Save Me

5. Extortion

(Justin's POV)

I give Jack a kiss goodnight, watching as Rosalinda picks him up and carries him upstairs to bed. I turn to Phoenix with a smile.

"You were so good with him. Do you have younger siblings?"

I ask. She shakes her head, chuckling softly.

"No siblings. I was a nanny for seven years, though."

She answers casually. My eyes widen in shock.

"Seven?! Wait, but you're so young. When did you start working? Was it hard to juggle with school and stuff? When did you stop?"

She laughs at my reaction, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.

"I started working when I was 15. My school had an aftercare program and was willing to hire students to look after the kids until their parents came. I bonded with a lot of the parents and they would all ask me to babysit. So I did. After I turned 16, one family asked me to transition to nannying for them so I started working with them exclusively. It was easy to manage because all I had to do was walk over after class or track practice, work my shift, then take the kids home or wherever they needed to go. I would go to their house and look after them on weekends too. Nannying got me my first apartment at 18 and paid my bills until I graduated college at 22. I'm 25 now."

Phoenix explains. My shock is still evident as I stare at her. I can't imagine being a kid and also being responsible for kids at the same time. I'm 30 and I still feel unqualified to supervise Jack.

"That's insane. You went to high-school for eight hours, track practice, took care of someone's children, and still stayed on top of your studies? Then went to college and did the same all over again? You're literally superwoman."

She laughs, shaking her head.

"It's not that impressive. I just did what I had to do. I knew no one was going to take care of me if I didn't."

She says with a shrug. I nod, completely understanding what she means. I know all too well what it's like to have no one to lean on.

"I know exactly what you mean. I had to look after myself from a very young age as well. It's a lot of pressure."

Phoenix nods sadly. I change the subject in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"So you said you were a runner? Did you run track in college too?"

I ask softly. She lights up, nodding happily.

"Yes, I did. I ran cross country as well, I forgot to mention that. I was actually accepted into my university because the head coach wanted me on his team. They gave me a full athletic scholarship."

I smile proudly.

"Nix, that is so impressive. Do you still run now?"

I ask, excited to learn as much about her as possible. As she opens her mouth to answer, Spencer enters the living room with urgency, interrupting our conversation. He kneels down, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"Hey boss, sorry to interrupt but Chaz is outside. He brought Hailey too. I was going to send them away, but considering how sensitive the matter is, I didn't want to make any decisions without consulting you first."

I sigh deeply, dropping my head into my hands and rubbing my eyes.

"Isn't Chaz the guy who tried to force you to go into the plaza where you always get swarmed by people even though you were uncomfortable?"