Dirty Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 2)

“You obviously don't know what's good for you. If your mother and I let you make your own choices you'd be rolling around in dirt instead of standing in this hall with me. This place is where you belong.”

“No, Dad, this is where you belong. Not me. This isn't me at all.”

His teeth clench down as his brows drop into the bridge of his nose. “I don't think you understand—”

“No, you don't understand.” Balling my fists, I snap my back straight. “I quit,” I bark.

“Quit? You can't quit. You won't survive out there in the real world. You need this.”

“I don't need anything from you.”

“I'm warning you, Millie. I'll cut you off. You won't have anything. You'll never make it on your own.”

Smiling with thin lips, I tip my chin in protest. “Yes I will.”

“It's that boy, isn't it? Is he telling you to do this?”

“Boy?” I ask. “What boy?”

“Don't think I didn't see you leave with Hardin last night, because I did. He's a bad influence on you, and I don't like it. You'd never do this without someone else putting it in your head.”

My lips fold into a heavy frown. I'm my own person. No one is making me do anything. This is my choice, it's my decision. Not Hardin's, and certainly not my father's.

Glaring at my father, I don't say another word. I just turn and walk away. It doesn't matter anymore. He's going to think what he wants, and nothing I say will change that.

He can't admit it to himself that I would rather play in dirt than have a ton of money. He's too far in this to see what he's lost along the way.

I know who I am. It's just too bad my father doesn't even know his own daughter.

8

Hardin

It's chilly this morning. I can see my breath as I exhale the second I get out of my truck. I look up at Millie's house, wondering if I'll get the chance to see her at all. I haven't seen her since our date. I tried to call her yesterday afternoon to ask how her first day went, but she didn't answer.

I hoist a bag of cement out of the back of my truck and set it down on the ground. As I lean over to grab another one, a door slamming shut rings out from behind me.

I flick my head over my shoulder with a smile on my face, expecting to see Millie. To my surprise, her father is walking with heavy feet in my direction and a scowl on his face. His brows are pinned down, his mouth is thin and curved into a heavy frown. Both hands are balled at his sides into tight fists.

Wow, he looks pissed about something.

“Good morning, Mr. Chambers,” I say, casually tucking my hands inside the pockets on my shorts. “It's cold today, huh? I thought it was going to be nicer.”

“You need to leave,” he barks harshly. “Get back in your truck and get the hell out of here.” His arms are straight as arrows, hands still clenched so tight his knuckles are white.

“Excuse me, sir? Leave? Why would I leave when I still have work to do?” Arching a brow, I stare at him confused.

Did I screw up the walkway?

“You're fired. I don't want you here anymore. I'll hire someone else to finish the job, but you're done.” He slices the air with his hand, his nostrils flaring wide.

“I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?”

This isn't making any sense. I've been doing a damn good job on their new patio and walkway. I've been working my ass off, doing everything exactly how they want it. Why in the world is he firing me?

Mr. Chambers grunts as his lip curls high on one side. “Do you think I'm stupid?” he asks through his teeth. “Do you think I can't see what you're doing?”

My eyes open wide as I shake my head. “Sir, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Is it something with my work? Is there a problem with the walkway?”

He takes a long step inward, bringing his face close to mine. His lids lower as his forehead crinkles like crumbled paper. “This is about you and my daughter. You're changing her into someone she's not. She's not like you, and she'll never be like you, so stop trying to send her down a path that's not meant for her.”

“With all due respect,” I say, tilting my head into my shoulder, and letting my eyes zero in on his, “did you ever think that maybe she's trying to create her own path?”

His mouth turns razor thin as he points his finger in my face. “Stay away from my daughter. You understand me?” The skin on his face turns bright red, his eyes threatening to pop out of the sockets with rage.