Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

JAY

“This insulation is making my skin crawl,” Wes complains.

“This tiny duct tunnel is making my skin crawl,” Maverick cries.

“Why do the two of you act like it’s your first day every time we come on a job?” I huff out, lifting the heavy pipes in the tight spot, while the two of them act like babies.

“Listen, you two knew what you were getting into. I thought HVAC repair was hooking up a few wires to a new wall unit. You never warned me I’d be working in a coffin all day.”

Snickering at Maverick, I have to agree with him. When Wes and I knew we needed a third guy on the jobs with us, we convinced him it’d be easy money. We didn’t tell him all the minor details that go into this job. Like the tiny crawl spaces and the emergency calls on weekends or evenings.

Eh. it’s his own fault for not researching properly.

“Yes, but would you rather work with a bunch of deadbeats or your two besties all day long?”

He gives me the side eye and I bark out a laugh. “Just lift the other end of this pipe, would you? I know I’m strong and all, but it's hot as fuck. Help a guy out, huh?”

He grumbles and crawls to me on his knees, helping set the pipe in place. And just when the clanging stops echoing, we hear a voice.

“.. this place is really incredible … “

The sound of the feminine voice makes me take notice. My eyes find Wes and he looks at me with brows furrowed.

“What's wrong?”

“Did you hear that?”

“The voice?”

“Yeah. That didn’t sound like Mrs. Holly.”

He snickers. “Oh? You think about how Mrs. Holly sounds? Does she whisper sweet nothings into your ear?”

“Man, shut the fuck up. I’m serious! There’s someone else with her.”

He rolls his eyes. “Stop fucking around with hearing voices and if you tell me you see dead people next, I’m quitting. Let’s get this shit installed and get out of here. I’m about to go crazy being locked in here with you two.”

I shake off the lingering odd feeling and get back to work, but then, only a few minutes later the voice is back, drawing my attention away from the job.

“...Read to them?..” she sputters, uncertainty and unease evident in her question.

“Whoever it is, they’re in the Read Me, Baby room. Are you surprised she has a sexy voice?” Maverick asks knowingly. I give him a dry look, and he adds, “That’s your scene, isn’t it? You’d know.”

He chuckles and I suppress my urge to punch him. These guys never let up on my fondness for romance novels.

“Maybe it’s the new librarian?” Wes says. “Have you met her yet?”

“Ooh, yes!” Maverick crows. “You better get down there and meet her before some other sad sap snatches her up!”

“Fuck you guys,” I grumble. “And how would I have met her when I’ve been working up here with you two fools. Let’s just finish up and get out of here.”

I find myself working with a little more enthusiasm hoping to get out on time and see what’s going on down there. With only about forty minutes left, I push as fast as I can, but by the time we clean up and make it downstairs, Mrs. Holly and the new girl are both gone.

I leave for the day with a newfound pep in my step hoping tomorrow brings about a change for the better.