What Does He Want?

Rainey

Twice on the way to the train, Killian’s ring tone blared from my phone again. I didn’t need his shit today. I pressed END every single time. Even though he wouldn’t stop calling, he didn’t leave a message or send a text. So obviously whatever he needed wasn’t that important or else he’d try to find another method of contacting me. The only emergency I cared about was Tanner and he was safe with my parents. If I picked up the phone Killian would say something stupid and mess with my head somehow.

It was only during those last months of our marriage that I realized how much he held me back in life. He had been the one to go to college while I was stuck paying the bills by taking odd temp jobs. Then when Tanner came along, Killian didn’t want me to work. It was only later that I understood that he wanted to be the big-shot breadwinner with a wife at home who would be at his beck and call. I had drive once and it took spending everything I had (plus money from my parents) on a lawyer to find that part of me again. When I’d started school, Killian told me it was a waste of money and time. He even tried to make me feel guilty for leaving Tanner with my parents for most of the time.

And while I tried not to let his words get to me, anytime he mentioned my parenting I would immediately get defensive. Killian didn’t care what he said as long as he got a rise out of me. I wasn’t going to let that happen today. By not answering his phone calls, I was keeping my head in the game. And that’s what I needed to do to get this interview and then the job.

The streets were slick with rain from the previous night and my heels clacked along the concrete. I dreaded how my feet were going to feel by the end of the day. I should have worn them around the apartment last night to break them in. I hoped I could hold it together until after the interview. I’m not sure Mr. Carrington would appreciate me limping into his office.

I wondered if he was going to interview me himself or have one of his staff do it. I’d never applied to such a big company before so I had no idea how it worked. I would be happy if they offered the interview at all. I was going in there on a hunch.

The train horn blared in the distance and I was still a block away from the stop.

“No, no, no,” I murmured to myself and picked up my pace. I had to make it on this train. I needed as much time as possible to get to the building before the interviews started. Showing my dedication might be able to get me into the office. And if that didn’t work, I’d go to Plan B.

The train was at the station when I arrived. I took the steps two at a time, my legs were screaming for me to stop but I gathered every ounce of energy inside of me and bounded for the train.

The horn went off again and the doors started to close in front of me. I threw my arms out into the space between the doors. The sensors registered my arms and stopped the doors, opening them again.

I flung myself into the car and bashed my arm into someone. “Sorry,” I said to the man and scooted further into the space.

 The car was packed, but I was too tired to look for a seat in another car. Instead, I found a spot to stand next to the doors on the opposite side of the car. The other doors closed and I sighed. The train lurched forward and I was finally able to breathe. That was a little too close. But I made it.

Then my phone rang again. I let out a frustrated groan and ended the call once more. He was not going to get to me! Even though I woke up late, everything since had worked out in my favor. I was on a winning streak and I knew it was going to continue. Killian wasn’t going to ruin that.

The guy I’d bumped gave me a look and I delivered it right back. He rolled his eyes and went back to reading something on his phone.

He was allowed to be on his phone but I wasn’t?

I leaned my head back against the door and closed my eyes for a second. I needed to focus on this interview. I imagined shaking hands with Mr. Carrington after getting the job and signing a contract for more money than Tanner and I ever needed. Then I’d buy us a home near my parents with a backyard. Tanner constantly bugged me to get a dog, so we’d get one and finally not have to worry about anything.

A stupid grin stretched across my lips. I knew I was going overboard with my daydreams but I had a feeling deep down in my bones that I was going to get this job. I’d worked so hard in school and raising Tanner; I needed a win. And this opportunity could be that for me.

I came out of my fantasy and looked down at my phone. I debated calling the office to see if there were more openings for interviews. But since this was so last minute, I decided to take my chances at the office. It would be harder for them to turn me down in person. At least I would make it much harder for them in person.

Killian called again and since I was holding my phone I was able to stop the ringer right away. I glanced at the annoyed guy and his fingers gripped his phone harder, but at least I didn’t get a look.

I had a feeling Killian was going to keep annoying me if I continued to ignore him. I would have to turn my phone off during the interview, even though I hate to ever have my phone on silent when I wasn’t with Tanner.

I gripped my phone in my hand, ready to hang up on Killian the next time he called. I peered out the window, allowing my mind to live in the fantasy of getting this job, just for a little while longer. Fuck it. I had to know what he wanted.

“What?” I barked into the phone as I pressed it to my ear.

Click. The line went dead. Of course he hung up the minute I answered. I growled and dropped the phone back in my purse. Why had I decided looks mattered more than sustenance when I decided to marry him?

If I ever got with another guy, which was highly unlikely, he was going have a whole hell of a lot more in his favor than a sexy smile and a great body.

He’d have to have stability. Money. A big dick.

I snickered at the thought. I was going to hell, but oh, what a ride it would be.