Chapter Text
“Joel, the network wants to sit down next week and talk about the show,” Tess says as Joel works out how he needs to move on set for the project they're going to be working on tomorrow. He likes to block out his actions ahead of each episode so he isn't fumbling the day of, tripping over his own damn feet. If he’s got Tommy with him or Sarah on the rare occasion she’s visiting from college, he usually does it with them as well so they can get a feel of the space.
“What do they want to talk about?” He asks, finally looking up at her. She’s dressed in slacks and a nice silk sleeveless blouse. Her hair’s done in a half-up, half-down style that he’s always found flattering. A stray piece of hair floats in front of her face, and he has to stop himself from reaching up and brushing it behind her ear. His relationship with Tess is strictly professional, even though there are times he would like to change that.
She’s his producer, or more aptly, the producer for his show Joel Miller’s Construction Corner on HGTV. It's been on the air for five years now and is still going strong, at least based on the ratings Tess has shown him.
Six years ago, he and his crew had been working on a kitchen remodel for her home, and she’d seen him showing Sarah how to do a backsplash one day. When the job was done, she came to him and pitched him the idea of doing a show where he showed girls how to do home renovations and woodworking projects for themself. She wanted to play on his girl dad persona (Joel had not understood this exactly, but when he told Tommy about it later, he had laughed and said she hit the nail on the head) and his patient and caring demeanor. She felt like there was a call for this type of show, and as a producer for one of the bigger home improvement networks, she felt like he could be the one to do it.
Joel wasn’t sure about it, but she told him to take the weekend, think about it, maybe talk to his family and see what they thought. He had done just that, talking to Sarah and Tommy that very night at dinner. Both had been enthusiastically for it and had talked him round to giving it a try. So Monday morning, he had given Tess a call, and the rest, you could say, was history.
Now, here they are six years later, and Tess is telling him the network wants to talk, which, in Joel’s experience, generally does not mean good things.
"They just want to go over some ideas on this upcoming season." Joel can see that Tess is trying to skirt around the question, which she does sometimes when she thinks he's not going to like the answer.
"Like what ideas?" Joel asks as he moves to stand with her at the workbench that he has spent so much of his time at.
"Just things they'd like to see is all," Tess says and goes into her briefcase to try to hide her face.
"Like what, Tess?" Joel's tone is exasperated, but he can't help it because he's got a pretty good idea of what it is they're looking for. "Because if it's them asking me to wear more form-fitting shirts again, I'm fuckin' done. This is a show for girls, teen girls, and young women. Not fuckin Joel Miller's adult hour. Can't they get that into their fuckin' heads? I ain't bein' some goddamn sex symbol."
Tess laughs and puts her hand on his arm because she can see he's getting wound up. "Relax Texas. Take a breath, ok." Joel looks at her and can see she means it, so he lets the heat slip away and takes a breath. When it looks like he's more level, she continues, "It's not that this time. They finally learned their lesson there after the last time they asked. No, they have some ideas about the girls they want to bring in as your helpers."
"Oh, okay. So what are they thinking of doing?” Joel asks.
“They want to partner with DCF of Boston and bring on some girls who are currently in foster care,” Tess says. “One of the execs adopted his daughter that way, and he’s hoping it will encourage more families who watch the show with their girls to become foster parents.”
“Well, I ain't against that idea. Honestly, if it will help more kids in need find safe homes to live in.” Joel scratches his beard in thought, leans back against the workbench, and crosses one foot over the other. “Plus, these girls comin' on probably don’t get to watch shows like mine it might be good for them, learnin' some useful skills.”
Tess smiles and hops up on the workbench next to him, crossing her feet at the ankle and leaning back on her arms. “That’s what I was thinking too. This is a good idea, Joel, and it will be good for the ratings, people love stuff like this. I’m just hoping we get some girls who are interested in doing this.”
Joel looks at the column of her neck and peers around the set to see if anyone else is nearby. When he sees that they’re alone, he pushes up from the bench and moves over into Tess's space, planting his hands next to hers on the wood surface. Tess looks up in surprise, unlocks her ankles, and spreads her legs so he can settle in between. Joel huffs softly and leans forward, stopping just before his lips meet hers.
“Wanna go get some dinner?” He asks, and Tess’s lips twist up as she moves her arms to wrap around his neck.
“Are you asking me out?” Tess asks, her tone playful as she ghosts her lips against his softly.
“Well, it's late, and you’re here, and I’m here, and I know I could eat, figured you could eat too. Is that me askin’ you out.” Joel says, using his nose to turn her face so he can run his mouth along her jaw.
“Yeah, I’d call that a date, Joel,” Tess says a little breathless as Joel’s lips work their way up to her ear.
He nibbles the shell of her ear and says lowly, “Okay then, do you wanna go?”
“Sure, as long as you’re buying,” Tess says as he finally moves back to her lips.
“This ain’t gonna cause problems for us with the show, is it?” Joel asks, a look of genuine worry on his face. Tess moves her hands to cup his jaw and finally presses her lips against his. Joel sighs in contentment at the same time Tess does, and they break apart laughing.
“No rule against dating in the contract, Joel. We’re two grown adults, we just gotta try and keep things professional when they need to be. I think we can manage that don’t you?” Tess asks him after they’ve stopped laughing, and Joel wraps his arms around her back so he can help her slide off the bench.
“I don’t think that will be a problem, ma’am,” Joel says as her feet touch the ground and she keeps herself pressed to him. He tilts her chin up with his pointer finger and thumb and places a kiss on her bottom lip, a tendril of heat snaking down his sternum. They pull apart reluctantly, and Tess slaps him gently on the chest.
“Ok, cowboy, you go grab your stuff, and lets go. We can brainstorm some project ideas for the girls while we eat.” Tess pushes him away. He grabs his work bag and slings it over his shoulder. By the time he gets back to Tess, she’s already got her suit jacket on and her purse and briefcase in hand. Joel throws an arm over her shoulder, and she tucks a hand in the back pocket of his jeans as they walk out together.
—
Joel gets home after a delicious dinner with Tess, carrying the memory of their mini make-out session on the front porch of her house. She’d invited him in, but he’d had to decline with real regret on account of tonight being the night that he Facetimeed with Sarah. Tess hadn’t even batted an eye, she just left an open invitation for another night and gave him another kiss to remember her by, Joel wondered, not for the first time this evening, why it had taken him so long to finally ask her out. He’s felt something brimming with her for a while now, but he’s been too afraid to explore it just in case it ruins what they got going with the show. But Joel doesn’t honestly think they have too much to worry about, he’s pretty sure if things don’t turn out well for them, they’ll still be able to work together without too much difficulty.
Joel hangs his bag on the hook and toes off his boots at the door. He hits the hall light and wanders into the kitchen to grab a beer before he sits himself down in the living room to wait for Sarah’s call.
The phone rings at 10 pm sharp, and Joel smiles at how punctual his girl is.
“Hey, baby girl, it's good to see your face,” Joel says, setting his phone up on the TV tray so he can have his hands free.
“You too, Dad, I’ve missed you,” Sarah says, and Joel can see the bags under her eyes and the way her shoulders slump.
“You been gettin' enough sleep, honey? You look like you’re burnin' the candle at both ends.” Joel comments, his brow pulled down in worry.
“It’s just a bad week, I’ve got two essays I have to turn in tomorrow, a group project due next week, and finals coming up. I’ve been busy.” Sarah says, her hands waving in frustration.
“I know, baby, and I’m so proud of how hard you work. I’m just hopin’ you’re takin’ care of yourself too. I know how you can get so involved in stuff that you forget to eat.”
“I’m eating, I promise, Daddy. It will be better next week.” She sighs and pulls her hair back into a haphazard ponytail, tight curls sneaking out to float around her round face. “But enough about me, how are you doing? I saw your most recent episode, and it was so good.” Joel knows her well enough by now to figure out she’s trying to change the subject, so he lets it go but decides he’s going to doordash some groceries to her dorm tomorrow to make sure she’s got food on hand.
“Yeah, I was really pleased with that project. Thanks for the idea, baby.” Joel responds, smiling fondly as she tries and fails to tuck one of her flyaway hairs behind her ear.
“I’m just happy it worked for you. Anything new coming up for the show?” Sarah asks.
“Actually, yeah. Tess says the execs want to talk about havin' girls come on the show as my helpers from the foster care program out here. They’re hopin' that it will get people interested in becomin' foster parents, and Tess thinks it will be good for the ratings.” Joel answers.
“I think she’s right, Daddy. People love human interest stuff, and it’s hard to ignore something that's right in your face.” Sarah responds, her voice excited.
“A’yup, I’m just hopin’ it will help these girls learn somethin’ that could help them outside of what they’re used to.”
“I think it will,” Sarah says. Her eyes shift down, and she starts looking at a paper on her desk nonchalantly and she asks in a neutral tone. “So, anything else happen recently?”
“Not really… why do you ask?” Joel asks nervously, sensing something in her question.
“Well, I was just looking at my phone after class, and you know how I have a notification filter set up to send me alerts anytime something comes up on the internet about construction corner,” Sara says, keeping her eyes on the paper at her desk.
“ Yeah ?” He asks, eyebrow lifting.
“Well, something came up, a picture.” Sarah fiddles with her pen, her eyes still down, her tone hinting at something.
“Okay?”
“Of you and Tess.”
“Oh shit,”
“A-hum.” Sara agrees.
“What was it a picture of?” Joel asks, images of what it could be already playing through his head.
“Just you two eating dinner together. Tess has got her hand on your arm, and her foot may have been rubbing against your ankle under the table.”
Joel leans his head back on the couch and groans. His hand comes up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Of course, of all the times they had to get a picture of him, it had to be something like that. But that’s the kinda shit they look for, something that can scandalize, something that sells. It's not like Joel is a huge celebrity, but his show is popular enough that he’s made the circuit of the morning shows and some daytime Television programs. It means that people are interested enough in his life that the paparazzi do pop up from time to time. It’s normally nothing, since honestly, his life is pretty boring. But in situations like this, the attention can be annoying. It’s not like Tess and he are doing anything wrong here, they’re both consenting adults, neither of them are married, so it's not like he’s worried on that account. What he is worried about is the fact that his little girl found out that he was dating again through the internet and not him. He was, of course, planning to tell her, but it had literally just happened. He sighs and sits back up to face the music.
“Baby, I am so sorry that you found out this way, I was gonna tell you, but it just happened, like this very night,” Joel starts to say, but Sarah waves him off with a laugh.
“Dad, it’s okay, I’m not mad or scandalized. I know you would have told me when you were ready; I just wanted to tease you a little. I’m honestly surprised that it was me that told you and not…” Sarah’s cut off from what she was going to say by his front door flying open and the voice of his annoying baby brother yelling before he’s even probably gotten in the door.
“JOOOOEEEEELLLLLL, you home?”
Joel groans, knowing exactly why his brother is here. He can hear Sarah laughing through the phone.
“Yeah, Tommy in the livin’ room talking to Sarah,” Joel calls, and Tommy comes around the corner with a huge grin on his face.
“Sarah, that you darlin’,” Tommy says as he plops down on the couch next to him.
“Yup, it’s me, Uncle Tommy,” Sarah answers with a snicker.
“Soooooooooo anything new you wanna tell us about Joel, considering ya got both me and Sarah here at the same time?” Tommy asks, a brow raised innocently in question.
“Sarah beat ya to it, Tommy, you’re too late.”
“Dammit, I know I shoulda called instead of stoppin' over. I just really wanted to see your face when I brought it up.”
“Don’t you have a wife and kid to go home to Tommy?”
“I do, it's true. But Maria is away this weekend with her mama, and she took Mateo with her. I’m gonna meet them tomorrow, but I had an important project that needed to get wrapped up today before I could leave. I can’t tell ya how happy I am that I was here for this; just wouldn’t be the same if I had to call you."
“You are such a fuckin’ pest, Tommy, It weren’t even that big a deal. I just took Tess out to dinner. Nothin' else happened, okay.”
“Oh, nothin’ else?” Tommy asks as he brings out his phone and scrolls through it for a minute before he hands it to Joel. Joel takes it, a feeling of dread seeping through, and it's a picture of him and Tess on her front porch.
“Oh god damn it. Don’t these people have somethin’ better to do with their lives than take pictures of me.” Joel spits as he scrolls through the series of pictures on the site. His cheeks heat as he watches himself push Tess up against her door, and his hand starts to creep up under her blouse. He flicks the website closed and shoots up from his seat, dropping the phone back in his brother's lap as he starts to pace the room in frustration.
“Dad?” He hears Sarah call, and Tommy scoots over to take Joel’s abandoned seat.
“He’s okay, darlin’. He just needs a minute, I think.” Tommy says, giving her a conspiratorial look.
“Sarah, can you please not look at any of those pictures that have probably come up on your phone,” Joel asks, making sure not to let any of the anger he’s feeling at the situation color his tone with her.
“I won’t. I’m sorry this happened, Dad. I’m gonna hang up for tonight. I have an early class tomorrow, so I need the sleep anyway. I love you, Daddy, maybe call me tomorrow if you want to talk.”
“I will, baby, thank you,” Joel says, his temper cooling a little. He shuffles back to the phone and bends down so he can wave goodbye to her as she signs off.
“Joel, it ain’t that bad,” Tommy says, his hands up in supplication.
“It’s not your love life being plastered all over the internet, Tommy.” Joel grouses, grabbing his beer and downing the last few gulps, he strides into the kitchen, chucks the empty bottle into the recycling bin, and grabs another beer out of the fridge. He hears Tommy follow after him, and he grabs one for him as well.
“I’m sorry I was teasing you, Joel,” Tommy says, taking the beer from his hand.
“It’s okay, honestly. I don’t have anything to be ashamed of, just this was our first date, and I hate that it's bein’ broadcast like this is all.” Joel says, taking a sip from his beer and leaning against the counter. Shit, he should call Tess and see how she’s doing with all this. She doesn’t normally get this type of attention. Joel’s pretty sure she’s asleep, but it wouldn't hurt to try her.
“Tommy, I’m gonna try and give Tess a call, ya plannin' on stickin'' around for a bit?”
“Yeah, got the whole night if you’ll have me,” Tommy says, gesturing with his beer.
“Okay, I’m goin' outside,” Joel takes his beer and opens the sliding glass door to the back patio, closing it behind him before he digs out his phone from his pocket.
The phone rings six times before she finally picks up, her voice groggy with sleep. “Wa’do ya want Joel?”
“I’m sorry to wake ya Tess, but I wanted to let you know that you may see some pictures on the internet tomorrow mornin’. I didn’t want you to be surprised.”
“Already saw ‘em. Is fine, Joel. I don’t give a shit, and neither should you. Just get some sleep, okay Texas, I’ll talk to you in the morning.” Tess mumbles, her voice already starting to fade as he hears some scrambling, and then the line disconnects. Tess is serious about her sleep, if this isn’t important enough to get her out of bed, it ain't important enough for him to worry about either. He shoves his phone back into his pocket and goes back into his kitchen.
“Wanna watch that new action show?” Joel asks Tommy.
“Which one?”
“I don’t know it's on Netflix.”
“I saw they had this new Anime, somethin' about a Blue Eyed Samurai, looks good, trailer had some good sword fights." Tommy offers, ambling behind him into the living room.
"Okay, let's try that." Joel slumps down on the couch and taps over to Netflix on the TV. "Ain't no Curtis and Viper, but I like a good sword fight."
—
It’s two weeks later, and Joel is standing on set as the girls from DCF filter in. The plan is to shoot a couple episodes at once so they don’t have to bring them in for too many days, upsetting their routine. The majority of them look awed and nervous as they’re led to the room that Tess has set aside for them to stay in while they film each episode. Tess is talking to the woman who is accompanying the girls, so one of the aids is helping get the girls situated. Joel’s just about to go in to talk to them when he notices that one of them has wandered off and is standing over at the table where they keep the high-powered tools like the circular saw. He sees her hand reach out and immediately makes his way over.
“Hey, now that ain’t somethin’ you should be playin’ with.” He calls, his voice pitched low. He wants to stop her but doesn't want to embarrass her. He’s gotten good at dealing with the girls who come on to help him over the years, and he knows that sometimes they can just get carried away. She’s a tiny thing, short with wavey brown hair pulled up in a messy ponytail, can’t be more than 12, maybe 13 if he had to guess. She’s wearing a pair of too-big jeans with holes in the knees, a long-sleeved red T-shirt, and a beat-up pair of red Converse sneakers.
“I wasn’t playing with it.” She snaps, not looking at him as she snatches her hand back. “They’re just so fucking cool. I hope the old guy lets me use it for my episode.” She says, her tone shifting to one of excitement.
“Well, sorry to say but none of the girls get to use the power tools the first time around.” Joel chuckles at the girl's sass.
“What the fuck, man? That isn’t fair. What is he, some sort of sexist asshole, or does he just have a giant old stick stuck up his…” The girl spins as she’s talking, obviously not aware of who she’s talking to, and he watches as her face locks up with surprise, the words dying on her lips as she recognizes him.
“What was that about a stick up my…” He asks, waving his hand at her to finish, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Ah shit, oh wait shoot. They said we were supposed to be on our best behavior, no swearing or anything. Sorry man, I didn’t realize that you were, you know.” She gestures at him vaguely.
“The old guy, ya mean. It’s okay, kid, we ain't actually on set yet, so you can swear all ya like.” Joel reaches a hand out to her and says, “Name’s Joel, nice to meet ya, little lady.”
She scrunches her nose with disgust but still slips her hand into his. His whole hand envelopes her’s she’s that small. “I’m not a little lady, I’m fucking 14, practically an adult.” Joel chuffs at this little revelation, but she just shakes his hand with a surprising amount of strength and then pulls away. “So your whole accent thing is real. I thought for sure it was just something they had you do for the show.”
“Nope, it’s real. Born and bred Texas Boy.” He says, putting his hand on his hip and giving her a stern look.”Now, I don’t know what manners you were raised with, but normally, when someone gives you their name, it's only polite if you do the same.”
“Wasn’t raised by anyone, asshole, remember, foster kid, your lucky I’m not half feral trying to bite your hand off.” She quips, faking a bite in his direction. He chuffs and pretends to flinch back, which she seems to get a kick out of because she cracks a smile, showing a row of crooked white teeth. “But you’re right, it’s only polite since you’re goin’ to be playin’ my assistant on this here episode that you should know who you’re workin’ with.” she sticks her hand out at him again, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and Joel chuckles at her poor attempt at his accent. He reaches forward and lets her pump his hand vigorously.
“Name’s Ellie, and welcome to Construction Corner With Ellie Williams.”