I laughed and grabbed his arm, pulling him up the stairs until we found the realtor waiting in the bedroom. Aiden continued to snap ridiculous selfies as I tried to listen to the realtor. It was hard to focus when all I could imagine was Haze and I living here, together, in our little paradise. What a dream.
The man continued to explain the apartment features while taking us on a quick tour, eventually bringing us back to the downstairs living room. He then went over the policies and procedures of the rental application and began to talk numbers when I cut him off. “Wait, I’m sorry, but how much did you say this place was?” He repeated the price and my stomach dropped.
There’s no way I can afford this place.
“C-can you give me a minute? Just one minute.” The realtor nodded, eyeing Aiden, who was looking out the giant living room glass window.
I pulled out the burner phone and opened my texts.
How’s the apartment?Haze asked.
I texted back.It’s perfect, except I can’t fucking afford it.
That’s not what I asked.
“Excuse me.” I hid the phone as the realtor appeared at my side. “Is there a problem?” I shook my head. “You know, if price is an issue—” He leaned close, and I noticed his eyes fall to my chest. “I’m sure we can come to an understanding.” He reached out and tucked my hair behind my pierced ear. The entire thing made me uneasy.
My phone vibrated, and I excused myself, walking back over to Aiden. He looked at me and instantly noticed the change in my behavior. “Everything okay, Indi?”
I looked up at him. “Yeah, just—that guy’s a creep. Pretty sure he tried to hit on me.”
“What?”
I nodded. “Call me crazy, but I think he offered to lower the price…for sex.”
Aiden’s face hardened and he snapped to look back at the realtor, now busy swiping away at his phone. “Want me to handle him?”
I shook my head and opened my texts. “No, I’m fine.” I read Haze’s text.
Indi, do you want the apartment? Yes or no.
I looked around, admiring the modern apartment, perfectly located away from prying eyes and suited for us. It had everything I ever wanted. For us.
I replied:Yes.
My phone vibrated.Good. Leave the rest to me.
THREE
INDI
I steppedinto the tiny apartment kitchen as the living room TV played loudly. It felt so small and cramped compared to the one I toured. If only I could afford it. As I walked to the fridge, I noticed Mary-Jane giggling to herself like a little school girl. She was kicking her feet as she sat on the kitchen counter, staring down at her phone.
I opened the fridge and grabbed some water. “Someone’s giddy.”
Her eyes met mine, and she put the phone down. “Yeah, well, PussyKiller69 just sent me a nice little dick pic.” I nearly spat my water out. “Though I have to say, there’snothinglittle about him.” She grinned and returned to her phone. The news played in the other room, and I just sat there wide-eyed. Mary-Jane looked up at me and snapped, “What?”
“Sorry, I’m trying to process what the fuck you just said.”
She sighed and crossed her arms. “PussyKiller69 is his screen name, Indi. It’s not his real name, like grow up.”
I took a second drink. “Oh yeah, that name sounds so mature.”
She huffed. “Heismature. And more of a man than a certain pothead we both know.” I shot her a look. “You haven’t seenhim, have you? Your brother? Last I heard he was still hanging around town.” Her eyes shot to me. “I wonder why that is.”
I almost choked on my water again.
Her question took me back. “What? No. Why?” She didn’t answer. “I haven’t seen Haze since the day we left him there, bleeding out on the floor of our apartment.” The painful memory made my chest ache. “You know, for someone who claims to hate him so much, you sure love bringing him up.”
