Page 103 of Mr. Edwards

Johnny glances my way again, and I shake my head. “Nah, boss. He’s completely aboveboard.”

“Okay, sure… why not. You’ll go over your shift, but I can pay you overtime, I suppose.”

Overtime?My assumption about his employer was on point, he’s an asshole.

“I want half of the money,” Johnny says, and a smile bursts onto my face.

“Half?” his boss screams down the other end of the line.

“It’s only fair. I can always tell him no. I’m sure there’s plenty of other drivers around that would take him up on his offer.” I like this guy already.

“Shit, fine. Don’t go doing that. I’ll give you fivehundred and that’s my final offer. It is my taxi you’re driving after all.”

“Eight,” Johnny counters.

“Seven and not a penny more.”

“Okay, seven.”

His boss grumbles something under his breath, and I cover my mouth to muffle my laugh. He thinks he just got swindled out of seven hundred dollars. Imagine if he knew about the other three grand on the table.

“I want you to come straight here with the cash when you return.”

“Okay, boss.” Johnny ends the call and gives me a shit-eating grin through the rearview mirror. “Buckle up, Richie Rich, looks like we’re heading to Temecula.”

The taxi pulls up outside the gym, and I crouch down so I can get a better look through the front windscreen. I’m not sure what I expected, but it looks like a nice place. I’m not even certain if the Reece and Carlee that work here are the same people, but I’ve got the town, a gym, and the correct names, so it would be freaky if it wasn’t.

“You want me to wait here?” Johnny asks.

“Please.”

I inhale a deep breath before exiting the vehicle. I walk toward the gym with a slight limp. I’m nervous; I’m not sure how this is going to go down.

Pushing through the front glass door, my eyes take in the interior. It’s a lot bigger on the inside than it appears from out front.

“Can I help you?” the girl behind the desk asks, and I wonder if she’s the same one I spoke with on the phone earlier.

“Hi. Is Carlee in?”

“No, she’s working at her other job today.”

Her other job? I wonder if she’s still bartending. “What about Reece?”

“Yes, he’s here.” Her eyes search the room before she calls out, “Reece.” She points to me when I presume, she has his attention. “You got a minute? There’s someone here to see you.”

Shit. What am I going to say to him, I’ve never met the guy? Twisting my body around, I follow her line of sight and see a tall, beefy dude with short-cropped hair heading in our direction. He’s probably not much older than me, and nothing like I expected. I feel a little sick about it, to be honest. He’s not bad looking, you know, for a guy and all… maybe thereissomething going on between him and Carlee.

He gives me the once-over as he approaches. He looks like a mean motherfucker, and I’m suddenly second-guessing coming here. Deep down I know he’s a good guy… he took in my girl when she had nowhere else to go, but I’m still feeling apprehensive. I have no idea what Carlee told him about our breakup.

I wait until he’s within reach before extending my arm. I’m not giving up that easy. Carlee is worth the fight. “Hi, Reece,” I say.

“Hey.” He accepts my hand, giving it a firm shake.

“I was wondering if you had a minute to chat.”

“Sure. About what?”

I rub the back of my neck trying to formulate a response. One that’s not going to make me look like anidiot.I’ve got nothing.The silence stretches to a point of awkwardness, so in the end, I go with the truth.