“Probably a good idea.”
I should have hung up. But as always, I was a glutton for punishment. “Why is it probably a good idea?”
“Dani, I’m not the man for you.”
I gasped. “Excuse me? I never said you were.”
“You don’t have to say it out loud, babe. It’s written all over your face.”
“It isnot! Wow. Are you always this rude, or am I just lucky?”
He chuckled and damn if I didn’t squirm a little at the sound. “Your car’s a piece of shit.”
“I’m guessing it’s both,” I grumbled.
“You really shouldn’t be driving it,” he continued, ignoring my astute observation.
“Well, it’s all I can afford, so I don’t have much choice in the matter.”
“Why is it all you can afford?”
“Um, excuse me, Sir Rude-a-lot, that’s none of your business.”
He chuckled again.
I sat up straighter. “Well, have someone call me with how much it’s going to cost me to fix it and I’ll have someone drive me down to pick it up.”
“Four-thousand, seven-hundred, ninety-two dollars is the current estimate,” he said.
I choked. “What?”
“Your engine’s pretty much shot, Dani.”
“I don’t have that kind of money,” I whispered, blinking back tears. I tended to get a bit emotional when I was exhausted.
“Pickin’ up on that, darlin’. Wonderin’ why.”
I dropped my head back and stared at the ceiling. “If you must know, an ex stole my savings and my identity. I have spent the last four years trying to clear my name and get him prosecuted, and now I’m lucky enough to get a hundred bucks a month in restitution. He apparently spent the money he stole... or more likely, hid it... and spent thirty days in county. Bonus, he got three years’ probation. I, on the other hand, have a credit rating that’s in the toilet and have to use the credit card my daddy gave me in order to deal with emergencies, which this certainly is; however, I don’t really want him having to pay five-grand for a car that’s not even worth that much.” I groaned. I couldn’t believe I’d just shared all of that with a virtual stranger, particularly because outside of my family and the asshole who stole my money, Kim was the only other human being who knew the story. “Sorry. Too much information.”
“How much did he steal?” Austin asked...no, demanded.
“I’m sorry?”
“How much did the asshole steal from you?” He sounded angry.
“It’s not important,” I whispered.
“Dani. How much did he steal?”
“Fifty-four thousand, six-hundred, seventy-eight dollars and sixteen cents,” I blurted. “And that’s just what he took out of savings. He charged another sixty-grand to credit cards he opened in my name.”
“Fuck me. Seriously?”
“Seriously. I’d been saving for a house.” I felt tears slip down my cheeks as the memories of Steven’s betrayal flooded back. “Anyway, it’s not your problem. Um, I’ll talk to my dad and figure out what to do about my car. I really appreciate all your help. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. ’Bye.” I hung up and shoved my face into a throw pillow to scream. I didn’t have long to wallow in self-pity when the phone jingled in my hand. “Hello?”
“What was the bastard’s name?” Austin demanded.
“Excuse me?”
