I rolled my eyes but smiled. “I’m aware.”
“Just… come visit us, okay? We’re not that far. I know you don’t have a car, but if you give me the word, I’ll come pick you up.”
“You’re a terrible driver near the city, Dad.”
“Then take a bus to the suburbs and I’ll pick you up from there.”
I knew a lost fight when I heard one, or at least when it came to my parents I was more than happy to put down my weapons. “Fine. I’ll let you know when I’m free next.”
“Thank you. Don’t tell your mother I called and told you about her.”
I laughed harder and leaned my head back against the couch arm, staring up at the markings on the ceiling. The apartment was old and ratty, with peeling paint, but it was cheap and all I could afford. At least I didn’t have to deal with a roommate. I never got along with people I lived with; I’d learned that in college.
We chatted some more about football and Dad’s job. He was a construction worker most of my life, but right now he had a job as a plumber on the outskirts and had recently employed my cousin, which apparently hadn’t been a great idea. I let him rant about Glenn and his laziness before we finally said our goodbyes, right in time for the doorbell to chime. I frowned at the time on my phone. It was way too early for Vane.
Kicking my legs off the couch, I rose and headed for the door, yanking it open. A delivery boy stood on the other side, looking no older than twenty, with a handcart stacked with crates.
“Good morning,” he said with a big grin. He wore a green hat with a familiar food market logo on it, as well as a uniform to match. “Are you Mr. Jaxson Bell?”
“Yes….” I frowned down at the groceries fitted neatly in the crates.
“I’m Michael from Clover’s Marketplace. I’m here with your delivery.” He went to move the cart, but I held up my palm to him.
“There must be some mistake. I didn’t order groceries.”
His bushy brown eyebrows dipped in confusion and he stuck his hand into his pocket, tugging out a piece of paper and presenting it to me. “According to this, these groceries are for you, sir. The order was placed by a Mr. Vane Elwood.”
“What?”
But he was already shoving me aside and pushing the cart through my door. He stopped near my kitchen island and unstacked the crates, placing the paper-bagged groceries on the counter.
“I’m just here to deliver, sir. If you have a problem, you can call the store.”
I glanced in confusion from the bags to him, but the delivery boy was already heading for the door before I grabbed his shoulder. “Did you want a tip?”
“No need, sir. Mr. Elwood paid it. Have a nice day.” And then he was gone, and all I could do was stare after him in befuddlement. I returned my attention to the groceries and shifted closer to them, opening the bags to see what Vane had bought. There were all sorts of healthy foods, the kind I didn’t particularly enjoy but didn’t hate. I wasn’t stupid enough not to notice that they were the kinds of edibles that were good for pregnant people.
Irritation clawed at my insides, but I pushed it aside. It was simple, I’d just tell him not to buy groceries for me again. While I was more than happy to put out for advancing my career, Ihatedthe thought of being a kept man. I didn’t need handouts, especially not from the man I let fuck me.
I shook my head and took the time to put away all the groceries before I went back to the couch. Grabbing my phone again, I played a few games on it and checked Twitter before the doorbell went off again. I stiffened, then rose and yanked it open. Andfuck, another man stood there with a clipboard in his hand, wearing a hat that saidGothen Furniture.
“Hello.” He was much older than the last delivery boy and had age lines around his eyes. His smile was infectious, and if I wasn’t in a foul mood for what seemed like another gift from Vane, I might have smiled back. “I’m here to deliver your new furniture and take away the old stuff.”
My eyes widened. “New furniture?Whatnew furniture?”
He peered down at his clipboard and nodded. “A new bed, mattress, and couch.”
“No.” I shook my head. “They’re not mine.”
He frowned at me and glanced at the number on my door then back to me again. “Are you Jaxson Bell?”
“Yes, but…. Fuck. Listen, who ordered this stuff? Was it Vane Elwood?”
He peered back down at his paper and nodded again, his bushy mustache twitching. “That’s the name here, sonny.”
“Can you take it back?” I asked with more desperation than I’d meant.
The delivery man let out a chortle that made his chest rattle, before he must have realized I was serious and he stopped again. “If I take this back, kiddo, my boss will be real pissed at me. It’s my job to deliver it, not take the new furniture back. I just got this job. I’d rather not lose it so soon.” He frowned at me and stuck the clipboard under his armpit. “Listen, this is a brand-new bed and couch. They’re not cheap. Some of the most expensive ones we have. If I was you, I’d be grateful and take it.”
