Chapter 13: Jason, Mr. Nosy

CLARA

Jason shook his head and put his feet up on a spare chair.

I knew he was attempting to look like he didn’t have a care in the world, but I could see the tension in his shoulders and the way he looked at me.

“I mean, yeah, that’s true. But I’m just saying: people who choose to live secluded lives in the woods usually mean trouble.

“Best case scenario, he’s just a weirdo who thinks he’s friends with wolves. Like the dude who lived with bears, remember that? And then the bears ate him? Or maybe he’s a cult leader and the members worship wolves!”

“I highly doubt either of those is true, Jason. That sounds like small-town urban legends. The ones passed around by kids who steal their parents’ booze and drunkenly try to scare each other because there’s nothing else to do.”

“Ouch,” Jason replied, wincing. “Solid burn for someone who reeks of city girl. But those are best case. Worst case scenario, he’s dangerous. I’m glad your article is ready to go, because you’re sounding way too invested in this guy and his secrets.”

I rolled my eyes—both because Jason was being dramatic and because for a split second, I thought he was going to say, “because I’m worried about you getting hurt.”

Not that I ~wanted~ him to say anything like that, obviously. Because he’s my annoying coworker. ~Just~ my annoying coworker.

“Well, thanks for the pep talk anyway,” I said as flippantly as I could.

“I’m serious, Clara. Be careful. You don’t need to be getting lost in the woods, figuratively or literally.”

He shrugged again and turned back to his desk, and I couldn’t help feeling like something strange was happening between the two of us.

I was about to get back to work when he turned his head and said in his usual joking tone, “If he ends up being a vampire, though, I call dibs on the story.”

“You mean werewolf,” I replied, without even thinking.

Jason’s chair flipped around so fast I thought he was going to fall out, and he rolled it over so he could lean on the edge of my desk.

I pushed his elbow away with my ruler, not wanting the edge of my desk to rest in his armpit.

He didn’t seem offended by the move at all. Instead, he just pressed his palms into his knees and leaned forward, getting all up in my bubble.

“You think he’s a werewolf?” he asked, and I was surprised by the glimmer in his eyes. “Did you see something?”

I opened my mouth to refute him and say that was crazy, but what tumbled out instead was, “I don’t really know. It was the middle of the night, and I might have been dreaming, but I thought I saw a big silver wolf walk out of the woods and turn into Elias.”

Jason’s eyes widened even more, and he looked like there were so many questions trying to come out at once that he was choking on them. He seemed to think the better of most of them and sat back in the chair.

“That sounds like you’re seeing things, Clara. Have you been sleeping all right?”

His words were, “You’re crazy,” but his face said, “You believe in them too? No, just play it cool, Jason.”

That made me wonder what he knew, but I didn’t have the energy to grill him about it right now in the middle of the office.

Again, I considered lying. But the truth had already begun to siphon out, and I couldn’t stop it at this point.

“Actually, no. I haven’t been sleeping well, because the floor is dang hard. And a sleeping bag does very little to cushion it. I’m getting too old to sleep like I’m camping every night.”

I felt my back twinge as I remembered how stiff I was, and I’m sure an accompanying grimace spread across my face.

“Parks, you’re joking, right?” Jason’s eyebrows lowered, and his face took on a look of confusion. “You haven’t really been sleeping on the floor since you moved here, have you?”

The softness in his voice managed to break the damn dam inside my chest, and I felt tears beginning to well up in my eyes. Afraid that my voice would crack, I simply nodded and took deep breaths to avoid a full-on breakdown at my desk.

Jason pulled a tissue from the box on my desk and handed it to me, a mixture of shock and sadness in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you say anything? I knew you didn’t have enough money for food, but I didn’t realize you didn’t even have a bed!”

My shoulders dropped in relief—it felt good to finally confide in someone.

“I have a shitbox car, a sleeping bag, and a suitcase of clothes. And a toothbrush,” I admitted. “My ex got everything in exchange for me not having to take on his mountain of debt.”

“Where is this asshole? I’m gonna kill him,” Jason growled. “What kind of jerk takes absolutely everything and leaves a woman like you to live like a homeless person? Wait. You ~do~ have a place to live, right? You’re not sleeping at the homeless shelter or something, are you?”

He jumped up from his chair as if his emotions were too big for him to sit still and began to pace.

I held up a hand and shook my head vigorously.

“No, I’m not homeless. I have an apartment! There just isn’t much in it. I’ll survive another week until payday, then I can get a bed and some real groceries. Everything will be fine. Everybody has their rough patches, you know?”

At this point, our coworkers were beginning to stare. I flushed and turned to face my computer so my back would be to most of the room.

Jason paced for a few more seconds before taking a deep breath and returning to his chair.

“I’m not going to let you sleep on the floor for another week. I’ll see what I can do about finding a bed, or at least a couch. I’d offer to let you stay with me until you get furniture, but I don’t think my roommates would be cool with that.”

“I wouldn’t take you up on the offer anyway. I’m not some stray kitten, Jason. I already gave up the last fifteen years of my life to being dependent on someone else. This is my chance to take my power back, and I’m seizing it.”

Jason frowned but must have decided not to push.

“All right. But if you need anything, you’re not an island. Not anymore.”

***

Elias

Friday, 5pm. Wear hiking clothes.

No “hello,” no “how are you,” not even “do you want to come over?”

I stared at the first text he’d ever sent me and couldn’t help starting to laugh. This guy was used to getting his way, obviously.

I debated texting something sarcastic or snarky back to test the boundary, but honestly? I wanted to go. And besides, I liked that glimmer he got in his eye when I challenged him in person.

Clara

Sure. I’ll be there. Should I bring anything else?

Elias

Pajamas.

Damn if that didn’t make me blush. But also, another night in that comfy bed instead of on my apartment floor? Double score.

I texted him a thumbs-up and tucked my phone back into my pocket. Now I just had to make it through my second week of being dead broke—and I’d be good to go.

I dropped my completed articles in the office drop box and not ten minutes later, Perkins was at my cubicle. He once again sat his nasty butt right on my desk, the view sending a shudder down my spine.

“You’re a decent writer, Parks. Reliable. And solid on deadlines. I like that. So I’m giving you a bigger solo interview. You’re welcome.”

I didn’t say thank you, for the record. But I did nod and pull out my notebook to jot down any instructions Mr. Butt Desk Boss Man had.

“Another victim showed up at the hospital on Sunday morning, but this time he’s alive. He has all the same cuts and tears as the murdered men, and I hear he’s in rough shape. Now that the police are done with him, it’s our turn. See what you can get out of him.”

“You’re just letting me go without Jason because he’s already busy, aren’t you?”

Perkins’s face said yes, but his mouth remained silent. He slipped me a card with the hospital room number on it, the guy’s name, and the hospital address before changing the subject.

“Also, I was informed that you’re in need of some furniture post-move. The other side of that card has the contact information for the local Goodwill manager.

“He’s a friend of mine and he can get you set up. I’ve already spoken to him, so he’s expecting your call.”

He tapped the card in my hand and finally got his butt off my desk. I barely noticed, though, because I was so shocked by what he’d said.

“Freaking Jason!” I spat and turned to look at his empty chair. “I shouldn’t have trusted that he’d keep anything in confidence…”

“Yes, that ~was~ a mistake on your part,” Perkins chuckled, “but you also can’t get help if you don’t tell anyone you need it.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed. “I wasn’t asking for help. I told him I wanted to take my power back, and that includes taking care of myself without relying on others. I’ll be fine in a couple of paychecks.”

I was so frustrated that my chest felt tight and my eyes pricked, but I absolutely refused to cry in front of my new boss, especially right now.

“Utilizing your network doesn’t take away any of your power, Parks. I don’t know what circumstances brought you here or what your previous support system looked like, but around here we take care of each other. Let your community empower you.”

Perkins patted my desk and wandered off back to his office, leaving me feeling annoyed.

Annoyed at Jason for blabbing my business.

Annoyed at Grant for putting me in this situation.

Annoyed at myself for opening up at all—but also for staring at the back of that card and feeling just the smallest bit grateful for the help.