Head Over Boots

7. 9 to 5

I wake up the next morning to a text coming into my phone, making me wonder who it would be as Tessa is never up this early and my brothers are the only others who text me.

Nate: Morning, my mum wanted to talk to you about something, could you come over at some point today?

I'm about to reply when another text comes through.

Nate: It's nothing bad! Promise!

I reply telling him I will be over in an hour or so before showering and heading downstairs to see Luke is drinking coffee again.

"I heard you up," he indicates to the second mug of coffee that is sat on the island.

"Thanks," I sit down, taking a sip of the coffee, thankful it's not hot enough to burn me.

"What are you up to today?" He asks, looking up from his phone.

"Nothing much, Nate text, and said Jane wants to talk to me about something so I'm heading over there in a bit," I shrug, looking forward to having another quiet day before I inevitably find a summer job.

"What does she want to talk about?" Luke looks as curious as I feel.

"I have no idea honestly, but Nate assures me it's nothing bad," I shrug, "Guess I'll see later."

When Charlie stumbles half asleep into the kitchen half an hour later, he's never been a morning person, I realize it's time for me to be leaving for Nate's.

Nate is the one to answer the door when I arrive, with his usual warm smile on his face as I fidget nervously.

"Hey, come in, and don't look so scared, it's nothing bad!" He laughs, stepping back to let me in.

"Thanks," I say following him into their kitchen.

"Mum, Avery's here," He says as we step into the kitchen and I see stood Jane cooking pancakes.

I feel a pair of small arms wrap around my legs.

"Hi, Jenny," I bend down to give the pajama clothed girl a hug.

"Avery? What happened to Jesse?" I hear Jesse's dejected voice as he follows her into the kitchen, signing with his hands.

"Okay, everyone but Avery out! Nate go get your sister dressed!" Jane orders, shooing the boys out of the kitchen with her spatula before turning to me, "Avery sit down, would you like pancakes when they boys get back?"

"Yes please, if you're sure there are enough?" I take a seat at the island, feeling more nervous now we are alone.

"Of course, Nate told me you were on your way," She takes a seat at the island opposite me, "Your mother told me that when you came back you'd likely be looking for a summer job babysitting or waitressing. I'm doing some volunteering at the youth center most days and Nate has just taken a job so I need someone to babysit Jen, would you be interested? I'd be looking to pay ten dollars an hour. Nate says you're so good with her and she clearly likes you which is unusual, plus we obviously need someone who can sign."

"Of course, Jenny is so sweet, when would you need me?" I let out a silent sigh of relief, despite Nate's reassurance I was still terrified that she'd wanted to talk to me about something serious.

"That would largely depend on Nate's work schedule as I will work Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, but his will vary slightly, so I will get him to let you know," She explains, standing up to attend to the pancakes.

"That's fine, he's got my number," I say as Jesse and Jen come barreling back into the kitchen, Jen squealing and giggling with excitement as Jesse proceeds to chase her around the island, "This arrangement doesn't include babysitting Jesse too does it?" I ask skeptically.