Page 6 of I Could Never
“I’m not trying to be.” He cocked his head. “Are you saying I am?”
“How do you think Brad would feel about you making a mockery of this situation?”
“I’m making a mockery? You look like you escaped the Titanic. And as for Brad, he was too polite to have told you that you’re out of your league. He would be secretly thanking me for attempting to give you a ticket out.”
The sound of Scottie screeching from his bedroom interrupted our bickering.
We ran in there to find he’d taken the stuffing out of one of his pillows. Feathers were flying everywhere. Scottie laughed hysterically, as if it was the best thing in the world.
What a mess that’s going to be to clean up.“He probably heard us arguing and got upset,” I said.
“That shows how muchyouknow about him,” Josh retorted. “He does shit like this all the time for no damn reason.”
This man was getting on my last nerve. The more he annoyed me, the more I was determined to prove him wrong about me being the better caretaker.
“Nothing happens without a trigger,” I muttered, disappointed in myself for letting this guy get to me so badly.
Josh and I began silently picking up the feathers. I found a small garbage bag from the kitchen so we’d have somewhere to dump them. Every minute, I swore under my breath at the turn this situation had taken. What bothered me more than anything? Deep down, I reallydidn’tthink I was capable of handling Scottie alone. I didn’t want to admit that. Having another set of hands here was probably a good thing. I just wished they wereanyhands but Josh’s.
By the time we were done, it looked like we’d plucked a chicken and tried to hide the evidence. Scottie had calmed down at least and looked like he was about to fall asleep.
Josh drew one of the shades that I’d inadvertently left open. The last thing I wanted was Scottie waking up earlier than necessary because of the sun. I also noticed a static sound machine and turned it on.
After we left the bedroom, Josh and I stood in the living area in front of the flames of the pellet stove. We just looked at each other. As much as I disliked this guy, beggars couldn’t be choosers. No one else was going to volunteer to help.
“I hate to admit it,” I said, swallowing some humble pie. “But this might be more of a two-person job anyway. I think it would be helpful for us to work together, so we can relieve each other from time to time.”
Josh stayed silent. Since he didn’t refute my suggestion, I chose to assume that meant he agreed with me.
“Don’t you have family in town?” I asked. “You don’t have to sleep here. You could come and go.”
He raised his forehead. “How’s that gonna help you at night if he wakes up and pulls some shit?”
Scratching my temple, I had nothing to say to that.
“I have two brothers and my dad in town,” he added. “But Idothink it’s better if I stay here overnight.”
“Okay,” I conceded. “Where are you gonna do your work during the day? There’s obviously no office space.”
“That doesn’t matter. I can work anywhere. And if there’s a meeting, I’ll just move my laptop to wherever Scottie isn’t. I do have to make a lot of calls, but at least I’ll be here if you need me or if you have to go to the store or something.”
I knew very little about Josh’s career, just that he worked in the corporate world.
“What do you do again?” I asked.
“I’m a recruiter.”
“What does that entail?”
“I screen qualified candidates for open positions.”
“Ah, so that’s why you were so quick to shoot me down for this one.”
He shrugged. “You’re right. You’re not qualified to take care of him alone. But more than anything, I was just trying to give you a break for your own good, Carly.”
“I’m up for the challenge.” I sighed. “Besides, honestly, everything back in California reminds me of Brad…our life before he died. I need a change of scenery. This is his childhood home, but none of our memories were here.” I looked up at him. “I suppose it’s the opposite for you, though.”
Nodding somberly, he walked away. Clearly Josh had no plans to open up to me.