Message NOT Received
1356 Words
Jude
I've been waiting for about 45 minutes when I finally see Kade pull in. It was hard keeping my worry contained and my mind from racing, what could of happened to V? I can't just ask. I haven't told Kade I know her yet, or well knew her.
Katy keeps watching from the corner of her eye, Im just waiting for her to say something. I've tried distracting myself in my phone. Scrolling through social media, but I cant help jumping up when Kade finally walks through the door.
He looks at Katy, and she raises eyebrows in question. “Everything ok?” She asks innocently.
“f*****g Keith, again.” Kade grumbles as he walks into the kitchenette, turning on the sink, washing his hands
“Hey, Jude. Sorry I'm late. Had a bit of an emergency.” He says as he dries his hands amd throws the paper towel in the trash. “Don't worry, I'll still pay you for the whole day. ” he says looking and me with a heavy sigh.
“It's cold, dude. Things come up.” I reply as I pick up my work belt and throw my coffee cup away.
He grabs the work orders from Katy and we head out to his truck.
“So” I start, not hiding that I'm looking down at his sleeve as he starts the truck, it looks like blood splattered on it, "Everything ok?”
Kade runs his hand down his face, pausing for a second looking at the blood drops on his sleeve. “Yeah, just had to get a message across to Victoria's piece of s**t brother in law.”
I nod in understanding. “Did he get the message?” I ask a smirk on my face. I remember her talking about her brother in law. He probably deserved whatever Kade did.
Kade laughs, “He f*****g better have!”
I chuckle with him for a minute, “So, what's on the agenda today?” I ask grabbing the work orders forms from the center console.
Kade runs a fencing/ landscaping business. In the short time I've worked for him I've installed 4 fences, a koi pond, two waterfalls and I can't even tell you how many plants and trees we've planted.
Flipping through the orders I see we've got another backyard fence and 3 quote appointments. Not too bad of a day in comparison.
~~~~~~
It's finally time to stop for lunch. I'm f*****g starving! The granola bar did not hold up.
Kade and I head towards his truck. I grab a water bottle from the cooler Kade keeps in the back.
“What do you want for lunch? It's on me.” Kade asks as he pours some water on his head, wiping his face.
“Cool, man. I'll eat whatever, I ain't picky.’ I say as I pour some water down the back of my neck. It's a scorcher today.
“Alright, let's get tacos.” He says, tossing the empty water bottle into the truck bed. “Could of guessed”, I laugh as I toss my empty bottle in the bed as well and we climb into his truck.
Short time later we pull into a mom and pop taco shop, a favorite of Kades, Ive noticed. Seeing how this is the fourth time he's brought me here for lunch.
We walk in, the bell above the door chiming as we walk in. The old woman behind the register looks up and gives a smile. We each order a six pack of tacos and a drink.
We find a table after filling up our cups, waiting for the delicious Mexican food to be delivered.
Kades phone suddenly rings, I see Victoria's name flash on the screen as he picks it up.
“ Hey, sweetheart. How you doing?”
He paused, listening to her reply.
“No, you're fine, were on a break for lunch.”
Another pause.
“Tacos” he chuckles "Yeah, yeah I know, I eat a lot of tacos” he rolls his eyes, shaking his head.” You're just jealous, you know you want some tacos.”
Pause.
“What do you mean?” Concern flashing across Kades face.
“That son of a b***h just doesn't get it, does he?” Anger clear on Kades face.
“Just keep the door locked and don't go outside, don't answer it if he knocks and I'll be there as soon as I'm done with the quotes I have scheduled for this afternoon.” Kades fuming at this point.
Long pause.
“Victoria! It's fine! I ain't going to let that waste of space touch you. I'm tired of him harassing you and I'm going to put an end to it!” His knuckles are white from how tightly his holding his phone.
He takes deep breaths trying to calm himself as he listens to her reply.
“Alright. I'll see you in a couple hours. But if he knocks o. the door you f*****g call me or the police! ” He sighs and he hangs up the phone, slamming it on the table a little too hard. His eyes are closed and hes chest is rapidly rising and falling as he fights to calm down.
Just then a beautiful plate of tacos is placed in front me. The old lady offering us a smile as she sets down Kades plate.
” Anything else I can get for you dears?”
I give her a smile and shake my head, “No thank you, I'm good ma'am”
“ Thanks Maria, no this looks great.” Kade nods her before she walks away.
“ Everything cool?” I ask as nonchalantly as I can, picking up my first taco.
“It's Victoria's bother in law again. She says he keeps driving past her house, and it's starting to freak her out.” He huffs grabbing a taco from his plate.
I nod, “Is she safe?” I ask. Fighting the urge to go there myself.
Kade looks at me and laughs, “Oh she's safe. She can definitely hold her own in a physical fight, and shes a excellent marksmen with a gun in her hand. She just shouldn't have too! Shes been through enough, and then to have that piece of s**t constantly harassing her, trying to get in her pants cuz he thinks for some reason he's entitled to it. Like she f*****g owes him or some s**t. I'm just over the dude. Tonight I think I'm going to take her to get a restraining order, I can't keep beating the dudes face into his steering wheel.” He sighs as he stuffs the taco into his mouth.
So that's what happened this morning. I was wondering how he got blood on his shirt without busting his knuckles open.
“Yeah that's ridiculous dude. A restraining order is probably a good idea.” I nod in agreement finishing off my third taco.
We finish our lunch and head out.
Three hours later and he's finishing up the last quote. As bummed as I am about it being a short day, I'm so ready to go home. As we're loading into the truck, Kades phone goes off again.
“Everything ok, sweetheart?” He answers, starting the ignition.
“For real? Alright I'm on my way. If he gets out of the car, I want you to call the police. Do you hear me? ”
Pause
“Alright be there in a minute.” He hangs up and throws his phone into his lap.
“Son of a b***h!” He slams his hands on the steering wheel.
His head snaps to me, “Hey man, Victoria needs me. Can I drop you off later? Dudes parked across the street from her house.”
I try to hide the flash of anger that rocks through my body, “No problem dude. I can help you get rid of him if you need?”
“Thanks bro.” He says as he takes off towards Victorias house.
- Writer
