Second Chances Read Online Free PDF

Why didn’t you tell her? His conscious prodded. I told her what she needed to know . I told her what I could. But you didn’t tell her everything did you?
    Probably because he still couldn’t believe it himself. How could he not get a promotion for bringing in the Wilderness Stores account? Even worse, how did Roger get it? Certainly not by kissing every power ass that mattered, and definitely not by working his ass off like he had.He slammed his empty hand on the desk, the harsh sting staining his palm red. It just wasn’t fair.
    He smiled bitterly. No surprise there. Fair was not how he’d describe his life, but this was no time for a pity party.It was time to go flash his mega-watt smile, slap a few shoulders, and congratulate the man of the hour on his new 14th floor digs. “I hear the air’s pretty thin up there,” he’d joke, “watch out for altitude sickness.” And everyone would laugh, except him of course. He didn’t find it funny at all.
    *   *   *
    “Hey,” Ben yawned taking a stool at the breakfast bar where Tim sat reading the morning newspaper, a half-eaten bowl of cereal in front of him. “You going to finish that?” he asked hungrily eyeing the milk-sodden flakes.
    “There’s a full box of cereal in the cupboard. Why don’t you get your own breakfast?” Ben frowned as his growling stomach echoed the gruffness of Tim’s voice. Tearing his gaze from the object of his desire, he turned to study his roommate more closely. Something was off. Instead of his usual conservative chic, Tim was sporting more of a casual Friday look, and it was only Wednesday. He was staring intently at the paper spread in front of him like it might get up and walk away, but Ben could tell he wasn’t reading it. And he had restless finger syndrome, fidgeting with the medallion around his neck, turning it over and over again as if it could somehow help.
    “You clearly have no intention of finishing that,” he nodded towards the bowl, “so why can’t I have it?”
    “Jesus, everything’s a federal case with you isn’t it?” Tim snarled, shoving the bowl towards Ben. “Just take it.”
    “Thanks.” Smiling brightly he scooped a hefty spoonful of mush into his mouth. He hadn’t seen Tim this pissed off in a long time and then it had taken every ounce of tact and skill he had to calm him down. Better fuel up before trying to find out what had his panties in a twist this time.
    With studied interest Tim watched as Ben munched his breakfast, happy and relaxed despite the impending pressures of the work day ahead. How many mornings like this one had they shared over the years, bickering like an old married couple with nothing better to do than annoy the hell out of each other? Too many probably but Ben had been his first roommate in college and he could never be bothered to find anyone else to live with after that.
    Their senior year, Ben had invited Chad to live with them in a small apartment barely big enough for two but rent enough for three. “You’re shitting me,” he said when Ben told him about their new roommate. “What the hell? That guy’s got enough money to live in the Taj Mahal if he wanted to. What’d you ask him to live with us for?”
    “Because we could use the extra money and because he’s a good guy,” Ben explained adding softly, “if you gave him a chance you’d know that.”
    “Hmmph. Tim snorted. “Chadwick Brown IV’s had more chances than anybody thank you. And more privileges too. That poor little rich boy doesn’t need any help from us. Besides, what could we possibly give him that he doesn’t already have?”
    “Friends,” said Ben and he laughed as Tim’s mouth dropped open. “Yeah believe it or not, all the money in the world won’t buy happiness or friends and Chad doesn’t have a lot of either.” So, despite his wishes, Chad had moved in and for Ben’s sake, he’d made a reluctant effort to befriend the guy preordained to one day spearhead one of the