Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

Instead: “Yes. I’m sure.”

Hoyt sighs. Then he gets up and moves to the door. He glances down at the wrinkled-up application. “Guess I’ll … talk to Gary. At least this time, I’ll actually tell him before I just up and go.”

“I’m sorry, Hoyt.”

He doesn’t look at me, his eyes still on the application. “Me too,” he whispers, then leaves.

Chapter 22

Hoyt

We pull up in front of the complex and come to a stop. I tug on the top button of my dress shirt, annoyed at how it chokes my neck. “Still think this doesn’t need to be done up all the way.”

“Looks most professional,” insists my mom. “The job still isn’t guaranteed to you, y’know, just because Tanner put in a word for you and his brother—”

“I know, I know. Besides, I don’t want a handout. I wanna earn this myself on my own merit.”

She pats me on the thigh. “Go win it, son.”

I try to smile, then realize I can’t. I let out a deep breath, then eye her. “That’s what you used to say before all my games.”

“Isn’t that what life is? Just one big game? Go win it!” she then repeats with more zest.

One big game.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

“Thanks, Mom.” I reach for the handle.

She takes my other hand suddenly. I stop and look at her. She leans over the center console, puts a kiss on my cheek, then says, “I don’t want you thinking about anything else when you’re with the interviewer. Stay focused. Keep your answers short. Confident. Chin up. You deserve whatever you want outta life, you hear me?”

Don’t think about anything else.

Not the farm. Not the sweet animals.

Not Harrison.

Not the warm embrace of his arms. Nor the soft touch of his lips on mine, full and plush and pliable. And definitely not how sexy he looks when you’ve caught him in a state of undress, like you did last night in his cabin.

Right before saying goodbye.

To him. To the others. To the farm.

My heart isn’t in it, but I pretend like it is when I smile and pat my mother’s hand. “I appreciate it.”

“Now go … win … it!”

After she shoos me out of the vehicle, I approach the building, which is considerably quieter than it was the other night. Inside, I see a number of people occupying the workout section, walking around enjoying the facilities. With a glance the other way, I see what looks like a couple of organized birthday parties going on by the trampolines and gymnastics area. It feels a little strange to come in here without the intention to have fun.

Leaving the farm was annoyingly easy. All of the others, from Emmalea to Fred to Miguel, even Rust, and of course Turtle, were sad to see me go, but wished me well on my future endeavors—whatever they ended up being. Gary was totally understanding, providing no resistance whatsoever with my decision to leave. He said that while he appreciated my help, I could leave knowing full well that the farm would be taken care of by those remaining, as I expressed worry that I’d be leaving him shorthanded. After he cut me a check for my last few days, I bid him farewell, then sat out on his front porch, waiting for my mom to come pick me up. I spent the next twenty minutes staring off at the bunkhouse and cabin across the field, trying my best to ignore the pangs in my heart.

I’d already started missing the farm and hadn’t even left yet.

“Hi there, Hoyt!”

I come out of my thoughts to find that same chick at the front desk. She clearly spotted me before I spotted her, because her eyes are all on me. She seems to have just spruced up her long, wavy blonde hair, bringing it all to one side where it cascades over her perky boobs. She smiles at me and wiggles her fingers for a wave.

Phew, here we go. I walk up to the counter. “Hey there. I’m here for my—”

“It’s Rhea,” she says.

I blink. “What?”

“My name. I wrote it on the application I gave you, along with my number.”

“Sorry, right. Hi, Rhea.” I try on a smile. “I’m here for—”

“An interview, I know. Jimmy’s gonna conduct it himself.”

“Oh, is he?”

“Yep. Did you know we danced together back in high school?” She chuckles at herself, throws her hair, then shrugs. “Of course, I didn’t know he was gay back then …”

“I think he’s bi, actually.”

“… otherwise I’d have stopped barking up that tree. Anyway, we’re friends now, Jimmy and I, and he’s given me a nice job here at the receptionist desk, so that’s something, right??” She laughs, bubbly and soft. “Oh, I hope you get the job, Hoyt! You’d be a great addition to the team! Not to mention how much fun we’d have!”