. I got it. Thanks.”

She’s still avoiding me. I really don’t need her telling her dad or John she hates me for whatever reason, so I need to clear the air with her.

“Hey, listen,” I stand up. “I’m not sure if I offended you, but if I did, I would like to apologize.”

She looks up at me, and the direct glare from her eyes hits me like an oncoming train. This isn’t real. It has to be a dream. Memories of onefan-fucking-tasticnight hit me. We had sex in my car, but it was one of those nights you never want to end. I had to leave since my dad called me twelve times while I’m pretty sure I took this girl’s virginity and almost said some things I probably shouldn’t have. My tongue hurt for days from biting down things I wanted to say to her. I was going to ask her out, but then I saw all the missed calls.

Turned out my dad was stressing out over calling his now-wife.

“Oh,” is all my genius self can get out. Allie. I never got her name before I kicked her out of my car, but I was also worried about my dad, who never learned to justtext. By the time I got back to that party, I couldn’t find her, and no one knew who she was.

I spoke to absolutely everyone. She was gone, and I blew my chance.

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