The door closes behind me and I lean back against the cool metal, closing my eyes. What a fucking disaster tonight turned out to be. It was even worse than I imagined. Pushing off the door, I kick my sneakers off and drop my keys on the entry table. Dragging my weary feet, I make my way to the couch and drop down on the opposite end from Zeke.

“What’s up?” he sweeps a quick glance my way. “You look like shit. What happened to you?”

I spent the last two hours driving around mulling over my situation. There has to be a way to make this work. I refuse to fail and have to go back to my father and ask for help.

“My dad dropped a grenade on me at dinner.” Owen strolls out of his room and takes a seat in the chair.

“How’d it go?”

“I was just about to fill Zeke in. He took me to dinner because somehow he found out I’d changed my major to Secondary Education instead of Business.”

“So? Why is that a big deal?” Owen prods.

“No son of his is going to teach English to middle schoolers. It’s not elite enough for the Lincolns.”

Zeke’s tongue clicks against his teeth showing his disgust. “He said that?”

“Not in so many words. He put a different spin on it, but that’s what it comes down to.”

“How did it end? Was he still pissed?” Owen leans forward in his seat.

“It ended with him telling me to get a job and pay my bills because he won’t be. He said I need to prove I’m serious about this.”

“Getting a job in addition to going to school full-time and being on the team is going to be a tall order to fill.”

“I know. I need something with early morning or night hours. If you guys hear of any job openings let me know.”

“If you want, I can go over your bills with you and figure out exactly what you need to make.”

“Thanks, man. I’d appreciate that. I wish I had some money for you to invest and make me a quick profit from.”

“Being a financial planner isn’t the most exciting job, but there’s a dependability about numbers that’s comforting. We can work it out. You may need to adjust your phone plan and eat less, but we’ll come up with a solution.”

“Thanks. Failure is not an option. I won’t throw in the towel on this one. It took me a long time to make up my mind about what I want to do with my life… my life, not his, and he pulls this shit. This is why it’s taken me so long to make the change official. I should’ve expected something like this. Why didn’t I see it coming?”

I spent all day yesterday searching for a job. I looked everywhere and came up with no leads. Which was disappointing since Tuesdays are my lightest class day and there’s only a short football practice. I was hoping to go on some interviews, but we’re into the middle of September and it seems that all the positions have been snatched up by students. I’m not sure what I’m going to do.

“Hey. Happy hump day.” Grace slides onto the seat next to me.

“Hi,” I mutter, my thoughts still focused on finding a solution to this dilemma. She unpacks her laptop and places it on the desk in front of her.

“You seem like something’s wrong,” she offers, puckering her brow as she studies me.

“I just have some stuff on my mind,” I downplay it. I don’t need her knowing my family drama.

“I can listen if you want to talk about it.”

“No, unless you have a job opening and you’re looking to hire someone, then there’s nothing you can do about it.” She rakes her teeth over her bottom lip, looking lost in thought. “You look like you need to talk, too.”

She shakes her head. “No. I do know of a job opening, but I’m not sure you’d be right for the position.”

“I can handle any job there is.”

“The small restaurant my family owns is going to be open late three nights a week. We need someone to wait and bus tables on two of those, and do anything else that’s needed. I already have someone to cover the third day.”

“I’ll take it.”

She quirks a brow haughtily. “I don’t remember offering it to you.”

“Come on. I need that job.”

“You need a job?” Grace sounds more than a little skeptical and I can’t say I blame her. I’m sure it would be hard for most to believe the son of Lawrence Lincoln needs to work.

“Look, I’m not bullshitting. I don’t want to go into details about why I need it, but I do.”

“I’d be your boss. Could you handle doing whatever I said without arguing?”

“Of course.”

“Even if it means cleaning toilets or washing dishes?”

“I don’t have any options. I’ll do whatever’s needed if you’ll give me a chance.”

“Fine. You’re hired, but you’re on probation for a month. I’ll see how you do.”

I grin. “I’m going to be the best employee you have.”

“Hmph, we’ll see.”

“So when do I start?”

“How about tomorrow at five?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Don’t you need to know where you’ll be working?”

“I know where you work.”

“How do you know?”

“I have my sources and I can’t reveal them.”

“Okay. I can respect that, but make sure you’re on time. I don’t put up with my employees being tardy.”

“Yes, boss.” I wink.

“This right here might be the best thing about this place.” I kick my feet up on the cushioned lounger and lean back. Glancing around the small green backyard it feels misleadingly peaceful and I can pretend I’m not in the city.

“You don’t know what you’re missing out on, man. Living in the frat house is nonstop entertainment,” Clancy informs me as he mans the grill. The smell of hamburgers and hotdogs filters through the air and makes my mouth water.

“I don’t want people around me all the time. I like my space.”

“Yeah, but there’s never a shortage of hot girls either.”

“I thought you’d have made a play for Leah by now.”

“I asked her out.” He almost seems embarrassed, but that’s not really Clancy’s style.

“And what did she say?”

“She said yes, but she didn’t seem too excited about it. Am I losing my touch?”

“Leah’s not like all the girls you usually screw around with. If you’re looking to get laid, then find someone else. I’ve spent enough time with her to know she’s a nice girl.”

“That’s the thing, I like her. I’m not sure what to do about it though. What if I like her so much I want her to be my girlfriend?” He shudders as if the thought is repulsive.

“Would that be a bad thing?”

“Yeah, it might be.”

“Then don’t go out with her.”

“Yeah, you might be right. I’ll have to think about it.”

“Hey, fuckers, what’s up?” Owen steps out onto the large back deck, closing the slider behind him. “How’s it going?” he asks before raising the beer bottle to his lips.

“It’s going,” I reply and take a deep pull from my own drink.

“What, did you smell the food from all the way at your place?” Clancy quips.

“I can sniff out a free meal like no one’s business.” Owen jokes, but it happens to be true. Wherever there are good eats he’s sure to show up. “Who else is around?”

“Flynn’s in his room and Nolan’s somewhere. I think a couple other guys are here too.” Clancy keeps his eyes on the burgers and dogs, flipping them over like an expert grillsman.

“Oh yeah, some good food, beer, and a little World Class Wrestling to cap the night off.”

“Jesse’s gonna kick Kid’s ass tonight,” I sit up and rest my feet on the decking, straddling the lounger.

“I don’t know. Kid’s due a win,” Owen offers.

“Ronnie’s sexy as fuck,” Clancy interjects.

“We should try to get tickets when they come to Boston,” I suggest.

“Great idea. I’m in.” Owen silently toasts with his beer.

“I’ll go. I’m pretty sure Nolan would be up for it too,” Clancy comments.

“Sounds good. Let’s get a count of tickets needed and we can order them when they go on sale.” My lips inch into a smile as I think about me and my boys at WCW live. This is going to be awesome.