Chapter 2

Ribbons of moonlight slip past the curtains. Being as quiet as possible, I slip out of bed and manage to find my shoes and shirt near the end of the bed. My latest sexual conquest snores softly in her sleep, oblivious to my exit. It provides enough noise for me to successfully leave the apartment complex.

The warmth of summer feels amazing against my bare chest, and I stop to put on my shoes at the bottom of the stairs. A few girls are drunkenly making their way to their apartment, no doubt college students coming home from a late night party. All three of them notice me when I start making my way to the car. I don't bother putting on my shirt. Instead I slide it around the back of my neck to give them a full view of my nicely sculpted torso.

What's that I hear?

Jealousy?

Don't be. Not everyone can look this good. Some people are meant to, others just aren't. It is what it is.

I lean against the side of my car, purposely taking my time to dig through my pocket for the keys. The girls continue to stare at me, giggling flirtatiously behind their hands. Even though I'm used to this type of reaction when the female sex notices me, it never gets old. I mentally count down in my head.

....4....

....3....

....2...

"Hey!" one of the girls shouts to me.

Right on cue.

I look up at her, acting surprised that they're calling me over. I point to my chest and look around, feigning the act of making sure I'm the one they're addressing.

"Yes you!" the second one chimes in. "Come over here!"

I strut towards them with a growing confidence, giving them all a chance to lap up the view. When I get closer, I take a better look at my options. All three of them have fairly decent bods, but the brunette on the end is exceptionally a sight for sore eyes. Her long hair falls in waves around her shoulders, and I don't shy away from raking my eyes down her luscious body.

She giggles when she notices me staring.

"Well hello ladies," I say with a smirk. "What are three, fine things like you doing out with no men to accompany you?"

All three of them giggle. The brunette on the end speaks up first.

"Slim pickins' at the bar," she admits, and her speech is slightly slurred. "Why weren't you there?"

I hold my hands up in surrender. "I didn't get the memo. My fault entirely. And I hate to disappoint, ladies, but I'm actually just on my way out."

All three of them pout, but the one I've been eyeing purses her lips with indecision. I've made it clear she's the one I want. Now the she needs to decide if I'm worth it or not.

Which, of course, I am.

After a minute of deliberation, the brunette whispers something to her friends, and then turns to me with determination. She saunters towards me as sexily as she can manage while walking drunkenly in heels. Just the sight of her has my mouth watering.

I've got this in the bag.

I know, I know - getting laid by two broads in one night?

Pffft. Let it sink in; this is just another day in the life of Callum Greene.

~~~~

"You've gotta' be kidding me," I hiss under my breath when I see the time.

I was supposed to be at work over half an hour ago to attend some 'Welcome aboard Mr. Big Shot CEO' party. Not that I give two shits what that dickweed thinks about me, but until I start college, I really can't afford to lose my job.

Plus, I didn't exactly start out on the best foot with him. In my defense though, what idiot can't find their way to the coal section that's literally at the front of the store? Whether he was doing it to test my skills or not, he should have at least had the decency to ask me a question that was backed up with a little more common sense.

I check the mirror. Thank the good Lord above for bestowing upon me natural good looks. In situations like this, it becomes a real time-saver. Not bothering to do anything to my hair, I grab my work shirt from the floor and head out the door.

While I drive to work, I search my car at every stop sign for gum or some sort of breath mint. My fingers eventually slide over a half-eaten Butterfinger bar. I study its condition. Bits of dust and dirt glom on to its surface. I blow it off with a shrug before popping it into my mouth.

The parking lot of work is fuller than normal, and my stomach bottoms out when I remember that this isn't just a party for our store. This is a party for all of 'The Great Outdoors' stores throughout the state.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, whipping my car into the last parking spot available.

I smooth out my shirt as I get out of the car, tucking it in as best as I can into my jeans. The familiar woosh of cool air hits my face when I walk into work, and immediately I notice that the entire floor is empty. A voice echoes over a PA system, the sound deep and rich. I meander down the aisles until I find where it's coming from.

It doesn't take long.

Just as I round the corner of aisle 3, I nearly collide with the last row of people listening to none other than Mr. Blake Benson speaking on a tall podium at the very back of the store. There has to be over a hundred employees here. All of their focus is intently and obediently directed towards their new boss.

I nonchalantly slip through the rows of people and hope my slow movements keep me from landing on the man of the hour's radar. When I finally spot Kansas near the back, I take a seat beside her.

"What'd I miss?" I whisper.

Kansas scoots over to make a bit more room for me. "You're late."

Yea. No shit.

"So I didn't miss anything?" I mutter sarcastically, drawing attention to the fact that she didn't answer my question.

Kansas sighs and lowers herself in her seat. "He's just talking about changes to the store and stuff like that. He has all these ideas to make 'The Great Outdoors' more than what it is today."

I snort. "Yea. And in three months he'll be exactly where our last CEO left off – sipping martinis and playing mini golf in his office all day."

"Can't blame the guy for trying. At least he wants to make a difference."

"Oh get off it," I say and roll my eyes. "If you didn't want to slob on his knob you'd be agreeing with me completely."

Kansas shoots me a glare but doesn't deny my words. She crosses her arms over her chest, turning away to hide the heated blush rising to her cheeks.

"...and that concludes our meeting this morning," Mr. Blake Benson says, drawing my attention to him. "I want to thank all of you for joining me today, for taking the time from busy schedules to make 'The Great Outdoors' the priority it deserves to be."

Give me a fuckin' break.

A resounding applause echoes throughout the back of the store. People stand, giving this joker a standing ovation as if he's just accepted a Nobel Peace prize for wanting to sell more lumber. Blake nods and smiles effortlessly across the throes of employees before him. When the applause dies down, he raises his hand for their attention a final time.

"Please," he says, "help yourself to the complimentary beverages and snacks I've provided. Feel free to mingle amongst yourselves before taking the rest of the day off. We'll be starting full force on Monday. Thanks again, everyone."

His microphone fizzles out. The murmur of people talking rises tenfold over the next minute. Chairs scrape across the tiled floor as my follow co-workers search for the snacks like the vultures they are. By the hungry looks in their eyes, you'd swear they haven't eaten in ten years. Their pant sizes, on the other hand, tell a different story.

"You sticking around?" Kansas asks.

I shrug and look in the direction that people seem to be flocking. "Pass. I'll see you Monday."

Kansas gives a half-hearted wave. She quickly finds a group of employees from our store before making her way to the food. Time for me to dip out while the dipping is good. I untuck my shirt and weave my way through the human obstacles before hitting the aisles. Looks like being late paid off after all. Not only did I get to avoid talking to Blake, but also I avoided his drawn out speech.

"Ah, Mr. Greene. I'm glad you were able to make it."

Blake Benson's voice catches me off guard. My feet come to a screeching halt. I whip my head around to find him walking towards me in this deserted aisle of picture frames. His glossy green tie seems to shine under the florescent lights of the store. Like the first time I saw him, he's once again wearing black pants and a black dress shirt.

He casually stuffs his hands in his pockets when he reaches me. A knowing smile slips across his lips, and he gives me a look like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"I – ah, yea. No problem."

Blake turns to look at the aisle. His eyes peruse the myriad of picture frames.

"Do you enjoy working here, Mr. Greene?"

No.

He probably knows it too. So why is he seeking me out to ask such a pointless question?

Unless...

I gnash my teeth together. He must have seen me coming in late. Is that what this is about? Or maybe this is still blow-back from our first introduction. He's trying to fire me. I just know it. What an asshole-ski.

"Yea, I enjoy working here," I finally answer, lying through my teeth.

"Sir."

"What?"

"Sir," Blake repeats. "You always need to address the customer using this name."

The arrogance of this guy is unbelievable. My eyes narrow to slits. "I do address the customers like that. I didn't realize you were a customer, though."

The playfulness in Blake's face vanishes. His eyebrows pinch together, clearly displeased with my response.

"A valid point," Blake responds coolly. "But I am your boss."

If I wasn't at work, I'd knock this dude straight on his ass. Unfortunately for me, he provides my paycheck – no matter how measly that is.

"Whatever," I mumble. "Sir."

The words taste bitter as they leave my lips. Seeing Blake's superior grin makes it even worse. I can't wait until I can blow this popsicle stand for good, not having to deal with him or any other boss for that matter.

"Callum," Blake says, nodding towards the far side of the store. "All joking aside, I need to have a talk with you. Do you have a moment to join me in my office?"

Internally I groan. What's this dude have to talk with me about that he can't say right here? I want to tell him I have plans. I want to tell him to shove it up his blow hole. Instead I grit my teeth, spinning on my heels and giving him a consenting nod.

"Fine."

"Wonderful." Blake smiles, completely unaffected by my attitude. "Follow me then, please."