Page 73 of Pleasure Island
It did.
Only to start ringing again about thirty seconds later.
That pattern kept up for the next two minutes, and finally, I grabbed the phone and snarled into it, “What?”
Jake’s good-humored laugh came across the line. “Good morning to you, too, sunshine.”
“Fuck off,” I said, closing my eyes against the light that seemed to find its way into my little apartment no matter what I did. “I’m tired, Jake. I’ve got to be into work later on this evening too.”
“Yeah, yeah…I know. Don’t forget I’m still waiting for an explanation as to why you quit the last job.”
I rolled my eyes. I should just tell him the truth right then and there – I hadn’t quit. I’d been fired.
But I didn’t want to listen to the disappointment I feared would show in Jake’s voice. He’d gone out of the way for me, helping me get that job and what had I done but screw it up?
Pushing the thoughts aside, I focused on the call. “What are you calling about? You clearly wanted to talk to me.”
“Yeah, well, if you’d bothered to answer any of my other calls, or even a text, you’d know. Michelle and I want to talk to you. When can you come over for dinner?”
“I work nights now, Jake,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, but you don’t go in until ten. You told me that in one of those one-minute phone calls you’ve bothered to give me over the past week. You can show up around six for dinner, can’t you?”
It was pathetic how badly I wanted to lie to get out of it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Jake.
I just wasn’t ready to face anybody after my epic screw-ups.
“Look, you can either show up on your own, or I’ll come to that shoebox where you’re living and drag you out,” Jake said after my silence continued.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can come over tonight. I’m still getting used to these night shift hours so don’t expect me to be the best, or most awake, guest you’ve ever had.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jake sounded satisfied. “Our place at six then. You better show up.”
He disconnected the call, and I laid on my narrow bed, staring up at the ceiling for long, long moments. Finally, I rolled back onto my belly and shoved my head under the pillow, determined to get another couple hours’ of sleep.
* * *
I gotto Jake and Michelle’s door a few minutes past six.
I’d overslept.
Hoping he wouldn’t razz me over a couple of minutes, I knocked on the door.
Michelle answered it, and she ushered me inside with a quick hug and smile. “I hear you’re working a new job…night shift?”
I nodded.
“That must suck.” She made a face, her nose wrinkling just a little.
“I’m getting used to it.”
She led me into the kitchen where Jake was standing guard over the stove. The scent of meat hit my nose. “Please tell me those are burgers you’ve got going over there.”
“Hit the nail on the head,” Jake said cheerfully. He cast me a glance over his shoulder. “You’re late.”
“Jake, hush,” Michelle said, tapping him on his shoulder. She turned and smiled at me. “Want a beer?”
I accepted and sat down at the kitchen island where they ate most of their meals. “Need help with anything?” I offered as I twisted the top off my bottle.
