Fabricated Christmas - Glenna Maynard
1
—Finnick—
Flipping through the stack of applications I let out a breath and scrub a palm over my face. The blades of the small fan on my desk whir, blowing the corners of the papers up.
“Still no luck?” My mom dips her head through the doorway of my private office.
I lay my hands over my chest knitting my fingers together as I lean back in my black leather chair. “Nope.”
“What about that one…you know,” she presses, making the motion of big boobs over her chest.
I shake my head. “If I hire Amanda, Sean won’t get any work done for staring at her ass all day.”
“Gross.” Auden darts past Mom.
“Hey, meanness. How was school today?”
“Boring.” She rolls her eyes. “We have to memorize a gazillion words for the spelling bee. I don’t like it.”
“I tell you what. You ace the list and I’ll think about letting you have that sleepover you’ve been going on about for your birthday.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up, stars dancing behind her green orbs.
“Why not?”
Her arms sling around my neck as she climbs into my lap. “You’re the best.”
I give her a hug. “Go get started on your homework. We’ll head home in about an hour once I finish up.”
Auden runs off, and Mom hesitates to follow her.
“What? Whatever it is, spit it out. We both know you’ll call me later to gripe if you don’t get it off your chest. So out with it. Let me have it.”
“When are you going to put yourself out there again? It’s been three years.” Her voice lowers. “Kenya remarried and is having another baby.”
“I know. Auden informed me she’s getting another brother.” My ex-wife is on her second husband since our divorce was final three years ago. And she’s on baby daddy number three. Another reason we fight about custody so much. She’s not setting a good healthy example for Auden. I don’t want her being raised to think you trade your men out like worn shoes. Thankfully the judge thought I was the better parent and gave me full custody with her having access to Auden every other weekend. It doesn’t hurt that I am well versed in the law being I make my living as a divorce attorney. And because I’m not a complete dick, we alternate holidays and birthdays.
“Don’t you want to find someone to share your life with?”
“You mean like hiring Amanda.” I chuckle. “No thanks. I am happy. I’ve got my career and Auden. I don’t shit where I eat.” What my mother may or may not know is I’ve fucked Amanda a few times over the years since I’ve been single, but she’s not the kind of woman a man settles down with. I knew the minute I saw her application what she was up to. She’s been hinting for months that she wants more. A relationship. I’m not going there. She’s good for letting off steam and getting off but nothing more than that. Wife material. I think not. Fuck buddy is pushing it.
I’ve tried to cut loose of her for months, but she keeps popping up when she knows Auden is at her mom’s place like a crazy ass stalker, and I know them when I see them. I cross crazy assed bitches constantly in my line of work.
“I worry about what will happen to you and Auden. You need a good woman to take care of you. Both of you.”
My brow shoots up. “And you think Amanda is gonna be that woman?”
“I don’t know. I worry about you being lonely.” Mom pushes any woman that even looks at me longer than ten seconds, on me. Wanting me to settle down, give her more grandkids. She should have had more kids herself if she wanted so many grandchildren. One kid is plenty.
“I’m a grown ass man. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re right, son, but no matter how old you get as your mother it’s my job to worry after you.”
“I love you, Mom. Now get on home. I’m sure the old man is waiting on his supper.”
“All right.” She gives me one last exasperated glance before she goes.
I knock the stack of applications into the trash can that sits next to my desk. I don’t know what my problem is. I should get it over with and pick someone but none of them feel right for the job or the office. Sean’s girlfriend was doing a decent job holding down the secretary role but when their relationship went sour, I had to