Me:My ass was home grown,thankyouverymuch. I won’t quit, but I was run off the road tonight, and I’m pretty beat up and now wearing a boot, so we’ll have to talk about it when I can come back.
Then I decide to put myself out there about my best friend.
Me:And by the way… WTF are you doing with Tayler? She’s not a booty call kind of girl. She’s the forever kind.
Okay, I said it. It’s done.
Luke: I know.
If he knows, then what is he doing? Gah! Men are so frustrating.
I glance down at my screen and see a bunch from Kat, sent a few minutes ago.
Kat:Okay. Have a fun slumber party.
Then another one immediately following that one.
Kat: Wait. Why was your scooter just dropped off by that hot cop? Where are you?
Kat: I went out to move it into the garage for you. What happened to it? It’s all smashed up.
Kat: CALL ME!!!!
Me: I’m fine. Had a little accident. Tayler picked me up from the ER. I’m fine.
Kat: The ER???!!! I’m telling Patsy.
Me: Please don’t wake up Patsy or anyone else. I’m fine. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. I’m beat. Just took a pain pill and need to sleep.
Kat: A PAIN PILL???!!!
Me:I’m fine.
Kat:You promise?
Me: Promise.
Kat:Ok. I guess.
Me:Night, Kat.
Kat: Night, Quinn.
Chapter Forty
I’ve got the girls in the living room for a powwow a few days after my accident. In that short time, a lot has happened. First, the driver of the SUV had insurance. Unfortunately, the guy was a huge asshole. The officer who wrote out the accident report had to remind him, several times, that he could have killed me. I don’t think the guy cared one way or the other. The good news is his insurance company is paying to repair Bluebelle and taking care of my hospital bills. They also offered me a settlement, but I’m hesitant to take it. Gage told me not to be naïve, saying, “It’s how these things work.”
So I went ahead and took it, adding ten thousand dollars to my bank account. I’m uncomfortable taking the money, but it’s needed since I won’t be able to work for at least a couple more weeks. It also gives me the courage to do what I’m about to do.
“Ladies,” I say from my perch in one of the side chairs. “I’m moving out.”
“What!” comes from everyone.
“I’ve heard more than one of you talk about how cramped it is upstairs and how the bathroom situation sucks. It does. Not only that, Tayler needs a roommate. She can’t afford to live alone, and her lease is up on the fifteenth.” I breathe in and out. “I won’t leave you in the lurch money-wise. I’ll pay my rent until—”
“No. You shouldn’t have to pay rent for a room you don’t have anymore,” Patsy says with a frown. “I understand. I should’ve tried harder to get the asshole landlord to do something about your bedroom.” She sighs.
“It’s not your fault he’s a jerk, Pats.”
