“Oh well, don’t let me keep you then. It was good to hear your voice, though.” She said sadly. Although I check in weekly, I know in her eyes it’s not like seeing me all the time if I was at home. I do get homesick sometimes but I’m not far away. They’re only in Santa Monica – it’s less than an hour away. I could make a weekend trip…
“Maybe, I’ll come for a weekend. I could do that. Take a few days off.”
“Really? Oh, Karen, I would love that.”
“Okay, let me check my schedule, and I’ll get back to you.” A smile tipped my lips, she sounded so happy. “I love you.” We said our goodbyes and I ended the call. My shoulders slumped as I threw myself back and hit the back of the seat. I always felt a bit melancholy when I came off the phone to my mom. I missed her so much. But I was finally getting somewhere with my work, andI couldn’t give it up now. I just had to push on and pull my big girl panties up. I could do that.
With a sigh, I pushed my shoulders back and opened my inbox. I hit Holly’s name and started to type out a text.
What would you say if I told you that I could get Roman Dean and his crew into your bar next Saturday night?
I wasn’t going to sit here and wait for an answer, because then it’d look like I was waiting on it. No, instead, I decided to keep myself busy and start cleaning. As I started tidying up, taking cups into the kitchen that Holly had left around, I heard my cell ping again. I left the cups at the side of the sink and went to check. I picked it up and opened the message, lightly chuckling at her answer,
I’d say you were fucking with me, and that’s not a nice thing to do to your best friend.
Quickly, I typed another,
Hahahahahahaha
I left the conversation and finished my housework. She was so going to kill me tomorrow.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Gavin
Standing in the spacious room, I looked around me. I was impressed. The apartment was all open plan, wooden floors, and light-coloured walls apart from one wall, the chimney breast was bare brick. The kitchen was quite small and minimalist but it’s not like I’d spend that much time in there, apart from opening takeaway cartons.
“Are you taking it?” Paisley asked as she took the place in. I’m sure she couldn’t wait to see the back of me either. “It’s the best one so far.” I’d asked Paisley to come with me because Nikki had done everything that she could not to be alone in the same room as me after the other night. She hadn’t even spoken to me for a day after I walked away and left her there. She got what she wanted. She wanted a fuck, she got one. I couldn't deal with her hot and cold anymore. I didn’t want a relationship and she obviously wanted more. We’re toxic together. I could see that but why couldn’t she? “Gav?”
My chin snapped up and I focused back on Paisley. “Huh?”
“Are you taking it?”
I pushed myself off the bare brick feature wall. “Yeah,” I could see myself living here. It was a little more than I wanted to pay but it was exactly what I wanted, a ground floor, one bedroomed apartment with floor to ceiling windows. It was all I needed. If this was in the UK it’d be some shabby flat with a poxy little window, and probably damp. Unless you get one of thoseluxury apartments that they seemed to be throwing up everywhere. “I’ll take it.” I nodded over at Paisley, still lost in my head.
“I like it, Gav. It’ll be perfect for you.” She strolled towards me, “Are you sure you’re making the right decision, though?” She asked, her brows met in the middle as she chewed on her fingernail.
I took her by the shoulders and smiled, “I’m making the right decision. That baby is going to be here soon, and it’s time to stand on my own two feet. You’ve got enough to deal with when Roman number two comes.”
She sighed lightly, “I know, but I just worry. And I know Roman does too.”
“I’m not being a burden anymore.” With a brief peck on her cheek, I leaned back and she looked me in the eye. “I deserve way less than what you’ve given me. I need to do this.”
With a nod in agreement, her arms thread around me, and she hugged me. “I feel like my child is all grown up.” Her finger brushed beneath her eye in a mock tear. “You know where we are if you need us for anything. You know that, right?”
“Always. You’ll be the first I call on. How’s that?”
“Perfect.’ She smiled. “Well, let’s tell the agent then.”
Before I left, I looked back into the apartment. I felt proud. All I had to do now was fill in the application.
Almost an hour later, Paisley and I sat down with the agent and filled in the paperwork. Roman and Paisley gave me a reference since they pay my wages, and I placed down sixmonths’ rent in advance. All I had to do now was pack up my room in Roman’s house and wait for the call to get the keys.
As I drove back up the driveway to the house, I turned off the engine and sat there for a moment longer. “You okay?” Paisley asked gently.
“Yeah.” I breathed but paused, “Pais,” I turned my head to face her, “I just wanna say thanks. You haven’t had to do any of this for me. You could’ve turned your back on me.” My eyes turned downcast, “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had. You had every right after what I did.”
She reached across; her fingers wrapped around my hand in a gentle squeeze. “No chance.” Her head shook. “I know we never saw eye to eye back at school, but I was never one to really hold a grudge. I think when all that went down, it was the angriest I’d ever been.”
