Page 105 of Stroked by (Stroked)
Confused, I ask, “What seamstress position?”
“Something about religious wear.” Bodi looks extremely uncomfortable, you can tell he’s stepping out of his comfort zone.
“Oh, her dog clothes.” I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Sure, not a problem, man. What’s her name? I will text her right now.”
I walk over to the cubby where I stored my phone and water bottle and pull up a text message to Bellini. Bodi follows me and clears his throat.
“Um, it’s Ruby Hearts. She applied this morning. She actually knows my sister through the Boys and Girls Club.”
“Nice, let me send this over to her real quick.” Typing in my phone, Bodi and Hollis both wait for me to finish, clearly unable to hold a conversation between the two of them.
Reese: Bellini, someone applied to your seamstress position this morning, Ruby Hearts. She comes highly recommended. Think you can give her a good look? Maybe offer her the job?
I don’t ask much from Bellini, so I’m hoping she can follow through on this. I don’t know why, but Bodi stepped out of his comfort zone by asking this favor, and I want to be able to help him out as much as possible.
“Do you know Ruby well?” I ask.
He pulls on the back of his neck and nods casually. “Yeah.”
See, not much of a talker.
“Oooo, do you like her?” Hollis asks like an asshat, giddy with a smile from ear to ear.
Bodi glances up at Hollis, not even breaking a smile. “She’s a friend,” he bites out and then turns to me. “Thanks for putting in a good word. I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem at all. Are you ready for camp?”
“Yeah, my coach had me doing repeats all morning. Pretty sure I’m ready to taper just about now. What about you?”
“Same here. I’ll be happy when these two-a-days are over. I’m starting to feel my age.”
Bodi is four years younger than me, and I’m fairly certain he’ll give the games one more go before he retires. No doubt in my mind he will be able to kill it during his swim off-season as well. He’s one of the greats; his medal count proves it. I might have medaled in every race I’ve ever swum but I don’t have a gold like he does.
Bodi nods and looks at the ground while he speaks. “I’ll be sad to see you go. You’ve always pushed me to do better.”
“Same here, man.” I tap his shoulder just as my phone beeps with a message.
Taking a glance, I see it’s from Bellini.
Bellini: The only reason I will even consider her is because she has a decent amount of experience, not because you suggested her.
I roll my eyes.
Reese: Thank you, Bellini. She’s a good girl and will work hard for you.
I have no clue if that’s true, but what I do know is, if Bodi is willing enough to put his stamp of approval on her then she’s good enough for Bellini.
Bellini: Ugh, it’s so hard to say no to you. I will get her started right away. She better work out.
Reese: Give her a chance.
Bellini: I will. Want to get dinner tonight? Maybe we can talk about our future together.
Christ, she is so beyond delusional.
Reese: I have plans with Hollis, but thanks for the offer. Talk to you later.
Yeah, I’m being nice to her only because the nicer I am to her, the nicer she is to Paisley and right about now, I would do anything to make Paisley’s life easier. She’s putting a lot on the line to be with me, so if I can soothe her situation by being nicer to Bellini, then I will.
