Another text quickly followed.Talk soon, brat.I will be out of pocket for about an hour.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I didn’t. I read over Jack’s list, pleased with myself when I realized I could already cross off one item. All of the clean laundry was folded, and he could kiss my ass if he thought I was going out on a cold, rainy day to schlep my dirty clothes to the laundromat. We had a washer and dryer in the basement of the building, but I swore that every time I washed my clothes there, they came out smelling worse than when they went in.
I stood at the edge of the room after putting away my clothes, trying to figure out what to do next. Bile rose in my stomach. I might live in this dump, but somewhere along the way I had become blind to the mess. I was ashamed anyone had seen it in this state.
Where some people could grab a used shopping bag or a single kitchen garbage bag for a massive cleaning session, I dropped the full box of garbage bags on my coffee table. This was going to be a huge undertaking.
I was halfway through cleaning the living room when I heard the door open. It was Jordan with my hoodie draped over his arm. I jumped up, swiping the sweatshirt out of his hand.
“You didn’t need to bring this over,” I told him. He laughed as I shrugged into it, burying my hands in the pockets.
“It’s okay, I wanted to check on you anyway. This just gave me a good excuse.”
“Why in the hell does everyone think I need babysitters? I swear, it’s like no one thinks I can take care of myself.”
Jordan’s eyes grew wide and he dramatically looked around the room. “I hate to tell you this, buddy, but you sorta do need a keeper.”
He stepped past me and into the kitchen, letting out a low whistle. “Damn, dude. I wasn’t aware you had countertops in here.”
“You’re fucking hilarious,” I tossed back.
His eyes roamed over to a mountain of garbage bags and broken-down boxes stacked against the wall. “Is everything okay? You didn’t get kicked out, did you?”
“Why in the fuck would you say that?” I stomped over to the fridge. Now that my hangover had subsided, my stomach was begging for more food than the toast I’d eaten earlier.
“It was the most logical reason for you to be cleaning. Look, I know you don’t want to hear it, but I talked to Eli, and we want to help you.”
“Better get at the back of the line.” I gathered my hair, securing it with an elastic I found in the pocket of my hoodie. “Pretty soon, there is going to be a Help-Slade-Unfuck-His-Life community outreach project. Maybe you can sign up.”
“Why do you have to be such an asshole?” Jordan asked as he poured a cup of coffee. His eyes grew even wider when he opened the cupboard where I kept the can of coffee grounds.
“Did you get a job and not tell me?”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m spending the day cleaning my shithole,” I retorted.
Please don’t let him ask. Please don’t let him ask. Please don’t let him ask.I didn’t want to lie to Jordan about how my cupboards were suddenly full, but I also wasn’t ready to tell him about last night.
“I'd ask if you robbed the grocery store, but even I can't imagine you being stupid enough to run down the street with a grocery cart full of food you didn't pay for.” Once Jordan had another pot of coffee brewing, he hopped up on the counter. “Seriously, man, I haven't seen this much food in your place since you moved in. What gives?”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I didn’t want to tell him, but I couldn't keep secrets. Not from Jordan. “Jack took it upon himself to do some shopping while I was sleeping off last night's binge. Happy now?”
I slammed the fridge closed. God, could this be day any more embarrassing?
Apparently, it could.
“Jack? You mean, as in Doug's brother, Jack?”
“Unless there's another pompous asshole named Jack who seems to have a bit of a savior complex?” I quipped.
“Nah man, he's not like that. He’s actually a down-to-earth guy.”
I let out a snort of laughter. “Are you fucking kidding me? Who in the hell goes to a casual party at his brother’s house wearing a three-piece suit? Someone who wants to flaunt their wealth, that's who.”
“Not with him,” Jordan insisted, and I rolled my eyes. “I get where you're coming from. I thought the same at first, but Jack is a really good guy. But I'm confused. If you think so highly of him, why did he buy you groceries? A better question… How in the hell did he know that you live like Mother Hubbard?”
“He gave me a ride home last night. You know that.”
“Yeah, and it's one hell of a jump from being a good guy and giving someone a ride home, to whipping out his credit card to buy groceries.”
