In Too Deep
Pack a bag. I should be getting off work by 9.
She sent him her address and he shoved some clothes and toiletries in a bag. He was too old to be doing a walk of shame right before going to work in the morning, and he definitely didn’t want to listen to Declan.
Declan returned with the pizza and another case of beer. Ronan sat in the recliner and Declan sank to the floor.
“There’s a box or something you can sit on if you want.”
“Nah, this is fine. What time are you leaving?”
“About eight-thirty, and I won’t be back, so you can have my bed tonight if you want.”
“Cool.”
They ate in silence for a bit. “I guess you’re not working again.”
“Yeah. I haven’t had a lot of luck finding something I like and a boss who isn’t a total asshole.”
“Sometimes you need to suck it up and deal with the asshole.”
“Life’s too short for that shit. I don’t want to slave away, being miserable every day, and have nothing to show for it. I’d rather wander and enjoy myself.” He reached for another slice of pizza.
Declan had a point. Ronan had a nest egg and a house. He enjoyed his job, but it was a means to an end. A way to find answers. But what then? He hadn’t thought about whether he’d stay with Cahill Construction once he found his answers. He guessed it would depend on the answers. If the Cahills had had a hand in their father’s disappearance, there might not be a company left. He let the idea roll around in his head for a bit.
“For the kitchen, anything off-limits?”
“Like what?”
“I assume you want a natural wood look, but open shelves? Glass front on the doors? Granite countertops?”
“Good wood. Nothing fancy. Regular wood doors. Probably oak. I’ll figure out the counter after we have a plan for the rest. How long do you think it’ll take you?”
“A day or two to come up with a plan. If you like it, another day or so to price materials.”
It sounded like a plan. But Declan wasn’t much of a planner. “What kind of job are you hoping to find that will make you happy?”
“Not sure.”
“You’re offering to build me cabinets. You want to work with wood? Do construction?”
“I don’t need you to give me a job.”
“I wasn’t offering.” The last thing he needed was to expose another person to the mess he might be stirring. “But I know a lot of guys.”
“Let me do your kitchen first and see how that goes. I’ve been toying with starting my own business. Be my own boss.”
“Thought you said you didn’t want to work for an asshole,” he said with a smile.
Declan threw a balled-up napkin at him. “Fuck you.” After another swig of beer, he said, “Haven’t you ever thought about it?”
“Starting my own company? Sure. But it’s a lot of work, hustle. Right now, my paycheck is pretty much guaranteed. They go out and get the jobs. I just have to show up to do the work. Having my own company would mean doing it all.”
Declan nodded, taking in Ronan’s words.
They finished dinner and cleaned up. A little after eight, Ronan’s phone pinged with a text.
Home earlier than expected. I’m here whenever you want to show up.
Impatient?
A little. You made all sorts of promises.
That he did. Now it was time to deliver.