Read Online With Good Behavior by Jennifer Lane - Free Book Online Page A

Barberi before Joe had legally adopted him upon his mother’s death.
    Attempting to cover his consternation, Grant drummed up a look of incredulity. “I’ve been working for you more than two weeks, Rog, and you’re just realizing this now? No wonder you never advanced past ensign. You’re not too bright, are you?”
    Roger’s jaw dropped, and a twinkle gleamed in his hazel eyes. “You little prick,” he said fondly.
    Grant smirked. At first he’d been upset that Joe changed his name. But later, when he came to understand the horrific acts perpetrated by his family, Grant realized it was one of the kindest things Joe had done for him. If only a legal name change could also disentangle him from the emotional ties to his family.
    Grant met Roger’s gaze and his slight smile faded. “Joe adopted me after my mom died. And it was fine with me. My dad, well, he’s not a good man.” He looked down and sniffed.
    “I’m glad you have your Uncle Joe, then,” Roger said, his heart going out to Grant.
    “Me too … Well, I better get to the head, now that you just trashed my clean bathroom. Is it going to smell like a bomb went off in there?”
    Roger chuckled. “Actually, Madsen, I’ve got another job for you in mind. Put that stuff away. Tommy is going to be cleaning the shitters today.”
    Arching his eyebrows, but not about to refuse, Grant did an about-face and began wheeling the bucket back to its home, while his boss fell in step with him and explained. “That faggy young kid, Blaine, I got working as server—what the fuck kind of name is that? Anyway, he can’t work anymore because his family is going to Paris or something for the summer. That lucky rich shithead just up and quit on me, so I want you to take over for him up top.”
    “Yes, sir,” Grant nodded, closing the door to the supply closet.
    “You know how to play waiter?”
    “I think I can figure it out, Rog.”
    “Good. That grungy jumpsuit has gotta go, though. Hightail it to the office and get yourself a waiter’s uniform.”
    “Okay.” Grant followed Roger’s order and emerged from the office ten minutes later looking dapper in black pants and a white shirt. Hopefully this was the next step up the ladder to chief navigator. And in the meantime, serving drinks simply had to be better than cleaning toilets.
    * * *
    “May I take your drink order, ma’am?” Grant asked, peering down at a middle-aged woman in a low-cut blouse sitting on one of the benches on deck. An eight-year-old boy, likely her son, jumped up and down at the nearby railing in a hyperkinetic frenzy.
    She glanced up at Grant with a harried expression, planning to dismiss him, but paused once she saw his aquamarine eyes and tall, lean body. A brilliant smile bloomed on her bright-red lips. “Well, yes. Yes you can,” she replied coyly. “My  ex -husband tried to tell me never to drink alcohol before five p.m., but screw him. I’ll take a chardonnay.”
    “One chardonnay,” he repeated, scribbling the order on his notepad. The woman had scooted her body closer to his and was batting her eyelashes. Grant blushed uncomfortably.
    “Would your son like a drink too, ma’am?”
    Her smile faded, and she turned to the boy in a Chicago Cubs baseball hat. “Henry! Do you want a Coke?”
    The freckly boy remained perched on the second rung of the white railing, but nodded his head distractedly.
    “Uh, he’s not allowed to climb on that railing, ma’am,” Grant warned.
    “Henry!” the woman scolded. “Get down from there right now.”
    The boy reluctantly climbed back onto the deck, whining, “This cruise is bore-ring, Mom!”
    “Shh,” she admonished. “People are trying to listen to the man on the speaker!”
    Grant took advantage of the distraction to slink away, relieved when his exit went undetected. He then relayed the order to the bartender, Dan, who filled it all too quickly. Grant barely slowed down when he returned to serve the drinks, swiftly moving on