Page 25 of His for the Taking

“Do you want to call him?” When she talked to him earlier today, he was out on a skid-steer loader. Yep, I now know all the machine names, a feat Shaun tried to teach me for years. I’m around Jameson for a few weeks, and I can tell you the names of the machines and what they’re used for. It’s dark out now, so he should be back in the hotel room and will probably have his phone on him. Even still, I’m going to text him before she tries to call and gets a contact unavailable. Who knows if it’ll send her into a tailspin? The last thing I want is for JoJo to be upset. Crocodile tears would tear my heart in two. I grab my phone and unlock the device; the picture of the three of us is my background. Miriam did a great job, and while it’s not perfect and I could nitpick the hell out of everything because of my professional eye, I love it because our small little somewhat of a family is there for me to see anytime I want.

Me: Hey, I’ve got a little girl here who wants to talk to you again. FaceTime me if you have a chance.

Josephine still hasn’t answered by the time I send the text message to Jameson. She’s probably so involved in her show that she didn’t even hear me. During the day, I try to limit her screen time, usually by playing or doing some kind of arts and crafts. Right now, we have a puzzle going on the kitchen table. The edges are all done, and tomorrow, we’ll work on the inside. The pieces are bigger, easier for her to finagle around, plus it’s taking her longer to put together with the size of the puzzle.

“Oh, well, I guess she just needed some company,” I say quietly, when I look at where she’s now asleep, tablet flat on her chest she must have picked up with my eyes going back and forth to my phone. Her mouth is open and she’s breathing softly. The remote is lying off to the side and while I could probably move her back into her bed, I won’t. I was going to work for another few more minutes, but it can wait. Since she asked to sleep with me, being the big softy I am, I’ll pile her up in Jameson’s bed, put pillows on his side of the bed, and make sure my back is to what is my side of the bed.

Josephine has bumpers on her big girl bed in the form of pool noodles beneath the sheets. In Jameson’s bed, there won’t be anything to stop her from falling on the floor. Also, the girl does circles in her sleep, wakes up with bedhead sticking up every which way, and from what Miriam told me, you’ll wake up with her on top of you. That might sound like a night of piss-poor sleeping to some, but to me, it sounds like a little girl who’s been through entirely too much at such a young age. JoJo needs someone to snuggle with, and that someone is going to be me. I let Josephine sleep while I stand up, stretching my arms above my head after sitting in the same position for too long. She hasn’t moved. I take the time to walk through the house, turning off the lights in the kitchen, picking up a few cups from our after-dinner dessert. Josephine had an ice cream sandwich, and I had cheese with crackers. I’m a savory snacker, while JoJo is most definitely a sweet eater, so much like Jameson in looks and eating habits. I’ve seen him put away some dessert after our pizza night.

I double-check all the doors are locked, then walk back to the living room. My laptop can stay where it is, especially since Josephine will be in bed with me. She hasn’t messed with it before, and I doubt she would. Besides, the girl would rather watch television than play on a screen. Jameson lucked the heck out, I’ll say that much.

“Come on, sweet girl, time for bed.” I grab the remote, turn the television off, and then pick her up. Her bear drops, and I make sure to scoop her stuffed animal up. I place my phone in my pajama shorts pocket. Thank you, Mom, for searching high and low for the unicorn of all unicorns when it comes to pj’s. I walk carefully and quietly toward Jameson’s room. His home really is cozy, not overly big or too small. It takes us no time at all to make it to the bed, where I place her on the side I’m not sleeping on and then arrange a pillow on the side closest to the nightstand. A yawn escapes me. Maybe it was a good thing JoJo came out and asked to sleep with me because all of a sudden, I’m feeling tired. I move around to the other side of the massive king-size bed, taking my phone out of my pocket to see if Jameson texted back. When I’m left with no response, I quickly type out another message and add a picture of a sleeping Josephine.

Me: Hey, never mind on the FaceTime call. The princess asked to sleep with me tonight and is already fast asleep. I hope you get some sleep tonight <3

I wait for a moment, and when the message doesn’t appear read or a phone call doesn’t come through, I put my phone on charge on the nightstand and climb beneath the covers with Josephine. God, I hope this week flies by. JoJo isn’t the only one missing Jameson today. I am, too.

31

JAMESON

“Jesus, I’m worn the hell out.” Matthew greets me after he loads his equipment on the trailer. We don’t usually leave the equipment on the job site, but this is better than trailering it back to the hotel, where it’s easier to get broken into. This way, no one really knows where it’s locked and loaded. I also have a GPS on the trailer, along with each piece of equipment. The next time we get a proposal more than forty-five minutes away, I’m telling them thanks, but no fucking thanks. Four days I’ve been gone from my girls, and I’m a miserable asshole to everyone except Kody and Josephine. Probably because the reason I’m a damn grump is because I’m only talking to or seeing them a few minutes a day.

“Tell me about it. This shit is for the birds,” Shaun agrees with Matthew. I didn’t think he’d be as annoyed with the job as he’s been. Maybe we’re all just getting older, because the rest of the crew is eating it up. Per diem, a hotel, and overtime, they’re thriving. They’re also more than ten years younger than us. Fuck, I’m feeling every bit of my thirty-nine years old today.

“Never again. I’ll walk away. There’s no amount of money that makes me want to work twelve- to fourteen-hour days, barely get to see Josephine, and put it all on Kody’s shoulders. Nope, never again.” I’m commiserating with my brother and friend turned co-worker. We all know when we’re at work, it’s a boss-employee relationship, and outside of work, we’re friends and family.

“Thank fuck. I miss my damn bed, and now that my sister practically lives with you, I’m able to walk around my house buck-ass naked or have women over every once in a while.” Shaun is so full of shit. He may miss walking around naked, but everyone knows he doesn’t bring women back to his house. It’s his cardinal rule. Guys’ poker night, yes. His sister living with him, also yes. Women spending the night, hard fucking no.

“Got that right. When we get home, I’ll be helping her pack her bags. I’m about over her thinking she’s gotta live out of a damn suitcase at my house.” I want her shit littering the house along with Josephine’s. Hair ties, work shit, a pair of shoes. Anything besides feeling like she has to pick up after herself every damn minute.

“Good luck with that. She’s still using suitcases and boxes at my house,” Shaun elaborates.

“The actual fuck?” Now that I recall, everything had a spot, was orderly, and there were boxes stacked along the wall with her belongings.

“Yeah, she always feels like a burden at my house, tries to buy groceries and slip me money.” I shake my head. The other two crew members walk by, dropping off their keys to the equipment. We shut down the conversation for the time being. It’s not that we exclude them, but this is personal to both Shaun and me.

“Thanks, guys, see you tomorrow,” I tell Derek and Brandon. They went to the bar last night while Matthew, Shaun, and I hit a restaurant then moseyed on to our hotel rooms for the night. There’s no telling what time the younger guys got in, and the last thing I want is to be at a crowded bar.

Derek and Brandon say goodbye as my phone vibrates in my chest pocket. I felt it earlier, figured it was Mom or Dad. Kody already called with Josephine, and we reserve our time on the phone to once I’m back at the hotel and in for the night. I doubt very seriously it’s her. Still, I pull my phone out of my pocket. On the screen are a couple of text messages from Kody. My palms start sweating, worried something is wrong until I read the messages. This shit is hitting Josephine hard, especially with what I’m reading and the image that appears toward the end.

“Fuck it. I’m outta here. I’ve got two girls in my bed. JoJo isn’t handling this too well. She’s in bed with Kody. There’s a sad look on her face even in her sleep and circles beneath her eyes that shouldn’t be on a baby. Kody mentioned this might not be a great idea, and she was right.” I look up from my phone. My traitorous fucking brother is giving me that stupid smile of his that takes over his whole face. Meanwhile, I can see what he’s not saying. There’s an ‘I told you so’ deep down that he’s dying to get out.

“Don’t tell Kody she was right. She’ll never let you live it down,” Shaun says, shrugging his shoulders. “I’d be willing to travel back and forth if you pay the gas, keeping the per diem and hotel, if you’re offering.”

“He’s offering. Give him a minute to mull it over. I’ll be the one who needs to get his shit out of the hotel while he leaves us in the dust,” Matthew finally pipes up.

“Done. Matthew, get my shit from the hotel since you so graciously offered. If ya’ll wouldn’t mind staying tonight, get the guys up to speed, offer them the same thing. We’ll come out ahead, but if not, that’s okay, too. I’m going home to my women. I’ll call you when I’m on the road,” I tell Matthew and Shaun.

“Get outta here. I’m going to the hotel and telling Lacey to keep the fire burning, and I’ll be home tomorrow night,” Matthew chimes in.

“Appreciate it, more than you know.” I lift my chin.

“Tell my sister I’ll be getting my key back. She’s officially kicked out by this weekend. You’re welcome.” I shake my head. That’s gonna be a fun conversation. I’m not going to say a fucking word or how happy I am about Kody living with us full-time until her brother does first. I’ll leave the subject matter to Shaun.

“Thanks.” I’m already looking down at my screen and typing out a text.

Me: On my way home to my girls.

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