‘I must’ve got my dates mixed up… Maybe it went to junk,’ I said, trying to hide my embarrassment.
‘It was in your inbox.And they sent multiple emails.And said they’d tried calling several times… didn’t you see the missed calls or voicemails?’
I swallowed hard as I remembered a period when I got a series of calls that I didn’t answer.I’d seen voicemails too but I’d ignored them.
‘They were from an unknown number.I… you know that’s triggering for me.’
My chest tightened as a fresh wave of memories came flooding back.To the majority of the population, avoiding calls from people who weren’t in your contacts might seem OTT, but when you’d been through what I had, it was justified.
‘Maybe if I call them and explain…’
‘The last email said if you didn’t reply within forty-eight hours you’d forfeit your place and the deposit.Permanently.And that was sent a week ago…’
She held up the phone so I could see the text written in very clear bold red writing.And I felt sick.
So that was that then.
Looked like my days of picking up randos in bars weren’t over.
I had the opportunity to meet someone half decent and I’d wasted it.Along with Vanessa’s money.
Thousands of people dreamt of securing a place at the Love Hotel.
And I’d got one, but I’d blown it.
Shit.
2
JAKE
‘Got a minute?’ Roger asked as I swiped a freshly toasted bagel off the kitchen counter.‘We need to talk.’
‘Whoa.’ I held up my hands defensively as I took in his serious expression.‘Sounds like you want to break up with me!’
‘This is serious, Jake.’ He blew out a frustrated breath and I realised that he wasn’t joking.I’d known Roger since high school and I could count on one hand the number of serious chats we’d had.
‘I was just on my way out.Got a meeting with Wilma.’
‘Good.Great.Cool.’ He shuffled awkwardly on the spot.‘I’m glad you’re meeting your agent because… Cathy’s busting my balls.She…Weneed to know how much longer you’re planning on sleeping on our couch.It’s been more than two months and…’
‘I know.’ My chest tightened.‘I’m sorry.I’m working on it.Things haven’t been easy, but I’m trying.’
‘I get that, man.It’s just that…’
‘I hear you.And I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done.Listen, Wilma said there’s some stuff in the pipeline.I’ll be out of your hair soon.Promise.’
‘Can you give me a timeline?’ Roger asked.
I knew that if it was up to him, he’d let me stay for however long I needed, but his wife Cathy wasn’t so sympathetic.It was obvious from the way she glared at me that I’d overstayed my welcome.Although now that I thought about it, she glared at me before I’d begged them to sleep on their couch because I had nowhere else to go.
‘Soon.I should know more after this meeting.Did Cathy get the money I left for her yesterday?’
‘She did, thanks.’
‘It’s every spare cent I earned working at Pollo Pops.I tried asking for my job back there again a few days ago, but the boss said I was too much of a distraction.Said he wanted customers to come to buy fried chicken, not to take photos of me.’
‘I know.That sucks.But I guess I can’t blame them.It’s not every day you see a celebrity serving chicken wings at a fast-food joint.’
