“Oh I didn’t mean anything by it. T’s doesn’t have sales. Like ever. Maybe twice a year but I wouldn’t exactly call them blow outs. They certainly don’t have two for one deals on anything, much less baseball shoes especially in season.” He continued to chuckle and my chest burned.
Somehow I might have known this, but didn’t question it. Why didn’t I question it? There was no sign of a sale anywhere except for some summer wear, but it was almost October, so that made sense. Did that guy feel sorry for me? Was this some sort of a handout? Did I look like someone who needed it?
Something between rage and humiliation radiated through me.Hell no.
I gripped Sam’s arm and we moved from the creep. The rest of the game was a blur to me but I knew enough that we didn’t win. Not that Jax had much to do with the loss.
Poor kid.How could he enjoy something he wasn’t given much of a shot to do?
I winced, recognizing the hypocrisy of that statement, and the idea of getting him the skates he wanted trailed at the back of my mind. Which made me think of the store owner that insulted me.
I may have been fighting to make ends meet these days but I would not accept handouts.
The only time I’d ever asked anyone for money was Jax’s father. He certainly had plenty of it and had a freaking obligation. But the man would only pay child support if we had equally shared custody of him. And there was no way I’d let Jax live part time in his bachelor pad with skater bunnies parading in and out of his bedroom. Not to mention that I didn’t trust the man as far as I could throw him. He was too emotional, jealous and being number one was his top priority. Always.
I denied him any part of parenthood other than visitations to our home or public space. I knew the money didn’t bother him, and he didn't want any more time with Jax than he was already giving. He was just being spiteful. He told me if I wanted anything from him, to take him to court for it. But I knew better. Max Withers had the best lawyer’s money can buy and wouldn’t hesitate to take Jax just to hurt me.
For a good laugh.
One last time.
5
Saturday afternoons werequiet at the store. It was typically game day around town. Especially when the weather was this good. Probably why I had two employees call out today. Leaving me behind the register while Tisch worked on schedules and mark-downs.
“I seriously need to get better help around here,” I mumbled.
“Hey Logan,” Bridget from the ice cream parlor next door strolled in, as expected at some point this weekend. That high pitched, breathy voice sent chills through me and never in a good way. But to keep myself from losing my patience, I started a little game on how fast I can get her to leave.
“Bridget. Got any new samples I could try?” As soon as I spoke it, I knew I’d regret it.
“I do, but you won’t find it in the freezer,” she winked. She was petite. Tiny basically, with long, slick black hair typically resting over her overly exposed chest. Young, probably just out of college, and came in here more often than I could count in a week.
“Doesn’t your boss mind you slipping away every now and again?”
She bent over my counter holding a stack of flyers. “I have an excuse this time. She actually told me to drop these around.”
“No solicitations,” I reminded jokingly, turning away to my bulletins and motioned for her to place them along the front. If I didn’t act busy, she’d think I was interested in talking.
“So, I’m closing tonight if you want to grab a drink later.”
Where the hell is Tisch?
I looked through some aisles to see if I could flag her down. Tisch always seemed to scare unwanted female attention away. She had an intimidating no B.S. demeanor that I loved. And my employees hated.
“Oh that sounds good, but I’m actually heading out a bit early today. Plus I need to stay away from alcohol and the extra calories.”
She laughed. “You’ve got to be joking. You’re hotter than smoke.”
I shined a smile in her direction along with a glare I hoped read, “don’t bother”. When it was clear she read the wrong message, I opened my mouth to flat out tell her I wasn’t interested when the front doors flew open and in stormed one furious blond.
She was gripping a shoebox in her hands and marched around Bridget, slamming the box down on the counter and glared at me with the intensity of an angry panther.
I hadn’t realized my mouth was open until I finally blinked and spoke. “Thanks for the flyers Bridget,” I managed to mumble, not taking my eyes off the fire radiating from the taller woman. “I need to take care of a… customer.”
One that I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since the moment I laid eyes on her.
It was a moment before Bridget left, her eyes shifting between the two of us before she decided to split. All the while, blondie and I participated in a staring contest of our own.
