I straighten Fletcher’s tie. “Now remember, ask for help if you don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, Mom.”
I dust his shoulders off. After a weekend of tantrums and tears, I have conceded. Fletcher is starting work with Tristan this morning, and I have never felt so sick in my life. “And make sure you drink lots of water. If you get dehydrated, you won’t be able to concentrate.”
He rolls his eyes.
“Now, I’ve packed you a lunch. Don’t get into the habit of buying it. You will waste a fortune.”
“Mom.” Fletcher gives a subtle shake of his head.
“Because . . . you know? What you start doing in this first job will lay the foundation for your entire working career. I want you to build good habits. This is an opportunity to learn, Fletch. Watch and learn, but always remember that you are an Anderson.” I pull my fingers through his hair.
He smiles down at me. “I will.”
“Being smart in business doesn’t mean you have to be cutthroat,” I remind him.
“I know; we talked about this.” He sighs.
“Your father was such a good man, Fletch, with the highest of morals.”
He smiles broadly.
It’s my greatest fear that Tristan is going to rub off on this young and impressionable boy. My eyes fill with tears at the mere prospect.
“Mom. Stop.”
I put my hands over my mouth as I stare up at my handsome son. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m just so nervous for you.”
“Why?”
“Because this is a big deal, and I don’t want you to mess it up.”
“Mom.” He sighs. “I stuffed underpants in the boss’s mouth before I even got the job. I’m pretty sure I’ve already messed it up as much as physically possible.”
I hold my forehead as I stare at him. “God, please don’t remind me. That will forever be the most mortifying moment of my life.” I go back to fiddling with his tie to distract myself.
“Worked out.”
I frown. “What does that mean?”
“Well, he never came back.” He smirks.
“We were just friends, Fletcher. He was never coming back anyway . . . long before you did that. Don’t flatter yourself. If he and I were actually a thing, do you really think that would deter him?”
“Hmm.” He shrugs, not believing me.
I’ll never admit the truth-that he’s right, and just as he planned, it really did work. Tristan never contacted me again after that fateful day. He went from coming to my house to pursue me . . . to never calling again. It says a lot about him and the gumption he has-or lack of it. Anyway, who cares?
Good riddance. I’m actually grateful that Fletcher scared him off. Saved me the job and stopped things from dragging out.
“Just remember to be professional,” I remind him.
“I know.”
“And use your manners.”
He rolls his eyes.
“And if you get into trouble, what do you do?”
“Go to the bathroom, and count to ten to calm down.” He sighs.
I smile as I fix his hair. “That’s it, Fletch.” I smile up at him. “You’re going to be great.”
I keep straightening his hair, and he swats me away. “That’s enough already, Mom.”
I grab his face hard in my hands and bring his eyes to mine. “Do you know how proud your father and I are of you?”
He shrugs sadly. “Thanks.”
I smile. “And call me on your lunch break.”
“Oh my God. Stop nagging me. I’m not going to have time.”
“One minute-you have one minute.”
With one last eye roll he walks downstairs, and I follow and grab my keys. “Let’s go.”
This is the longest day of my entire life. I pick up my phone and check it again. “It’s one thirty p. m. Why hasn’t he called?” I sigh.
“He probably forgot,” Marley replies.
“What if they didn’t give him lunch?” I say. “He can’t handle not eating. He might faint.”
Marley rolls her eyes. “It will be fine, and it isn’t a prison camp. Miles Media has one of the best reputations for treating their staff well.”
“Will you stop telling me that everything is going to be okay?” I snap. “Because I have a reason to be concerned, and I’m really worried about him.”
“Oh my God, you’re driving yourself crazy-and me, for that matter.”
“When you have a child who is going to work for the biggest bastard in the world, you let me know how you go.”
“Okay, fine.” She smiles my way. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that Mr. Miles hasn’t called you, would it?”
I screw up my face in disgust. “What, as if I’m annoyed that he hasn’t call me? I had already broken it off with him-not that we actually had anything to break off. It was just one week, Marley, and besides, Tristan Miles means nothing to me. But I have serious suspicions as to why he would’ve hired Fletcher in the first place. Something feels off. Fletcher tried to bash him with his own underpants, for God’s sake.”
Marley giggles. “Oh Lord, how I wish I was there to see that. I bet Tristan Miles has never had that before.”
I smile as I remember that momentous day. I’ve never been so horrified and yet so amused at the same time. Not that I would ever admit that to anybody, not even Marley.
“I’m just gonna text him. I can’t be going crazy like this for any longer.” I type.
Hi Fletch, how’s it going buddy?
A reply bounces straight back.
I hate this job. I hate this man, I’m not coming back tomorrow.
My eyes widen in horror. “Oh no, Marley. This is going to be worse than him not even starting. I can just see it.”
I text back.
Why what’s happening?