My head flips back to Trey, waiting for his rebuttal, but he only sticks a hand out in defeat.
“I don’t want the other employees to think I’m getting special treatment.” I try one last time.
“Nonsense,” Finn answers again. “We make the rules and there are two open spaces without current employees. We’ve hired less than we planned so there is no waiting. I trust you so I’m waiving the six-month rule.”
“But…” my words stall out when I’m unable to decide what to argue next.
Finn walks next to Trey and crosses his arms over his chest. It reminds me of two linebackers working together. Except these are nerdy linebackers and the most they probably know about football has the name Madden in it.
“Plus I don’t want you two here alone. The crime rate is ridiculous,” Finn finishes with a head nod to Trey.
Aspen smirks from her position still on the couch and picks fuzz from her brand new looking pants. “Crime, huh?”
“Yes, six blocks down Van Ness Street a shop had a brick thrown through their window.”
Aspen stands from the couch and walks to my side making our own little front of woman power. Poor Jake watches the whole show unfold from a seat by the kitchen counter. “Six blocks,” she mocks being horrified. “That’s practically our back door, Simone. Do we have enough teenager repellent around?” She nudges me and then crosses her own arms to mimic Finn’s stance.
“I’m serious, Aspen. It was hundreds of dollars in damage. The whole thing was traumatic for the business owners.”
“I’m sure it was,” she deadpans with her head cocked to one side.
This argument has definitely moved from Trey and me to Finn and Aspen, and I don’t want her to think she has to defend me at the expense of causing an argument with Finn.
“If you’re sure I’m not taking a place from someone?” I need to confirm one last time.
“Positive,” Finn steps closer to Aspen while his hand flicks his hair from his forehead. “And once Simone is safe at her new place, you can stay with me until the whole mess is figured out.”
Aspen’s foot stomps on the floor and Finn stops in his advance. “You can’t force me to move in with you, Finn.”
He grins. “I’m not forcing you to move in. I’m keeping you safe in my fortress of solitude.” When she doesn’t soften her expression, he tries one more incentive. “You’ll be close to Simone.”
“I’m not giving up this apartment.”
“No, of course not,” he reaches Aspen and wraps his arms around her.
In one sudden movement Jake is off his chair. “Well now that it’s settled, show us to the boxes.”
Wait, it’s all settled? Jake strolls toward the bedroom where he piled the boxes the first time. He’s a man of few words, but when he speaks, people listen because within seconds we all follow behind him.
I guess everything’s settled. I’d like a few minutes to process the latest development in my life, but Jake, Finn, and Trey all walk out of Aspen’s room, each with a box, and head out the front door. I open my mouth to say…well something… but don’t. I’m sure when I wake up in a real bed tomorrow, I’ll have less reservations about it all. At least I hope that’s the case.
**
Jake drops the last box in the middle of the small living room I now call my own and gives a swift wave as he heads out the door.
“The places come furnished or not, depending on what the employee needs. So I left everything here for you, but if you buy something tell Trey and we’ll move what’s here to storage," Finn explains.
I turn to him from my place by the tan microfiber couch. The place isn’t big, about the size of Aspen’s, but it’s mine. As I stand and circle the room, taking in the basic adornments, the events of the last few weeks hit me. Hard.
The window in front of me catches my attention. I stop and pretend to admire the view. I’m sure it’s a good one, but I can’t tell as the tears cloud my vision. This small group of people have taken me in and given me everything in the weeks since I returned to San Francisco. I barely know them, but they’re the best friends I’ve ever had in my life.
Against all my efforts I sniffle and give myself away. God, now Trey can see me cry twice in one week. I turn around to face the three of them, and before a word of thanks passes my lips, Trey is at my side. He wraps his arms around my middle and pulls me to him. I don’t fight it because it’s right where I want to be. I’m not sure when my brain decided I’d forgiven Trey, but I’m ready to admit it now.
Aspen pulls on Finn’s hand. “Well, we’ll head upstairs. If you need something you have my number, Simone.”
They turn toward the door. I try to push myself away from Trey, but he doesn’t let go. Once the door closes, he releases me a little but not completely.
“I need to tell Finn thank you. This is… it’s too much.” I manage to spit out the words, but they cause my tears to come faster.
