Free Fernando - Bad Boy Love (Bad Boy Love Series Book 1) by Jessica Gray Page B

to his feet before he slapped him on the shoulder. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
    “Man, yeah, wow…” He shook his head to clear it. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
    “Don’t disappoint me,” Ben said. “That’s all the thanks I need. You’ll earn your wages.”
    “I will. I just…I was beginning to think no one would ever to give me a chance to change.”
    Ben might look rough and reckless, but he was also a nice guy. “I understand. Look, I’m an ex-con, and I went through the same stuff many years ago. It’s tough. Excruciating. Many times you’ll think you’ll never make it. That it’s not worth it. The best advice I can give you is to be the man you have hiding inside of you. Be strong. It takes a big man to stand up and do the right thing when the wrong thing is so much easier and feels so much better.”
    Fernando swallowed and nodded. Ben sure didn’t sugarcoat things.
    “Here’s the deal,” Ben continued, “there’s a one-week trial period. If you do a good job, I’ll put you on the payroll.”
    “I won’t let you down,” Fernando promised. As if anyone would deliberately let this man down.
    “Now the rules. Always comes down to the rules. While you’re working for me, you stick to my rules.” Ben’s green eyes pierced him.
    “Sure.” Fernando swallowed dryly.
    “Number one, no drugs, no alcohol. None. Not even over-the-counter cough syrup unless you’re sick. And the first time I smell alcohol on you, you’re gone.”
    Fernando nodded, that would be easy. He’d never taken drugs, not even in his teenage years. And alcohol? An evening beer while hanging out with his gang or an infrequent glass of wine  to celebrate a special occasion.
    “Number two, always be on time. You’re late, you’re gone. Number three, no criminal offenses. If I find out – and I will – you’re in prison faster than you can blink. Understood?”
    “Yes, Ben.”
    “And last but never least – no fighting. If someone comes in here wanting to pick a fight, or a client gets mouthy, politely ask him or her to leave. Any questions?”
    “No questions. When do you want me to start?”
    “Tomorrow work for you?” Ben asked. When Fernando eagerly nodded, he slapped him on the back again. “I’ve been honest for ten years now. If I could do it back then, you can do it now.”
    “Thanks.” Fernando left the gym, feeling like he was floating on air he was so happy. He was dying to share his good news with someone, but who? Amada was working today, and he couldn’t call her at work. His friends? All of his friends belonged to his old gang. A smile formed on his lips at the image of the baffled look on their faces when he’d tell them. But he quickly sobered, not only wouldn’t they understand, but it might pose a risk if they knew. They might get the idea to pay him a visit at the fitness studio, and that would only lead to problems.
    Gwen. I should call Gwen. She’ll understand. Said and done. He pulled out her business card that was still tucked away in his wallet and called her office number, but only reached the answering machine. At a loss of words, he hung up the phone but dialed again a few minutes later. Still the answering machine. This time though, he was prepared and left his message. “Hey, Gwen. It’s Fernando. Could you call me back? Something happened today…and I wanted to share the news with you. Okay. Thanks. Talk to you later.”
    His heart thundering in his chest, he hung up and plopped down on the couch. Today was the last day of his existence as a miserable, unemployed probationer.

Chapter 14
    Gwen walked back into her office shortly after lunch, tired and depressed. It should’ve been an easy morning with only one client meeting and enough time to catch up on paperwork.
    Instead, she’d spent the entire morning visiting one of her offenders at his home. When he hadn’t shown up for the prescribed meeting, she’d given him the benefit of the doubt and gone