I’d just gotten the last spark plug in and took my last bite of enchiladas when Calli’s door opened.
I didn’t bother looking up, just gathered up my food trash and tools.
Only when I was done did she come up to my side and begrudgingly say, “Thank you.”
I handed her my trash. “You’re welcome.”
Then I went inside and tried not to look back.
Eleven
Don’t be mad at lazy people. They didn’t do anything.
—Calliope to Jasper
CALLIOPE
“I’m sorry, but I can’t keep working here when you allow my truck to be vandalized multiple times,” I said, giving the sweet lady my notice. “I can’t afford to get it fixed, and if she does it again, I don’t think I can weasel my way out of getting it fixed by the neighbor next door again. He already thinks I’m dumb for going yesterday.”
“This fuckin’ bitch!” my boss groaned. “I swear, she’s ruining my life!”
I gave her a sad smile and said, “I’m sorry.”
She patted me on the shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
I knew it wasn’t.
That didn’t mean that I didn’t feel bad for leaving her in the lurch.
“I appreciate the help, though. Truly. Even a two-day reprieve was good for me.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you for taking the time to tell me in person.”
After I left, I went straight home, not seeing the point in going out into the fuckin’ nut show that was Dallas Christmas traffic right now.
Plus, I didn’t really have any money to spare.
Yes, I had savings. Yes, I had a trust fund thanks to my sister.
But I wouldn’t be dipping into either one of those. I already felt bad that my sister had paid for my college when she hadn’t had the same gift given to herself.
Not that I felt like I should suffer exactly like my sister, but it did make me feel guilty.
And I hadn’t treated her the greatest my entire life.
That was what happened when you’re an angry ass kid, though.
You push people away.
At this point, it was so ingrained in my psyche that I didn’t know how to stop doing it.
When I got home, it was to see all my decorations moved.
I grumbled under my breath, knowing damn well who was responsible for this.
I marched up to Jasper’s door and knocked, only belatedly realizing that his bike wasn’t there.
The doorbell camera, however, activated and Jasper’s smoky, raspy voice said, “What?”
I narrowed my eyes at the camera, placing both of my hands on my hips as I said, “Why are my decorations in your yard?”
