Tempting Him by Isabel Lucero

17

“Sorry to botheryou on the weekend, but I figured this would be the best time since you like to work yourself to the bone during the week,” Calvin says with a jovial chuckle.

“You’d be right, but I happen to be at work now.”

“Jesus, Alek, you need to learn to relax a little.”

My brow arches as I watch Jay bend over to pick up a napkin. “I’m relaxing a little.”

Jay spins around and shakes his head, amusement in his eyes.

“That’s good. I just wanted to check in about Jayden. Make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to.”

“He appears to be well-liked, and he’s not slacking off. He’s a good worker, Cal.”

“Good, good. I’m glad to hear it. I can’t thank you enough for letting him get a spot. The kid is smart, but he loves to party. I just want him to be prepared for adulthood. Sometimes I’m not sure he’s aware his college days are almost up.”

Something akin to defensiveness rears up. I feel the need to stick up for Jay to his own dad, when clearly, his father should know more about him than I do.

“Regardless of what he does in his free time, he’s giving a hundred percent here. I wouldn’t worry.”

Jay shakes his head a little, a small smile on his lips like he’s used to his dad being this way.

“All right, then. I don’t want to take too much of your time. Go home. Take a nap. Have a drink. Enjoy your weekend, Alek.”

I chuckle. “I’ll try.”

Calvin laughs. “I’ll take it. Talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

“Well, talk about a boner killer,” Jay says from his seat. “He worried about me not taking this seriously?”

“He’s just being a good dad, I suppose.”

“Guess I’ll get back to work.”

“No, it’s fine. You can leave. I didn’t intend on you staying the whole day.”

“You sure?” he asks.

“Yeah. I’ll stick around for a little while but I’ll be heading home soon.”

“Okay then.” He pauses, his eyes flickering to me. “I guess I’ll see you Monday.”

He doesn’t form it like a question, but it is one. I can sense he doesn’t know how to treat our situation. We’ve never embraced or kissed, so there’s no need to do that as we go our separate ways, but I have a feeling it’s an alien thing to Jay. He itches to be affectionate.

I reach into my desk and pull out a card. I scribble my cell number on it and hand it to him. “Text me after your pool party.”

His face lights up with a wide smile that reaches his eyes. “Yeah? Okay.”

I grin as I watch him walk out, not entirely sure that was the smartest decision I’ve made, but excited to see him later nonetheless.

* * *

At five o’clock,I get a text from an unknown number.

I’ve only been here two hours and I’m ready to leave. Is that bad?

I programhis name in my phone before I reply.

Me: Are you not having fun?

Jayden: I just know I could be having more fun. ;)

Me: Enjoy the day with your friends, Jay. I’ll be here all night.

Two hours later,my phone dings with another message.

Jayden: Okay, I enjoyed myself.

I laughwhen I read it.

Me:Did you? Or have you been watching the clock the entire time?

Jayden:Are you spying on me? Haha! But no, I’ve had fun. There’s plenty to do and quite a few people.

Me: That’s good.

Jayden: But I would rather be with you.

His message hasme freezing up. I hate texting, because you can never read the tone, but his words hit me in the chest and make me feel...something I’m not used to. Do I tell him I’ve also been watching the clock, wondering when he might show up?

Me: I don’t want to monopolize all of your time.

It takeshim a while before he responds again, and I worry I’ve offended him or made him think I’m not interested in spending time with him. The opposite is true. I want to spend more time with him than I should want to. Not only is he so much younger than me, he’s the son of a friend and employee, and I’m leaving Michigan soon. Besides all of that, I’m not sure I’m wired to give him what he wants or deserves.

Jayden: Sorry. I got pulled away. Someone else is trying to monopolize my time.

Jealousy licksup my spine and the uncharacteristic trait boggles my mind. I told him to have fun with his friends, but based on the last part of his message, it sounds like a specific person is trying to spend time with him rather than him just having a good time with the group.

Me: Oh yeah?

Jayden: Yeah, just this guy I know.

Me: Remember what I said.

Jayden: What’s that?

Me: Are you being obtuse on purpose? Trying to rile me up?

Jayden: You’ve said lots of things.

Me: Jayden.

Jayden: I can almost hear your growl from here. Hold on. This guy is calling me over.

I callhis number and he picks up right away. “Hello?”

“Stop fucking around and bring your ass over here.”

He chuckles. “I didn’t expect you to call.”

“Were you just trying to make me jealous?”

“Are you?”

I’m saved from having to answer, because someone on his end starts talking. Based on what I can hear, he wasn’t lying.

“Sorry. So, what were you saying?”

“You know where I am. See you soon.”

His laugh is the last thing I hear before I end the call.