CHAPTERFIVE
Hayden
“Danny’s a really nice guy,”Janie says as the hottie leaves. I can’t believe I gave him my phone number. I’ve never been that forward with a guy before. Many wouldn’t call it forward, but I’m not the type of girl who puts herself out there like that.
“He seems to be. Found out he works with my dad, and we all know my dad doesn’t hire people who aren’t great.”
“He does have a knack for getting the best firefighters there are.”
“Can you check to make sure I did his transaction correctly? I’d hate to mess something up.” I step back from the terminal, allowing her to look at what I’ve done.
She steps into the space I’ve vacated and double-checks my work. This isn’t exactly what I thought I would be doing when I applied for a job here. With my degree, I should be in mortgage processing or financial planning but, as dad reminded me, you have to work your way up. You can’t expect someone who doesn’t really know you to give you a job that others have to work their way into. I’d been of the illusion with a college degree in hand, I’d be offered more than an entry-level position. It was a hard blow, but it was one I decided would be good for my ego.
I’ve had to apply for income based repayments on my loans, but I feel good about what I’m doing. In the end, this will be good for me and I’ll be able to stand on my own two feet. Something I’ve longed to do my entire life.
“You did good,” Janie praises me. “I think from now on, if we have those types of transactions, you should handle them. Then we’ll move on to more complicated ones. You’re quick.”
“I’ve worked retail since I started working. Money doesn’t trip me up much. I’ve always counted it, taken checks, things like that. It’s the making sure it’s debited and credited correctly that will get me.”
“Then that’s what we’ll practice on,” she smiles.
Her gentle nature is what I hope my mom would’ve been like had she stuck around. “Thanks for your help.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
* * *
Even though thejob isn’t physically taxing, I’m tired when I leave for the day. I guess mentally more than anything. Learning and flexing my brain after not having to use it for a few months has been slightly overwhelming and I’m more tired than I thought I would be. But I’m excited too. At lunch, my sister texted me that she was coming home for a few days.
We haven’t seen each other since my graduation. Before then, it’d been six months. For two people who’d spent their entire childhoods and most of their teenage years together, it’d been hard to deal with the distance.
Pulling out onto the main road, I almost laugh, realizing this is rush hour. There’s a total of probably thirty cars. This type of stuff is what I moved back here for. Within ten minutes, I’m pulling into my dad’s driveway and parking behind my sister’s car.
Turning my car off, getting out, and yelling as I run to the front door, “Hailey!!”
“You’re finally here!” She screams, coming out and holding her arms open for me to collapse into. “I thought you were never going to get off work. Was worse than waiting for Santa on Christmas morning.”
“You and I both know that’s a lie, but thank you for making me feel loved.”
Dad stands off to the side, his arms crossed and a smile on his face. “It’s good to see you two together again. Feels like forever since we’ve all been in this house.”
The past few years have made it difficult. Hailey off at school and then deciding to stay in Nashville. My traveling even further away for my education than she did, but we made it. Now that we’ve finally done what we set out to do, we’re home, and I don’t think either of us could be happier.
“Wanna go for a walk?” She asks. “After being cooped up in the car for a few hours, I need to stretch my legs.”
“Try days, bitch.” I roll my eyes.
“Go get changed.” She points up the stairs. “I’ll meet you outside.”
“While you two are gone, I’ll go get some steaks and grill out for us.”
“Ugh dad, you shouldn’t be eating so much red meat,” Hailey grumbles.
“Would it make you feel better if I get chicken? Doesn’t mean I’ll eat it, but I’ll get it and cook it.”
“Yes.” Hailey crosses her arms over her chest. “It would make me feel better. If there’s nothing else for you to eat, then you’ll be forced to try something different.”
He rolls his eyes. “Might invite some of the guys over since you two are home. Would that be okay?”