Larry snorted. “Where do you think you’ll find a contractor on short notice.”
Ford didn’t answer him.
Larry apparently didn’t like being ignored. He moved a couple of steps so he was against the desk. “You can’t fire me.”
Ford’s hands tightened around his phone in case he had to call for help, but he didn’t flinch, even as his heart rate picked up. Larry was by no means a small man, his time working construction showing on his frame.
“You signed a contract, which you have breached, so yes, I can, and I have.”
Larry leaned in closer, and Ford could feel his warm, garlicky breath on his skin. “You will regret crossing me. You motherfuckers are not going to get away with this.”
Ford didn’t respond. He didn’t want to pour gasoline on an already volatile situation.
Larry took a step back, and Ford was about to let out the breath he’d been holding when it looked like Larry was leaving, but then the man used his large hands to sweep everything off Sawyer’s desk.
“You’ll regret this,” he spat at Ford. “Didn’t want to work for no queers anyway.”
If throwing that word at Ford was supposed to get a reaction, Larry was sadly mistaken. Ford refused to give the contractor what he wanted, and the man finally stormed out of the office like a teenager throwing a tantrum after being grounded.
A minute passed before his muscles relaxed and tension drained out of him like water through a sieve. Ford sank down into his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He refused to let Larry’s tantrum worry him. He had bigger things to be concerned about, like hiring another contractor to complete the job.
When his heart finally stopped racing, Ford dialed Sawyer’s number. Sawyer supported his decision, but Ford still needed advice on where to go from there.
“Hey… I was just thinking about you,” Sawyer said when he answered the phone. The sound of his voice was like a soothing balm.
Ford smiled and leaned back in the chair. “You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. Would be better if you were here so I could see you.”
Sawyer’s deep chuckle washed over him like the feeling of fresh air after a long bus ride. “Anytime you need to hear my voice, all you have to do is call,” Sawyer reminded him. “And I think maybe I can take care of that.”
Ford heard noise from the other side of the line and pulled the phone from his ear. His screen had gone black, but then in the next instant, Sawyer’s face appeared, smiling at him.
“Is that better, babe?”
He couldn’t help the smile that blossomed on his face seeing Sawyer on the screen, sitting down in what could only have been his office.
“So, how’s your morning going?”
Sawyer’s question had a groan escaping, and the moment of happiness was lost when the reason why he’d originally called came rushing back.
“I fired Larry today,” he said. “I know you said you’d leave the final decision up to me, but I was out of options. He’s way over budget for this point in the build, and he demanded another four-month extension. I didn’t think we could continue on that way.”
“I agree,” Sawyer said, shifting in his chair. “I knew you’d make the right decision. The list of contractors with bids should be there, but I can call around and find someone.”
“I have the list here, actually. I was going to start calling, but I wanted to let you know that it’s done.” Ford’s brow furrowed, and he narrowed his eyes at the screen as Sawyer’s words played back in his head. “Hold on. Was it a test?”
Sawyer chuckled. “No, my love, it wasn’t. At least not in the way you were thinking. I went over the same numbers you did after you brought it up and trusted your judgment.”
“Hmmm.”
“I trust you, Ford...” Sawyer’s voice softened as he leaned closer to the phone. “More than you know.”
Actually, Ford did know, because Sawyer was not a man who let his guard down. That was clear to anyone paying attention.
“I know.” Ford couldn’t keep the smile out of his voice. “And yeah, we need a contractor, so if you have anyone in mind…” His voice trailed off as an idea floated into his mind.
Owen!
He sat up straighter. Owen’s brother Drake needed a job, and he was a licensed contractor looking for work. He was available unless he’d found a job since Ford had hung up with Owen. He’d known Drake most of his life, and he was hardworking like Owen.
Since Owen was out, Drake was definitely not a homophobe.
He could help Drake out and get himself a new contractor.
“I just thought of someone.” Ford couldn’t keep the excitement from his voice. “I might have the perfect guy in mind.”
He wasn’t sure if Drake had ever been in charge of his own site, but there was no harm in bringing him in.
“I’ll keep you posted as to what I figure out,” Ford said.
Sawyer laughed. “I knew you could handle everything. Get the person in and then forward their information to me and… hold on, babe.”
Sawyer stopped speaking, looked up over the phone, and all Ford could make out were muffled voices.
When Sawyer focused back on him, Ford could see the regret in his eyes. “I’ve got a meeting I need to get to. Call you tonight? Maybe another video chat where I can show you how much I miss you.”
Ford injected enthusiasm into his voice. He wasn’t going to be that pouty, needy boyfriend. No one liked that kind of guy.
“No problem, talk later.”
“I miss you.” Sawyer’s voice was low and gruff as he spoke that time.
“Miss you too. I almost pulled up a picture of you last night and slept with it. That’s how I’m feeling.”
Sawyer’s laughter had
