Josie Tate

“It helps that we have similar visions for this place,” he said simply, nodding when she said he was almost done. His attention was drawn to her when she said she had been thinking about him. A smile drawing his lips upwards. “The rink that you posted about earlier?” Jax questioned with confusion. “I asked Dani if she had -” he started to say but stopped in his tracks at her words, a chuckle escaping him. “Did us sleeping together really worry you that much?” Tilting his head, Jaxson rested both his hands behind his head, gripping the top of the chair, “If you make me happy? The real question, Josie, does us hanging out make you happy?” The two hadn’t spent much time since they slept together, however, before then, they hung out occasionally, and not always with Danielle. It was nice. Jaxson had always had a budding interest in Josie but it wasn’t something he had sought to pursue.

“I’m sure it does.” Josie nodded in agreement, her eyes flickering up to meet Jax’s. “I can’t imagine running a business in which you’re forced to constantly fight your partner would be any fun.” Noticing the smile forming on his face, Josie allowed herself to relax just a bit, offering a subtle smile of her own. “Well, yes, that’s why I said I don’t mind. Because I let the cat out of the bag myself.” Hearing Jax’s relaxed chuckle, coupled with his casual stance, helped to level some of the tension in the room. The dynamic was an interesting one- him, seemingly so carefree while she tended to be wound a little tight. Shrugging, she did her best to force her eyes to remain on him. “It did, yeah. Dani is my best friend, Jax. Has been since we were kids. I know I don’t have to tell you that, but...It’s kind of girl code, you know? No sexual anything should come between friends. I didn’t want to put our friendship at risk, no matter how...Interested I may be in you, and no matter how...Good it was.” She dipped her head at the last part of the sentence, a blush rushing furiously up her neck and cheeks. Josie took a moment to ponder the question Jax had asked, running a hand through her hair before looking back at him once more. “Yes, it does. It has. I’ve thought about it for a while. Asking you to hang out. Talking about wanting to get to know you better. But...Well, like I said, I wasn’t sure how Dani would feel. I didn’t know how you would feel. If that’s something you’d even want. I’m not exactly a hot commodity, believe it or not. I just...I don’t know. Can’t take a whole lot more rejection at this juncture in my life.”

Why did it take convincing?  It seems quite natural and logical to me?  The red tape though, isn’t that always the way?  I’m suffering through a bit of that myself.  You’re welcome.  Mhmm, yes unfortunately I had to leave ridiculously early Friday morning and I wasn’t anticipating being back until the end of next weekend.  But I was able to arrive back this morning.  However, I have to leave again Tuesday sadly.  

Yes, well, not everyone sees things that same way. Father wasn’t certain about the cost of investing versus how successful something like that may or may not be in a place like Snowbury. Ultimately, though, I won out. Obviously. It is, you’re right there. Well, I do hope you have safe travels, and that your next trip won’t be tedious. 

I totally get that, babe. Sometimes when you say too much, you can jinx it. Kind of like when I almost got Mariah for my twelfth birthday party. I’m still so pissed about that. But I’m so glad this worked for you. It’s definitely something Snowbury needed, and it would be such a cute place for little dates and stuff. I can see the lovestruck teenagers falling over themselves already. I’ll need all the lessons, I’m like Bambi on ice. I love you, Jos. Always. 

Exactly. I’m glad to know someone else out there gets it. Then again, you pretty much always get me. Hey, I know that was disappointing, but at least you can still say you almost got Mariah. That’s still a very elite group of people to be among. Thanks, hon, that means a lot. I’m hoping it’ll be successful. Look at me, already worrying. Bambi isn’t a bad thing to be, Bambi is cute as hell. I love you too Brina, always. 

With a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, the male sighed, exhaling the smoke from his nostrils as he continued to write and calculate things out on the keyboard of the computer. Glancing up at the sound of knocking, he lifted the cigarette out of his mouth and extinguished it in the ash tray, turning his head to exhale the last of the smoke, “Hey.” Looking Josie over for a moment before reclining in his seat and motioning to the papers strewn over the desk, “About as well as it usually goes. Thankfully both Dani and I have legible handwriting or I’d be here for the rest of the day.” Holding a hand out, he motioned to the other seat, “Please, join me. What’s up, Josie? You okay?” Resting his hands on his abdomen as he remained reclined in the chair. 

Taking the seat as it was offered, Josie crossed her legs and wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes falling over the paperwork strewn across the desk. “You two always did work well together. At least you’re almost done.” She offered the small silver lining. “I’m alright, just thinking too much. What else is new?” Josie asked, doing her best to smile but subsequently failing. “I don’t know. Maybe I just wanted to see you. I’ve been thinking about you...” Her voice trailed as she dropped her eyes, studying the fabric of her jeans, looking anywhere but at Jax. “I heard you told Dani about the Rink. Which is fine, by the way, obviously. But...I did tell her. About what happened between us. She isn’t mad, thankfully. She said if I make you happy...”

Jax: No one is here right now. Sunday's are the days I sit in the office and do the paperwork for the week. Door should be open.

Jax: I'll be done here in about an hour. You can come by the Gaslighter if you'd like, or I can meet you somewhere.

Jax: Sure, what's up, beautiful?

Josie: You're...Sweet. That was sweet.

Oh my god, babe! How the hell did you manage to keep that a secret from me? I’m so excited for you, and I’m so excited to put on my skates and live out my little Tonya Harding fantasy. Hopefully without any violence, though. I’m taking a little break from social media at the minute, but as soon as I’m back on, you know I’ll promote the hell out of it. I’m so happy for you!

Thanks so much, Sabrina. I know, it was a tough thing to keep from everyone, not even Dani knew. I just didn’t want to say too much, until I knew what was going on for sure, and that the construction was absolutely going to go through. Even with Father’s help, the red tape and getting the proper permits was a nightmare. I’ll be happy to see you there, I’ll give you as many lessons as you want. Thank you for that, Brina. I don’t know what I’d do without you. 

Always! Anything to support the community I’m in for! I’ll bet you’re so proud, I know I am! I cannot wait to continue watching you succeed! I’m sure we can get something worked out, I can have the parents sign permission slips and everything. When you have time, we’ll sit down and take a look at it all!

You are just the sweetest, Ana. I know you get that all the time, but I mean it. Your support means the world to me. I know this is probably for your summer camp program, right? We can do lunch on Wednesday and talk things through a bit more, if you’d like?

Honestly I think I could used the help. I have the vision but it’s the details I get lost in. If you’re sure you’ll have the time with all you have going I’ll take you up on that. Yeah, I know Sean’s kid, I think she’ll have a good time with it. Remy Snowbury? Has a kid? I guess I should pay more attention to shit. About a year, you say? Boy or girl?

Details I can most definitely do! If you’re free for lunch tomorrow, we can meet up and go over some things. I’ll start reaching out to a few people, seeing if they’d be willing to volunteer some time and resources to help make things work. I’ll bring my notebook tomorrow, and we can get the ball rolling. Yes, Remy Snowbury. It’s an odd situation really, but I don’t tend to look into these things too much, I have enough going on. Mhm, boy. 

Dani: Mad at you? No, a little confused...okay, a lot confused, but not mad.

Dani: Stop being sorry, Jos, really. It's okay. I'll admit it's weird being told my best friend slept with my brother but! If he makes you happy, go for it. One of us deserves it.

Dani: Just...promise we're not about to talk about how much you enjoy seeing him naked. I see him half naked enough as it is. I don't need to know about the half I don't see. Really, I don't. I'd like to keep my food in my stomach and not taste it a second time. Hah.

Josie: That's a relief. I can understand confused, trust me on that.

Josie: Thank you, Dani. I don't...Really know what it is, if it is or is going to be anything. But...I thought it'd be worth a shot. At the very least. You'll find your happiness, Dani. I know you will. I can feel it.

Dani: Of course that is what we are talking about?

Dani: ...oh.

Dani: Uh...I...don't know what to say to that, Josie.

Dani: I mean, I'm happy for you but did it have to be my brother?

Josie: It is, yes.

Josie: I'm...I'm sorry. Are you mad at me, Dani?

Dani: Why would you lose me? What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't support your business venture?!

Dani: I'm just a little upset you told him before me.

Dani: Wait...hold on, what deal? Why would you think I would hate you? What are /you/ talking about?

Josie: My...OH! Right! Of course! My...Business venture. That's what we're talking about. Gotcha.

Josie: I'm sorry, Dani. I didn't...Intend for it to happen that way.

Josie: Shit.

Josie: I didn't want...To tell you this way. I've been trying to think of ways to tell you since it happened, and I just...Haven't been able to find the words. I didn't want to tell you this way, but at this juncture...

Dani: Jax just told me! When were you going to tell me?

Josie: Dani, I...

I’ve been thinking of hosting some sort of Family Day event at the shop. I know that might sound strange, but I think it could be a good thing for the community to celebrate the coming of Spring. I’m thinking about some kind of BBQ, with some bouncy houses and food stands, little games, and offering things like free oil checks, filter checks, and fluids checks, with discounted rates for routine services. How many families in Snowbury, or people with kids, are there? Enough to make something like this work? I’m open to thoughts. 

This sounds like such a fabulous idea, Drew. I’d be interested in helping out with the planning and coordination, if you needed a hand. There are plenty of families in Snowbury with kids, who would definitely enjoy something like this! You already know Sean, he has a young daughter. And, Remy also has a child, he’s about a year now I believe. There are others as well, I’m positive you’ll get a lovely turn out if you’d like to pursue this!