The Job (Volume One) by Dawn Robertson Read Free Book Online Page B

me.” His words are so desperate and I feel horrible for running out on him. He deserves so much better, way better than me. The poor man has been through so much, and here I am about to throw more bullshit his way. Well, that isn’t going to happen. Not if I can help it.
    “I’m sorry, Brian. I have to go. I had a wonderful time with you. I just need some time to digest this all. I need some time to get myself together because all of this is just too much for me to handle. I didn’t expect even half of this… I didn’t expect a connection, or to click with you. I’m sorry and I have no intentions of hurting you. I just need to figure this all out.” I can feel the familiar sting of tears coming to my eyes and I know that is my final cue because there is no way I am going to cry in front of him.
    “I’m sorry, Madeline. Your money is on the kitchen counter. Please, e-mail me when you are ready.” Brian stands and walks into the bathroom, quietly closing the door and then fastening the lock. I can hear the click echo through the silence of the bedroom. A single tear falls from my eye and I wonder if I just ruined the only good thing that has happened to me in the past year of my life.

    Three entire days go by. Each day I open my e-mail and see if Brian sent me anything, but I am disappointed when nothing turns up. I tell myself it is better off that way, even if I know it is a lie. The hours pass by slowly when the children are at school and my job search doesn’t get any better. Out of all the resumes I sent, I only landed two interviews, and neither panned out.
    I wonder if I should just start answering some of the e-mails I’ve received in response to my ad, which just so happens to still be up on that stupid site. I didn’t have the balls to take it down. In fact, I almost hoped it would just go away.
    Can I watch you masturbate? I’m sorry if this comes off as gross or
    desperate but I just love watching a woman pleasure herself. I won’t
    touch you at all. I will just pleasure myself at a safe distance away from
    you. Is that something you would consider? $400 and I host. Please reply.
    My name is Joe, by the way.
    Some of the offers aren’t half bad. In fact, that is a lot of money to just watch someone jerk off. I’m constantly arguing with myself, going back and forth on hooking up with another guy. This voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that I have some misplaced loyalty to Brian. But, the fact of the matter is… I am nothing to him and he is nothing to me. He is a man I had sex with for money. He paid me for my time. He made me an offer and never came after me. It is stupid, I know. Do I want this guy to chase me? Who knows, but what I do know is, right now, I have the opportunity to get some money in the bank and find a real job without worrying that my utilities are going to get shut off.
    I don’t know if I am stubborn or just flat out crazy. Maybe I am making up for the skanky college years all at once, way after college. But, I’m not going to sit around and wait for Brian to e-mail me. I am going to hustle when I can.
    I click reply on the masturbation guy and give him some stipulations.
    I am interested.
    Must be between 8am and 2pm. Or on a weekend.
    No contact, you give me the address and time.
    Cash only up front.
    I must be losing my mind or I’ve just hit the point in my life where I simply don’t give a flying fuck anymore. I gasp to myself when the word fuck flies through my vocabulary. It isn’t something I’ve used much over the years but it feels like a good time to start.
    I search through my e-mail box more, trying to clean out all the bullshit and decide who is actually worth my time. I swear there must be a hundred replies to the one ad and some of them are downright scary.
    Women like you should be fucked and shot.
    Alrighty then! I’m going to call that one, Mommy Issues. Because clearly something ain’t right. Delete!
    Next!
    I’ll give you $20 to blow