#trucking bookkeeping

[punkshort]

Evergreen | Chapter Five: Acceptance

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Chapter Summary: It's almost Christmas, so you take the time to reflect on your accomplishments while enjoying the peaceful life you've created with Joel.

Chapter Warnings: language, soft!joel, smut (18+ MDNI), unprotected piv sex, food and alcohol consumption, Christmas, so much fluff it hurts

WC: 5.1K

Series Masterlist

"Alright, try some of this."

Ellie set down her spiked hot chocolate on your kitchen counter and stood to take the spoon from your hand. She blew on the soup before sampling a small taste and vigorously nodding her head.

"That's fucking amazing, we should make that a regular item."

You grinned and tossed the spoon in your sink before maneuvering around her to reach the spice rack. Your new house was just a two-bedroom ranch and the small kitchen took some getting used to, but you finally made the rented space feel like home. Although when you and Ellie occasionally found yourselves crammed in your kitchen to test some new products for the food truck, you couldn't help but long for the beautiful kitchen you used to have.

"I think I'll add this and take off the turkey chili, it doesn't do too well," you said before turning to your fridge and scribbling something on the white board. It was close to Christmas and you had already introduced your cold-weather menu for the food truck, but you were always actively looking to make tweaks where it was needed.

"Sarah really likes the chili," Ellie reminded you.

"I'll make her a big batch and divide it up so she can freeze it when she goes back to school."

"Is she helping out on the truck tomorrow?" Ellie asked before picking her hot chocolate back up, then she wandered over to your living room to examine some ornaments on your tree.

"Yeah, she's helping all day. Joel's gonna get a kick out of seeing her on the truck for the first time," you laughed. You checked the time and turned off the burners before lifting the huge pot of soup with a grunt and setting it on an unused side of the stove to cool. Joel and Tommy's crew were working on a retail storefront and you had promised to stop by with the truck for lunch the following day. You had figured it was in a busy part of town and you were hoping to also capitalize on all the holiday shoppers.

Chicks 'n Chicken specialized in, well, chicken, as the name implied, but when the weather turned colder, you realized sandwiches just wouldn't cut it for the winter, so you began to add soups and stews to pair with your signature sandwiches like The Ellie, The Sarah, and The Joel. It was the first big idea you had when you finally took the plunge and started a food truck: every sandwich was named after someone important to you, including sandwiches named after Mia and Daniel.

At first, it was hard. Really fucking hard. Harder than you expected. There was so much to do behind the scenes: bookkeeping, inspections, keeping the truck and your machines up to code just to name a few. Joel was a huge help with the business side of things and you were eternally grateful for his insight. In return, you let him be your taste-tester, a job he adored and took very seriously.

Once you got the boring stuff out of the way, things got much better. You hired Ellie to assist you, and even her girlfriend Dina worked part-time. The two of them painted the truck these gorgeous, vibrant colors and helped you design the menu, and before you knew it, you were up and running.

The first couple weeks were slow and steady. You didn't expect to make much right off the bat, but you would have been lying if you said you weren't slightly disappointed you didn't do more business.

But then Sarah and Ellie came to the rescue, and your entire world changed.

They had clued you in to the latest social media app and helped you create an account. They must have been avid users because they always knew what was trending, which is how you managed to create a video that went viral overnight. It was the three of you doing some silly dance to a song you had never heard before inside the truck. When you watched it, you cringed and begged them to delete it, but they promised it would be a hit. And boy, were they right.

Just a few months later, you were closing in on one million followers. The girls kept your page fresh and relevant and if you were a lesser person, you might have been a little put out that your marketing degree essentially became useless when competing with two girls in their twenties who were apparently chronically online.

But you absolutely loved it. You were beyond thrilled you had been so unexpectedly successful so quickly. It was the best gift you could ever have received, and you told them so every time they pestered you for Christmas gift ideas.

"Your parents coming up for Christmas?" Ellie asked when she spotted a framed picture you had of them next to your couch.

"Uh... my mom is, yeah," you said, dusting your hands on the sides of your jeans as you moved around your kitchen. Ellie picked up on the tone in your voice and swiveled around.

"But not your dad?"

You shook your head and pulled out the biggest Tupperware containers you could find.

"No. He's not thrilled with some of the choices I've made," you told her, keeping your gaze focused on your work so she wouldn't see the hurt in your eyes.

"The food truck or Joel?"

You cleared your throat and shrugged. "Both. He thinks I'm investing Daniel's money in something where I'll end up failing and he is not okay with Joel being a few years younger than him."

"Shit. I'm sorry," Ellie said softly, joining you back in the kitchen. "That's fucked. But at least your mom sounds cool, right?"

"Well, she's coming around to it. It'll be her first time meeting Joel and I'm really hoping once she sees us together and how great he is, she can report back to my dad and maybe change his mind."

"Ha, no pressure, right?" she laughed. You grinned and finally turned to face her.

"You know what? I'm starting to not even care. Is that bad?" you asked with a guilty look on your face. But before she could answer, you continued. "I mean, I'm happy. I'm successful. Joel and Sarah are amazing. Should I even care if they agree with my choices or not? I'm an adult. I don't want to ruin my relationship with my parents but I'm not willing to sacrifice my own happiness for it."

"Hell yeah, man," Ellie said while toasting you with her hot chocolate. "You got the right headspace. Therapy is doing you good."

"Yeah, surprisingly, it kind of is," you said with a chuckle. An alarm went off on your phone and you glanced at it curiously before your eyes widened in panic. "Shit! I promised Joel I'd be over for dinner, I gotta clean up and get the hell out of here." You snatched your apron off and then your eyes locked onto the huge vat of piping hot soup on your stove.

"I'll handle it. Go!" Ellie said, waving her hands. "I'll lock up before I leave."

"Are you sure?" you asked, but you were already backing out of the kitchen.

"Absolutely. I'll watch some movie or something while I wait. Dina's working at the bookstore til ten, anyway."

"You're the greatest, Ellie, thank you!" you called over your shoulder as you disappeared into your bedroom to change.

"How is it you look prettier every time I see you?"

You giggled when Joel's scruffy beard scraped against the side of your neck, then melted into his arms when they circled around you from behind.

"Did you know you left the oven on? You're lucky you didn't burn the place down," you teased, tilting your head to give his lips better access.

"I was just takin' a quick shower, I knew there was plenty of time left."

He wasn't wrong. The lasagna he made still needed fifteen more minutes. Joel had actually gotten a lot better at cooking over the last few months. He liked to give you all the credit since he spent so much time watching you in the kitchen test new dishes for the food truck.

"And look at that," he murmured when he glanced at the timer. "Still got extra time. Any idea what we should do?"

"Are you looking to get dessert before dinner?" you asked, feigning shock. Joel chuckled against your throat before pressing himself against your ass and - shit, he wasn't joking.

"Been almost a week," he groaned against your ear. "Missed you so fuckin' much

"I missed you, too," you whispered before twisting around in his arms. You pressed your lips eagerly against his, getting lost in the familiar way you fit together. Whenever you were with Joel, your soul felt at peace. Everything seemed to make sense again and any stress faded away. But those things were difficult to explain to your parents without sounding insane, so you stopped trying, perfectly content with keeping the happiness he provided just between the two of you.

You blamed your weak resolve on the fact you had a stressful few days without him, craving the comfort only he could provide. That was why you found yourself less than five minutes later straddling his lap on the couch with your jeans abandoned somewhere on the floor behind you. Joel didn't even take his pants off all the way. He had shoved them down to his knees in a frenzy, desperate to feel you again after a long week.

The air stilled when you sunk down on his cock, the both of you too caught up in the feeling to remember to breathe.

"Oh, baby," he breathed, head tipping back to rest against the back of the couch. "Oh, that's it. That's my girl. There you go," he whispered, eyes glued to the way he disappeared inside you. You shifted and a small whimper slipped past your lips, pulling his gaze back up to you.

"How is that? Feel good?" he asked while circling his arms around your waist. You hummed and nodded before you started to move a little in his lap. You went slow at first while sharing deep, messy kisses. The hair from his beard burned your chin when he pried your mouth open wider, tongues swirling together amongst shared moans.

His big hands spread wide over your ribs, holding you against him to feel as close as possible while you slowly rocked your hips. He finally gave you a chance to breathe and broke the kiss, but then his mouth trailed down your throat and you held your breath anyway when his teeth grazed against the sensitive spot he made a mental note of last time.

"Missed you," he reminded you again as his lips ghosted over your collarbone. "Missed this. Missed feelin' this close to you."

"I know," you gasped, hands grabbing at his shoulders when he mouthed at your breast through your shirt. You started to move faster, encouraged by the delicious sting from his bite. "Fuck, Joel, do that again. Please," you whined.

He smirked and did the same playful bite to your other breast, cock twitching inside you when a low moan slipped past your lips.

"You like that?" he pressed. He loved it when you lost yourself in the moment, too engulfed with pleasure to hold yourself back. When he had you like that, you had no trouble asking for what you wanted. Your polite little filter vanished and you allow yourself to be selfish, to take what you want to make yourself feel good, and his chest puffed with pride every single time that you would choose him to be vulnerable with. You chose him to seek out everything you desired. You trusted him.

"Yes, Joel," you rasped. Your head was tipped backwards and your eyes had slid shut as you began to bounce faster on his lap. "Yes, Joel, I love it. I love it. Fuck, you feel so good. I can't - ah! - Christ, Joel, I love you-"

Time stood still with your words sitting heavy in the air. It took you a few seconds to realize what you said, then your eyes snapped open and you slapped a hand across your mouth in shock, hips freezing mid-air.

"I'm sorry," you mumbled, staring down at his surprised expression. "I didn't mean for that to be the first time-"

"But you did mean it?" he asked, stopping your muffled ramblings. Slowly, you nodded with watery eyes. He yanked your hand off your mouth and pulled you down for a searing kiss.

"I love you, too," he whispered happily against your mouth. His hips began to rock up into you, encouraging you to move with his hands firmly on your waist. "Keep going. Want you to come for me," he said with a grunt, lips still hovering centimeters away from yours. You nodded and began to move again, chasing the release you were moments away from tasting before you had panicked and stopped.

"C'mon, make yourself feel good. Take what you need, baby," he groaned when you bounced faster, breasts swaying underneath your shirt right in front of his face, teasing him. He lunged forward and pinched your nipple between his teeth right when his thumb began to work quick circles over your clit. You cried out his name, fingers clawing at his shoulders until he finally heard that content little broken moan and your release slowly trickled down his cock.

"Shit - gonna come," he growled. His hand left your clit so he could wrap both arms tightly around your middle, using you for leverage as he roughly fucked up into you. You had sagged forward, head resting on his shoulder while placing sweet kisses against his throat. You heard his harsh pants for air in your ear and smiled at the soft noises he made right before he stilled with a loud groan, pumping you full of his seed until his shoulders relaxed and he leaned back tiredly against the couch.

Your hand snaked around the back of his neck, turning his face towards you for a lazy kiss before whispering I love you one more time.

"I love you so goddamn much," he sighed, making you giggle. You pushed yourself up with a sigh, feeling groggy and satiated. You were in the middle of lovingly tracing the creases next to his eyes while he gazed up at you when the timer on the stove went off. You both groaned, neither of you ready to pull apart just yet, but the last thing you wanted was the smell of burnt lasagna permeating the house for the rest of the evening. With a gasp, you lifted yourself from his lap and turned to hunt for your panties on shaky legs.

"Go clean up, I got it," Joel said, standing and pulling his jeans up the rest of the way. You nodded and waddled towards the bathroom with your clothes while he tended to your dinner in the kitchen.

"So, you're comin' by the site tomorrow?" Joel confirmed around a mouthful of food. You nodded, only half listening to the television, your brain still blissfully quiet from earlier.

"Yep. Then after I'm meeting with this woman from the paper. They want to run a small piece on the truck, talk about the viral stuff, all that."

"My girl's gonna be in the paper?" Joel asked excitedly. You laughed, wanting to tease him for being one of the few people who still read an actual newspaper, but his support for you and your dream was so sweet that you didn't want to ruin it.

"Yep. Maybe even a picture, too."

"Well, damn. Look at you," Joel said softly, and you smiled at the tender look in his eye. "Gonna be famous. Can't wait to frame it. I'mma put one in my office at work and one here," he told you matter of factly. He pointed to the mantle, currently adorned with garland and christmas lights, where an old picture of him, Sarah and Mia sat, along with a picture of Tommy and Maria from their wedding day.

"I get to be on the mantle?" you asked excitedly.

"'Course you do. Woulda been up there sooner if we ever took a decent picture together."

"We take tons of pictures together," you began, but he quickly waved you off.

"And in all of 'em I look like shit."

"You do not! You look better than me most of the time with that goddamn smirk of yours," you teased, pinching his side when you added, "and you've lost almost twenty pounds."

Joel just laughed and wrapped his arm around your shoulders, taking your plate and stacking it with his before turning his attention towards the television. His thumb drew mindless circles over your arm and you listened to the peaceful, steady beat of his heart with your ear pressed against his chest.

Closing your eyes, you breathed deep and thought back on your life from the past several months. You had some curveballs thrown at you, sure, but given the circumstances, you were pretty damn happy with where you ended up: curled up next to the man you loved, listening to him mumble the wrong answers to Jeopardy amongst the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree.

"Howdy, girls!"

"Hey, Uncle Tommy!" Sarah called down from the window of the food truck. He grinned at her crooked black cap stitched with your company's name and logo on the front. Wild little pieces of hair stuck out from underneath, framing her face which was dusted with flour.

"Looks like you're workin' hard," he said, waving when he spotted you hurrying by behind her.

"It's crazy busy! We've been moving non-stop since we parked!" she exclaimed.

"Well, get ready, 'cause I just brought twenty hungry construction workers," he replied while jutting his chin down the sidewalk where his crew had been carefully walking around piles of snow that had been packed down and pushed around by the feet of holiday shoppers.

"Good timing, 'cause we just got through the lunch rush," she said before straightening up and turning to you and Ellie. "Hey, guys - my dad and his crew are on their way! Want me to drop some chicken in the fryer?"

"Yeah, toss in a tray of breasts and a tray of tenders to get us started," you said, wiping your hands on your apron before turning to Ellie. "And-"

"Yeah, I know, I got the bread out of the oven already."

You grinned and turned to give the three soups of the day a quick stir and did a quick check on the stock of paper products, confirming you were in a good enough spot to take on another wave of business when you heard a woman's voice call your name from the sidewalk, stopping you in your tracks. When you saw it was the reporter you had promised to meet with for the write up she was going to put in the paper, you felt your heart sink.

"Carmen, hi! We're getting another rush, I'm so sorry!" you said while leaning through the window to shake her hand. "Can I get like, twenty minutes?"

"Of course!" Carmen replied. "I have some shopping to do anyway, take your time."

You were in the middle of expressing your thanks when the truck was suddenly bombarded with Joel and Tommy's crew, their deep voices laughing and talking over one another while Ellie began to take some orders at the register. Before you got back to work, you spotted Joel and excitedly waved him over.

"Hey," you grinned as you practically hung half your body out of the window to grab his face and pull him in. He chuckled and leaned up to kiss you, his cold lips pressing against yours and urging them apart so he could slip his tongue inside your mouth.

"Hey! People are tryin' to eat!" Tommy laughed while playfully swatting at Joel's shoulder. You both laughed and pulled apart, too giddy and love drunk on each other to care.

"You're cold," you said after you pulled yourself back inside the truck. "Do you want some coffee?"

"Yes, please," Joel replied, eyes glittering with pride as he watched you move around the truck. When you stretched forward to hand him the cup, you winked and said, "On the house."

"How's the job going?" you asked as you worked on slicing up the bread Ellie had pulled from the oven. Tickets fluttered in front of you and Sarah gave Joel a big smile and wave when she dropped off chicken fresh from the fryer.

"Alright. Glad we're workin' inside today but place ain't rigged for heat yet so we're makin' do," he replied, taking a sip from his cup. "How's business?" he asked, nodding towards the truck. His eyes drifted fondly over the front where you had printed out the menu in huge letters. Every time he saw his daughter's or his wife's names, his throat tightened. You didn't have to name dishes after them, but you did. Practically insisted on it. It made him emotional back then and it continued to make him emotional whenever he saw it.

"Great! I was hoping to capitalize on holiday foot traffic and boy, did I."

Your eyes were glued to your work, chopping and slicing, making sandwiches and wrapping them in paper while scooping out soup from the huge vats behind you and bagging everything with ease.

You were in your element. This was what you were meant to do.

"Joel! Did you order yet or what?" Ellie called from the register.

"He always gets the same thing," Sarah reminded her with a playful hip check. Ellie rolled her eyes and stifled her grin.

"Oh, yeah, duh. You," she said, narrowing her eyes in your direction. You felt your cheeks warm and you smiled but kept your focus on your work.

"You don't always have to order my sandwich, you know," you teased him.

"Now how can you blame me when you taste so damn good?" Joel smirked from the sidewalk, instantly eliciting a groan of disgust from each of the girls.

"He means the sandwich!" you laughed, feeling all flustered and praying your embarrassment didn't show.

"Do I?"

"Joel!" you hissed with wide eyes as Sarah called him gross and Ellie covered her ears. He threw back his head and laughed while you shook your head with a permanent smile stretched across your face.

This is true happiness, you thought. This feeling could never be topped.

Once Joel and his crew ate and slowly disappeared back down the street towards the storefront they were working on, you washed your hands and checked your reflection before stepping out of the truck with your coat draped over your arm. You glanced around the now mildly crowded street, searching for Carmen and smiling when you locked eyes with her a few doors down carrying a couple shopping bags.

"Perfect timing," you said when she was within hearing range. "Thanks again. My boyfriend is working around the corner and brought his entire crew."

"No apology necessary," she replied warmly, then glanced around with a shiver. "Mind if we pop into this coffee shop? Shouldn't take more than half an hour."

You happily agreed and followed her inside the warm café, breathing in deep the scent of cinnamon and smiling to yourself when you heard the faint sound of Christmas carols filtering through the speakers.

Carmen wasted no time. She dove right in, asking you how you came up with the idea for the food truck and then segueing right into the viral video Ellie and Sarah created that got you such a cult following. You explained that Ellie was a friend, leaving out how you met for her own privacy, and how Sarah was Joel's daughter.

"I'm noticing these names are familiar," Carmen said with a smile.

"Yeah, I named sandwiches after important people in my life. It felt like a sweet way to honor them and express my gratitude," you explained. Carmen hummed and reviewed her notes, phone recording quietly on the table between you.

"May I ask, then, who are Mia and Daniel?"

You cleared your throat and gave her a brave smile.

"They're no longer with us," you began. Softly, Carmen murmured, oh, I'm sorry, while scribbling something on her notepad. "It's okay. Daniel was my fiancé. He passed away over a year ago from a car accident. And Mia was Sarah's mom."

Carmen nodded thoughtfully as she continued to write.

"Oh, so you knew Sarah's mom, too?"

"Well, no," you said, "but based on how much Sarah and Joel have told me, it feels like I've met her."

"That's sweet," Carmen said, letting her pen drop on her notepad. "And these sandwiches - do they reflect anything significant about the people they're named after?"

"They do," you replied while straightening in your chair. "I tried to make the sandwiches based on each person's preference. For instance, Mia loved spice, so hers is a fried spicy chicken sandwich with chipotle mayo. Which I find hilarious because neither Joel or Sarah can handle any amount of spice," you said with a soft laugh.

Carmen nodded and laced her fingers together.

"And how about the sandwich named after you?"

"Well, that was the very first one we created and decided should be on the menu," you said. "I hadn't even thought about names yet but the girls convinced me I should name it after myself and I guess they've got a knack for persuasion."

Carmen laughed and you felt your shoulders relax a bit, not even realizing you were tense until that very moment.

"Well, it's incredible, I must say. I was sneaky last week and got one for myself when you were out on Brunswick."

You gasped, feigning dismay and making her laugh.

"Thank you, I'm so happy to hear that," you replied with a wide smile. "It happens to be my boyfriend's favorite, too."

"Joel doesn't order The Joel?" she asked, cocking her eyebrow.

You shook your head and tried to forget his earlier comment when you said, "Guess not. But he helped design The Joel. In fact, he also helped with The Mia. Sarah did, as well."

"That's so lovely to hear," Carmen said softly, pressing her lips together and leaning forward. "I think it's such a wonderful detail, by the way. How the two of you came from relationships that ended in tragedy and managed to find peace and happiness with one another. And to honor your partners in this way is incredible."

"Thank you," you answered. Your chest warmed at her compliment. "Even though I never met Mia, she was important to the people I love the most, and therefore, she's important to me. Joel and Sarah feel the same about Daniel. Grief is a complicated thing, but I like to think I've found a way to live beside it."

Carmen smiled and dropped her gaze to the table. "That's so comforting and reassuring to hear. And an incredible quote to leave me with because it looks like our time is up."

"Quote?" you asked with a tilt to your head.

"I usually like to run a quote from my subject as my byline," Carmen said while she packed up her things. She began to stand and you stopped her.

"Wait - could I give you something else to put as your byline instead?"

She grinned and sat back down before pulling out her phone and pressing a button.

"Of course."

One Week Later

"You nervous 'bout your mama comin' up?" Joel asked, tugging you closer to his side as you walked up the snowy sidewalk.

"A little," you admitted. "But whatever she ends up thinking doesn't matter. I love you, Joel," you said, tilting your chin up to meet his eye. "I love you and nothing is ever going to change that."

He smiled and gave your lips a quick peck as you rounded the corner, closing in on the nearest grocery store.

"Well, back in my day, I used to be a big hit with a girl's parents."

"Oh, yeah?" you teased.

"Yep. They all loved me. I'm real respectful, you'll see."

You wanted to tell him to just be himself and to not stress about your mother's visit, but you knew there was no use. He was going to do everything possible to win your mother over and while you found it admirable he cared so much, you didn't want him to feel like he needed to make your parents come around. In your several talks with Ryan in therapy, you had come to the conclusion that nobody's approval was needed for you to be happy. It would be nice, sure. It would make holidays and special occasions easier. But nothing was going to change anything between you and Joel.

"Alright, now. Here we go," Joel said excitedly when the automatic doors slid open and you were met with a blast of warm air. You grinned and squeezed his arm while letting him drag you towards the newspapers and magazines. You both scanned the rows of periodicals before Joel spotted it first and grabbed the whole stack. He handed you the extras and eagerly flipped through the pages of the one on top before he paused with a slow smile.

"What? How does it look? What picture did she-"

You cut yourself short when you peered over his shoulder. Your breath hitched and you caught Joel's eye before looking back at the page.

Unbeknownst to you, Carmen and grabbed a quick shot of you leaning out of the food truck to kiss Joel. You were both smiling as snow lightly fell around you, the background highlighted by twinkling Christmas lights and laughing holiday shoppers. It looked like a photograph straight out of a movie: two people finding a quick moment for love in the midst of a busy street.

"You think that's a good enough picture of the two of us?" you asked, looking up at him adoringly, but his focus was on the byline. His eyes kept scanning the words over and over until you swore you saw tears begin to cloud his vision.

"You like it?" you found yourself whispering. He swallowed and nodded, bottom lip quivering before he let the paper drop to his side so he could cup your jaw and pull you in for a kiss.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you, too," you said softly against his lips. He gave you one more kiss before he sniffled and opened the paper again so he could reread the words:

This was all made possible because of Daniel, who taught me what true love is, and because of Joel, who showed me love during my darkest days - I owe you everything.

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[sparklingcid3r]

can u hc darrel dropping pony off at college? like the driver there? and then darry having to drive back alone and all the emotions/thoughts tht come w it?

Jfc yall are brutal…. gimme more🙏 It’s so “Slipping Through My Fingers” coded somebody needs to hit me with their car

- Soda and Darry helping Pony pack was definitely an affair. Soda’s trying to give Pony hand-me-downs and Darry’s saying he’s not gonna need all those clothes, and besides, Soda needs those anyway

- Pony defers to Darry for the most part, seeing as he spent at least some time in college, even though he never finished the first semester

- Pony says bye to Soda and he gives Pony the most soul-crushing hug, messes up his hair and gushes about how proud they are of him. Darry just grins and leads Pony to the truck, all their bags in hand, which isn’t a lot, so move-in will be easy

- Pony’s a nervous wreck on the car ride there. He’s fidgeting with the windows, turning the radio on and off, biting his nails, shifting in his seat. The farther they get from home the less ready he feels

- Darry is quiet, but he’s trying to give Pony a good pep talk the way their dad did for him. He tells Pony that he’s doing a great thing, they’re all so proud of him back home, he’s got amazing things ahead of him. Opportunities will come that he didn’t think were possible, so long as he keeps on top of his studies and goes to class.

- He doesn’t think he did a very good job at getting that across, though

- Once they get into a comfortable rhythm, they start talking about all the memories they have of their parents and each other: Pony tells Darry about the first time he kissed a girl and Darry tells Pony about the first time he got drunk. How Pony used to toddle behind Soda when he had just learned how to walk, and how Soda loved it until two hours later he was still following him. Then he locked Pony in his room with a chair under the doorknob

- They’re just dudes being bros for the most part, trying not to think about how all of their childhoods are finally over

- When the silence grows again, all Pony can think about is how young Darry really was when all of it went down and he had to take care of them, plus the gang. Pony doesn’t think he could have done it. He thinks he would have given up if he was in Darry’s spot. He looks at his brother, then back down at his hands

- When they get there, Pony finally tells him that. And that he’s sorry for making it more difficult than it had to be

- But Darry says he’d do it all again in a heart beat, if it meant he got to keep his brothers under his roof

- Pony gives him one last hug, but Darry hugs him harder. He can’t stop himself from messing up Pony’s hair one last time, for old time’s sake

- And then they realize that Pony’s really going to be away from home for a while, until fall break, and that’s a few months away. So this is it

- Pony says he’ll call, and Darry and Soda will call, and that’s all they can really do now

- Darry leaves Pony in the dorms, gets in the car, and is alone with himself, without anyone to look after, for the first time in four years

- He doesn’t have any direction in life anymore. Is he going to spend the rest of his life and health roofing houses and bookkeeping? Even Soda is getting ready to pack up and move out, granted he’s sticking around, but Darry knows about his grand plans of moving to Texas eventually

- Is Darry going to be the only one left in Tulsa? He was so close, too. But those chances are over. He doesn’t think he could ever go back to school. Maybe if he hadn’t spent the last five years breaking his body and wearing himself down. He can still lay someone out with one punch, don’t get him wrong, but being useful is ingrained into him. Is a college degree enough for him to work towards if it’s not helping his brothers?

- God, when was the last time he did anything for himself?

- His thoughts wander off to his brothers, and now that it’s over, he’s wondering if he did enough for them. Sure, they weren’t always living comfortably—they didn’t have any lights for two weeks at one point, near the beginning, and Darry was up to his neck in stress and grief and frustration—but they were happy. Darry thinks they were happy. Were they? He doesn’t think he’s ever asked

- He’s not sure what their parents would think of him if they saw what he did to their family. He got them both to eighteen, even if he couldn’t do the same for Johnny or Dally. He’s getting them out of Tulsa, watching them go farther than he ever would, so maybe he didn’t disappoint them completely

- Darry grips the wheel just a little harder. No, he wasn’t lying. He would do it all again in a heart beat, if Pony and Soda needed him to. They’d know where to find him

Starting to wonder if we even like Darry w the amount of misery yall want me to put him thru🙏 i like my men in constant turmoil tho what can i say 🤷‍♀️

[lewinblue]

The Bookkeeper and The Cowboy || Pt 1

WC: 1.6k

Summary: A new bookstore is making its way into Wabang and has everyone gossiping. Some are excited, the kids are happy, some are grumpy and Rhett, well he’s just a little bit curious.

A/N: This was originally going to be one part. I have no self control, though, so it’ll probably 2 or 3

Wabang, Wyoming is a small town with people who knew each other, and parents and grandparents who likely knew each other. If you lived there you likely never thought of leaving. If you grew up in the dusty old town it likely never occurred to you to leave.

Everyone knew each other, every building was known and every person who ran it was known by name. Everyone knew that Maren at ‘Maren’s Marvelous Hair Salon’ was a gossip and that Joe who worked at the butcher's was vulgar but still kind and would likely give you an extra slice of your favorite place of meat. Everyone knew the teachers. Ms. Kay, who was secretly seeing Luke Tillerson, and was teaching second grade. Everyone adored her. She was kind, sweet, and gentle with her students. She waved and smiled at the parents of her students. Unlike the high school teacher Mr. Daughtery. The older man never smiled and was always found with a cup of coffee in his hand. When someone addressed him he only grunted and turned away. Some wondered why he hadn’t retired yet or found another job but most of the time, people just ignored him.

It was no wonder that Rhett Abbott didn’t notice that new building being put up right away. No one had bothered to mention it to him. His dad was working him to the bone and when Maren caught him running errands for his dad for the ranch she never mentioned it.

Rhett only became aware of the new building when he went into the tractor supply store to pick up feed for the animals on the ranch. Old man Waters (no one knew his first name anymore, he could have been the first one in the town for all anyone knows) mentioned a new bookstore that was in the works down the street. He didn’t say it in a grumble or in a way he detested a new business. No, he seemed rather…happy about it? Supposedly his granddaughter loved spending time over there after school even though it wasn’t completely finished. Every time he saw her she chatted nonstop about the new owner and the books and even how the building was coming along.

Rhett nodded and tipped his hat, making sure to say thank you because if there was one thing Cecilia Abbott did right it was to raise her sons with manners. After he stocked the bed of his truck full of feed for the animals and some other things for the ranch, Rhett sat in the truck for a minute longer than usual. He could see the budding store from here and he couldn’t deny that the curiosity got the better of him.

If he took a bit longer to get home than usual it definitely wasn’t to see the new bookstore. It was cream and green and on a hanging green wooden poster it read ‘Cover to Cover’. It was clever and left a small smile on his face for no one to see but himself.

When Rhett finally arrived home it was dark and his mom was just about to finish cooking dinner. Mashed potatoes and pork chops it looked like again. He knew better than to complain, it was Perry and his dad’s favorite meal.

As the plates were being served Rhett reached over to playfully mess with Amy’s hair which made the young girl giggle and her father grumble which only added to the satisfaction Rhett felt. He and Perry could argue from sun up to sun down, never agreeing on anything. Mostly on Rhett’s life choices but he couldn’t deny that Perry did one thing right at that was to make Amy. He adored his niece, her laugh, her adventurous spirit, and her no-nonsense attitude that developed before she could talk.

“Did you pick up the feed for the horse?” His dad grumbled in a question.

Rhett knew not to take it personally. It was just how his dad spoke. He was all hard edges and no soft-spoken words. Those were saved for his wife his his granddaughter. Sometimes, when he was younger, Rhett, wondered if Royal even saw him and Perry as sons and just as extra hands to help around the ranch.

“Yeah,” he said, just as gruffly after swallowing a dry pork chop. “It’s all in the bed of my truck.”

“It took you so long. Thought you might be visiting one of your little bunnies.” Perry smirked and Rhett bit his tongue.

“I was catching with Old Man Waters, while I was there,” Rhett said, despite not owing his brother a reply. His mom was still at the table and didn’t want the conversation to turn into something inappropriate.

“I wanna see a bunny,” Amy said innocently.

Rhett looked at Perry and raised an eyebrow. Once he saw his brother's cheeks turn pink he knew he won.

“It’s not those kind of bunnies, darling.” His mom said and pointedly looked at Rhett for the next bit, “I wouldn’t want you catching anything from those bunnies. Who knows where they’ve been.”

Clear to change the subject Royal jumped in, “What did you and Old Man Waters talk about?”

“Not much,” Rhett tried for nonchalance. He didn’t want his dad to see how much this particular subject interested him. “He said that someone is building a bookstore, it’s not fully done, but he said that his granddaughter loves it already.”

Royal hurmphed at the idea. He stabbed his food before saying in a grumpier tone than usual. “What happened to kids reading at school or their parents reading to them? If you ask me it sounds like some yuppie bullshit.”

“I think it’s nice that there’s a place for people to get books and hang out when they're not working.” His mom said placatingly.

“That’s until more people move to Wabang and new houses and apartments are built and we’ll even have a Starbucks.”

“I only said Old Man Waters said it, doesn’t mean it’s true. It could go under in a month.”

Nothing else was said for the rest of the meal. Everyone could tell that the tonal shift had changed and even young Amy didn’t look up from her plate.

When all the plates were in the sink Rhett offered to help his mom clean them. As if his dad and brother ever would, Cecelia shooed Jim off knowing that he would have to be awake before the sun came up to help his dad with the ranch.

He kissed his mom good night, skipped his after-dinner beer, and took the stairs two at a time. It was quiet except for the quiet noises coming from the bedrooms. His dad was talking nonsense, nothing unusual there, Perry was already snoring. From what? Rhett had no idea he wasn’t the one running around town and as far as he knew their dad had been taking it easy on Perry when it came to the Ranch.

When he passed by Amy’s room it was dead silent. Amy was never silent. Before he could think about it he gently tapped on her bedroom door and moments later Amy stood looking up at him.

“Hi. Uncle Rhett,” she smiled.

The end of his lip quirked and he asked. “How did you know it wasn't your dad or grandpa?”

She rolled her eyes and he realized fast then he liked that Mentions that Amy might like that his sweet little niece Amy was growing up.

“Grandpa pounds on the door like I can’t hear him. Dad just barges in. You and Grandma are the only ones who knock like normal people.”

Rhett nodded at that. It seemed about right the two of them had been doing it his whole life. Maybe for her birthday he’ll get her a lock and install it for her.

“You were quiet at dinner. I wanted to know what was up.”

The girl was quiet for a moment. Long enough for Rhett to start to worry. Amy was never quiet for too long around her uncle.

“I wanna see the bookstore.” She mumbles, nearly whispers. As though she’s afraid Royal will hear her from down the hall.

Rhett made an inquisitive noise, leaned on the doorframe, and crossed his arms. He waited for Amy to continue and after a moment she did.

“A few of my friends have been over to see it and all of grandma and grandpa’s books are boring. The school library’s books are falling apart.” She said this all in one gust of air. “I want to see what it’s all about but Grandpa knows everyone in town and they’ll tell him.”

“Your grandpa doesn’t know everything,” Rhett said with a smirk, thinking back to his childhood and teenage days when he managed to get with a lot more than his parents realized.

At her still-present frown that tugged on his heartstrings, Rhett said without thinking, “I’ll take you there. I drove past it on the way back home and maybe I could pick you up after school and bring you to the s bookstore.”

“Really?” Amy exclaimed and shy he’d herself so as not to wake anyone. She looked around to check that no one else moved around and then looked up at her uncle. “You would do that?

“If you get some sleep tonight and are good in school tomorrow, I’ll be right outside waiting for you.” He swore.

Of course, he wanted Amy to be happy and his father's disdain for any new business from outsiders was irksome. However, when he drove by the cream and green cozy-looking shop he couldn’t help but feel his curiosity peek. His niece wasn’t the only one who wanted to go, he wanted to go into the bookstore too.

[hauntedhowlett-writes]

title: miss me in your bones | chapter one

pairing: dad’s best friend!joel miller/female reader

chapter rating: PG13

chapters: 1/?

read on AO3 | masterlist

summary:

When Joel Miller started his own contracting business, he didn’t expect all the administrative tasks that came with it. As a result, his budding business is in desperate need of help.

Good thing his best friend’s daughter is home for the summer from college. And sure, he’s always been attracted to you, but he can keep that under control.

It’s just one summer, right?

author’s note: oh look, another multi-chapter joel miller au. this one will be a slower(er) burn than “cruel summer”, with more angst. i’m in my folklore era, sorry y’all. please consider leaving a comment if you liked the chapter! 💕

content warnings/additional tags: au - no outbreak, age difference (21f and 36m), mutual pining, dad’s best friend!joel, college student!reader, no sarah, brief mention of joel’s attraction to the reader when she’s 17.

“You still need help with your bookkeeping?” Joel’s best friend asks as they sip their beers, basketball game playing on the TV.

Joel has recently branched out and started his own contracting business, a dream he’s had since he started working fresh out of high school. He’s taken a few night classes and earned himself an associates degree in business administration from the community college, in the hopes that it might help him not drive his budding business venture straight into the dirt.

What he wasn’t prepared for was the volume of administrative tasks he’d have to take on. Invoicing, pricing, scheduling, negotiating, and the list keeps growing. Joel just wants to bring a vision to life with his hands. He doesn’t want to have to sit at a computer for hours a day before getting to the fun stuff.

He sighs. “Yeah, I’m drownin’ in all that stuff. Seems like there’s not enough hours in the day to be doin’ the dirty work and get all that shit done, too.”

“Well, my daughter’s comin’ home for the summer. She said she was lookin’ for a job so that she can save up some money before goin’ back to school in the fall. She could help you out. She’s good with computers,” his friend says. Joel swallows.

Joel’s lived next door to you and your dad for four years now. When he first moved in next to the single dad, you were seventeen, getting ready to finish up high school and head off to college. You were your dad’s pride and joy, a sweet girl with brains and beauty that he bragged about constantly. You’d gotten a full academic scholarship to UCLA, no small feat, but you’d been required to spend your first two summers on campus fulfilling a certain number of credits, which meant you hadn't visited home in some time due to the cost.

This also meant Joel got a reprieve from the inappropriate thoughts he’s had about you since the first time he met you. When you’d stood by the door with your dad, welcoming him to the neighborhood, but all he could think about was the curve of your lips as you smiled at him or the way you looked up at him through your lashes when he spoke, hanging on his every word like he was spilling the secrets of the universe.

For his first year in his new house, you were there when he came over on the weekends, watching football with your dad or doing homework at the kitchen table. Joel was there for your graduation party, and sang Happy Birthday as you blew out the candles for your eighteenth year. He helped your dad pack up his truck with your boxes of stuff and waved goodbye from the driveway as you set off to college.

And the whole time he had to beat the thoughts of pressing a hand to your thigh beneath the dining table or pulling you to the side to kiss you senseless. He was equal parts relieved and disappointed when your dad drove you over a thousand miles away.

Your dad is still waiting for an answer, and Joel can’t come up with a good enough reason to say no to his offer of your help. He needs it.

He can keep himself under control for one summer.

“Sure, that would be great,” Joel replies with a strained smile unnoticed by your dad.

“Great! I’ll let her know.”

________

You’re so excited to be home for a whole summer. Between your rigorous course load over the last two years and the cost of housing and travel, you haven’t been able to visit home. Your dad pays for half your housing on top of his own expenses, so you didn’t want to burden him more with travel costs.

“How was your flight, kiddo,” your dad asks as he wraps you in a tight hug.

“Went well enough. Definitely better than driving for two days with some stinky old man,” you tease. He pushes at your shoulder.

Your relationship with your dad is a close one, the result of being the only child to a single parent and all his efforts over the years to make sure he does the best job he can. And while he often had to work overtime, he was always there for you when it mattered and never made you feel like you weren’t loved.

“I’m happy you’re back, squirt. House is too quiet without you,” he says as he pulls away from the pick-up area and rejoins Austin traffic. His words make your heart clench.

“Just another year and I’ll hopefully be able to get a job closer to home,” you tell him.

“With that fancy degree, I’m sure you’ll be able to get any job you want.”

The fancy degree in question is in aerospace engineering. Ever since your dad took you to visit the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a rare vacation out of the state, you’d been hooked on the idea of helping get rockets to space.

“Hopefully. With all the private space exploration initiatives, should be plenty of jobs to go around. California is fun, but Texas is home.”

He smiles at you, a big wide grin that you’d missed in your time away.

“Listen, you know how you said you wanted to find a job for the summer while you’re home?” He asks. You nod. “Well, Joel started up his own contracting business and is hopin’ to get some help with the administrative work. Schedulin’, contracts, bookkeepin’. I know it’s not what you’re studyin’ or anythin’ but it might be nice to give your brain a break from all that fancy math you do.”

Your stomach erupts in butterflies at just the mention of your dad’s best friend and neighbor, Joel Miller. Ever since you first met when he moved in next door, you’ve been smitten. He’s a bit younger than your dad, somewhere in his mid-thirties while your dad has crossed the threshold to his forties. He’s tall and broad with muscles defined from hard labor, dark curly hair that’s almost always unruly, and kind brown eyes that have started to crinkle in the corners with a life well lived.

He’s so gorgeous it actually hurts.

You’ve spent a fair share of your nights away from home thinking about Joel Miller as you slid a hand into your pajama pants. Did he ever think about you? You doubt it, but a girl could dream.

In your daydreaming, you almost forget to answer your dad. “Oh, uh, sure. I can help out Mr. Miller,” you reply, clearing your throat.

“Thanks, sweetie. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the help.”

________

Joel is cursing up a storm as he tries to clean up the spare room he uses as an office and storage area these days. There’s papers everywhere, supply quotes and contracts and instruction manuals across every surface to the point where the old laptop he uses for work sits buried, battery dead from neglect. He tries to sort everything into a neat pile, but the pile is too big and scatters everywhere once more.

You’re supposed to start working with him at nine this morning. He’s got a consultation scheduled after lunch, giving him plenty of time to show you the nightmare you’re walking into.

There’s a knock at the door and Joel rushes from the back of the house to answer.

You’re standing on his porch, as you have hundreds of times, but after two and a half years away at school, the girl he’d waved goodbye to one August morning has disappeared. Your hair is drastically different and your face has lost the roundness of your teen years, but the smile that stretches your lips is all too familiar.

“Hi, Mr. Miller.”

________

You shift your weight from foot to foot as Joel’s gaze drifts over you, the feel of it hot over your skin. His forehead and neck are dappled with sweat, shirt sticking to his chest in a way that’s so inviting you have to clench your hands into fists at your side to keep from reaching out.

How is it possible he’s gotten more attractive?

“Hey! Welcome home!” Joel finally says, stepping aside and allowing you to cross the threshold.

His house has changed, yet feels overwhelmingly familiar all the same. He’s updated the flooring since you’d left, and you see the gleam of shiny stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

“You renovated the kitchen?” You ask, stepping down the hall and into the living area to have a closer look. “The counters are pretty.”

He’s replaced the old dark cabinets with natural wood and the laminate counters are now a sparkling white quartz. He stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Yep. First project for my portfolio,” he says proudly. “Did the whole thing myself.”

“Impressive.”

You stare at each other for a beat before Joel clears his throat.

“You, uh, you wanna see the office?” He asks.

“Sure.”

He leads you to the back bedroom and pushes the door open. “It’s…kinda a mess.”

“Kinda?” You step inside, eyeing the haphazard piles of paper dubiously. “Mr. Miller, this is a war zone.”

He cringes. “Yeah. S’why I need help,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “Got so caught up with the networkin’ and job bids that I just let all this suffer for it.”

You huff a laugh, dropping your bag to the ground. There’s a desk in the middle of the room, covered in stacks of paper. A laptop sits open, screen dark, amongst the files. A bookshelf along one wall holds a printer and a number of large hardback books pertaining to business administration and general contracting guidelines. Along another wall are stacked boxes. You peek into one and find an array of tile samples.

“Think you can manage?” Joel asks.

You smile at him. “You know me, Mr. Miller. I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”

“Joel. Just…call me Joel.”

“Okay…Joel.”

He smiles, and the way it reaches his eyes makes your heart flutter. You swallow nervously.

This will be fine.

It’s just one summer.

Joel Miller tag list:

@huffle-punk punk @johnwatsn @hopelessromantic727 @whereasport @pedr0swh0r3 @yellingloudly @dragon-of-winterfell @thedeadsingwithdirtintheirmouths @mydailyhyperfixations @liati2000 @ghostofjoharvelle @cutesyscreenname @morgaussy @letsgroovetonighttt @endlessthxxghts @fake-bleach @brilliantopposite187 @mattmurdock1021 @str84pedro @justsomeoneovertherainbow @loquaciousferret @milly-louise @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog @kirsteng42 @caatheeriinee07 @eternallyvenus @midnightswithdearkatytspb

Join a tag list

[itsthestutterforme]

A Night in Charlotte 2/3 (Rafe Cameron x black!reader)

Summary: After that night in Charlotte, you start to adjust to life in OBX

Notes: GIF is not mine, all mistakes are my own, this will be a three part series, requests are open for OBX, Rafe being an absolute simp for reader, implied sex

**

The thought of you had been rattling around in Rafe’s head since he left Charlotte. The morning after, he found himself admiring your sleeping form. He’d never met anyone who slept so pretty. And what kind of man would he be if he didn’t admire such beauty by giving you some morning head.

You didn’t know what to do with yourself when you looked down to meet his deep gaze, his perfect lips suctioning your clit until your back was arching off the bed. He was all over you and you loved every second of it. Loved it a little too much. You had to remind yourself that it was just sex and you would probably never see him again.

You waited until he hopped into the shower to leave as quietly as possible. You grabbed some of the included breakfast his hotel offered before calling a taxi to bring you back to the hotel room.

Later that day Bobby picked you up, apologizing to you nearly to entire ride back to OBX. You tugged at the itchiness of the turtleneck you wore to cover Rafe’s hickeys he littered your neck and chest with. Bobby gave you the rundown about who to avoid and how to stay out of trouble.

You followed his advice for the most part and somehow to managed to land a job as bookkeeper for a local bait and tackle shop that Bobby is business partners with. You liked the job. It didn’t take a lot of brain power and you got paid on the higher end for just having experience. The only bad part about it was having the time to think back on your time with Rafe.

It was harder during the first two weeks but soon your time with Rafe faded into the past. Now it’s a month and you’ve moved on to bigger, better things. There was an annual drive in theater showing The Outsiders. One of your coworkers, Derek, invited you out on a date and you said yes, why not.

Little did you know what was going to happen at the drive in. Derek laid out a picnic blanket in the back of his truck, offering his jacket to you the first few minutes of the movie. You were about half way in when you had to use the bathroom. He asked if you wanted him to keep you company but you convinced him that you would be fine.

You walked towards the portapotties near the food counter when you heard a series of grunts. Following the sound of pained grunts and solid blows, you saw a familiar fro belonging to Pope. He was being held down by a shorter man with black buzzed hair while another man fought two boys you recognized were Pope’s friends, John B and JJ. “The cross belongs to me,” Pope says weakly.

“You’re too little too late, young blood. It’s already melted down to tiny bits.” The man taunts. Picking up the thickest branch you could find, you hit the man holding Pope, directly at the base of his head. The man let Pope go so he could turn around and you sent a solid punch to his face before he had the chance to fully turn around. “Shit! Rafe, get that bitch!” The man starts.

You froze at the mention of his name. Rafe looked to you and immediately let go of his hold on John B. Pope looked at you with wide eyes. “Get behind me. All of you,” you tell them, thankful that they listened. “What..” Rafe starts. “I can handle this. Go get to safety.” You tell Pope.

“I’m not leaving you with them. They’re crazy,” he defies. “I’ll meet you guys at the house… Now, Pope. Let the adults handle this.” They hesitantly leave and disappear into the woods. “Bad idea. Who else is going to defend you, huh?” Barry says, wiping away the blood from his nose.

“Me,” Rafe says from behind him, slowly walking towards you. “The fuck you mean ‘you’? She busted my nose, bro.” “Just leave, man. Go get that checked out.” “What the fuck just happened?” Rafe’s eyes never left yours except to look at the rest of you.

You did something different with your hair. Instead of the box braids he initially saw you with, you wore short passion twists that ended about shoulder length. You dyed your hair light brown and he was loving every second of it. You weren’t the only one who made changes. Rafe had a buzz cut like his partner in crime.

“I’ll explain everything later. Just go, Barry.” He commanded and Barry mumbled something under his breath before walking to his dirt bike. “What the hell are you doing here, Y/N?” Rafe asks once the two of you were alone. “I could ask you the same thing,” you answer, crossing your arms. “I was born and raised here,” “As of now, I live here.”

“You’ve been here the whole time since Charlotte?” He asks, scratching the back of his neck anxiously. “Yes, I have.” “Where have you been? Haven’t seen you around here.” “I’ve been busy with work,” you explained shortly. You must admit, he was asking you tons of questions like he’s your boyfriend or something. “Hm. Where have you been working?” He asks, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

“None of your business. It’s time for me to start asking the questions now. What are you doing fighting with sixteen year old boys?” “They don’t know how to mind they’re own fucking business.” “Watch it,” you warn. “Sorry, momma bear.” He taunts with his hands up in surrender. “Is all of this fighting about a cross? What cross was he talking about? I never took you as the Christian type.” You asked, genuinely confused.

“Listen sweetheart, the less you know, the better. I mean it. I just got back from being held hostage because of this shit. It’s best if you stay out of it.” Rafe suggests. “I can’t stay out of it if my cousin can get hurt.” “Loyalty. Makes you ten times better.” He flirts, closing the gap between you. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a Heyward?” “I’m actually a Tanny. And the last I checked, there wasn’t much talking,” You correct, holding his gaze.

His eyes fell to your lips, licking his own in restraint so he wouldn’t kiss you. Even though he desperately wanted to. He noticed a strong scent the longer he was close to you. His face twisted when he smelled another man’s cologne on you. “You’re on a date?”

“I was. Yeah.” He remained silent for a moment, examining your delicate features. The two of you got lost in the moment, listening to the audio of Outsiders and the cicadas screeching from the woods, your breaths falling into sync. “Let me take you home.” He offers in a low voice, twirling a twist between his fingers.

Before you could formulate a response, Derek calls your name. Turning to face him, your shoulder brushed against Rafe’s chest as you subconsciously leaned into him. “Derek, hi. I was just about to head home.”Hey, Derek. I’m going to head home. “Is everything alright? Are you not feeling well?” Derek asks, trying to make sense of the situation. He steps closer to you and Rafe instinctively stood in front you.

“Nah bro, she just likes me better. And she won’t be needing this.” Rafe removes the jacket draped over your shoulders, balled it up and threw it at him. Derek catches it against his chest. “And if you’re going on a date, at least have the decency to buy genuine cologne. Not the cheap, watered down shit, Derek.” Rafe jabs.

“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Y/N.” “She doesn’t have to explain shit to you. Now piss off.” Guilt weighed on your chest when you saw Derek’s shoulder sag as he walked back to where he came. Your jaw dropped at the way he was speaking to people. “What the hell was that?” You pushed at his chest, barely making him move an inch.

“I was defending you. You dodged a bullet on that one, trust me.” “I’m not yours, you know.” You rolled your eyes in annoyance, his hand gently gripping your chin as he turn your face to look at him. “Not yet,” a breath hitched in your throat, scared to move an inch. You can’t close the Pandora’s box once it’s been opened.

“Are you taking me home or not?” “Right. You don’t have to tell me the address. I already know.” He lets go of your chin softly and starts walking to the array of cars. You walked next to him, your hand occasionally grazing his, making your heart skip a beat. “Well that’s not comforting. You’re definitely not knowing where I work. I can’t let the fact that you’re hot distract me from being logical.” “Awe, you think I’m hot? Thank you.” “Oh for the love of God,”

“I’m telling you, they know each other.” John B starts. “How? She’s literally from Atlanta, Georgia. Where would they have met each other?” Pope defends. “I don’t know. But they have a history. You see the way Rafe forgot about what he was doing when she showed up?” John B explains

“Forget that. Did you guys see the way they were looking at each other? They totally fucked,” JJ intercepts and John B nodded in agreement. Pope, Sarah and Kiara made noises of disgust. “Ew, I do not want to hear about my brother’s sex life, guys.” Sarah complains. “I don’t need to know that about my cousin either,” Pope explains. “You’ve only known her a month, Pope. She could be working with him for all we know.” JJ reasons.

“She’s my family and she saved our asses back there. Give her some credit.” “Credit revoked,” John B says once he spies Rafe’s truck pulling into the driveway. After throwing the car in park, Rafe hops out of the car to open the door for you- against your wishes if you might add. He took your hand and guided you down from the truck.

“What the hell is he doing?” Kiara asks. “He has feelings for her,” Sarah answers in disbelief. “If she’s on our side, we can use that. We can definitely use that.” JJ suggests. They watched as Rafe walked you to the front door and said something to you before watching you go into the house safely. You stopped in your tracks once you saw the group looking at you skeptically.

“How the hell do you know Rafe?” Pope prompts you after a moment of silence.

[mademoiselle-red]

The Inheritance

Once upon a time, sometime around 1948 to be precise, in a place far far away, in a small wine town in a place called Sichuan, in the middle of a civil war, a man said to his wife and baby son: “I have to leave with the army for a while. I’ll be back before Chinese new year.”

The wife said: “Then we’ll try to survive long enough until you return.”

The new year came and went. There was no trace of the man. No letters, no messages, nothing. Where did he go? Did he die on the road? She didn’t know. And when the new government set up shop in her town, she decided it was better to assume he died in the war.

The wife kept her promise and survived. She went to live with her brother’s family.

“Auntie, where is uncle?” My young grandmother would ask.

“We lost him during the war,” her auntie would explain.

Several new years came and went. The young son grew up in his uncle’s house, knowing only that his father had been a simple bookkeeper who’d perished in the war, and the adults did not like to speak of him.

According to my grandmother, her cousin lived a good life, but died young from a sudden illness, unmarried and childless.

After her son passed away, the mother continued to live in the house he bought for her, just a few streets away from her niece, until she passed away too. She went peacefully, my grandmother said, after a long battle with cancer.

My grandmother buried her aunt next to her cousin, and then moved on with her life. Over the next few decades, she met and married my grandfather, raised three daughters with him, and retired in her late-fifties after a long career as a school teacher.

And when all her daughters left home one after the other to pursue their own careers and start their families, she and my grandfather sold their old house and moved to a more spacious one across town.

And then one day, some time in the 90s, a man from a place far far away showed up in a suit in this little wine town, looking for an address written on an old crinkled piece of paper to a house that was torn down decades ago.

The old neighbors on the street didn’t remember where that family —a single mother and her young son —had moved to.

But he still had a few days left on his visa so he kept asking around town. And on the last day of his trip, he found an old lady who remembered that the young mother’s brother had a daughter who had been a school teacher at her local elementary school.

And with the help of a retired teacher from the same school, the man found himself knocking on the door of a house on the other side of town.

“Hello, my name is ——, I come from Kaohsiung, and I’m looking for the niece of ——. He left this town in 1948 during the war. He was my father’s best friend.”

~

In 1948, a bookkeeper for the army left his mountainous hometown on a truck, got on a train, and then on a ship, and sailed to a foreign place called Kaohsiung. There, he was given a room to sleep in, and told he would be back home before the new year.

Several new years came and went, and the army discharged him, gave him some money, and told him he was free to do what he wanted. But he was not allowed to return home.

And so he bought a truck with the money and started a delivery business with a buddy from the army.

The decades went by, the buddy started a new family in their newfound home, but the man remained alone. His buddy’s children called him “uncle” and he doted on them like they were his own. And when the children were all grown up, they looked after him like he was indeed their uncle. On his deathbed, the man said to one of the children who called him uncle: “I have a wife and son in a small town in a place called Sichuan. I saved up some money for them over the years, but could not find a way to contact them. Please find them for me and give my son his inheritance.”

And so this is the story of how my grandmother was visited by a stranger one day out of the blue, who sat down for tea, told her a story, paid his respects at a grave, and left her with a rather hefty bundle of cash and gold, all within the span of one afternoon.

The end.

[clown-friend-gt]

Octomer Chapter Four

We're close to the end now! Thank you so much to everyone who's been following this story. I really appreciate it.

I've also been doing some sketches of Spots, so check out my blog if you want to see that. I've only posted one so far, but who knows!

Enjoy!

************************************************************************

Back in the present day, I marveled at the sight before me. Not only was Spots alive, but he now towered over me. Was this what Grandpa was so worried about all those years ago?

I approached him cautiously. From above, I could see him following me with those eyes the size of dinner plates. There was nothing menacing in his gaze, but it still sent shivers down my spine.

I tried to ignore the feeling and continued my approach, laying a hand on his arm.

“How did you survive?” I whispered. “All those years, I thought…”

My eyes stung as I began to tear up again.

He started to move, and I drew my hand back, freezing in place. I didn’t want to be afraid of him, but I couldn’t help it. Even if he was the same person I’d known, he was just so big. I wasn’t always so careful with him when he was in my situation, so who knows how he’d act now that our roles were reversed.

 He removed one of his arms from where he rested it on the cliff. He brought his hand before me. I flinched and took a step back, but he stopped short of touching me. Even his hand was nearly three times my height.

He kept his hand a few feet from me and looked at me expectantly. It took me a moment to understand what he wanted. Hesitantly, I brought my hand to the center of his. I felt a shudder go through him as I made contact.

Then he started purring. The sound was halfway between that of a cat’s purr and a whale’s song. It was a loud, rumbling noise, and it startled me.

I smiled sheepishly. “I forgot you could do that.”

Slowly, he began to drop his camouflage. The natural color of his skin blossomed out from his chest and spread outwards, replacing the color of his surroundings, the rocky cliff and the starry sky. It seemed like he was dropping his guard as we spent more time together.

Then he pulled his hand away from mine. His fingers curled up, though his pointer finger remained extended. He brought it to my head and ruffled my hair. It wasn’t as gentle as I was expecting. My head jerked back and forth with the motion of his finger.

“Careful,” I complained.

He chuckled at my protest, his shoulders shaking as he did. Soon enough, I joined in.

He pulled away and laid his head on his arms again with a contented sigh, just staring at me. I sat down and tried to get comfortable, though it was hard to relax between the hard surface and the absurdity of the situation.

“There’s so much I could tell you about,” I said eventually. “So much has happened since we’ve seen each other.

“I moved out of my parents’ house. Went to college. Tried to get a degree in music, but the professor in charge of the department told me my voice wasn’t good enough.” I scowled at the memory. “Asshole.”

I looked at Spots for some kind of reaction. Clearly, there was no way he could understand what I was saying, but he seemed to be happy just to listen to me ramble. He blinked slowly and smiled at me.

I took that as an invitation to keep talking. “So I got a degree in bookkeeping instead. Moved to the city for a job. Did some singing gigs in my free time. Mostly weddings and open mics, but you know.

“Those died off after a while, though. Or maybe I just stopped looking. Life just got so hectic, and it was like I didn’t have time for me anymore.”

I sighed deeply before the next part. “Then I got the news from my dad. About Grandpa. I was still so mad at him for what he did to you, but the news still hit me like a truck."

I’d been staring off into space while I was talking, so I didn’t notice Spots leaning in closer as I spoke. I jolted in place when I looked back and his head was suddenly a few feet from me.

“Hey Spots…?” I said nervously as he inched closer.

Then he nudged me with his nose and began nuzzling me, like he was trying to comfort me. The gesture was appreciated, even if he nearly knocked me over doing it. When I regained my balance, I patted him on the nose.

“Thanks bud,” I chuckled. He gave a satisfied chuff and pulled away again, giving me some space.

“Anyways, even if we hadn’t spoken in years, it didn’t feel right for me to skip my own Grandpa’s funeral. It was…” I exhaled slowly, puffing up my cheeks as I did so. “…yeah.”

“Then I found out I’d inherited this place, and now here I am,” I finished.

I looked up at him again. I was starting to feel a little more comfortable in his presence, even if that presence was sort of overwhelming.

“I wonder what you’ve been up to?” I asked him. “If only you could tell me.”

Without really thinking about it, I reached out and rubbed him on the cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch.

“You certainly have more scars than the last time I saw you. I’m sure you have plenty of stories you could tell me about those.

“And is that—” I tried to get a look at the back of his head. “—what is in your hair?”

He gave me a questioning look and I pointed to what I was talking about. He leaned back and touched his hair, which was tied back in a bun with what looked like a fishing net.

“Did you get caught in that or did you tie that yourself?” I asked him. “If so, that’s kind of impressive.”

He tilted his head at me and gave a confused chirp. I laughed at his response.

We settled into a comfortable silence soon after that. After a while, he opened his mouth wide and squeezed his eyes shut. My eyes locked onto his needle-like teeth. I was unnerved for a moment, before I realized he was only yawning.

“Tired?” I asked, stifling a yawn myself.

I looked at my phone to check the time. Instead of lighting up with my lockscreen, it flickered with a strange teal light.

I groaned. “Please tell me I didn’t break my phone."

Spots gave me a half-curious, half-sleepy look

“Whatever,” I sighed. “I’ll check it out again in the morning.”

I stood and stretched, saying, “I better head to bed, it’s getting late.”

Spots leaned in close. I had just enough time to brace myself before he started nuzzling me again. I wrapped my arms around his face, giving him a hug and also preventing myself from falling over.

He chirped and pulled back slightly, looking at me with a fond look in his eyes. Then he gave me one last nudge and began retreating from the cliff.

“You’re leaving?” I asked him. Of course, he had no answer for me, but he did give a cheerful wave as he began to lower himself back into the water.

“Wait!” I called to him, running to the edge. He stopped and looked up at me again, half-submerged in the water.

“Will I see you again?” I shouted over the edge of the cliff.

He only smiled at me before finally dropping beneath the waves.

And then he was gone.

[belle--ofthebrawl]

Belle you keep teasing us with the hell on wheels au and I am here to beg most politely for some tiny crumbs. What is this treat you have cooking up for us in your big big brain????

Well...the explanation is very long but basically Augh Motorcycle Helmets Big Sexy.

So it's just Vibes at this point but grew into something more, especially after @miasmaghoul posted about mechanic Cirrus fucking Swiss. I adopted that immediately into what is now known as the Hell On Wheels Au, the barebones of which have been rattling around in my brain for about a year but exploded with thoughts quite recently.

The Ghouls are a Satanist Biker Gang that fully leans into the aesthetic, party at bars and get into fights but during the daytime? They rev their motorcycles and stand in court rooms as kids testify against their abusers. They work in partnership with local community support groups, have domestic violence flyers up in bathrooms, even have their own local version of an Angel Shot called a Devil Shot where one will pick you up from the bar if you've been roofied and takes you to the hospital while another hunts down the lowlife who did it and gives them a little talking to. Violence isn't usually involved since they have a reputation but they're fond of saying they never forget a face. Interpret that how you will.

This all evolved from a Vibes Based Daydream I had where Dew's bike broke down so he had to be Ifrit's backpack. And when they pull up at a red light, Ifrit's old chapter leader Alpha is there and he tells Dew "Killswitch him, it'll be payback for (something completely fucking made up)" EXCEPT when Dew hops off and turns the key to shut down the bike, the light turns green and Ifrit hollers something at Dew before popping a wheelie and racing away, leaving Dew to sweat nervously in the fish bowl distortion of his own reflection in the helmet glaring down at him.

"Get on." Alpha says gruffly and Dew seriously contemplates running before Alpha revs his bike again and growls "you run and you're fucking out." Because their whole thing is facing consequences, right?? So Dew's his passenger princess and Alpha takes him out of town on a backroad to a tall grassy knoll where Dew thinks he's going to be buried and parks his bike.

He meets the bookkeeper, a hulking retired boxer known in his glory days as Omega and they chat as Alpha looms threateningly in the background.

Notes: Swiss and Ifrit ride 1000cc sports bikes whereas I'm going for a more classical, solid build for Alpha. Or a chopper. Can't decide.

"This is all I have." I said to Miasma, but it proved to be a lie as my brain is forever a hamster running desperately on a wheel.

Swiss harasses the corrupt police force (defroque is the sheriff's son??) with Ifrit and Sunny, they do a lot of night rides with no plates and lead them in goose chases after triggering speed traps. Drop a gear and disappear, baby.

Aether does a lot of charity stuff and mostly works with local food banks to be a one man Meal on Wheels (ok...yup. get it out) for elderly and disabled folks. He dreams of owning a food truck with his buddy Mountain but right now he's happy to show up to court with a saddlebag of whatever he thinks that little tyke might appreciate or need.

Mountain is the son of a local cafe owner Terra, who was quite the hell raiser in her heyday but now is content to enjoy her retirement with her partners, Ivy (agoraphobic landscaper) and Pebble (weed dealer). He has a sidecar he brings Rain and Zephyr to work in. Rain's got a fruity little scarf.

Aeon as the new kid in town working two jobs to afford a bike of his own, Imperator as a lawyer/ex pinup model because learning is expensive. Copia is her assistant/son determined to make his mother proud but also can't help but wonder why exactly she chose to work in this distant town and what her relationship is to that decrepit old man sitting in the park, feeding the birds from his wheelchair and seems to know an odd amount of detail about a certain tricycle, hidden away in the depths of the shed. Copia doesn't like talking to him. Nihil knows too much and yet, can't remember anything at all.

Aurora is someone who prefers to pedal around town on her old mountain bike, vlogging her downright dangerous escapades that make seasoned motorcyclists sweat (motocross? BMX? She just likes her old bike. She does delivery for local restaurants and is a living legend in delivery times. Aeon's also into free running/parkour/skateboarding and they have a friendly...? competition over completion times.

Cirrus restores cars as a hobby and is a mechanic with Cumulus, who specializes in paint jobs on top handling the books and stock. Swiss loves it when she fucks him Amazon style on her prize restoration car (model make and year TBD) and he tells her about this little delivery biker who popped a forward wheelie on the other side of a red light, did something complicated that involved walking on her front wheel and stepping on the pedals before setting the bike frame easily back down and pedalling calmly past Swiss. Cirrus knows her of course, but Swiss hasn't earned that knowledge yet. Or his orgasm.

Sunny works in the shop too as an apprentice.

Cumulus likes to flirt with Mist, who owns the local dirt track. "As much as anyone can own a dirt field." Mist says. She's a water-skier, wheels aren't her preferred mode of speed.

The Emeritus family crossed over from Italy sometime in the last couple centuries. Ask anyone and they'll tell you where the real power in the city lies, with the unholy Trinity of the three offspring. But here, see, that's on the down low, see? One of them has to be Papa Emeritus, that enigmatic and rarely seen figure, who takes care of people who put their faith in him and that's more than the local priest ever does. Funny how that church building gets fancier and fancier every year while Mrs. Abernathy down the street can't even afford her medical bills. You know they're holding a fundraiser to build a heated hallway from the rectory to the church because Defroque slipped and fell on the ice last winter and now he's whining about needing a safe path to the building?

Be a real shame if something happened to all that money. Can you imagine Father Jim slipping every Sunday? Not that he's stable any other day of the week, mind you. I get the feeling, those prayers retreats of his....Mmm. but that's just gossip.

Ah well. You know, this is a quiet little town when all those bikers aren't revving their engines. But there's stories to be found in it, if you're willing to wait and be patient. Good things, and all that.

[finalmileniece]

This is an opportunity where you can join an academy and earn your CDL's.

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I can show you how to start and sustain your entire business from the comfort of your home. Whether you want to be on the road driving or not, this business model is stable, consistent, and very lucrative.

[beachwavesandsunnydayz]

How To Start A Junk Removal Company

Starting your own junk removal company is by all accounts a ridiculous fantasy for by far most of the populace. Putting your hands on others' waste is honestly disgusting in their eyes. Although the economy is going in reverse at a disturbing rate, this is as yet a country that rewards hard work and resourcefulness. Junk removal may not be your #1 subject however owning a waste removal company is extremely pioneering and may net you a shockingly big time salary. Consider it, hardly any individuals appreciate being around garbage so this is your opportunity to make the most of others' wasteful way of behaving.

Profits There is an astonishing measure of money to be made from a junk removal company. You could make in overabundance of $400 a day after derivations are made for various charges paid for disposal as well as money spent on support and fuel for the truck(s). Basically, your hard working attitude will conclude how much money you make. The more houses you visit, the more customers you get which possibly approaches enormous income.

Contest And Request Before starting your junk removal company, doing some research is significant. Figure out more about the current garbage removal services in your space. There will obviously be a state/locally run business in presence however do they cover all areas? Additionally, are customers happy with the service they are getting? Look at the opposition before subscribing to the task. It is likewise really smart to learn about dispossessions in your space as these are a goldmine with regards to junk removal.

Charge As you will be starting a business, there are various legitimate and burden gives that need to be settled. You, most importantly, need to figure out additional about your state's guidelines and guidelines relating to junk removal. You will likewise need a duty identification number which is given to you by the IRS. The status of your company (sole ownership, organization and so on) likewise needs to be found out for charge purposes. You will be responsible for your own duties so hiring a bookkeeper likely could be a need.

Protection There are a few different types of protection inclusion that you might well need to be completely covered. For instance, you will most likely need a specific type of collision protection intended for business vehicles. Then there are various types of business responsibility protection. It is smart to contact a protection specialist that spends significant time in junk removal companies or tasks that need comparative types of protection.

[alittlebitofmythoughtss]

10 Reasons to Choose WooCommerce

There are numerous internet business trucks out there. Some are feature packed however too extreme to even consider using, while others are costly to run. As an entrepreneur if you need a shopping basket that you can easily oversee all alone and simultaneously profit the vital features available to be purchased and change enhancement, nothing can be a preferred choice over WooCommerce.

The WooCommerce shopping basket plugin can help you send off a self-facilitated, WordPress-based online store in a matter of moments. The following are 10 reasons why Woocommerce is viewed as ideal for private companies.

1. It is Free

It is a free open source plugin. Its extra expansions and support likewise cost less contrasted with different trucks. Thusly, it decreases your general financial plan making this plugin ideal for private ventures and start-ups.

2. Enormous Adaptability

This is maybe the main advantage of this online business plugin where traders, using this stage, can partake in a ton of adaptability with their items even without having legitimate information about its specialized tasks.

3. A greater number of Features than Internet business

WooCommerce doesn't drive its users to go past their usual range of familiarity while building an online store. For instance, the users can construct a completely practical store inside an expert website alongside an incorporated blog page. This large number of aspects of a business are outfit in one spot and introduced together flawlessly in this stage, which isn't generally imaginable with other online business advances or plugins.

4. Likeness with WordPress

Discussing WordPress, a broadly famous CMS stage that supports in excess of 61% of the main million websites, the users of WooCommerce can recognize the user-accommodating WordPress interface. Comparability it adds a ton of significant worth and saves a lot of your time.

5. Enormous Customization Choices

Being free doesn't make WooCommerce an unbending stage. If truth, users get a ton of space to customize and change their online stores to oblige remarkable features as per the need of the business.

6. Proficient yet basic

Despite the fact that it's a free and user-accommodating stage, you shouldn't believe that it isn't sufficiently proficient. Inbuilt with the stage is a nitty gritty request following office with customer commitment instruments that permit purchasers to see past and open requests.

7. Easy Examination

The implicit examination framework in WooCommerce gives you careful knowledge into the everyday investigation the traffic, user conduct and that's just the beginning. Figures like complete deals, normal request deals, individual customer insights, these are flawlessly introduced by means of diagrams, without the users truly leaving their administrator board.

8. Applications Store

There are many Woocommerce augmentations accessible in its application store. From these augmentations, one can find applications connecting with installment, bookkeeping, promoting and announcing.

9. Scope for development

Like other ecommerce plugins or augmentations, it additionally permits its users to practice development and extension as far as how you deal with your items, store and customers.

10. Charm themes

With these Charm themes users can profit from local area discussions, video instructional exercises and that's only the tip of the iceberg.

[joshhamilton11]

The Impact Of Tax Law Changes On Truck Drivers And How To Stay Compliant

The impact of tax law changes on truck drivers can be significant, as these professionals operate under complex regulations that affect everything from fuel taxes to depreciation schedules for their vehicles. Tax laws are constantly evolving, and truck drivers must stay updated to ensure they remain compliant and avoid costly penalties. A trucking tax specialist plays a crucial role in helping truckers understand and navigate these changes effectively.

1. Changes in Deductions and Credits

Tax law changes often impact the types of deductions and credits available to truck drivers. For example, the IRS periodically adjusts the standard mileage rate, which affects how much drivers can deduct for business miles driven. Additionally, changes in the tax code may affect the eligibility for various business expense deductions, including fuel costs, truck maintenance, insurance, and other operational expenses. A trucking tax specialist can help drivers understand these adjustments and ensure they’re maximizing their deductions while staying compliant with the latest rules.

2. Changes to Depreciation Rules

Truck drivers who own their vehicles may be impacted by changes in the rules surrounding vehicle depreciation. Depreciation allows truckers to deduct a portion of their truck’s cost each year, but changes in tax law can alter how much they can claim. For instance, the introduction or removal of bonus depreciation or adjustments to Section 179 limits can significantly affect the amount of depreciation a driver can take in a given tax year. A trucking tax specialist can provide guidance on the best approach to depreciation based on current tax law, helping drivers optimize their tax strategy and reduce their taxable income.

3. Fuel Tax and IFTA Compliance

Fuel taxes and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) are critical areas for truck drivers. Changes in fuel tax rates or the rules surrounding IFTA filings can have a direct impact on a trucker’s expenses and tax obligations. If a tax law change modifies the way fuel taxes are calculated or reported, drivers must adjust their bookkeeping and reporting practices accordingly. A trucking tax specialist can assist in ensuring proper fuel tax compliance and help drivers claim any available credits for overpayment or deductions related to fuel expenses.

4. Impact of State-Specific Changes

In addition to federal tax changes, state-level tax laws can also affect truck drivers. States may alter the way they tax income, fuel, or vehicle use, and these changes can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another. Truck drivers who operate in multiple states need to stay on top of these varying regulations to avoid mistakes in their tax filings. A trucking tax specialist is well-versed in state-specific tax rules and can help drivers understand how changes in each state will impact their tax filings and expenses.

5. Avoiding Penalties and Staying Compliant

Failure to stay compliant with tax law changes can lead to penalties, interest, and even audits. As trucking tax laws evolve, it becomes increasingly difficult for drivers to track every change on their own. A trucking tax specialist can provide ongoing support by ensuring that all required tax forms are filed correctly and on time, avoiding penalties, and ensuring the business stays compliant. They can also assist with tax planning and strategies to minimize liability, which is especially important during times of tax law reform.

Conclusion

Tax law changes can significantly impact truck drivers, affecting everything from deductions and credits to fuel tax compliance and depreciation rules. Staying compliant with these changes requires vigilance and expert knowledge. By working with a trucking tax specialist, truck drivers can navigate these complexities, optimize their tax strategy, and avoid costly mistakes.

[agile-rant]

Introduction - AI & the Job Market Impact Brief Overview The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and redefining the nature of work. As AI technologies continue to advance and become increasingly integrated into various sectors, concerns about job displacement and the future of employment have grown. While some predict that AI will usher in a new era of unprecedented productivity and innovation, others fear that it will exacerbate income inequality and lead to widespread unemployment. Thesis Statement As AI assumes a more prominent role in the global economy, it is likely to both displace and augment jobs, necessitating a fundamental shift in how we approach work, education, and workforce development. The Double-Edged Sword of AI: Job Displacement and Job Augmentation AI's impact on the job market is a complex and multifaceted issue. On one hand, AI has the potential to automate certain tasks, making some jobs redundant. This could lead to significant job displacement, particularly in industries where tasks are repetitive, routine, or can be easily codified. Job Displacement The automation of tasks could displace jobs in various sectors, including: - Manufacturing: AI-powered robots and machine learning algorithms can optimize production processes, reducing the need for human labor. - Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants can handle customer inquiries, providing 24/7 support without the need for human customer support agents. - Data Entry: AI-powered tools can automate data entry tasks, reducing the need for human data entry clerks. On the other hand, AI can also augment human capabilities, enabling workers to accomplish more and take on higher-value tasks. This could lead to significant productivity gains and the creation of new job opportunities. Job Augmentation The augmentation of human capabilities could lead to significant productivity gains and the creation of new job opportunities in various sectors, including: - Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostic tools can help doctors and nurses identify diseases more accurately and develop personalized treatment plans. - Finance: AI-powered analytics can help financial professionals identify trends, predict market fluctuations, and make more informed investment decisions. - Education: AI-powered adaptive learning systems can help teachers develop personalized learning plans, improving student outcomes and reducing the workload for educators. Ultimately, whether AI leads to job displacement or augmentation is a choice that organizations will need to make. They can choose to use AI to simply automate existing tasks and reduce their workforce, maintaining the status quo. Alternatively, they can choose to use AI to augment their workforce, enabling their employees to take on higher-value tasks, drive innovation, and grow beyond their current state. The direction they choose will have significant implications for their employees, their customers, and the broader economy. The Impact of AI on Various Industries AI's impact will vary across industries, with some experiencing significant job displacement and others experiencing significant job augmentation. Industries Prone to Job Displacement The following industries may experience significant job displacement due to AI: - Manufacturing: AI-powered robots and machine learning algorithms can optimize production processes, reducing the need for human labor. Tasks such as assembly, inspection, and packaging may be automated. - Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants can handle customer inquiries, providing 24/7 support without the need for human customer support agents. Tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, routing calls, and providing basic support may be automated. - Transportation: Self-driving cars and trucks may displace human drivers, particularly in industries such as logistics and taxi services. - Bookkeeping and Accounting: AI-powered accounting software can automate tasks such as data entry, invoicing, and reconciliations. Industries Prone to Job Augmentation The following industries may experience significant job augmentation due to AI: - Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostic tools can help doctors and nurses identify diseases more accurately and develop personalized treatment plans. AI can also assist with tasks such as medical research, patient data analysis, and drug discovery. - Finance: AI-powered analytics can help financial professionals identify trends, predict market fluctuations, and make more informed investment decisions. AI can also assist with tasks such as risk management, portfolio optimization, and compliance. - Education: AI-powered adaptive learning systems can help teachers develop personalized learning plans, improving student outcomes and reducing the workload for educators. AI can also assist with tasks such as grading, student assessment, and educational research. - Creative Industries: AI-powered tools can assist artists, writers, and musicians with tasks such as idea generation, content creation, and editing. It's essential to note that while AI may displace some jobs, it will also create new ones, such as AI developer, data scientist, and AI ethicist. Additionally, AI will likely change the nature of many jobs, requiring workers to develop new skills and adapt to new technologies. Preparing for the Future of Work As AI continues to transform the job market, it's essential for workers and organizations to prepare for the future. This requires developing skills that complement AI and adapting to new technologies. Strategies for Workers To remain relevant in an AI-driven job market, workers should focus on developing skills that are complementary to AI, such as: - Critical thinking and problem-solving: AI can analyze data, but human workers are needed to interpret the results, identify patterns, and make strategic decisions. - Creativity and innovation: AI can generate ideas, but human workers are needed to evaluate their feasibility, refine them, and implement them. - Emotional intelligence and empathy: AI can analyze human emotions, but human workers are needed to understand the emotional nuances of customers, colleagues, and stakeholders. - Continuous learning and adaptability: AI is rapidly evolving, and workers need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. Workers can develop these skills through various means, such as: - Online courses and certifications - Workshops and conferences - Mentorship programs - Self-directed learning and personal projects Strategies for Organizations To remain competitive in an AI-driven job market, organizations need to upskill and reskill their workforce. Here are some strategies: - Provide training and development programs: Offer workshops, courses, and certifications that help workers develop skills that are complementary to AI. - Encourage continuous learning: Provide resources and support for workers to pursue self-directed learning and personal projects. - Foster a culture of innovation: Encourage experimentation, creativity, and risk-taking to help workers develop skills that are essential for innovation. - Rethink job roles and responsibilities: As AI takes over routine and repetitive tasks, redefine job roles to focus on higher-value tasks that require human skills. - Emphasize human-centered skills: Focus on developing skills that are uniquely human, such as empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. By implementing these strategies, organizations can help their workers thrive in an AI-driven job market and remain competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape. Conclusion As we stand at the threshold of an AI-driven future, we are faced with a profound choice. We can choose to harness the power of AI to merely optimize our existing processes, cutting costs and maintaining the status quo. Or we can choose to unleash its full potential, leveraging AI as a catalyst for unprecedented growth, innovation, and progress. The decision is ours to make. We can play it safe, using AI to tweak our existing business models and cling to the familiar. Or we can be bold, embracing AI as a tool for transformation, and daring to imagine a future that is brighter, bolder, and more extraordinary than anything we have ever known. The future of work is not just about AI – it's about us. It's about the choices we make, the values we hold, and the kind of world we want to create. So let us choose wisely. Let us choose to harness the power of AI to create a future that is worthy of our highest aspirations. The time to decide is now. Read the full article

[sba-tax-consultants]

Health Permit Processing in the USA: Simplified Solutions with SBA Tax Consultants

Obtaining a health permit in the USA is a critical step for businesses in industries such as food service, hospitality, healthcare, and other sectors that involve public health and safety. Navigating the complexities of health permit processing can be challenging, especially for small business owners. SBA Tax Consultants is here to make the process seamless and stress-free.

What is a Health Permit?

A health permit is an official authorization issued by local or state health departments that allows businesses to operate while adhering to specific health and safety regulations. It ensures that your business complies with hygiene standards and other public health requirements to protect your customers and staff.

Who Needs a Health Permit?

Health permits are essential for:

Restaurants and food trucks

Cafés and bakeries

Grocery stores

Medical facilities

Spas and salons

Daycare centers

Failing to acquire the necessary health permits can lead to hefty fines, legal issues, or even business closure. Therefore, staying compliant is vital.

Steps in Health Permit Processing

Determine the Requirements: Health permit regulations vary by state and county. Researching specific local requirements is the first step.

Prepare Your Application: Complete the necessary forms and gather supporting documents, including proof of ownership, tax details, and compliance certifications.

Inspection: Most health departments conduct on-site inspections to ensure your business meets the required health and safety standards.

Approval and Renewal: Once approved, your permit must be displayed prominently and renewed as required.

Challenges in Health Permit Processing

Varying Requirements: Different jurisdictions have unique rules and guidelines.

Complex Paperwork: Understanding and filling out forms accurately can be daunting.

Strict Deadlines: Missing deadlines can lead to delays and penalties.

Why Choose SBA Tax Consultants?

SBA Tax Consultants is your trusted partner for health permit processing and other business compliance needs. Here’s why:

Expertise Across States: Our team is well-versed in state and local health regulations, ensuring a smooth application process.

Comprehensive Support: From document preparation to liaising with local authorities, we handle every detail on your behalf.

Timely Assistance: We work efficiently to meet deadlines and avoid delays.

Personalized Solutions: Tailored guidance for your specific business type and location.

Additional Services

At SBA Tax Consultants, we offer a range of services to support your business, including:

Business registration and licensing

Tax filing and consulting

Payroll and bookkeeping services

Compliance with TCEQ and other regulatory bodies

Simplify Health Permit Processing with SBA Tax Consultants

Navigating the health permit process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. SBA Tax Consultants provides end-to-end solutions, ensuring your business operates legally and efficiently. With our expertise, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the complexities.

Contact SBA Tax Consultants today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve compliance with ease.