The Better Brother

“Girl, you are missing out,” Jackie said with a grin. “That thing’s gonna shrivel up and die if you don’t use it soon.”

My cellphone was in the front pocket of my chef’s jacket and it buzzed against my hip. I nodded at the pocket. “Get that, will you. It’s probably the boys.”

Jackie stuck her hand in my pocket and brought out the cellphone. She slid the screen to answer the call on speaker.

“What now?” I asked, thinking it was one of my brothers or their school on the line. I typically got called by the school several times a week to answer for something they’d done. I loved my brothers dearly, but I couldn’t wait for them to grow up and take responsibility for themselves. They were making me old before my time.

Instead, a man’s deep voice came through the little speaker.

“Miss Dean? This is Charlie Prescott, calling on behalf of Mr. Jenner.”

Jackie and I gave each other the same dumb look. She bumped me with her elbow again. “Yes?” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Mr. Jenner asked me to inform you that you have the job as his personal chef if you want it. We are heading back to Denver this afternoon, but we will be back in Mountain View on Monday and he’d like you to start then.”

“Um, well, I don’t think…”

“Miss Dean. You have Mr. Jenner’s sincerest apology if there was a miscommunication this morning. And you have my personal guarantee that from here on out, your relationship with our company will be totally respectful and professional,” Charlie tried to assure her.

“I’m not sure I can…”

Jackie was still holding the phone. She brought it to her mouth and took a quick step back from me. “Thank you, Mr. Prescott. That sounds awesome. I’d love to work for you!”

“Excellent,” he said. “Text me your email address and I’ll send a list of Mr. Jenner’s favorite foods. I’ve already set up an account at the local market, so do the shopping for everything you’ll need for the week and just charge it to our account. Mr. Jenner will see you on Monday.”

Then the phone clicked off.

I stared at her with my mouth hanging open. “Jesus, Jackie, what did you do?”

“I just did what you should have done, cousin,” she said with a smile. “Don’t worry, he learned his lesson. I guarantee you that Tyler Jenner won’t bother you again.” She slid my phone back into my pocket and pecked me on the cheek, then added, “Unless you want him to.”

* * *

I didn’t get off work until nearly midnight because a large party had come into the restaurant at the last minute, and the restaurant wasn’t doing so well that Carl could turn paying customers away. They all had salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts, so it was a wise decision for us to stay late until everyone was well-fed.

I had just finished wiping down the prep table when Carl came in to hand out the paychecks for the week. I was putting on my parka when he held out the envelope containing my check. I didn’t bother opening the envelope. I made ten bucks an hour and I worked forty hours a week, and Uncle Sam kept a big chunk of it. You didn’t have to be a math genius to know that I made exactly squat.

“Thanks, Carl,” I said as I tucked the envelope inside my parka. I tugged the gloves from my pocket and gave him a smile. Carl and Doris were like family to me and the boys. If it wasn’t for them I’d probably be working at the Classic Cat with Jackie.

“Carl, can I ask you something?” I started.

Carl sorted through the remaining envelopes to see who he hadn’t yet paid. He glanced around the kitchen to see who was left, then cocked a grey eyebrow at me and smiled. “Sure, honey, what is it?”

“Have you heard anything about some company wanting to buy this entire block and put up a hotel?” I asked carefully.

Carl wore wire rimmed glasses that were always smudged. He took them off and cleaned them on his tie. “Oh, there have been rumblings about that for years,” he said. “I’m not too worried. We’ve been here thirty years and I own this building and the land it sits on. I doubt the city would let anyone just buy the place out from under us.”

“That’s good,” I said with a smile. God, I hoped he was right, although, there was something in Carl’s voice that told me that he wasn’t telling the whole truth. Carl wasn’t one to put his problems on others; especially on someone like me that relied on his business for my livelihood.

I gave Carl a kiss on the cheek and he opened the back door to let me out. He watched and waited until I was safely in my car. The chilly night air bit at my face as I got into my Civic and fired it up. Carl gave me a wave, then went back inside and closed the door.

Thank God the boys were already asleep and Jackie had gone to work by the time I got home. I’d had enough human interaction for one day. I just wanted to stick in my ear buds and listen to a little John Legend as I soaked in a hot bath.

I locked the bathroom door. I learned to do that living with teenage boys. I turned on the water to fill the tub and I let the water run steaming hot as I stripped off my clothes.

I always came home smelling like whatever food I’d helped prepare, and tonight was no exception. I could smell it in my hair and on my skin. I took off the chef’s jacket and held it to my nose. It wreaked of garlic and onions and I dropped it to the floor. I shimmied out of my jeans and panties, then took off my bra and dropped it onto the pile.

I stood in front of the mirror above the sink for a moment as I waited for the tub to fill. I gave myself the once over, wondering what Tyler Jenner saw that made him want me. Or made him think that I wanted him. Or maybe he didn’t want me at all. Maybe he just wanted to shove his cock into whatever orifice I’d offer him.