Miley slammed the car door shut and headed straight towards the O'Connor house, her heels clicking loudly off the stone driveway. She walked through the front door and kicked it shut behind her. She tossed her bag down by the door and headed straight into the kitchen, where she saw one of her workers, Mike, working at the cupboards around the walls.
"Hey, Mike," she called over the sound of his drill. "Where's the newbie?"
Mike turned off his drill and place it onto the counter under the cupboard. He turned to face his boss and grinned. "Hey, ma'am. How you doin'? What newbie are you talking about?" he asked, sticking his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans.
"The new kid that started yesterday. Nick."
"He's upstairs. He's working on the O'Connor's ensuite with Tony. What business have you got with Nick?"
Miley cleared her throat and sent Mike a tight-lipped smile. "I fail to see how that's any of your business, Mike." Miley turned on her heel and went to leave the kitchen. "Now get back to work. We're on a tight schedule here." She then walked out of the kitchen and up the staircase. She made her way down the hallway and into the O'Connor's bedroom. She reached the door to the ensuite bathroom and pushed it open.
"Tony!" she called. "Would you mid helping out Mike downstairs, please?" she asked. She smiled as Tony slipped past her and headed downstairs. When she was certain that he was gone, she kicked the door shut. "So," she said, "have you learned to actually respect your boss yet?"
Nick stopped working on the tiles, but didn't turn around. "I'm sorry I spoke to you the way I did yesterday, ma'am. I didn't realise who you were," he muttered. He didn't move from his crouched position on the floor.
Miley smirked. "This is why I like to interview my employees myself." She ran her hand through her hair and smirked. "Anyway, your lack of respect is not the reason I'm here." She paused. "I'm here to let you know that I would like to interview you. I shouldn't have put so much trust in my other workers. I should have taken more responsibility. I'm the boss. I should be the one who decides whether I employ someone or not."
Nick decided to turn around. "You what?"
"I would like to interview at lunch today."
"I'm workin' at lunch."
Miley laughed. "Honey, I'm your boss. I'll decide whether you're working or not, and I say that your free at lunch. You and I need to have a few words." She took a business card out of the pocket of her grey blazer and smiled at him. "The address of my office is on my card. Come to the office at around one thirty."
Nick stayed silent as he stared at the car. He slipped it into his pocket and stared up at her.
"So, will I be seeing you?" she asked.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Then I guess you will."
Miley smiled at him. "Good! I'll see you then." She turned around and moved towards the door. "Oh, and by the way? Don't be late. I have plans." Miley then walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Nick let out the breath that he had been holding in and closed his eyes. Damnit, she's a piece of work. He picked up his phone and glanced at it. A text from Jimmy, a missed call from his mom, and three texts from Alex. Nick tossed his phone on the floor and sighed. He knew that he was in too deep with Alex, but that didn't stop him wanting to get out.
Tony walked into the bathroom and smirked at Nick. "Hey, man, what did the boss want?"
Nick shook his head. "Kid, you don't even want to know."
Miley drummed her fingers on the mahogany desk and stared at the stylish clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes late. He was fifteen minutes late. She couldn't believe that she had told him not to be late, and he was already a quarter of an hour later than he was supposed to be. She rolled her eyes. She should have known that he wouldn't be there in time.
There was a knock on the door. Karen poked her head through the door and smiled at Miley. "Miss? There's a man called Nick here to see you. He says that you told him to come," she said, looking confused that someone was there to see Miley without her knowing.
Miley smiled up at Karen. "Ah, yes. Send him on in. Thank you, Karen." She listened as the door closed, just as Karen turned to tell Nick. She heard Karen's muffled voice as she told Nick to go on through. Miley straightened up in her chair and folded her hands on the desk, watching the door as she waited for Nick to come through.
The door swung up and Nick walked into the room. He nodded slightly in her direction. She took that as a handshake for him. He sat down in the chair in front of her desk and cleared his throat slightly. "So, what can I do for you?" he asked.
Miley smiled at him and let out a deep breath. "Like I said, I would like to formally interview you." She cleared her throat and pulled a file from her drawer. "The guys handed me your forms and everything when they gave you the job. I read through them. There's just a couple of things I'd like to bring up with you." She opened the file and put her finger down on an empty space. "You didn't fill in where you're from."
"I'm not comfortable discussin' that."
"I'm afraid you'll have to if you want to keep this job."
Nick sighed. "I'm from the west side of town."
Miley raised her eyebrows slightly. "Which part of the west side?"
Nick swallowed slightly and looked at the ground. "I'm from Huerto Alturas," he mumbled.
Miley stayed silent for a moment before jotting it down on the paper. "And have you always lived there?" she asked softly, looking up to catch his gaze, but his eyes seemed to be glued to the ground.
"I guess so. My parents moved when my big brother was six, and I was born a couple of years later," he said, his voice still a low mumble as he spoke.
Miley nodded, careful not to pass judgement. She knew better than anybody that it killed like a knife in the gut when you knew that people were judging you before getting to know you. She had spent her whole life in high school being judged by the rich kids.
"And do you still live with your mom and dad or have you moved out?"
"I live with my parents," he mumbled.
Miley nodded. She paused. "You know, if you don't co-operate with me on this, this thing isn't going to work. I need my employees to be open and honest with me. I have a good relationship with each and every one of those men at the house. I want the same with you, but if you can't act the way that they do with me."
"Well, what do you want to know?"
Miley shrugged. "Tell me about your life. Your childhood, whether you went to college -"
Nick scoffed and shook his head. "Ma'am, I'm from Huerto Alturas. Of course I didn't go to college."
"Well then, you can tell me what you used to do instead of that." Miley smiled. "Go on. Tell me about your life."
Nick sighed and shook his head. "I've always lived in Huerto Alturas with my mom, dad and brothers. I went to high school there. I didn't hang out with the right kinds of people when I was there." He sighed. "A few guys went off to college and never came back. I stayed at home and worked at my uncle's gas station. Then I got this job. I guess that's about it."
"Any family responsibilities? I mean, a wife or girlfriend?"
Nick smirked. "Now now, boss, let's not get too personal."
"I need to know if you have any problems with working overtime. But if you don't answer, I suppose I'll just take that as a yes."
He paused, and then shook his head. "I've been single since I was seventeen. I've been datin' random girls for years, but none of them have stuck." He sighed and looked up at her. "Is that enough information for you?"
"One more question," she replied. She smirked. "How's your work ethic?"
"I like to get a job done. No games, no delays. I just like to have it done without any problems." He smirked slightly. "Is that all? I have to get back to work," he explained, already getting ready to get up.
"If you're in such a hurry, that will be all. But if I have any more problems with you like the ones yesterday, you'll be out of a job faster than you can say Huerto Alturas," she replied, rising to her feet and walking around the table. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you."
Nick winked. "I look forward to it."
They stood at the office door, but neither of them moved. Nick allowed his eyes to wander from her face down her body. He couldn't help but notice her perfect curves and her legs that seemed to go on for miles. As much as he hated to admit it, his boss had the perfect body. Her facial beauty had already made him stop and stare for a moment, but her body just added to the appeal.
As he looked her up and down, she was doing the same to him. She couldn't help but notice his impressive abs through his white v-neck and his bulging biceps, just visible at the t-shirt sleeves. His bouncy curls and his soft chocolate eyes had attracted her attention from the beginning, but she had to admit that she'd always loved a man with a good body.
"So, uh, I should be going," he said softly.
"Mm, I guess you should," Miley replied, glancing at the door handle and putting her hand on it. "I'll be up at the O'Connor house either tomorrow or the day after. I suppose I'll see you up there, huh?"
Nick nodded. "I guess you will. I'll see you around then." He cleared his throat and walked out of the office, leaving Miley alone with her cheeks a substantially pinker colour than they had been when he entered the room.
Nick entered The Lucky Shamrock for what felt like the millionth time in his life. He looked around, clueless as to where he was expected to go. When he saw Alex's head in his usual booth, he took a deep breath and headed over to him for what he knew was going to be just another night of pressure from Alex.
He slipped into the seat across from Alex and sighed. "Hey, boss. What did you want me for?"
Alex smiled when he saw Nick. "Ah, Nicholas. How are you doing today?" he asked. He glanced at his beer on the table. "Would you like one? Luc, bring Nick here a beer!" he called. Alex turned back to face Nick and smiled slightly. "Now, kid. We have some talking to do. Have you thought any more about my offer?"
"Alex, I have this new job and -"
"And what does your new job have to do with the work I give you?" Alex sighed and shook his head. "Nick, my guys work at night. I suspect that this new job of yours is nine to five. You get home, take a shower, whatever you need to do, then you come out and work for me. Doesn't sound so difficult, does it?" Alex eyed Nick's expression and narrowed his eyes. "Kid, you ain't gonna get another chance like this in your life." He had clearly dropped his boss voice and gone back to his Huerto Alturas accent.
Nick nodded. "I know that. I just can't put my job on the line. My new boss made it clear that she don't want any trouble."
"You have a choice here, kid. You can move up and make twice the amount of money that you make now with me and make a better life for your momma and papa, or you can say no, and you can stay in the same position for the rest of your life." Alex watched Nick as he made his decision. "I can make a better life you, Nick. I can make your parents proud of you for what you're doing." When he realised that Nick wasn't budging, he smirked slightly and mumbled something in Irish. "Sin é."
Nick furrowed his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
Alex chuckled slightly at Nick's reply. "You seem to forget that my papa's Irish. He taught me the language, kid."
"Oh right, yeah. Well, what the hell does that mean?"
"I guess you'll never know." Alex reached for his wallet and threw it down on the table. He pulled out two crisp $100 bills and put them down on the table. "That could be what you earn on a night like this if you move on up, Nick. You can buy your momma the house she's always wanted. You can keep your little brother out of trouble. By moving up, you can keep that kid safe as well as giving your parents a better life." Alex shrugged. "It's all down to you."
Nick looked up. "What do you mean by 'a night like this'?"
"There's something happening over at the park tonight. Top secret." He winked at Nick and smirked. "I guess you'd know what it was if you took me up on my offer, huh?" Alex slipped out of the booth and stuck his wallet back in his pocket. "I'm trying to help you out here, Nick. If you move up now, soon enough, you could be in my position."
Nick stayed silent.
Alex sighed. "Call me if you change your mind, kid." He then turned and walked out of the bar, letting the door slam behind him.
Nick stayed in the booth, listening to the Irish traditional music that was playing on the speakers. Luc stared from behind the bar. Alex's dad, Padraig, emerged from the back room. He made his way over to the booth and slipped in where his son had once been sitting.
"What's my boy doing now?" he asked in a heavy Irish accent.
Nick smiled at Padraig. "What he's always doing."
Padraig sighed, disappointed. "I never wanted my boy to be the way he is. He just went off the rails a bit when he was a kid." He shook his head. "He's getting into trouble left right and centre, isn't he?" He shook his head once more. "Anyway, how's your ma doing?"
"She's good. Busy cooking, busy working. I think her and my papa are coming in here tonight."
"And what about little Frankie?"
Nick shrugged. "Probably getting sucked in my Alex."
Everybody in town trusted Padraig. Even if he was Alex's father, they all knew that he would never repeat a word that anybody said to his son. Padraig was a gentle, kind man. He loved to just help people. He didn't want anyone to be hurt by his boy just because they didn't agree with everything Alex did. Hell, even Padraig hated what Alex did. But Padraig knew not to stop him. Family or not, Alex had turned into a monster, and nobody wanted to stand in his way.
Padraig sighed. "You keep that boy safe, Nick. He's a good kid. I don't want my boy sucking him into his life. That little boy deserves better than a world like Alex's."
Than a world like mine, Nick thought. Instead of saying anything, Nick nodded. He slipped out of the booth and smiled at Padraig. "Thanks, sir. Hey, I better get home before my momma throws my dinner in the trash. I'll see you soon, though." Nick through a $5 dollar bill down on the table for his beer and walked out of the bar.
As Nick made his way down the street, he smiled slightly. Huerto Alturas was the kind of neighbourhood where everybody knew everybody else's name. Years ago, it was where all the immigrants from Mexico and South America went to live. Then the Irish came, and then the Italians. It was the part of town where you would find anyone who had foreign ancestors. The rest of town ... well, they all claimed to be 100% American.
Nick walked past the park. He couldn't help but look in. He saw about twelve members of the BB, many of which he recognised, standing in a line. Alex stood in front of them with one of his higher ranking members on either side of him. He was smirking slightly as he spoke to them. Behind him, another gang were entering the park. Nick recognised them as one of the gangs on the east side of town. They claimed to be 100% Latino.
Nick quickened his pace at the sight of the other gang. He knew what was going to happen. It would end up being a drug deal or something that would end badly. Somebody would end up shot or stabbed or beaten up, and they would be left abandoned in the park. Well, Nick wasn't going to be around when the cops showed up and arrested everyone in sight.
He walked on, thinking about his family as he walked. All four of his grandparents had been Italian. He remembered his mother telling him that she and her parents had moved to America when she was three. His father's parents, however, had moved to America before he was born. Both families had been looking for a better life. Nick smiled at the irony of it all. His grandparents had moved to America for a better life, and what had they gotten? Two grandsons in a gang and one that was pretty close to it.
He stopped outside his family's house and looked up. He could hear his mother singing as she cooked inside. He could hear his father turning the pages of his newspaper as the television blared in the living room. He could hear Frankie laughing in the back yard with his friend, Thomas, as they threw a baseball across the yard, just as they did every single night. The sounds he heard almost reminded him of a normal family. But no, his family wasn't normal. His family was the strangest thing a man could ever think of. A son on the run, another in a gang, one that was heading down the wrong road, and two parents that acted like it was all fine.
Nick pushed open the front door. "MOM, I'M HOME." He walked on in to the kitchen and smiled at his mom.
His mother saw him and her entire expression brightened up. She opened her arms. "My baby boy is home." She hugged him and whispered something in Italian that he couldn't hear. "How was work today?"
He ignored her question. "Why so excited to see me? I just saw you this morning." He was confused as to why she was so happy to see him, but hell, he liked to see her happy. He wasn't going to ruin it by going into too much detail, so he kept his question simple.
"No reason. It's just been a good day."
His father walked in to the kitchen. "Is dinner ready?" he asked, walking up to his wife and wrapping an arm around her face. "I think Frank's getting a bit hungry out there." He kissed his wife's temple and smiled. "It smells amazing, by the way, dear," he whispered. He walked to the fridge and took out a beer. "Nick, my boy. How was work today?"
"As usual. Boring."
His father chuckled and patted his son on the shoulder. "That's what work is like, son."
Ten minutes later, the four of them were sitting around the room, eating his mother's pasta and listening to his father talk about his day at work. Nick and Frankie glanced up at one another every so often, but no one disturbed the peace, despite the elephant in the room. They knew what they needed to talk about, but no one wanted to. They knew what it would lead to – yet another fight. As if they needed that.
Miley entered her apartment and kicked the door closed behind her. She switched on the lights and tossed her bag down on the kitchen counter. She looked around the empty apartment. Another night on her own. Well, that was a change.
Ever since she had broken up with Liam two months before, she had spent night after night on her own in the apartment, eating leftover Chinese food and watching reruns with her cat in the living room. She knew it sounded sad. Her boyfriend cheated on her, she kicked him out and then she spent every night from then on with her cat, but in all honesty, she knew the reason why she spent every single night alone. She knew that intimidated men. She knew that she had control issues. It was just the way she worked. She always had to be on top of a situation. She couldn't function otherwise. She had realised years ago that she was lucky to have a guy like Liam that would put up with her controlling attitude, but she wasn't going to spend her life with a man that was going to be unfaithful. She just wouldn't do that to herself.
She pulled out the leftover Chinese from the previous night from the fridge and moved to the couch for another night. She glanced at her phone. No missed calls, no incoming calls, no unnoticed text messages. It was just her on her own once again.
It wasn't even like she had a family to turn to. She had moved away from home after high school. She went to college and worked as a waitress until she had saved up enough money to rent an apartment. When she got her job, she had started to save pennies to try and buy an apartment of her own. Eventually, she had succeeded. But living in an apartment on her own meant one thing – night after night of loneliness.
Her cat, Whiskers, came and curled up beside her, nuzzling her head into Miley's lap, urging her to scratch her behind the ears. Miley didn't respond. Instead, she looked out the window and stared at the darkening sky.
She supposed that she had no one else to blame for her loneliness. She should have stayed near home, close to her sisters and parents. Close to her brothers. Close to her friends. She never should have stayed away. She sighed as she thought about her past choices. She was right. No one to blame but herself ...
"Just you and me, huh, Whiskers?"
She thought back two months. Back to when she was with Liam. She had thought they were good together. She had thought that they were going to work. She had pictured them growing old together with kids and a house in the suburbs with the picket fence and the friendly (yet overly nosy) neighbours. She had pictured them together with a mini-van and their own family home. Then she had decided to surprise him one night. She was going to come home early and make a romantic dinner. They would eat together and talk about their future. She had it all planned out. She had stopped at the grocery store and headed home. When she entered the apartment, she heard noises from her bedroom. She walked in and found Liam in their bed with the yoga instructor that lived across the hall. That night, she ended things. She threw him out of her apartment and hadn't spoken to him since.
Miley headed in to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine and took a sip as she stared at the cupboard. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It would all get better eventually. She would meet a nice guy and they would settle down and start a family together. That's how it worked for her sister. Certainly it would work for her too, right?
She pulled the fridge open to store the wine back in. When she put the wine bottle in the fridge door, the door suddenly came down onto the tile. Glass bottles smashed and cartons spilled their contents out onto the tiles.
Miley shrieked in horror. She jumped back from the glass on the floor and covered her mouth in shock. "Damnit," she muttered. "Just what I need." She went and got a brush, muttering under her breath as she went. "My life is just freaking perfect."
WOTCHA. How are you guys? Thanks to all of you YWFAT readers who decided to check out this story! Means a lot x Please leave a review and tell me what you thought of this chapter. Love you all x