Page 8 of Joey's Trick
Trick hadn’t left. He leaned up against the wall nearby and just seemed to listen to their conversation. Joey did his utter best to ignore the bastard. “Are you trying to hold up the wall, dear?” Joey’s mother asked. “Have a seat, Trick.”
Joey stiffened as Trick took the one to his left. He deliberately turned further toward Veronica. “Did you always want to be a nurse?”
Veronica shook her head. “When I was in high school, I wanted to be a teacher, but in my first year of college a friend of mine was in a pretty nasty car accident. I took care of her after they released her from the hospital, helped change her dressings, and made her meals. I found I enjoyed doing it. So, I switched my major and went into nursing.”
“Why pediatrics? Isn’t it hard seeing sick kids?” Joey asked.
“It is hard, but seeing the relief on the parents’ faces when the doctor tells them their child is going to be okay or giving the children something to smile about when I visit their rooms and just knowing I can brighten their day even a little is more than worth it.”
“What about you, bro? How’s things at the dealership?”
Anthony glanced past Joey at Trick and then shrugged. “I’m actually not working there anymore.”
“Oh? What are you doing now?”
“Trick and I opened our own landscaping business.”
Joey couldn’t have been more shocked, but he struggled to hide it. “That’s… interesting.”
“I didn’t really enjoy selling cars,” Anthony said.
“He’s great with flowers actually,” Trick said.
Joey ignored Trick. “Not exactly what I see you doing, Ant, but if you’re happy that’s all that matters.”
Anthony gave Joey a questioning look at the slight to Trick. “I am. It’s satisfying work and it keeps me in shape. Plus, I get to work outdoors in the fresh air rather than stuck inside a stuffy dealership all day.”
“Why don’t you tell us about working with such big superstars?” his mother asked.
“There’s nothing to tell. They’re people like all of us. Just making a shit ton more money than we do.”
“Joey! Language!” his mother exclaimed in horror.
Joey grinned. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Heard you’ve already got some clients on your roster,” his dad said. “Prince, right?”
“Yep,” Joey replied, pride in his voice. “No one else at the agency could get him to sign with us.”
“What’s he like?” Veronica asked. “Is he as hot in person as he is on TV?”
“Hotter.” Joey laughed and winked at Veronica.
Veronica leaned forward. “When you go back home, do you think you could get me his autograph?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks!” Veronica replied.
Joey shrugged. “We meet regularly so it’s not a big deal.”
“Who else do you have as a client?” Anthony asked.
He rattled off a couple more A-list sports clients and a few of the lesser-known individuals. Tension settled into his shoulders further when Trick shifted around beside him.
“Sounds like you’re really busy,” Trick said.
Joey clenched his jaw and shrugged again. He found being so close to the one man who’d almost destroyed him nearlyunbearable. Abruptly, he stood. “I’m tired after the long drive, Mom. Think I’m going to get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”