Page 4 of Strip It Down (Spoiled by My Blue Collar Man #4)

Gentry

“Yes.” I don’t need to hear more. They’ve treated me as an equal, a viable adult, asked my opinion, listened, and not one sexist comment.

The salary he mentioned at the end was twice as much as I was making at the restaurant and the actual recommended salary for a bookkeeper. And, they offer insurance. I must be dreaming.

If this job works out, I could have my school loans and credit cards paid off in a few years and actually be able to start putting money in savings. Maybe get a decent apartment.

The Reeds have always had a reputation for being fair and honest. I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for the young Sayer who gave me flowers the afternoon after the worst night of my life.

That day I knew he wouldn’t understand but his gentle look, the same one I see him give his daughter, saved me that day.

I heard through the grapevine that he kicked the shit out of Greg on the football field once but never heard why.

I did know he had a young boy’s crush on me.

I also knew I had to walk away and not let anyone see that I cared for him as well.

A four-year age difference and worlds apart socially.

A friendship with me would have only brought trouble to his door.

I could have, should have, stayed in Blue Spruce after I finally graduated community college. But after being kicked down once again and pulling myself back up, I just couldn’t let the bastards think they broke me. So, I moved back to Archer Falls to help Mom.

Sayer Reed is a full-grown man now. By the looks of the ripples under his T-shirt, he’s a man who knows how to take care of himself and his family.

The softness in his gaze, the gentle timber of his voice when he speaks of and to his daughter makes my throat tighten.

This is a man who knows how to love. The scars on his neck and forearm belong to a man who knows how to fight.

I may not have experienced the first but I sure as hell know how to do the second.

Up early, I’m showered, dressed and ready with my backpack filled with anything I might need for the rest of the day. Sayer is picking me up any minute so we can be at the computer shop when they open.

I can’t believe my luck getting a job so quickly. Maybe my life is finally turning around.

There’s a knock on my door. Sayer. My heart skips a beat. It’s just the excitement of starting a new job I assure myself as I throw the door open.

Greg is leaning against the door frame. I try to slam it shut, but he sticks his foot in the door. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Can’t a guy come visit an old girlfriend?”

“I’m not an old girlfriend. I’m not a friend. I despise you, you piece of shit. Now get out of here before I call the cops.”

“Hey, I heard you lost your job. Just thought I’d come and offer an old friend a shoulder to cry on. Maybe I can help out.”

I pull my phone from my pocket and snap a quick shot of his hand on my door and his foot wedged in the opening. “I’m calling the cops.”

“You bitch. You’re gonna pay.”

“You make a move toward her and you’re gonna lose your balance and fall over the railing to the cement below. Your call,” a very deep, low voice whispers through the void between Greg and me.

Sayer stands two feet behind and to the right of Greg.

Even Greg must have heard the promise behind the words. He slowly straightens and turns. “You.”

Sayer just stands there, waiting, patiently. Loose stance, cool, calm, silent. Like a rattlesnake waiting to strike. Honestly, if he wasn’t on my side the look in his eyes would scare the hell out of me.

After what feels like forever, Greg brushes past him on the building side of the second floor outside walkway and thunders down the stairs.

“When he knocked on the door, I thought it was you,” I explain.

Sayer nods and looks at my door. “We’ll pick up a spyhole and deadbolt at the hardware store. You ready?”

“Yes. Can I treat you to a ‘to go’ coffee from the coffee shop?”

He smiles. “Would that be the same coffee shop where I just dropped off Dad and Ayla?”

“Probably. It’s pretty popular.”

“Seems to be Dad’s favorite place. He’s got at least three of their traveler tumblers. And there seems to be a lot of their disposable cups in the trash.”

I’ve noticed his father there a lot myself but keep my suspicions to myself.

Typical small town, everyone has their nose in everyone else’s business.

It’s slowly changing with new people moving in, but the old timers are as bad as ever.

“They’ve got a drive-up window in the back which will be quicker, or we can go in if you want to check on your dad and daughter. ”

I can tell he’s considering it, before he shakes his head. “Naw, he’s got this. He said they’re going to the library, too. If we make good time we can pick up lunch and bring it back with us. He’ll call if something comes up.”

The thirty-minute ride is quiet, yet somehow companionable with softly playing country music and our beverages of choice. As we near our destination, he finally speaks up.

“I talked to a buddy last night who has his own business. I know what computer and size we want, and he recommended a good printer. Online the store said they have both in stock. You mentioned QuickBooks for accounting and payroll. He agreed, but he said we should get the mobile time system that also tracks location. He gave me the name of his favorite.” He glances my way.

“I agree. You’ll spend more but waste less. The more crews you have the more helpful it will be. It’s good for them and for you.”

“I don’t know these systems. It will take me awhile to catch up and with Dad taking off for a month it may have to wait till he gets back. I feel like I’m dumping a lot on you.”

“I trained on all of this software. I know it. I even helped the instructor in class with some of the other students that were having issues. This will be easy for me. We can do this.”

He nods. “I figured you could handle it. I remember you graduated high school with honors.”

I deliberately take a swallow of my coffee. He remembered? My own family didn’t remember or even come to graduation. Mom was high and passed out at home. My sister was partying with friends.

We go to the computer store first and are able to get all the electronics and software he has on his list. He insists on getting me a company cell phone.

Next stop is a furniture store where he makes me try out a half dozen desks and even more chairs to make sure they’re comfortable.

As we’re walking out, he pauses at the children’s section. They have a miniature table and chair.

He stares at it so long I finally interrupt. “What are you thinking, Sayer?”

“Sh—she doesn’t have much. In the beginning it was all about getting her clothes and necessities. Then I got her some books, a couple stuffed toys and blocks before we moved. Dad doesn’t have anything. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Were you deployed?” When he still doesn’t answer I try again. “D—did your wife die?”

He slips his hand under my elbow. “We need to get to the loading dock. They’ll be waiting for us.”