“I asked Rip to let me stay for three months to give my credit time to recover. Then I’ll look for a townhouse to buy. There’s a new subdivision being built off Cider Road.”
Cori looks at Selene, and they both raise their eyebrows.
“And what did he say when you asked him?” Cori snorts.
“To stop asking dumb questions.” I shrug. That’s precisely what he would say, but I’m determined not to be a nuisance and to be out of his hair soon.
“In other words, your dumb ass lives with him now. Forever,” Cori says. Her phone vibrates again, and she picks it up.
“That’s what you think, motherfucker,” she says under her breath, but I hear it.
“Who is that?”
Cori looks at me like a deer in headlights.
“Uh, it’s Mr. Armstrong. He wants me to show his stupid grandson something. I can’t wait to quit that fucking dead-end job.” Something in Cori’s tone makes me think that it’s not Mr. Armstrong on the other end of the line.
“Did you ever figure out that sexy dishwasher at Ms. Hazel’s?” Selene asks. “You haven’t mentioned him in a while.”
“Uh, I’m letting that go.” Cori’s answer immediately makes me suspicious.
She’s not one to ever let anything go, but I drop the subject. She’ll come clean sooner or later. Besides, I need to focus on my trip with Rip.
We’re spending two nights at a casino in Connecticut and three in New York City.
“Oh! I met someone,” Selene says. “His name is Gill, and I met him at the wedding I went to last weekend. He checks all my boxes.” She shoves the phone in my face, and I take it.
I nod in approval. He’s standing next to her, and he’s tall, handsome, with a big afro and glasses.
“We’re going out tomorrow.” She swoons and drops herself back on the bed. “I am this close to having a man.” She puts her thumb and index finger together. “And turning into a freak.” Giggling, she rubs her hands together. “You should see Gill’s ass. I can’t wait to bite it.”
“Well, that’s a visual.” Cori pretends to gag. “You almost done, Eden? You promised us lunch.”
The room is still a disaster of my clothes and shoes, but my stomach growls. I’m determined not to leave a mess in Rip’s house, so I call him and go into the bathroom.
“Thorny,” his raspy voice says. “You all moved in?” He went with me last night to get my things.
“Almost. When are you coming home? I’ll make dinner.” I throw that in so he can give me an exact time.
“Not until nine. You don’t have to make dinner for me. Just get yourself something to eat.”
I exhale. That gives me over nine hours to have his bedroom back to pristine.
I drop both girls off at home before making a quick stop at my parents’ house to say goodbye before I go out of town tomorrow.
Sylvie’s van is in the driveway when I get there, along with a tricycle and a pink scooter that’s seen better days. There’s sidewalk chalk thrown haphazardly and several other toys. I park on the street.
The house is loud and messy when I get in. The baby is screaming, and there’s a cartoon playing full blast in the living room. Each kid has a tablet in their hand.
So much for Sylvie not letting her kids have screen time. I hug the kids and join the adults in the kitchen. My mom is feeding the baby, who has spat up something green all over himself. Dad is standing above Sylvie while she looks through job listings.
“Hey, Dandy,” Dad says. “Are there any positions at your job for your sister? Maybe a receptionist or—”
“Nope.” I shoot my dad down with a quickness. “I only stopped by to say goodbye. I’ll be gone until Thursday.”
The baby spits again, this time getting some in my mom’s hair. I cringe at the mess.
“Okay, honey,” Mom says. “Be careful.” She finally looks at me. “How’s everything? You know, we never meant for you to move out.”
