After a few hours of tossing and turning, I gave up on the idea of any sleep, spending the last few hours desperately trying to think of a way out of my current predicament.
And I’ve got…nothing. Zip. Nada. Zilch.
Annoyingly, my mind also keeps drifting back to a pair of certain honey-colored eyes.
Frowning, I stagger out of bed, pushing the useless thoughts away in favor of more practical considerations. Today, I get kicked out. And I have nowhere to go. A headache forms between my eyes, not helped by the sudden banging at the door.
Fuck. It’s not even 7am yet. Joe must be keen for me to get out if he’s dragged his ass out of bed this early. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before noon.
I pull the door open and slide out, pulling it closed behind me. Joe squints at me, his vest a funky mixture of dubious-looking stains and dirt as it strains over his beer belly.
Filthy nails scratch at his stomach. “Time to go, omega.”
“Come on, Joe. Just hold off. Give me the day, at least,” I plead. “I’ve got cash on me. I can pay.”
He eyeballs me. “All of it?” he asks suspiciously.
I bite my lip. “Some of it.”
Joe shakes his head. “Ain’t enough. All or you’re out.”
“Please.” I beg around the lump in my throat. “I havenowhereto go. I’ll be out on the street.”
“You ain’t no child,” he sneers. “You can earn yer keep on your back just like the others. Dunno why you’re slumming it here anyway.”
He scoffs, looking me up and down. “Now quit arguing, and pack your shit.”
He stands there, arms crossed, as I move back inside and bolt the door behind me.
Turning, my back slides down the door, my legs collapsing as I fall on my ass. The tears come thick and fast, my hand clasped over my mouth to try and hold in the noise.
What the hell do I do now?
When I finally manage to pull myself together and Joe’s banged on the door twice, it takes me all of three minutes to shove my clothes and some toiletries into a ratty old black duffle bag. I don’t have much, which is probably a blessing right now. I wouldn’t be able to take it with me anyway.
My sneaker lace catches on a nail and I glance down. This place was a shithole, but at least it had a lock on the door and warm water.
Joe is leaning against the wall outside when I leave, and he gives me a once-over that has my skin crawling.
“Keys,” he grunts, looking away as he holds out his meaty hand.
I drop my only key into his palm with a little more force than needed. “I’d say it’s been fun, Joe, but it really hasn’t. Enjoy explaining the smell of damp carpet to your next tenant. Hope they like gangrene.”
He rolls his eyes and heads back into his apartment, slamming the door behind him with an air of finality.
Trudging down the stairs, I emerge out onto the street, sucking in a breath at the cold air of the bright winter morning. At least the sun is shining.
This could be good. Maybe it’ll be a fresh start. I just need to look for a job.
ChapterFive
Gabrielle
“Three dollars.”
I blink at the librarian. She stares back at me owlishly, pushing thick-rimmed tortoiseshell glasses up her nose as her eyes scan me warily.
“For the day?” I ask weakly. She shakes her head, and my heart sinks.
