“Sure.”
“Well, I was talking to Reagan, the new owner, and she told me that she could use a nail tech two days a week. I mean, that’s not bad. And I can make my own hours on those two days so I can just go right after dropping the kids off at school and make sure I’m finished when they get out.”
“Sounds reasonable to me.”
My eyes fill. “I thought so. But, I can’t. The kids have been so bad, Gage. I’ve had to go to the school several times a week since they went back after winter break. They’re acting out, and they’re just so angry since Sam left. It’s like it was last summer after their parents died.”
“It doesn’t help that Sam hasn’t been able to come home like he promised he would.”
I want to jump in and defend Sam, but I pause. “I tried to call him last night because I didn’t feel good, and I just wanted to hear his voice, you know?”
Gage nods as I wipe my nose.
“He answered, but I could hear noise in the background, and he was laughing with his buddies. So, I told him I’d talk to him another time.”
“If you don’t want him going out with his friends, just tell him so.”
“It’s not that.” I scoot down in bed, feeling woozy again. “I don’t care if he has dinner and drinks with the guys. I trust him. He’s just having a meal and letting off some steam.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I sigh. “I just don’t hear from him much. The kids hardly ever get to talk to him because they’re in bed when he does call. Being a single parent is hard, Gage. So much harder than I thought it would be. And he’s not here. Which brings me back around to the job. With the school calling all the time, and the other things that can go wrong, how can I commit to a job?”
“Single parents work every day, Tash.”
“How? How do they manage it? Without Sam here to help pick up some slack, I don’t see how I can do it.”
“You have people here to help you,” he reminds me. “A community of them. Hell, Fallon and Noah would help in a heartbeat, and you always have me.”
“You have a life,” I say softly. “I’m sure you’ll be working soon, as well.”
“Actually, I do have something lined up.”
“What is it? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just firmed up plans yesterday. Do you know Tate Donovan?”
I feel my eyes widen. “Of course, I do.”
“Well, she’s determined to walk,” he says. “She wants to hire a full-time trainer to help her.”
“You’re perfect for that,” I reply with as much enthusiasm as I can muster. “With all of your medical training in the Army, you’ll be awesome.”
“She has a long road ahead, but I think we can get her there. The point is, I might have a job, but I can always help you. You need to take that job, if it’s what you want.”
“I do want it.” I swallow and close my eyes. “Honestly, I need it. Sam started paying the rent about a month ago, but I went through a lot of my savings before then.”
“Why wasn’t he paying before?”
“I wouldn’t let him.” I shrug. “It’s my place, my name on the lease. And I didn’t know if he’d stay.”
“You’re so damn stubborn,” Gage says. “Take the job. It’ll be good for your mental health.”
Before I can answer, my phone rings.
I groan.
“It’s the school. Hello?”
“Hi, Natasha, this is Callie, the school nurse. Both kids are in here, not feeling well. Kevin threw up, and Kelsey is awfully pale.”
My eyes find Gage’s. “I think it’s going through my house. Callie, I need to have my brother pick them up. I’m sick in bed as we speak.”
“Do we have him on the official paperwork as an authorized adult?”
I frown. “I’m verbally telling you that I give him permission to bring them home.”
“I’m sorry. Unless he’s on the paperwork, you’ll have to come to get them.”
Gage swears, and I sigh.
“Fine. I’ll be there soon.”
I hang up and stare at my brother.
“See? This is why I shouldn’t take the job.”
“Bullshit. Put me on the paperwork. Add Fallon and Noah. Hell, add Aspen, too. This won’t happen again.”
* * *
Thank God for my brother.
It’s been two days, and I think we’re out of the woods, but they were scary.
Kevin, Kelsey, and I piled in my bed for the sickfest, and Gage helped me keep us all clean and hydrated.
I don’t think I could have done it without him.
Sam is supposed to come home today, but I’m not getting my hopes up. The last time he was supposed to come home, he was just getting off shift and the chief told him he had to stay for something or other.