That’s not something I want to get into today.
“That you’re an exceptionally good-looking man. Now, can I have my phone back?”
Grant grins. “I know you’re being sarcastic, but thanks nonetheless.” He drops the phone into my outstretched hand.
Finally.
“Fifty bucks says you strike out with the dating app.” Sean says as he retrieves two Cokes from the fridge and hands one to Trent.
I’ve been a little off my game lately. Okay, a lot off my game. So off my game I haven’t had a date in four months. Which is a normal amount of time, but I may as well be a monk where Sean is concerned.
He knows I’ve been working a lot. I want to take over when Dad retires, whenever that is, and that’s my focus for the moment.
“Hundred says I don’t.” I lift my chin.
All three of them look at me. I’m not usually the one to jump up the bet when it’s my money on the line.
Trent stares at me. “To each of us?”
“Sure.”
Shut up, mouth.I still have Christmas presents to buy.
“What’s going on, boys?” Dad enters the break room, completing our work family unit.
I glare at Sean, portraying with my eyes exactly what I’ll do to him if he says a word.
Sean shakes his head and leans against the counter. “Nothing.”
Looks like he will live to see another day.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you all,” Dad says and waits until he has our full attention. “Ron is retiring in a few months, which means I need a new foreman. All of my top candidates are in this room.” Ron has been a part of this company since before I was born. He’s got some tough shoes to fill, but I can do it.
My heart rate spikes. I want to be foreman. My dad knows this. Everyone knows this. But Dad has always treated us fairly and provided us with equal opportunities. He’s a good dad like that. He started this business when he was only twenty-four, the same age I am now, and since then has built it up into a successful and highly regarded company.
“Thanks, but I prefer the office side of things,” Trent says. I could have guessed as much. He hates telling people what to do or interacting with them in general.
I’m pretty sure Sean stole the people skills from him when they were in the womb.
“And as much as I appreciate you considering me, I love installing,” Grant says.
That leaves me and Sean. Who will concede. Because he’s not cut out to be in charge. Don’t get me wrong, no one can work as hard or as fast as him, but his heart isn’t in it like mine is. I’m pretty sure he cares more about lining up dates than lining up cabinet hinges.
Sean looks me up and down, a smile growing slowly on his face. “I guess it’sjustme and you.” He bumps me with his shoulder. He might as well havepunched me.
I frown. “You want the job?” He’smessing with me. He has to be.
Dad pours a cup of coffee and heads for the door. “We can discuss this more in a couple of weeks, but I wanted to tell you guys first.”
He leaves, and I consider following him out to plead my case. But there will be plenty of time for that after I kill Sean.
I turn on the culprit. “You don’t want to be foreman.”
Sean smirks. “Sure, I do.”
“Since when?” I knew the moment my parents brought him and Trent home from the hospital, they would be trouble.
“Since I decided it’s time to grow up and be responsible.” He shrugs.
