“I know you want me to stop living off your dime. I haven’t worked out all the busking details yet, but I’m getting there. And I’m still trying to find a job, but it’s rough. This is to tide me over. I’ve done it a few times and made as much as I did waiting tables.” For once he’d like support, not someone raining on his parade.
Maybe she read his mind, because her forehead smoothed and her eyes softened. “I’m not doubting you can make money. I think it’s terrific you’re taking such initiative. This has nothing to do with us helping you get on your feet. You can stay as long as you need. All I’m saying is, I want you to have something stable in your life for once.”
“Can’t you see I’m doing my best?”
“I do. And Iamproud of you, maybe more than you realize. I know you haven’t had it easy. Ever. I only want you to be happy and stable.”
Even though she was younger, her words meant everything. No one had ever said they were proud of him before, and he had to blink back tears. “Thanks. I really am trying.”
He’d never cared about proving himself to anyone, but he didn’t want to be the kind of brother Charlotte talked about in whispers with her friends.“Oh, my brother? Yeah…we try, but he’s a mess.”
“I know,” Charlotte said. “On a different note, don’t forget the twins’ birthday. They’re expecting their uncle Sean at their party on Saturday.”
“I’ll be there. What should I bring them?”
“Absolutely nothing. Trust me, those kids have everything, plus. You can sing for them. Maybe some of the other mothers will hire you for their kids’ parties.”
“You’re cute, Char.”
Her laughter rang out. “I know. So, how’s Tristan?”
“Good.”
So damn good.
“I’m glad you two worked it all out.”
“Yeah. It’s cool. I’m assuming he’ll be moving out soon. He’s starting his job in about a week, and he’s been looking hard for a place. Something will come up.”
“I’m sure you can still be friends when he moves out.”
He snorted. “I know you’re in mommy mode, but you don’t need to worry about me having friends. We’re more like two ships passing in the night. Once he moves out, that’ll be it.” His phone buzzed with a text from an unfamiliar number. “I gotta go. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Same.”
The message was from a restaurant on the Upper West Side, where he’d stopped by several days ago after he’d finished singing to inquire if they had any openings. Not a singing job, but that suited him, as he wanted to save his voice for the busking.
Hello, Sean. We’d like you to stop by for an interview today if possible, and if you’re a fit, then do some training and take you on for midweek morning shifts. If that sounds good, please respond.
Morning shifts were the worst. It wasn’t ideal, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. And those hours would allow him to continue his singing. His fingers flew over the screen.
Sounds good. I’ll be by in an hour, depending on the traffic.
He was finally making it happen on his own. He picked up his backpack and left the apartment, still wondering where the hell Tristan was.
Chapter Sixteen
“Okay, I think that’s it. Oh, wait, I see from the forms you filled out you still haven’t put in next of kin. We’ll need that in case of an emergency.” Fingers hovering over the keyboard, Dennis Martell, head of Human Resources at First International Bank, smiled and waited.
“There’s no one. I have no family.”
Martell frowned. “I’m sorry. But isn’t there anyone you can put down? We have to have someone.”
For one brief moment, Tristan thought of Sean but dismissed it immediately as ridiculous. He didn’t even have his number, so how could he be an emergency contact? Plus, once he moved out, they’d probably never see each other again. Sean was a social butterfly and would undoubtedly meet someone. A sour taste hit the back of his throat at the thought.
He supposed he could put Monique’s name as a contact. No more running away from the people he owed everything to.
