Chapter 9
Jeremy
The alarm blares bloody murder, causing me to wake up in a fit, and question the time. It shows seven in the morning, but it seems like I just closed my eyes. I fucking hate when that happens. Sleep is overrated, and it’s been months since the eight hours recommended have been achieved. Nightmares seem to take over my mind once my eyes are shut, and seeing my dad pass repeatedly fucks with my head. I know it’s inevitable, and everyone goes, but it still hurts every time I think about a day without my father. Knowing it’s coming doesn’t ease the pain.
I drag my ass out of bed and raid my closet for some shorts and my t-shirt to wear under my uniform. I don’t have to put it on until I’m at the station. What if I hate it? The job isn’t for everyone, and the Jacksons seem to love it. With everything going on, construction can’t be my job anymore, and he deserves to have someone who can be reliable. Hazel doesn’t live around here, so it falls on me.
“Hey, you awake?” my dad asks, knocking on the door.
“I’m up. Be down in a sec.”
This is his last day in his home, and I’m sure it’s terrifying. Hazel and Aiden are leaving tonight after we get him settled into the center. He hasn’t had any episodes since Saturday, but they are inevitable. I hope my dad doesn’t think we are trying to get rid of him. He’s not a burden, but we have to consider what is best for his health. A part of me wants to keep him home, so that he can feel comfortable, but if one day I wake up and he doesn’t recognize me, it’s possible he might become violent, and then what would I do? Don would never forgive himself if something happened to me because of that. If he is at the center, that can’t happen, and he is realizing that it might not be so bad.
I slide the t-shirt over my head and shoulders, slip on my Nikes and grab my duffel bag. Here’s to my first day at GFD.
Hazel and Aiden are already here this morning, and it’s only obvious because of her voice carrying upstairs. She is so rambunctious, and doesn’t know how she can have so much energy so early in the morning. How many cups of coffee has she had?
“Calm down, sis. You might wake the neighbors up.”
Dad is sitting in his recliner, enjoying a cup of coffee, and watching the news like normal with Aiden. Their eyes don’t even leave the television when I walk past them to the kitchen to grab my travel mug from the cupboard.
Hazel’s filling up her cup, but I don’t think she needs anymore.
“Did you even hear what we were talking about? Or, were you in your own little world up there?” She asks, filling my mug to the brim with coffee.
“Nope. Too busy getting ready for work. Wasn’t paying any attention.”
She sits her cup down on the counter, folds her hands across her torso, and then glares at me. “When were you going to tell us you are dating dad’s nurse?”
Shit, how did she find out? Aiden has a big mouth. It’s my business, not his. Sometimes, Hazel gets on my nerves with this whole inserting herself into my life. For someone who lives thousands of miles away, she sure sticks her nose in it a lot.
“We aren’t dating. Or, we were supposed to until we found out about her being dad’s nurse. We are just friends. Not that it fucking matters. Or wait, weren’t you the one running me out their door on Friday night to go to Damon’s party?”
Out of all people, I didn’t expect Hazel to be the one to throw shade. After everything she has been through with Aiden, you would think she knew better. Raquel is an amazing woman, and it’s not like she’s my boss. Why is it such a big deal for anyone? She saw this coming, and maybe she made the right choice. I respect her decision, but why should her profession keep us apart?
“I meant get out and have fun, not date our dad’s nurse. Jeremy, come on.” Her hands are on her hips now.
“Pretty sure I can date whoever the fuck I want to. And if Raquel ever gave me the chance, I’d take her out in a heartbeat. If you want to act like you’re in high school, maybe you should join Tessa and Harper and go teach. With the way you’re acting, you’d fit right in.”
I don’t wait around for anymore attitude, just grab my mug, and walk past everyone right out the front fucking door. When Hazel gets into these tangents, there is no talking to her, and it’s only going to turn into a huge fight that I don’t have time to deal with right now.
This isn’t how I wanted my first day on the job to go, and now I’m in a piss poor mood. It’s like she wanted to bombard me about this. Sometimes, she just doesn’t know when to stay out of my fucking business.
I pull out my phone.
Me: Hope your day is going well so far. My sister is on a tangent and knows about you. Remember, small town means everyone knows your business. Sorry in advance.
I look out the rear window, backing out of the driveway, and heading to work. Why the fuck did Aiden even have to say anything? Sometimes I feel like he likes to start shit. I’ll remember that.
When I pull into the parking lot, Damon is already waiting outside for me in full uniform. He approaches my truck before I even get out.
“Chief is already looking for you.”
I look at my dash. “Why? I’m still fifteen-minutes early.”
“He’s saying you were supposed to be here an hour ago. You better get your ass inside.”
Fuck. He told me about eight thirty. I’m not the type to be late to work, but he doesn’t know that. Why does this day hate me?