Honesty- Ben & Eric Read online

  Honesty

  Six Degrees Series, Book Two

  Sandy Smith

  Contents

  Thank you

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Sandy Smith

  Published by Sandy Smith

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Honesty Copyright ⓒ 2020 by Sandy Smith

  Cover Art by: Cate Ashwood

  Beta Reading, Editing, Formatting and making all the words pretty by LesCourt Author Services

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law

  First Edition

  March 2020

  Created with Vellum

  Thank you

  And a note to readers

  To my beta reader Kirk Waite and my editor Mary Anne Hinkle, my continued gratitude. Your suggestions are always spot on, your patience endless and your encouragement priceless for a clueless writer. Thank you.

  To all the authors who have so selflessly offered advice and encouragement, either to me personally or to new writers in general, you have no idea how much that means to me and other new writers. Especially thank you to Lisa Harris who was unlucky enough to sit next to a bumbling fan on a flight to a signing and offered to be a friend. Thank you for the answers to all my random questions as well as the encouragement and support.

  To my readers. Thank you for taking a chance on my stories. Eric was a lot of fun to write and hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Enjoy.

  Chapter One

  BEN

  The key jiggled in the lock but didn’t turn. I pulled it out and tried again. This time, it turned, and I managed to push the door open. So much for being quiet and not waking the baby.

  I kicked off my shoes and walked to the kitchen to grab some water. Draining the glass, I turned towards the bathroom, but the bedroom door opened.

  “Hey,” I said quietly.

  “Hey,” Tiana replied as she rubbed her eyes.

  “You need anything?”

  “Just water.”

  I turned, grabbed the glass, and refilled it, before pulling the stool out and motioning for her to sit. I handed her the glass and watched her drink. Her light brown hair was tied up in a messy bun on top of her head. The loose strands stuck to her face between the pillow creases on her cheek. My sister’s eyes were mirrors of mine but with even darker circles underneath. Her exhaustion was still better to see than the look of fear and rejection enveloping her when she first moved in with me.

  For a while it had overshadowed the heart and passion she poured into motherhood as well as her music. It dulled her hopes and her dreams. She might have been tired and overwhelmed by everything, but she still had a spark, that candle burning in her, and I would do anything to protect it, to see it burn and bathe everyone in light and warmth, like I knew she would.

  One day I was going to sit in the front row and watch her perform on opening night. She was going to receive a standing ovation, and her daughter and I were going to watch her shine. Right then, though, she looked like a homeless person and didn’t smell much better.

  “What’s the time?” she mumbled.

  “Just after four. Have you had any sleep?”

  She shrugged. “A little.”

  “Did she just have a feed?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, I can take her the rest of the night. Go get some sleep.”

  Tiana looked up at me. “Are you sure? You’ve been working and…”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Thank you.” Her shoulders slumped in relief, highlighting how tired she was.

  “You don’t have to thank me every time I look after her. She’s my family too.”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Hey.” I shook my head at her, then changed the subject. “Oh, guess what? I got the job at Allegra. I start in two weeks, so no more night fills. We’ll be fine, okay?”

  Smiling, she nodded and stood to hug me. I squeezed her tightly. “How was school?”

  “Better. I sat with Chelsea and Amber again. They’re really nice. I think it’ll be fine.”

  “Good,” Smiling at her, I nodded towards the bedroom. “Now go back to bed. I’ll bring the bassinet out here.”

  Once Tiana was settled and the bassinet was next to my mattress, I had a quick shower and laid down, trying to remember if the disconnection notice for the electricity was dated before or after next payday.

  I didn’t have to work the following day, so each time I put Rory back down after a feed, I crawled under my covers and tried to get some sleep. Eventually, I rolled out of bed around midday and had a Berocca and a piece of toast. I threw on my least creased jeans and fleece, dressing Rory in her snuggly onesie and matching beanie. I wrapped her in her warmest blanket and carried her down to the stroller we kept under the stairs.

  Outside, I tucked my chin down into the neck of my fleece, cursing my laziness for not searching for my hat. I usually headed across the railway line and wandered around the park and old cemetery. I didn’t care if it was morbid—I loved old cemeteries, reading the headstones and imagining their lives and how they died. I swear I spent more brainpower making up stories of other people's lives than working on my own. But the winter wind was colder than normal today, so I went in the opposite direction and stuck to the block near home, not intending to be out for long.

  After the third woman stopped me to ooh and ahh over the baby, I took the next right away from the shopping area and walked the block before heading towards the library. The budget didn’t quite stretch to home internet yet. With very little data available on our phones, I used the computers at the library when I could. Rory was settled when I walked in, the warmth and stillness in the air a welcome relief. I smiled politely to the middle-aged librarian and headed towards the computers.

  It was a good time of day. Most people with small kids had headed home for naps or to pick up school-aged kids, and high schoolers weren’t out yet. I looked up the website for the hotel I was starting work at next week. The website was amazing, though a little formal and intimidating. I really hoped this worked out. The hours were going to be a challenge, but the pay was decent.

  Once I was finished, I jumped on social media for a quick scroll. Clicking through websites, I found some Dean Lewis and Matt Corby sheet music to download. I hadn’t pulled the guitar out much since Rory was born, but I wanted the challenge of something new. With a few lyrics running around in my head, it might have been about time.

  I was surprised Rory hadn’t woken yet. Glancing over to check on her, I smiled at her chubby cheeks and cute baby lips. The sweet gurgling noises told me my time was nearly up. I collected the music printouts from the printer and stopped by the desk to pick up the book they were holding for me before we made our way home.

  After changing Rory and procrastinating by sorting the laundry, I called the
electricity company, asked for another extension and arranged a payment plan I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I could meet. I asked for the same from the phone company. When it was nearly time for Ti to get home, I put the kettle on and made up a bottle for Rory, who was starting to fuss.

  Rory was halfway through her bottle when the tell-tale jingle and muttered curses at the front door announced Ti was battling with the lock. When she finally opened the door, she dropped her bag to the side and rubbed her hands together, falling onto the sofa next to me.

  “Hey, how was school?”

  “Good.” She sounded sincere, which made me smile. Starting at a new school halfway through the year hadn’t been easy, but after having Rory, some of the girls at her old school made it impossible for her to stay.

  “And…” I prompted.

  “Nothing special. It was just a good day. Mr. Barr was away, so we had a casual teacher for science which meant we didn’t do anything. Mr. Grey told me I nailed the Beethoven piece. Oh, did I tell you they are talking about doing Rent next year? How awesome is that!”

  I was so glad to hear the excitement in her voice. Don’t get me wrong—we adored Rory, but she wasn’t planned, and Ti sacrificed a lot to be the best mum she could. Music had always been Ti’s passion, and I didn’t want her to sacrifice it as well. I was glad to see flickers of her candle again.

  Once Rory finished her bottle, I passed her to Tiana to burp while I made our cups of tea. With our mugs in our hands, I took Rory, rubbing her back with her tiny little head on my shoulder as I sipped my tea. As Ti told me about at school I felt genuinely happy, seeing glimpses of my sister return.

  Chapter Two

  I felt more nervous than I had in a long time. Jobs at uni had all come my way via friends or social contacts. Gigs were only a way to hang with my friends and enjoy the music. Uni exams didn’t matter because they were honestly, as bad as I knew it sounded, a way to spend time until I worked out what I wanted to do with my life. Maybe I was spoiled, since I never had to achieve something or ever had the pressure of any serious repercussions, or maybe I was lazy for not working toward some big lifelong goal. I was envious of people with a dream they threw their whole life and whole heart into, but I simply… didn’t.

  But this job meant a huge change for Ti and me. Regular hours, paying the basic bills. The tight band of stress around my lungs could ease a little.

  Breathing out slowly, I turned to look in the mirror. I inspected myself before taking a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Once there, I would get a hotel uniform, but I had to wear something to get to work, and I had nothing between dressy and ratty, so dressy it was. I had been surprised my only dressy pants fit me when I pulled them out for the interview a few weeks ago. I hadn’t gained weight, but I hadn’t been to the gym or gone for a run for months. As I stood in front of my mirror, I absolutely didn’t suck my stomach in and didn’t at all puff my chest out.

  My wallet was tripled checked in my pocket, my shoes were on and the laces double-tied, and my jacket was in my hands. When I heard Ti running up the steps, I patted my pocket for the fourth time and met her in the doorway. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and reminded her the phone number of the hotel was on the fridge if she needed it.

  Then I was running down the stairs. With a last yell about the time when I fed Rory last, I pushed out the outer door and thanked God for the mild spring afternoon.

  The lady at the reception desk was friendly and bubbly, and I felt myself relax as she led me through the foyer and introduced me to an executive assistant named Lauren. Lauren checked all my paperwork and handed me my uniform, waiting for me to change before giving me the orientation tour.

  The place was exquisite, although a little traditional for my taste. The marble flooring and huge centre chandelier matched the smaller lights along the side walls, and spectacular floral arrangements sat in bronze pots—or urns, I guessed. Last weekend, Tiana and I walked through the foyer with Rory, and I was surprised we weren’t stopped at the door and told we didn’t belong there. Instead, the doormen were welcoming, and all the staff smiled. I was glad we visited because I felt like maybe I could do this.

  Not anymore. Suddenly, it was overwhelming. I wondered, not for the first time, if this was a mistake. In uni at Newcastle, I worked in bars, but local bars with bands and beer gardens, not with millionaires and glasses worth more than everything I owned. Dave, one of my bandmates in Newcastle, had convinced me to apply because his cousin worked in the Melbourne hotel owned by the same company, and the pay was more than I was getting on the night shift at the Redfern warehouse.

  I must have looked as scared as I felt because Lauren patted my arm and smiled. “Don’t worry. Aaron said you’re a natural, and everyone here is friendly enough, so don’t stress, okay?”

  “Sorry, who’s Aaron again?” I felt like an idiot.

  “Aaron’s the bar and restaurant manager. Don’t fret if you can’t remember names to start with. We have one new name to learn, but you have dozens, and we all remember how nerve- wracking starting somewhere new is. Aaron mentioned your references all raved about you, and he was confident you would be a natural with customers. The first few shifts with Clay will help you out too. He’s great.”

  I shook my head. “I’ve never worked anywhere this fancy.” I cringed, wondering if I should be faking bravado.

  She chuckled. “Customer service is customer service. If you have coped with drunks and out of control hens’ parties, you can cope with anyone we have here.”

  I wasn’t so sure, but I could fake it till I made it. Hopefully, my answering smile was far more convincing than I feared.

  Lauren walked me to the lift and pressed the button for the top floor, housing Bar Tramanto, the rooftop bar. As the doors opened, someone from reception waved to Lauren to get her attention, and she asked if I was right to head up to the bar by myself. The doors shut. Taking a few deep breaths, I checked my shirt was tucked in and my hair in the reflection in the wall of the lift.

  When the lift stopped, I closed my eyes for one more deep breath and stepped out into the bar area with total confidence. Total fake confidence. I smiled at the bartender, pouring a scotch and a glass of wine, and held back to let her finish serving before I approached. A man stood up from behind the bar with a confused look on his face, and I stopped, watching. The woman noticed me and smiled, gesturing for me to come over. I stepped forward at the same time the man looked up, running his hand through his hair.

  Holy cow! Please don’t tell me I’m expected to work with this man and, you know, function like a coherent human being.

  I swallowed and continued forward, gluing the smile back on my face.

  “You must be Clay. It’s great to meet you. I’m Ben,” I said.

  “Oh, no, definitely not”

  I froze, still holding my hand out to shake as I looked between the two bartenders.

  With a chuckle, the woman shook her head and grabbed my hand. “I’m Abigail. This is Eric, the…”

  Eric interrupted, talking over Abigail. “Idiot who needs to learn how to behave when meeting new people. Pretty sure that’s what she was going to say. Ben, it’s great to meet you.”

  When a couple of ladies approached the bar, he glanced at Abigail, and she moved over to serve.

  “Sorry, I meant ‘no, I’m not Clay.’ Bit of a change of plans tonight. A few sickies, so Clay and Abigail will be working the conference in the function rooms. You drew the short straw and are stuck with me here for tonight.”

  I was listening to him, honestly I was, but this job immediately became a hell of a lot more interesting. He was possibly the most attractive man I had ever seen in real life. He was slightly taller than me. Not by much, but he had this presence that was hard to explain. It wasn’t even about the way he looked, though that was certainly enough. He took up more space than his slim frame would suggest. Despite how many times he ran his hand through it, his dark hair was neat and his stubble groomed to pe
rfection. As he talked, he was animated, using his hands and gestures, and his eyes lit up, like you were the most important person in the world.

  No wonder he did well in a job like bartender. He was... charismatic. I guess that was the closest word I could think of.

  As Eric showed me around the bar, I shook myself out of my head enough to pay attention. He was demonstrating the POS register system when Abigail interrupted to let us know she needed the register signed out before she headed up to the function. Eric ran through it quickly and checked the drawers.

  For the first thirty minutes, it was quiet in the bar, and Eric chatted away as we checked glasses and stocked ice and garnishes. He seemed to know the procedures and systems well but hesitated when reaching for the bottles. Eric served a middle-aged man and his wife, then turned back to face me.

  “So you’re new too? How long have you worked here?” I asked.

  “I look like that big of a gumby, huh?”

  I blushed. “No, sorry, I didn’t mean it badly.”

  Thankfully, he laughed, a deep smooth sound. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t insulted. I don’t usually work the bar. I… I work up in the admin of the hotel, but with two guys out sick today, we were short. We could have had temps come in—who are great, nothing wrong with their work—but having someone familiar with the hotel work with you for your first shift made more sense. Besides, I haven’t been in a bar for quite a few years and thought it might be fun to get back to it for a night.”