Page 36 of Finding Kyler
“I’ll need you Friday and Saturday nights and short shifts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Give your details to Rose before you leave tonight. Provided everything is in order, you can start straightaway.”
I’m so glad Alex had the wherewithal to rush through my paperwork and that there’s no impediment to commencing work immediately. I stand up. “Thank you, David. I won’t let you down.”
I give Rose a thumbs-up when I return, and she high-fives me.
The rest of the shift passes by without incident. I didn’t get to see Brad leaving, to thank him again for helping me out of a hole. Thankfully, Addison and her group of bitches had left by the time I exited David’s office.
It’s after eleven when I get back to the house, and I’m bone-weary from being on my feet for hours, but it’s a happy weary. Despite the incident with Addison, for the first time since I got here, I feel like I might adjust. Like I could fit in.
James is pacing the corridor when I step through the door. “Can we talk?”
I drop my bag on the ground. “Sure.”
He guides me into his study. “I wanted to apologize for last night and for not seeking you out this morning.” I figured he was managing the mother of all hangovers. Either that or hiding from me. I sink into a seat while he props his ass against the edge of the desk. He knots his hands in front of him, and I try to smother my laugh at the get-up he’s wearing today. You would think the man married to the CEO of Kennedy Apparel would dress more age-appropriate. “You shouldn’t have seen me like that or borne witness to that argument. That wasn’t fair on you,” he says, and I drag my eyes away from his skinny jeans and form-fitting T-shirt combo.
“If I’m going to be a part of this family, you won’t be able to shelter me from normal family stuff.”
He crosses his feet at the ankles. “No, I suppose I won’t, but I doubt it’s what you’re used to.”
It isn’t. My parents rarely argued, and we had a good relationship. It wasn’t often that I raised my voice or gave them reason to raise theirs with me. I shrug. “It’s not comparable. There was only three of us.”
“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable here. To feel uncomfortable around me.”
I didn’t. Not until last night. Kyler’s words are on the tip of my tongue. I want to ask James if the accusation is true, but I don’t think it’s my place.
“I don’t. Everything’s happy out. Honestly. I’m fine.”
He smiles but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Good. That’s good.” He scrunches up his face. “I’d, ah, prefer if we didn’t mention this to Alex. I don’t like her worrying about anything while she’s attending to business. She has a huge amount of stress on her shoulders as it is.”
I don’t dispute that. You can’t be CEO of one of the largest retail brands in the world without a shit-ton of pressure. But I wonder how much his request has to do with genuine concern for his wife and how much is about keeping Kyler’s accusation contained. I won’t lie for him. But right now it’s all speculation, and given my feelings toward Kyler aren’t all that charitable, I’m going to give James the benefit of the doubt over him.
“She won’t hear about it from me.”
The relief is evident on his face. “Thank you, Faye.”
I hope I won’t come to regret it.
“Sweetheart, there you are!” Alex says, enveloping me in her arms the instant I walk into the living area. “James tells me you found yourself a job?”
“I have. I’ll be working at The Legacy Diner from now on.” I shuck out of her embrace, slightly uncomfortable with her over-familiarity.
“That’s fantastic. You could teach my boys a thing or two about the importance of goals and values.”
James crosses to the bar and pours two glasses of wine. He hands one to Alex, and she smiles up at him, but it seems a little brittle. “I worked in the family business from the time I was thirteen. Of course, I’ve tried to get the boys involved, but the only one who has shown any interest is Keanu. It’s one of the reasons why I introduced an allowance. I don’t want my kids thinking they can have everything on a whim. If they work for it, fine. But other than that, they have to budget for what they want.”
I don’t see any of the boys wanting for anything. Clearly, we have different interpretations.
She presses a bankcard into my hand. “Courtney should’ve given you this the other day.” A brief look of consternation flickers over her face. “Your allowance will be paid into that account every week. It is yours to do with as you please. If you have any extraordinary financial needs, please speak to myself or James, and we will discuss it on individual basis.”
I push the card back into her hand. “Thank you for the gesture, but you don’t need to do that. I have savings my parents left me and income from my job.”
She holds the card out to me. “Nonsense. You’re a part of this family now, Faye, and you will be treated the same way as the boys.”
She’s preparing to dig her heels in. Mum’s mantra flits into my head.Pick your battles, Faye.I decide to let it go. “Okay, if you insist. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope the boys are looking after you?”
I suppose it depends on the definition. I don’t want to land any of them in trouble, not even asshole Kyler, but I don’t want to lie to Alex either. “I’ve been spending lots of time with Keaton. He’s great.”
