Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I’ll be at the restaurant again. Let me know your schedule.” My phone beeps, and by the tone, I know it’s my own mother. “Give me a sec.” I answer the call. “You need something?”
“Stan called, and one of the night staff didn’t show up. He’s offering me double if I work tonight. Can you be home soon?”
I blow a stream of air out. “You want me to work the shift for you?” I suggest. That seems easier than bringing Andy home. Julie should be in bed, but if she wakes up in the night and finds a stranger there, she’ll freak out. My little sister has a bad case of stranger danger. She was kidnapped when she was only two, and while she doesn’t have much memory of it, she is terrified of anyone unfamiliar to her.
“No, baby. I’ve got this. Just need you here in case Jules needs someone and to make sure the place doesn’t burn down.”
“I’ve got a friend with me.”
“Bam? I guess it’s okay. Jules has met him before. She likes him.”
“No, ah, a girl friend.” I try to put space between the two words, but it’s not enough.
Mom’s tone changes immediately. “You do? Since when? Oh my gosh, well, you need to introduce her to me. God, what terrible timing. What should we do? I’ll call Stan and tell him I can’t come.”
“No. No, I’m heading for home right now. Don’t worry about it. Give me ten.” I hang up to see Andy with her hand on the door latch.
“What are you doing?” I almost shout.
Bam sticks his head out. “Problem?”
“I heard that you’re needed at home, and I don’t want to be any trouble,” Andy says.
“You’re not trouble,” I tell her.
“Nah, don’t take it personally. Niki’s sister is a stranger hater, and if she’s never met you before, she’ll have a five-year-old meltdown, which if you’ve ever seen one, you know are scary as fuck.” Bam disappears for a second and then emerges from the bedroom fully dressed in sweatpants and a windbreaker. At the exterior door, he shoves his feet into a pair of slides and nudges Andy out of the way. I toss him the house keys, which he catches in one hand.
“I’ll text my mom,” I say. “Thanks, bro.”
“Your mom is hot. Always nice to see her.” Bam shuts the door before I can throw a beer at his head. I know he’s only fucking with me.
“I feel like I’m putting you out.” Andy wrings her hands.
“Nah. It’s all good. Bam’s nothing but talk, and my mom would eat him alive. You want to wash up before bed?”
“No, but I can help you.” She reaches out to touch my cheek, but I back away. I’m not ready for her touching me when there’s a bed so close and the apartment is empty. I’m tired, and my self-control is low. Her soft hand on my body is exactly what I don’t need.
“I don’t usually stay here, so the supplies are limited.” I lead her to the bathroom across from the bedroom. “There are two bathrooms, and this one is mine, but as you can see, it’s just got some mouthwash, a toothbrush, and an all-in-one body wash, shampoo thing. Maybe Bam’s got extra toothbrushes. Wait here.” I hand her a towel from under the sink and then hustle down the hall. Thankfully, Bam does have extra toothbrushes, so I’m able to give Andy a new one. “Here.”
“Thanks.”
We stare at each other awkwardly for a few long seconds while I tell myself that trying to make a move on her after the night we had would be a shit act and that while I beat people up for money, I don’t take advantage of people I care about. Those are some questionable situational morals, but it’s a fucked-up world. I’m just trying to do my best. “I’m gonna sleep in Bam’s room. You go in there.” I point to my room, knowing I sound like a dumb beast but not having the ability to be someone better, cooler, less dense.
She rubs her lips together, and I see she wants to say something, maybe curse me out, but before she lets loose, I retreat to Bam’s room, throw myself on the bed, and cover my head with the pillow. Tomorrow, I’ll fix up her door, replace the lights in the stairwell, and clean up her apartment. She can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous. For her. For me. For both of us.
Chapter Ten
ANDY
Why hadn’t I thought about needing clothes before I’d taken my shower? Not that it mattered. I needed to shower either way. I can’t go to sleep smelling like the diner. I don’t have much of a choice but to use one of Niki’s shirts, though I really don’t want to. It’s pretty clear he doesn’t really want me here. That I’m intruding on his life.