Hank and Charlie’s voices start to echo. I’m not sure what’s coming out of their asses, and I don’t care. I throw on my denim jacket and grab my stuff before mouthing athank youto Blake, and I’m out the door.
As soon as my feet touch the concrete of the sidewalk, I feel this weight off my fucking shoulders. Ugh, I’m free of that place! I can’t wait to tell the girls.
When I reach my apartment floor, my phone starts to vibrate in my bag. Setting my stuff down, I dig it out near the last ring and answer, assuming it’s Lucie or my sister.
“Hello,” I answer with a bit more enthusiasm than normal.
“Jenni-cakes, you answered!” Beck’s chipper voice comes through the line. “And you sound…dare I say…happy?”
Wonderful. I pin the phone between my ear and shoulder to dig out the keys to my apartment. I flatten my tone the best I can. “Beckham, why are you calling me?”
“Well, see, I have some tattoos I need done…you know to go with my slutty thigh tattoo. And I know someone who just finished all her required hours—I want to get on her books before she’s too busy for little ol’ me.”
I bite my cheek to stop the smile. Of course, he knew I was finishing today. “One, I’m already too busy for you, Stalker. And two, I’m finished with my hours, but I still have to get my professional license and find a place to work.”
“Tally’s doesn’t want you to stay there?”
Not about to explain that situation to him. “They could—they offered, but I think it’s good for me to find a new place. Be pushed out of my comfort zone.”
“Do you have a comfort zone? I pegged you as more that ‘free spirit’ type.”
Finally pulling out my keys, I work on unlocking my door and can hear the clicking of my border collie, Dottie, prancing on the other side.
“What in the hell gives you ‘free spirit’ vibes?” I nearly laugh at his words as I kick my box of papers into my tiny apartment, and Dottie circles my body, tail wagging a mile a minute.
“First, give Dottie love from me,” Beck says. “Second, free spirit, as in has no boxes or comfort zones. More of a ‘I can take what life throws at me’ person.”
My silence feels near deafening. This is how I got in this mess—why does he always have to do sweet shit like this? It should be annoying. I’ve never once felt this attraction to the goofy, sweet guy. Romantic at heart, yes, but cheesy? No, never…until Beckham.
“I’d donate five hundred dollars to whatever charity you want if you lie to me and say you don’t have a tapestry up on your wall. Really round out my free spirit feeling.”
I look up at the wall completely covered by the thin cloth my sister had custom made with one of my first designs. “It was a gift,” I grit out.
“I fucking knew it. Let me know the charity, Jenni-cakes.”
“I thought I was supposed to lie for that donation.” Dottie paws at my side. “I’ve got to take my dog out, Beckham. Pick a charity on your own. Bye.”
I click the End Call button immediately, then toss my phone on my bed with a sigh. Scratching Dottie’s head, I do what I know I shouldn’t. “Beck says hi,” I tell her…like a crazy person.
No, talking to her doesn’t make me crazy, but telling her about Beck sure does.
Clicking on her leash, I grab the fanny pack I have ready by the door that I take every time I take her out, then pick up my phone.
Stalker
*A donation was made to the Animal Rescue Shelter - Boston in the amount of $1000.*
I doubled it for the truth.
Of course he would follow through and still be extra about it. Sliding my phone in my back pocket, I don’t bother giving him a response.
A sharp knock comes to my door then a piece of paper is flying from under the crack.
“What the hell?” I mutter to myself, or Dottie, I suppose.
Picking up the paper, my fingers tense, crinkling the bullshit in my hands with every word I read.
Monthly rent raised to thirty-five hundred dollars.
