Butchered Beasts 1: Darren & EJ

Chapter 5

Darren POV

Hanging up the phone, and dragging my hand down my face, I was stressed, yet hopeful, that we had another job to do. The man who had just called, Ed, was trying to get a house his daughter was interested in fixed up. And by fixed up, I mean almost a complete overhaul. They had filled out and submitted all the forms for zoning. But we needed to get approval from them first because she wanted to add an addition to it. I went and pulled the blueprints for the house from city records. Then I did a Google satellite view of the house, and you could tell she couldn't do the addition in the back. Not with where the septic was located. Unless she was going to put something sturdier over top of that to cover it. That would need to be addressed also. A piece of plywood did not work as a cover.

I pulled out a notebook and ripped out a few pages, while I switched my gaze between the computer screens with the satellite view and blueprints on it and the list of things she wanted to be done to this place. The list was a mile fucking long. Fix/update the back patio. Septic. Good. At least she knew that needed addressing. The driveway, fencing, the addition, taking out walls upstairs, the list goes on and on. Fuck.

Alright. Grabbing my pen, I was going to make a list of shit that was most important/involved to get done first. And, first things first, the septic tank and cover. Gotta make sure it's up to par and then get a proper cover for it. If it needs to be replaced due to age or improper upkeep, that's going to be a hefty price tag. Next on the list is the garage needing to be repoured and the driveway needing to be done. We could probably get those things done while waiting for zoning to approve the rest of it. I just wasn't sure if she would go with this house if she couldn't do the addition. I'd need to give Ed a call tomorrow. He left his information, and his daughter's.

EJ.

Should I just call her? No. What did he say? Something about contacting him for a while or being the middleman? Eh. Fuck it. I'll call him about that tomorrow. Checking the time, it was only about four-thirty and I knew that Destiny was working in the office today. I picked up the phone and dialed her office number.

"Hey there Dare!" I could hear the flirty smile in her voice. It was so sunny and happy, but somehow my buddy below the belt wasn't jumping to life like he normally did. Normally, at her voice, he'd get a least a little excited. We'd been 'friends' for a little while. On and off. She was a good, easy fuck and sometimes that was all I needed. It was getting tiring, but after being alone for six years, and not fully trusting the female population at large, it was easier. A quick, no-strings-attached fuck versus putting myself out there and letting feelings and emotions in? No brainer. 

"Hey Des. Listen, I was wondering if you could do me a favor." Trying my best to be flirty, thinking maybe if I lay it on a little thick, my lifeless friend would stand a little taller.

"A favor?" She asked, switching from slightly offended, to seductress in 1.2 seconds, "That's gonna cost you." I knew she most likely had her eyes half hooded and a smile that was telling me of what was to come. I'd heard that tone before. Every time before we'd go back to her place. And? Nothing. Not even a fucking twitch out of the dickhead.

"You know I always pay up. Can you pull an application for the last name Monroe?"

"First name?"

"Ed. Or Edward."

"Got it right here," she said, sounding like she was reading it. She let out a whistle, "Edward Monroe. He wants to do a lot to this property. Add a fence around the whole thing, minus the driveway, expand the back patio, and re-roof the front porch. Looks like there's an application for tearing down the garage and rebuilding, but it's..." She got quiet, mumbling, "Let me see, let me see," and clicking her tongue. I hated that sound. Pen in hand, I was writing as fast as she was talking, "He wants to keep the same footprint for the garage. He stated it looks like some of the foundation needs to be replaced on it. Hence the request. Okay. That will for sure get approved. I'll put that in the 'approve' pile." She said, sounding so happy. I wasn't about to interrupt because I knew she hadn't said anything about an addition yet. And that meant a visit was necessary. Between all parties that would be involved with the house.

She continued, "Oh wow. Does he want to add that much?! For an addition? I don't know if he'll get it." I knew that might be an issue. But Ed also said she'd be fine with going a tiny bit smaller. But she wanted to see what she could get. "These other ones about the septic cover and the addition are going to require a visit. Are you going to be the contractor on this one?"

"Hopefully," I smirked. I usually was. Our crew was one of the best locally since I started it five years ago, and all more respectful than any of the others who just hired the average joe to be on a crew.

"I hope so. Because I'm recommending this to be a visit. Soon."

"How soon?"

"How do two days from now at..." more tongue clicking, "Two sound?"

"Perfect. You're the best, Destiny!" I said before hanging up. I gave Ed a callback later that evening, so he could tell his daughter.

Hopefully, they have some sort of prints to show.

EJ POV

My stepdad just called and told me I have a meeting with zoning in two days! TWO! How the fuck am I supposed to get the prints done, plus my homework? Technically it was only going to be a day and a half since day two I had to be there at two in the afternoon to meet with zoning and the contractor. I feel like I'm losing it. Breathe. I can do this. I know I'm going to be up all night working on this. Thankfully I'm off work the next two days. Getting home, I saw Hunter making dinner, and the kids watching TV in the living room, and I came up to her and asked if Patrick was home. She shook her head, stirring the meat in the pan she was cooking.

"He sent me a text saying he'd be late, then another one saying it'd be best not to be here when you got home so he just didn't come. I had to distract the kids because I told them they'd see him soon. It was really hard, and they might have had way more sugar than they're allowed," she looked down, slightly embarrassed, but I'd been there. Some days it was just whatever got you through the day, and you just...try again the next day. I shrugged my shoulders, giving her a small smile.

"I was supposed to be going to study group like an hour ago." Now it was my turn to look embarrassed. I looked down. Mother. Fucker. He wasn't just fucking me over; he was disrespecting my little sister's time too. Ugh. I'm so ready to be done with this asshole.

"I'm sorry. I was trying to get home as soon as I could."

"It's not you I'm mad at, EJ. It's him. These are his kids too. They're his responsibility too. He was the one supposed to be home," She huffed out. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I asked if someone at the group study could record and then drop it in my Dropbox. I'm not missing anything. But I'm also staying the night since I have a TON of studying and a project to work on."

"Definitely! I'm so sorry. Do you need clothes? Toothbrush? Anything?"

"I packed a bag. Just in case," Now I felt crappy. My little sister is now expecting to stay the night because of my crazy work and school schedule, and Patrick flaking. "In case you needed me to stay, or if he pulled this shit," we paused as Calloway came into the kitchen, looking around sniffing and smiling, "Tacos will be ready soon bud. I'm gonna finish talking to Mommy and then we can get out the taco dinos."

"Yay!" He happily exclaimed, going back to building his fort in the living room. Watching the kids in the living room playing with not a care in the world, I asked my sister, "Do you think dad would let us move in before he's served with papers?"

"We'll talk after you get the kids to bed. You're welcome for making dinner. Don't forget to set up the office for us to work later." 

I nodded, pulling out the rest of the toppings for our weekly Taco Tuesday fun. Going upstairs, I got bedtime and bath time ready. I also opened my office and cleared some space on my desk. I plugged in my headphones and extra set to let Hunter use. The couch was cleared off, the minifridge was stocked, and I was ready for her study night, and my long night of getting the design I wanted for the addition and my homework done. 

Looking around the office, I take it in. This will probably be one of the last days I'm in here. As soon as the papers get delivered next week. Tears fill my eyes as I add, buying moving boxes to my list of things to do tomorrow.

I need to keep it moving.