One More Time

My hands were still sweating, and I was worried they would slip off the mug so I quickly set it back down on the table.

We looked at each other awkwardly for a few minutes, neither of us knowing what to say. It was uncomfortable, but part of me was just glad to be back in Sean’s presence again. His blue eyes were constantly pulling me in, making me lose my train of thought. I opened my mouth five times to speak, but no words ever came out.

“Listen,” Sean finally said after clearing his throat. “My kids are miserable without you and there are no other suitable candidates in town to look after them. I’m offering you your job back.”

I sat back and looked at him, bewilderment all over my face. Not only had he fired me rudely, he was trying to hire me back in the same tone. Who exactly did this guy think he was? My earlier sympathy for the events in his life, slowly faded to anger.

“Are you serious right now? That’s all you have to say?” I asked, somewhat surprised at myself for speaking so boldly. “You fire me without warning or explanation, and now you expect me to take the job back simply because you can’t find anyone else? I’m going to need a little more than that.”

“Like what?” he said, his tone clearly indicating he was not used to having someone stand up to him.

“How about a damn apology to start?” I demanded.

Sean sat back in his seat and studied me for a long moment before saying anything. Despite my best efforts, I still couldn’t get a read on him.

“Listen, I understand,” I said. “You’re under a lot of stress right now, but that does not give you the right to treat me like shit.”

He regarded me coolly for another moment before speaking. “So, if I say I’m sorry, you’ll come back?”

I nearly laughed out loud. “I’ll at least think about it,” I said.

“Fine,” he said begrudgingly. “I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I could see how hard it was for him to say those words. I thought back to what Maggie had said about something bad going down between him and his wife before she died and I softened a bit. Maybe that was why he was so fucked up.

“Fine,” I echoed. “I’ll be back tomorrow at eight.”

He relaxed instantly, sinking back in the chair and slumping his shoulders slightly forward. He took a sip of his coffee, and I followed his lead. We drank our coffee while we discussed the details of my job. We talked about salary and other boring things, but soon, he began to ask for my advice.

“So,” he said. “I’m trying to get Tommy into football, but I think I’m fighting a losing battle. Every time I try to play catch with him, he just mumbles and asks to do something else.”

“It may not be for him.” I shrugged. “Have you tried another sport? Baseball? Or soccer?”

“Ugh, soccer.” Sean rolled his eyes. “I hate soccer.”

“Why?” I laughed.

“It’s just so boring,” he said. “They just run back and forth. Nothing happens.”

“Tommy will probably love soccer, just because you hate it.” I laughed again. “That’s usually how it works.”

“Don’t say that,” Sean groaned.

“You could always try basketball,” I said. “Although, that’s pretty much just running back and forth too.”

“No,” Sean said firmly. “Basketball is so much more than that.”

I nodded, not wanting to interrupt the good flow of conversation we were having by telling him what I truly thought about the sport. Instead I just looked at him for a moment, waiting for him to continue talking. When he didn’t, we just stared at each other for a few moments, before he looked away, casting his eyes down to the table. Dammit. Every time I felt like I was getting somewhere with him, he shut down.

“Are you hungry?” he asked abruptly.

“I could eat,” I said.

“Want a muffin or something?” he asked.

“Sure.”

He stood up and walked over to the counter. I watched him go, my eyes trailing over his strong back and sculpted ass. Swallowing hard, I forced myself to look away. Sean had just hired me back. The last thing I needed was to give him a reason to fire me again.