3. Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Jake

J ake

I pulled up to Hayes headquarters and threw the truck in park, but before I could slide out of the truck and head inside for our all-hands meeting, my phone rang. I picked it up, scowling at it, and debated letting it go to voicemail. I didn't recognize the number, which made the urge to leave it even stronger. I didn't typically screen my calls, but then, people didn't call me very often, either.

On the fourth ring, I answered warily. "Hello?"

"Doug Cutler here. I'm calling for Jake Young please."

"Speaking."

I could hear his fake smile across the phone line. "Jake, so glad to finally get a chance to talk to you."

"I wish I could say the same." I didn't know who this guy was or how he'd gotten my number, but I was already done with the call.

He chuckled. "Look, I'm one of the executive producers over at Everyday Entertainment Studios. We're producing Heartland Overhaul ."

"Okay. What can I do for you?"

"Levi Hayes gave me your number. He thought it might be better if we spoke directly. Do you have a minute to chat?"

I glanced at the time on my phone. Five minutes till nine. Five minutes until I needed to be in the meeting. "I have a minute."

Doug chuckled again, this time sounding a little uncomfortable. "Listen, we've seen your work."

"My work?"

"We've seen photos of the projects you've led. Before and after shots. I really want you on this team."

"I told Levi I'd think about it."

"Have you decided yet?"

"Not exactly."

"I promise, it will be worth your time. Levi has nothing but good things to say about you. We want you on this team. What can I do to get you to say yes?"

I took another look at the time. I had one minute to be settled. "I'll call you back." Without waiting for his response, I hung up and hurried inside.

When I entered the meeting room, Levi was waiting, along with the crew of people who worked for us, which was growing rapidly. Hayes was steadily taking on more work, and we needed good, quality employees.

"There he is," Levi said as I entered.

My cheeks heated and I looked at the floor, embarrassed to be late and to be called out for it. "Yeah, yeah. I had a call." I shot Levi a look. " Someone gave out my number."

It was his turn to look embarrassed, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Guilty. Sorry, man, the guy wouldn't stop calling me."

I grunted and took a seat, scowling.

Levi began the meeting, giving the crew important updates about different jobs, progress on material orders, and answering questions. Once everyone had their assignments for the week, and started filtering out, he turned to me. "Did you hear from Doug yet?"

"I did. I'm still thinking about it."

Levi rubbed the back of his neck. "Here's the thing. I don't have time to jump in and take point on this. I need you to agree if we're going to be a part of the project."

I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded. "Okay. If I agree, what's my next step?"

"I want you to put together a lead crew from the guys we already have. Electric, plumbing, HVAC, an exterior contractor or two. You'll need someone for drywall and a carpenter, too, and eventually painting, unless you want to tackle that yourself. From there, you can have each lead pull together his own group. We'll need as many people as possible working on this if we're going to make their timeline."

My mind worked over his instructions. "Masonry?"

"Good point. Yeah. You'll at least need someone to keep an eye on the fireplace and the foundation."

A slow sigh escaped me and I nodded. "Got it. Anything else?"

He shook his head. "I think that covers it."

As a general contractor, I could cover almost any of the trades, including most of the ones he'd listed, but that's why he hired me—to run the show, fill in when needed, and keep things on track. "Fine."

"So is that a yes?"

"I'll think about it. Talk to the guys. See what they say."

"That's all I can ask. Thank you."

I uncrossed my arms and stood, pressing a fingertip to the space between my eyebrows briefly. "You're welcome."

By the time I'd made it back to my truck, it was nearly ten thirty and my day was shot to hell. It felt like everyone was pressuring me to do this show, and more and more, my reason to not do the show was more of a determined resistance than an actual reason anymore. I'd initially resisted on principle—I hated those over-produced reality TV shows—but Levi and Doug kept sweetening the deal and it seemed inevitable.

I took a deep breath and started my truck. I'd planned on helping at a house that had recently lost part of its roof in a storm, but instead I'd be spending my day running all over town trying to recruit crew members for this godforsaken television show. I couldn't do the project alone, no matter how much I wanted to, so I decided to compromise. If I could find enough guys on our existing team to work on the project, I'd take the gig. I wanted to make sure that qualified, local contractors got the work, rather than bringing in people from somewhere else, people who wouldn't understand Port Grandlin and the charm it held. If I couldn't find the help, Levi and Doug would have to find someone else.

My first stop was at a job where we were finishing up the exterior where there'd been a house fire. Our exterior guys were installing siding and a roof that day, and I swung by to see if I could convince them to join. It turned out to be much easier than I expected—they both agreed quickly and said they could get their crews in on the project if needed, too. I shook my head, resolve crumbling. The next stops garnered me the mason and the HVAC team, and then I tackled plumbing, who was also on board quickly.

These fucking people. I shook my head and sighed. It was looking more and more inevitable.

My final stop took me to a job site near my home, a restoration we'd recently started. When I pulled up, our electrician, Reid, was reaching into his van. He stepped back when he heard my engine cut, nodding at me and waving with his free hand. The other hand held his drill case.

"Hey, man," he called as I got out of the truck and shut the door. "What's going on?"

"How's the job going?" I leaned against my truck as we talked.

Reid nodded. "So far so good." He lifted his drill case. "Just about to go drill some studs." He winked.

My stomach tensed and my mouth went dry. Reid was openly gay and I admired him for it, but I didn't know how to react when he said things like that. I wasn't sure I'd ever feel comfortable being open about my sexuality… whatever it was. I wasn't even sure myself. Even though I was inching closer to forty-five, I'd never been in a serious relationship and the sex with women I'd had was lackluster at best. I swallowed and tried to regain my composure, knowing I'd taken way too long to respond already. "Sounds like a walking HR violation."

"Or a good time on a Saturday night," he countered. "Anyway, did you need anything?"

"Troy around? Wanted to talk to both of you."

"Sure, I'll go get him." He jogged away and a few minutes later, he returned, Troy close behind.

"What's up, boss?" Troy asked.

I opened my mouth to protest that I wasn't their boss, but then I closed it. I kind of was their boss, and if they joined the TV project, I definitely would be. "Listen, have you two heard of this TV show thing?" When they nodded, I continued on. "I've been tapped to put together a crew and lead the team. What do you think?"

"That's great, man," Reid said. "Congrats."

"Yeah," Troy agreed. "It sounds pretty awesome."

"No—not about me leading. What do you think about joining my crew?"

They looked at each other before looking at me. "I mean, hell yeah, I'm in." Reid grinned his usual crooked grin and winked at me again. "As long as I get to drill some studs."

I pressed my fingertips to that spot between my eyebrows again and sighed. "Walking HR violation," I repeated.

Troy gave Reid a little shove and laughed, shaking his head. "Reid's penchant for sexual harassment notwithstanding, I'm in, too."

"Alright then. I guess I'll give Doug a call and see if they still want us. Thanks, team. I'll keep you updated."

Instead of calling Doug whatever-his-name-was again, I decided I'd let him stew overnight and call him the next morning.

Things got hectic and the next day passed more quickly than I expected. It was nearly lunchtime before I had a chance to call him back. I had to admit, I enjoyed the idea of some TV executive waiting on me for a green light. When I decided I couldn't put him off any longer, I grabbed my phone out of my truck, where it usually lived while I was working, and pulled up the number that had called me the day before.

"Doug Cutler."

"Yeah, uh… hi. This is Jake Young."

"Jake! I'm so glad to hear from you." His tone was effusive and he sounded incredibly fake. "Have you made a decision?"

I hesitated before answering. It was my last chance to get away. Then I remembered all the crew members I'd recruited and Levi's kind but insistent request. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Apparently I have. Count me in."

"That's excellent news."

I groaned inwardly. What had I gotten myself into? "Something like that. So… what's my next step?"