Page 12 of His Secret Obsession
I’m distracted with thoughts of Maddie as I unlock the door to the shop, absentmindedly flipping on the lights and heading towards my office. I sit down in front of my computer, leaning back in my chair while I wait for the ancient machine to power on. My gaze slides past the pair of faded, lumpy-cushioned chairs in front of my desk towards the black sofa on the far wall. I’m already wondering if I can squeeze in a quick, lunch-time nap.
“Boss! I got a joke for you!” I jolt when the office door is suddenly thrown open, the wood banging so hard against the wall it bounces back off and nearly smacks Andrew right in the face. I groan, watching the blonde, shaggy-haired, lanky man stroll in with Paige. Andrew is my newest hire. He’s loud, immature, and boisterous. Paige, on the other hand, has been working at my shop since the day I opened my doors. She’s smart, savvy, and loyal—which is why she’s my assistant manager. She’s the only one I trust to keep this place running when I’m not around. Many people take one look at her appearance and assume she’s just some rocker chick with her shoulder-length black hair streaked with purple, her nose ring, and the tattoo sleeves on both arms. That’s their mistake.
“How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?” Andrew asks, plopping down in a chair without further invitation. Paige leans against the doorway with her signature smirk.
I sigh. “I don’t know.”
“Ten tickles,” Andrew replies. He winks, shooting me finger guns before guffawing with laughter while I blink at him. Paige merely quirks an eyebrow. “Get it? Ten tickles? Like tentacles?” he asks.
My lips twitch. “I get it.”
“I told you he wouldn’t laugh,” Paige mutters. “Now pay up.”
Andrew groans before rolling his eyes and lifting his hips to dig into his pants pocket. He pulls out a ten-dollar bill and holds it up between two fingers. Paige snickers as she steps forward and snatches it from his hand. Leaning back in my chair, I rest my chin on my fist.
Andrew points a finger at me. “I’ll get you one of these days.”
“Mmmhm.”
He’s been on a mission for months now, cracking all kinds of corny jokes in a poor attempt to get me to laugh. Although he hasn’t succeeded yet, I still get plenty of entertainment just watching him lose money to everyone else.
“So, how are the new house guests?” he asks lazily, propping his dirty boots up on my desk. I scowl and he immediately removes them.
“Fine,” I answer noncommittedly.
“Are you going to give Luke a job?” Paige asks.
I frown. “I tried to but he doesn’t want to work for me.”
“Why not?” she asks.
I throw my hands up. “Your guess is as good as mine. He barely talks to me anymore. We used to be thick as thieves and the next thing I know, he’s dropping out of school and going to parties instead.”
“What does Maddison have to say about it?” she asks.
I shrug. “He was gone all night and then he came home looking hungover. She didn’t act surprised or bothered.”
Paige tilts her head, silent for a moment as she thinks about what I just said. “Trouble in paradise?” she wonders aloud.
Something painful twists in my gut.
I shake my head. “I don’t know and I’m staying out of their business.” Paige just gives me a knowing look.
“Do either of you have a real reason to be in here?” I growl.
Andrew’s eyes widen and he snaps a finger. “Right! I almost forgot. Mary called and said her car is acting funny. Those are her words, not mine. And she wants to know if you can come look at it.” His eyebrows furrow. “I told her we don’t usually do house calls.”
“Tell her I’ll be there after lunch.”
Paige gives me a disapproving look. “You know that old bat is just making stuff up to lure you over there, right? Once you get there and see there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her car, she’ll ply you with lemonade and brownies. Then she’ll chat for the next hour and, in a few weeks, she’ll call back and do it all over again.”
This time I do laugh, quietly.
“I know. I’m counting on it.”
“Jax! I’m so glad you’re here. My car has been squealing something awful. It sounds just like that whore I caught screwing my second husband.”
My shoulders shake with silent laughter. Mary hands her car keys to me and I nod towards the silver clunker.
