Life Rewired (Aspen Friends, Book 3) Read Online Free

grocery budget every week.
    “Take him up on it when he cooks.” Curtis joined us then bumped into the into the breakfast bar as he slid a company t-shirt over his head. “We can figure out grocery runs later.”
    I shrugged. Natalie had also left groceries for me, the little sneak. I wouldn’t be living on ramen noodles until my next paycheck. “Thanks.” I held out a stopping hand as he reached to add bacon to the eggs he’d just dished onto my plate. “Vegetarian.”
    The guys exchanged a look then shrugged. “More for us.”
    We sat and ate together, which was a nice change for me. The past two years had been pretty solitary. Nobody really talked on the line at work and my personal time consisted of trying to pick up handyperson work to help pay the rent. A normal breakfast filled with easy conversation was both entertaining and a treat. So far, I was getting a good vibe from them.
    “You guys mind if I let my cats wander the house when we’re not here?” I asked when I cleared our plates into the dishwasher.
    “No probs,” Curtis said, and it set the tone for our house sharing experience. They were casual and cool with my cats. I’d do what I could to be a decent roommate for them. It was a relief really. Being a shitty roommate bothered me as much as it bothered my roommates and cellmates in the past.
    A horn sounded from outside. I finished packing a lunch and shoved my thermos under the facet to fill. On the way out the door, I picked up the five gallon bucket where I kept my limited supply of tools and the new hardhat Natalie had left for me. I shook my free arm and let out a slow breath. Time to start my second chance at a decent life.
    Natalie waved me up to the front seat. The guys loaded into the backseat with Natalie’s dog, a cute herding breed that seemed at ease with them and familiar with this morning routine. She got the truck in motion and headed to the end of the street, pulling into the driveway of the nearest house. Before I could ask what we were doing, the front door opened and an Asian woman stuck her head out the door and waved. Natalie waved back but Cole brought down his window and shouted hello.
    A black man a little older than the woman appeared beside her and kissed her cheek before making his way to the truck. Was this guy really on Natalie’s crew? He was seventy if he was a day.
    “Yo, Owen,” Curtis greeted while Cole went into a long, “Oowenn.”
    Natalie introduced us as she backed out of his driveway and got us on the road to the site. The boys yammered the entire drive. By the time we arrived, I could tell they had nothing but respect for Owen and what he could do with woodworking. Interesting crew Natalie had here.
    Ten seconds after we stepped out of the truck, someone called out from inside the structure. “Harp’s here!”
    The front porch suddenly filled with Miguel, two other Latino guys, and a white dude. All sported various versions of Natalie’s t-shirts and looked cohesive as a unit.
    “Q-king Owen in the house,” one of the Latino guys called, rushing down the steps to bump fists with the older man.
    “New chick,” the white guy said.
    “Falyn, this is the crew,” Natalie said introducing each as Luis, Ramón, and Tyler.
    “Hey, guys.” I tried for nonchalant. I’d perfected this attitude in prison where it was dangerous to show any emotion when meeting someone.
    “Damn glad you’re here,” Luis told me. “No more dealing with Anton the Putz.”
    “The electrical subcontractor,” Natalie supplied with a smile. I hoped I lived up to her expectations. Even if all the guys turned out to be assholes, working with Natalie again, living in the beautiful place she arranged, and making a livable wage was enough.
    Natalie gathered everyone around the work table with the plans and gave out the day’s instructions. She carefully explained things that were often missed without making it sound condescending or like an order. She, Cole, and I would