Read Online Forgetting Popper (Los Rancheros #3) by Brandace Morrow - Free Book Online Page B

else ten minutes to navigate.
    “Hurry. Take this!” I shove my black AmEx
card at him, not at all sure that it will work but knowing that I
need my phone back for sure.
    The guy shoves his hand at the door, and I
note that I cleared the curb by mere inches. He jogs in and is back
out before too much time has passed. He tosses the phone and card
back at me, which I barely catch.
    We’re off again.
    “What’s your name?” I ask, only now realizing
that I have no idea who the hell is in my car.
    “Jacque,” he says quietly. Jacque, I repeat
in my head, sounding decidedly French, but knowing it won’t come
out that way. I’m horrible with accents.
    “And you saw my post about needing an
assistant?” I ask.
    “Yeah.” He licks his lips. “I needed a job
and saw your post. Kinda crazy to post an opportunity like this on
Facebook. There’s millions of people out there.”
    “Right, right. But who shows up at my door?
Unless you’re crazy. Are you? I have enough batshit in my life.” I
snort at my joke, which Jacque obviously doesn’t get.
    “Nah, I’m just glad I caught you while you
were home.”
    “Yeah, I forgot my wallet. Listen, did you
bring a résum é ?” I ask, switching lanes
suddenly.
    “It’s in the car. I wasn’t sure I had the
right address.”
    “How did you get that, anyway?”
    The guy shrugs. “Hollywood Stars map. You’re
kind of hot right now . . . I mean, in a gossip kind of way, not
that I think you’re hot.” I fight my smile and look at him out of
the corner of my eye to see him mouth “Oh my God” as he faces the
window.
    “Listen, let’s just see how this goes. I have
a meeting today for something that could be big for me. So I need
to look put together and competent.” My car dings at me and I see
that I’m almost on E. Fucking great.
    “Is that why you changed your hair
color?”
    “Among other things.” I change lanes again so
that I can exit to get to the nearest gas station. My cell phone
rings. Only Batty’s people ever call me, so I accept the call on
the steering wheel.
    “Where the hell are you, Sadie?” Batty’s
voice rumbles with his displeasure. I fight to keep from closing my
eyes at what that voice does to me.
    “I’m on my way.”
    “You’re fucking late, after I stuck my neck
out for you on this.”
    “I am not late! I have ten minutes. I will be
there.”
    “What is that beeping noise?”
    I bare my teeth at the road and slide into a
BP on fumes. “I’m getting gas, then I’ll be there.” I press END on
the call, cutting him off as he calls my name.
    I sigh and look over at my newly acquired
employee. “You want anything?”
    He shakes his head and small wisps of hair
fall from his stubby ponytail. “Nah, I’m good.”
    I pop the door. “Great. You pump, I’ll pay.
And fucking hurry.”
    After I grab drinks, I tap on the window and
give the cutting motion to Jacque. That would have to get me there.
I have no time left. There are two people in front of me, so I
start bouncing on the balls of my feet. My eyes scan the magazines
and settle on the cover of the Times . Wearing a black suit
and bold red tie, the by-line is “Finnigan Brennick: The Music
Industries Biggest Threat and Greatest Ally.” He looks imposing and
as intimidating as I’ve ever seen him. I reach out and flick his
face with my fingers.
    “Isn’t that your boss?”
    I look over my shoulder to see Jacque holding
a Mountain Dew in his hand. “Sorta.” I hold up the Dr. Pepper in my
hand. “I figured you as more of a DP man.”
    “Only if the Dew isn’t an option.” He glances
at my choice and smirks. “Fanta? Really? You know that has no
caffeine in it, right?”
    I roll my eyes and turn back around, finally
able to pay for the gas. “Trust me, you don’t want to see me on
caffeine.”
    “That bad?”
    “Not the way you’re thinking. My body does
the opposite. I get tired and will fall asleep.”
    “Dude. That totally sucks.”
    “It really does.