Max by Jennifer Li Shotz

Author:Jennifer Li Shotz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-04-28T00:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

THE NEXT MORNING CAME WAY TOO SOON, AND THE last place Justin wanted to be was at his dad’s business, Open Range Storage. He let out a giant yawn and scrunched up his eyes. Eight a.m. was way too early for a summer morning—especially because he’d had to take Max for a walk before work.

Justin desperately wanted to put on his headphones, but his dad had told him it was “unprofessional.” Like there was anyone around to notice. Justin had gotten up at the crack of dawn to come down to the storage facility and sit in front of a table fan in the office. He listened to his own stomach grumble and realized he might actually prefer to be in math class.

As if the day hadn’t been annoying enough, suddenly Tyler showed up. Apparently his dad had offered the guy a job. Considering that the phone hadn’t rung once in several hours, Justin wasn’t sure what there was for him to do. But if there was only enough work for one of them, Justin hoped his dad would choose Tyler.

As his dad showed Tyler around the outdoor facility, Justin eavesdropped through the open window.

“We’ve got twenty-five eight-by-ten storage spaces on this side,” his dad explained. “And twenty six-by-twelves on the other side. Right now, we’re at about half capacity.” Justin’s father sighed. “Hard times.”

Justin heard the rattling crash of a metal gate coming down. “Nowadays,” his dad went on, “most people would rather let things go than spend money holding on to them. Anyone who leaves his stuff here for more than three months without paying relinquishes his right to his property. I keep what I can use and sell off the rest.” Justin heard the rumble of a gate going up. “This one here is getting cleaned out tomorrow. Feel free to grab anything you want.”

“Yes, sir. Thanks, Mr. Wincott,” Tyler said. He spoke like he was really extra polite, but Justin thought he just sounded fake.

“Name’s Ray, son. ‘Mr. Wincott’ is some guy you knew when you were a kid.”

“Yes, sir—Mist—Ray.”

Justin pretend-gagged alone in the office. He imagined Tyler dropping to his knees and bowing down to his dad.

“Your shift will be from six to six,” Justin’s dad said as he and Tyler came back into the office together. Neither man looked in his direction. “We don’t have a security guard.” He tapped the gun in the holster on his hip. “We don’t really need one.” His dad stepped over to the supply closet and pulled out a dark green zippered jumpsuit with the Open Range logo over the front pocket. “It’s not much compared to the uniform you’re used to.”

Tyler took the outfit from him and smiled widely. “I’ll be proud to wear it.”

Now Justin really wanted to barf.

“Tyler,” his dad said, “the truth is, there isn’t much to this job, especially for a young man with your skills. You’ll be bored out of your mind here.”

“Excitement is about the last thing I need,” Tyler said. “A little boredom suits me just fine right now.

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