accountant. You got
time?’
I knew I wouldn’t have to wait
long for a response, Stella was glued to her phone like it was a life line.
Plus she was super-efficient, she’d know off the top of her head what
appointments were free without having to check with that airhead receptionist
of hers.
‘1.45 tomorrow. Name? Not a baby!’
A grin spread across my face, she
hates it when I call her that. But older is older, even if it is only by 4
minutes.
‘Brayden Brooks, 4mins is 4mins baby sister. Xx’
“It’s done Bray; I’ll text you
the address. 1:45 Tomorrow.”
I heard him groan as I started
clearing my work station. The shop was empty apart from us. We’d hung back so I
could get started on his latest piece. It would probably take another session
or two before it was done. Mean ass phoenix rising from the ashes. It’ll be
beautiful when I’m done.
“Sloan. Really? I’m not a
relationship kinda guy, you know that. I don’t want to screw our friendship
over this shit. She’ll want me, I’ll humour her for your benefit but then I’ll
get bored and move on, you’ll get pissed and quit. You’re the best I’ve got; I can’t
afford to lose you.”
I ignored him, he’d be good for
Stella, just the right amount of colour to brighten up her life. I finished
cleaning up my station.
“Are you listening to me Sloan?
Sloan! Damn it! You’re a stubborn little thing, you know that? I’ll do it, but
if things go south, you can’t walk. Deal?”
“Deal boss man. Now, beers at Freddie’s?”
“Need you ask?”
We closed up the shop and started
the short walk up to our local haunt; Freddie’s was my kinda place. Plenty of
beer, hot dudes with hot tats and they had a live band in on Friday and
Saturday nights.
Stella
Agh my neck is killing me. Time
to call it a day I think. Bianca left an hour ago. Ugh I should have left when
she did. I hate walking out to my car alone. I know I’m in a safe enough
neighbourhood but still. A woman walking around at night, alone is just asking
for trouble. I only meant to stay an extra fifteen minutes but as usual I got
carried away in the bliss of numbers.
I shut down my computer and put
my laptop in my satchel. Slipping my feet back into my shoes I felt around in
my bag for my gun, I had never used it, but I felt better knowing I had it.
Then I grabbed the can of pepper spray I kept in there and my keys. Armed with
one in each hand I headed for the lift down to the lobby.
“Goodnight Tyler.”
“Goodnight Ms Morgan.”
Tyler had been the doorman since
I leased my office 2 years ago. He was a nice older gentleman, with greying
hair around the edges. I knew if I asked he’d walk me to my car, but I also
knew he would probably get in trouble for leaving his post.
Time to pull up those big girl panties Stella. Walk straight to your
car, get in, and go . Simple enough right? Sad thing was I had to give
myself the same little pep talk every time I stayed late, which was happening
more and more lately. I need to get a life!
I slipped into my little Prius
without any crazies trying to attack me. All the same, I flipped the lock
switch straight away. You can’t be too careful.
Pulling into my apartment complex
I could feel my tense muscles relaxing; home.
Once inside, I called out to
Fergus who was probable sleeping on the fresh towels on the rack in the
bathroom. But sure enough he came running when he heard my voice. I had grown
up with big dogs, but I couldn’t exactly keep a Great Dane in my tiny
apartment. So it was just me and Fergus my long haired dachshund for now, until
I found the courage to move to a bigger place. He was a good little dog. He kept
me company, never once wizzed inside and had the decency to look ashamed when
he let one rip.
I latched his lead and we set out
to the grassy area downstairs for him to do his business.
Half an hour later when Fergus
was done and we had returned upstairs I prepared dinner, seared marinated
chicken breast
time?’
I knew I wouldn’t have to wait
long for a response, Stella was glued to her phone like it was a life line.
Plus she was super-efficient, she’d know off the top of her head what
appointments were free without having to check with that airhead receptionist
of hers.
‘1.45 tomorrow. Name? Not a baby!’
A grin spread across my face, she
hates it when I call her that. But older is older, even if it is only by 4
minutes.
‘Brayden Brooks, 4mins is 4mins baby sister. Xx’
“It’s done Bray; I’ll text you
the address. 1:45 Tomorrow.”
I heard him groan as I started
clearing my work station. The shop was empty apart from us. We’d hung back so I
could get started on his latest piece. It would probably take another session
or two before it was done. Mean ass phoenix rising from the ashes. It’ll be
beautiful when I’m done.
“Sloan. Really? I’m not a
relationship kinda guy, you know that. I don’t want to screw our friendship
over this shit. She’ll want me, I’ll humour her for your benefit but then I’ll
get bored and move on, you’ll get pissed and quit. You’re the best I’ve got; I can’t
afford to lose you.”
I ignored him, he’d be good for
Stella, just the right amount of colour to brighten up her life. I finished
cleaning up my station.
“Are you listening to me Sloan?
Sloan! Damn it! You’re a stubborn little thing, you know that? I’ll do it, but
if things go south, you can’t walk. Deal?”
“Deal boss man. Now, beers at Freddie’s?”
“Need you ask?”
We closed up the shop and started
the short walk up to our local haunt; Freddie’s was my kinda place. Plenty of
beer, hot dudes with hot tats and they had a live band in on Friday and
Saturday nights.
Stella
Agh my neck is killing me. Time
to call it a day I think. Bianca left an hour ago. Ugh I should have left when
she did. I hate walking out to my car alone. I know I’m in a safe enough
neighbourhood but still. A woman walking around at night, alone is just asking
for trouble. I only meant to stay an extra fifteen minutes but as usual I got
carried away in the bliss of numbers.
I shut down my computer and put
my laptop in my satchel. Slipping my feet back into my shoes I felt around in
my bag for my gun, I had never used it, but I felt better knowing I had it.
Then I grabbed the can of pepper spray I kept in there and my keys. Armed with
one in each hand I headed for the lift down to the lobby.
“Goodnight Tyler.”
“Goodnight Ms Morgan.”
Tyler had been the doorman since
I leased my office 2 years ago. He was a nice older gentleman, with greying
hair around the edges. I knew if I asked he’d walk me to my car, but I also
knew he would probably get in trouble for leaving his post.
Time to pull up those big girl panties Stella. Walk straight to your
car, get in, and go . Simple enough right? Sad thing was I had to give
myself the same little pep talk every time I stayed late, which was happening
more and more lately. I need to get a life!
I slipped into my little Prius
without any crazies trying to attack me. All the same, I flipped the lock
switch straight away. You can’t be too careful.
Pulling into my apartment complex
I could feel my tense muscles relaxing; home.
Once inside, I called out to
Fergus who was probable sleeping on the fresh towels on the rack in the
bathroom. But sure enough he came running when he heard my voice. I had grown
up with big dogs, but I couldn’t exactly keep a Great Dane in my tiny
apartment. So it was just me and Fergus my long haired dachshund for now, until
I found the courage to move to a bigger place. He was a good little dog. He kept
me company, never once wizzed inside and had the decency to look ashamed when
he let one rip.
I latched his lead and we set out
to the grassy area downstairs for him to do his business.
Half an hour later when Fergus
was done and we had returned upstairs I prepared dinner, seared marinated
chicken breast
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