Page 151 of Cuffed (Everyday Heroes 1)
“Good. Now, on to the promotion. I’m sorry, but I had to give it to Stetson,” he says, regret heavy in his voice. “You were clearly the better candidate for the job, but I can’t reward insubordination.”
“It’s on me,” I say. Just because I knew this was coming, it doesn’t make the sting of it any easier to take.
“It is,” he agrees, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t go for it next time the position opens.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Monday, Malone.”
“Monday.”
I end the call and put my hands on my hips as I look around my house and try to digest what I just heard.
It’s good news.
It’s great news, in fact.
Especially considering what I’m trying to pull off.
Glancing down at the papers scattered all over my table, I know I can’t do this alone. I’ve been trying to these past few days, and now I need to kick it into overdrive.
I pull up my contacts on my phone and hit dial.
“If it isn’t Officer Sexy.”
“I need your help, Desi.”
“Seriously? That quick?” I look at Travis, who’s standing in front of my desk, and my jaw falls lax.
“I know. I’m sorry. I tried for more but—”
“Thank you for getting me the two extra months. That’s better than immediately.” I force a smile as the bottom drops out and reality hits.
Not only is my job most likely going to be gone—because who knows what’s going to happen since the new owner hasn’t said—but my apartment is, too. I have two months and a savings I know will be gone before I can blink an eye.
“You okay, Em?” Leo asks after Travis leaves the office, shoulders sagging, to begin his task of emptying out the old owner’s belongings to make way for the new owner’s stuff.
“As okay as okay can be given the situation, I guess.” I sigh. “I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is all over. I’ve never stayed in one place for this long. I’ve never thought about tomorrows and futures, and it’s like when I finally did, the universe tells me to quit adulting.”
He chuckles, but the lines etched in his face tell me he’s worried, too. “I’m sorry. I know that slimy bastard had something to do with it. You should have let me punch him, you know.”
“You know what they say about hindsight.”
He lifts his eyebrows and nods. “We could always try to start something ourselves. We could get Sully to fly for us. He’d give us a decent rate to bring people up. We wouldn’t need much. Just some gear and a place to teach.”
“I know. I’ve thought about it, too, but the insurance . . . that would kill us. There’s no way we could take in enough to cover all the expenses, and I obviously can’t get a loan . . . so, it’s a good thought. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Leo.” I smile through the hurt.
“I hear they’re hiring at Fly High. Their crew had some infractions, so they’re looking for a flight instructor and jump coordinator.” He nods as he says the words, but I know we’re both thinking the same thing: That’s two hours away. “We could go as a package. Buy it out some day and make it our own.”
“It’s a possibility,” I say, but my heart squeezes in my chest at the thought of leaving Sunnyville. Of leaving Grant. “Look at both of us getting old.” I laugh. “I used to bail at the first sign of commitment.”
“And I used to chase the next new city, the next great jump.” He chuckles as he looks down at his hands for a moment before looking back to me. “Chasing the adrenaline rush does have that gypsy, will-jump-for-food type of personality it seems we both have.”
“Maybe we should say had since now we’re hesitating.”
“True, but hesitating doesn’t pay the bills.”
“Maybe the new owner will pull through,” I say, holding out hope.
