Just For Now (A Flirting With Trouble Novel) Read Online Free Page B

cheese pizza from one of the boxes, slap it on the thin disposable plate, and walk up to him.
    “So, listen, you might want to let everyone eat first,” I suggest quietly. “Just so they can relax and settle in a little bit.”
    “This won’t be hard or anything,” Owen argues. He tries to give an encouraging smile at the people around us who are, clearly, far more interested in the Bacon Lover’s than brainstorming.
    I’m gonna have to take care of this for him, aren’t I?
    I clear my throat.
    “Hey! People!” I clap my hands. “Grab a slice and cop a squat so we can do this.”
    I think Owen is mildly impressed by how quickly that approach works, but I’ve also worked with this staff, with very little turnover, for over a year. So, it’s not like I’m a new guy walking into a room of strangers and demanding participation. Then again, I’m not one to demand anything of anyone. And they know that.
    As everyone settles down, I motion to Owen to pick back up where he left off, then sit in the closest chair and take a grudging bite of my pizza.
    “So, obviously, this is a hard day,” he begins. As he looks around the group, I follow his gaze. He’s met with resistance immediately. People aren’t looking at him, or they’ve got their arms crossed over their chests in the universal symbol for “fuck right off.”
    I brace myself, waiting for a superior, bosslike approach.
    It doesn’t come. Instead, Owen grabs a chair and sits down.
    “Look,” he says, dropping the marker on the table in front of him, “I understand that this sucks. I—I didn’t really know anything about Remy, but he sounds like he was a great boss and a great friend. I found out last night about this new position and now I’d really like to make the best of it. I hope . . . I hope that you could do the same thing.”
    It’s a genuine request. I glance around the table and people seem to be listening now. Derrick has put his phone away—before, he was clearly playing a game or texting. Shannon is sort of smiling at Owen. The way her eyes scan over him, I don’t think his appearance has escaped her notice, either.
    “So.” Owen slaps the table with both palms. “Let’s talk about how things work around here. Especially before the kids get here. What do I need to know?”
    ***
    It’s a long list.
    “Oh, and Priscilla. She’s twelve, but she’s got a little brother, Dominick, who she’s basically responsible for.”
    “Don’t forget about Charlie. Fifteen. She self-identifies as female, but she’s getting a lot of flack at school and at home. Her father wants her to play football and shit.”
    “What about Brent? I’m ninety-nine percent sure there are charges pending against him. Remy was trying to find out for sure before we kick him out for good. They’re juvie charges, but still.”
    We go around the room and discuss the kids with the most troubled homes, the kids who’ve had run-ins with police lately, the kids who try to hide in the building when we close up for the night. Owen’s abandoned his plans for writing on the whiteboard. Instead, he’s scribbling everything we say on a pad of paper. With every story, every warning, every reminder, his eyes get a little wider and his pen moves a little faster.
    “Okay, guys,” I say, holding up a hand. “I know Owen needs a good rundown, but we might have him running for the door before the kiddos even get here.”
    Owen doesn’t say anything to that, but I can see by his smile that he’s feeling something like relief. He shakes his hand, which I assume is cramping after the marathon of notes.
    “We’ve got thirty minutes or so until school lets out and I’ve got a half dozen phone calls still to make,” I say, looking at Owen expectantly. For a second, I think he’s going to protest so that it doesn’t seem like I’m calling the shots again. Instead, he just nods.
    “Thanks, everybody,” he says, giving a sort of awkward wave before he looks back down