9 Chapter 9
It took thirty seconds. I counted each and every one of them, believe me. Then Ry stepped back. “Georgie, I’m an arrogant ass, most days, but I’d like to think I’m a nice person, too. Unfortunately, I failed in that regard when it came to you. I apologize for being a pushy, self-centered bastard. In my defense, though, I don’t understand why you have that opinion of yourself. Have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re gorgeous. Maybe a bit reserved and shy sometimes, but that doesn’t detract from anything. It adds to it.” He reached out a finger to touch my chin. “Hey, look at me.”
I counted to five, then I did.
“Do you know how often I overhear people at work talking about wanting to fuck you? A lot of guys find you attractive, but you’re oblivious, always hanging out with that married queen Buzz. Maybe you need professional help or something to figure out the issues with your self-image in order to overcome it. Because honey, from where I stand, I’d be proud to have you on my arm any day of the week.” He took a breath. “You have a nice afternoon.”
I watched him go, then turned around and let myself into my apartment.
* * * *
In the end, I decided to get rid of the grocery store gig since my hours for the teacher’s assistant stuff at the local university were in the morning, then I could work in the afternoon at the used clothing store and be done in time for my evening classes, which began at seven-thirty.
I handed my two weeks’ notice to the nice lady in the human resources department right after my shift ended on a Friday in June. I’d already told Buzz. While he was sad to see me go, he was excited about the changes I was making.
“Honey,” he’d said, “I knew there was more to you than just being a glorified restock boy. You’ve got a first-rate brain, and I’m glad you’re finally using it. I’ll miss your cute little butt.”
* * * *
The next Monday, while I was having “lunch” with Buzz at nine in the morning, Ry joined us in the break room and sat at our table. “I hear you’re leaving,” he began, his facial expression blank.
“Yes, sir,” was my only response as I enjoyed scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns from the breakfast bar. I’d also been greedy enough to grab one of those small zucchini bread loaves from the bakery. I guess impending life changes made me ravenous.
“Care to tell me why?” he asked, completely ignoring the fact that Buzz was sitting next to me, all agog.
“Not that I have to, but if you really want to know, I’m going back to school for my Masters of Library Science. I’ve been offered a teaching assistant position that will help pay for the cost, but I still need to work outside of that to help with the bills. It’s easier for me to keep my afternoon job than this one.”
“I see.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Buzz grinning like an idiot. I knew he’d have something to say about this conversation once Ry left the room.
In the meantime…”Buzz, didn’t you say one of your kids almost broke his neck jumping on the trampoline this weekend?” I asked, making sure Ry knew it didn’t matter to me one way or another what he thought of my decision.
Buzz played along. “Hell yeah. Child was doing gymnastics near the edge and bounced off the damn thing and landed on one of the big pillows we set around the trampoline, in case they did something stupid, which this most definitely was. I don’t know what to do with that boy.”
We kept on discussing Buzz’s son, leaving Ry to either be the odd man out, or make an exit. He finally left since we were, after all, on our break and under no obligation to talk to him, unless it was necessary.
As soon as the door closed, Buzz said, “Honey, that man wants you something fierce. How long has this been going on?”
I sighed. “Look, keep it quiet, okay? But a long time ago, I was drunk and stupid at a bar and I practically begged someone to fuck me. Loudly. He volunteered.”
Buzz gasped. “No way, really? Shit! What are the odds?”
“I know. Anyhow, I didn’t recognize him right away, but he recognized me. It wasn’t an issue at all, until Trent and his tight ass got in the middle of things. It’s been ‘atmosphere’ between us for a while. Ry said ugly things, and I did, too. We apologized to each other, but I haven’t said much to him outside of work-related stuff. He said all the right things, but I don’t know if I can trust him.”
Buzz was quiet for a moment, then said, “It’s probably a good thing that you’re leaving. It will give you both space. After some time goes by, who knows? But I’m telling you now, sweetie, that man was looking at you like you were the juiciest steak in Texas.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Stop it.”
“No, I mean it. This might be just the thing you both need to get over yourselves. You wait and see.”
But why would Ry want to? I’m no prize.Though, to be fair, I didn’t think much of myself to begin with, and I could blame it on my upbringing, or being introverted, but it was all so confusing.
