Until it’s time to meet my realtor, I head for Fantasy Realm so I can check on things there for a while. Sarah has been doing amazing running the store in my absence. Inventory has been completed, orders have been filled, and when new stock comes in, she takes care of it immediately. The other girls look up to her and have been keeping the store running smoothly without any issues. All I need to focus on is the paperwork side of the business it seems. I’ve brought it home with me in order to catch up and process all of the payments I need to send out to vendors.
Today is hot as hell out again and I chose to wear another skirt and tank top. The only difference between now and theother day when I saw Rex is that I’m not wearing a suit jacket over it. I only do that when I’m at work and have the potential to get a last minute meeting with a new vendor or when I’m waiting on the customers. There’s a need to remain professional at all times when I’m at work for more than a few minutes. I’ll go in and grab a cup of hot chocolate and the paperwork I need to take home with me to work on once I’m done looking at new houses.
“Good morning and welcome to Fantasy Realm,” Sarah greets me as I enter the store and head for the counter.
“Good morning, Sarah. It’s just me,” I answer her as I head for the coffee area. Today I want all of the extras in my hot chocolate. Extra whip cream and chocolate drizzle. I also want the largest cup we have so it will last me part of the way through looking at houses.
“Hey, Boss Lady. You doing okay today?” she asks me, walking out from behind the counter and making her way over to me where the coffee station is. Usually one of the employees would be making this for our customers, but it’s my shop so Sarah lets me do my thing.
“I’m doing okay. Just stopped in to grab a hot chocolate and the paperwork. I’m meeting with a realtor today to look at new houses,” I answer her, adding all the extras to the cup I’ve already poured hot chocolate into.
“That’s exciting! I always love looking at new houses. I don’t go to them in person, but view listings online almost every day,” she says, a large smile on her face as she stands next to me with wide eyes when she realizes how much extra stuff I’m adding to my cup. “You have a rough morning or something?”
“No. Well, I mean it’s been a rough couple of weeks if I’m being honest. So, today, I’m treating myself to this extra-large hot chocolate with all the extras that will fit in my cup. I’m goingto need it while I walk around a ton of houses until I can find something I’ll love and be able to make my own home,” I answer her as she starts to laugh with me because it’s going to be tedious walking through each house until I find the perfect one.
“Girl, if it were anyone else going through all the shit you’ve been through, they’d be a damn puddle on the floor at your feet. Now that you’ve been fully cleared, have you started your training again?” she asks me, knowing I used to train with my brother when he was still alive.
“I have. It’s really slow because I’m stiff and sore more often than not, but I’ve been working on the moves he taught me and going through the routines we worked out. Plus, I’ve added in yoga and meditating each morning when I wake up. It’s helping me, I think. Eventually, I think I’ll find a gym to go workout at and see if they have any kind of boxing program. Maybe something else I can do in place of boxing. I’m not sure if there’s one that’s close enough to Glendale,” I answer her as I finish putting my drink together and take my first sip. My eyes slide closed as I savor the sweet taste filling my mouth before swallowing it down. “That’s really good.”
“What about Feral Fights? It’s a gym in town and run by the motorcycle club,” Sarah suggests, a dreamy look on her face as she stares off into space.
“I know where it is. I’ve passed it a hundred times when I’m out riding. I don’t think that’s what I’m looking for, Sarah. Isn’t it just a gym for the club members?” I ask her, knowing I’ve never gotten close enough to the gym to know anything about it.
“Not at all. They offer classes for everyone there. Any level of training is okay and I’ve heard the few ol’ ladies in the club go there a few times a month to train. I’m sure they’re not the only women in the gym if club members are there to work or for their own workout. I’ve also heard they have a ring and some of theguys do boxing. There’s even fight nights a few times a month,” she informs me as I look from her and turn my attention so I’m looking around the store.
“I might check it out. Not sure if I want to go there for training though,” I tell her as I point out a few things I’d like changed in the store. Sarah makes notes and I know everything will be taken care of before I come back in tomorrow.
I head for my office and grab the paperwork for the last few days before leaving with my hot chocolate. Getting in my car, I make my way to the realtor’s office so we can head to the first house she has for me to look at. I want to stay in Glendale, but I’ve been thinking about moving away for a while. No, I don’t want to leave Elara and the kids, but I need to do something different. My life has become stuck in a rut and it’s something Debbie helped me notice that fact. It’s time for me to venture out and change my life in positive ways.
Janice and I spent hours looking at various houses around Glendale. My hot chocolate ran out after the second house and I wanted more. Just when I was ready to give up and remain at my parents’ house, she took me to one last listing. The house just came on the market and no one has seen it before now. I take my time wandering through each room and fall in love with it immediately. There’s a pool out back that’s a new installation and I can already envision myself sitting out here on my days off and sitting on the steps leading into the shallow end when it’s too hot out. I’d love to be able to swim in the pool, but I can’t because I don’t know how. Maybe one day I’ll learn so I can finally make Bhodi proud. The only thing I would honestly change is adding a hot tub for the winter months when it’s too cold out and my body is sore as hell from TJ’s attack. I know I’llhave lasting pain that lingers from the damage he inflicted on me.
The house is all on one level and has a finished basement with a separate area for the hot water tank and heating unit. I’ll upgrade that so it’s central air. There are four bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining room, a massive living room with a fireplace, laundry room, and three bathrooms. Two are in bedrooms while the last one is in the hallway where the laundry room is. The kitchen has been updated and everything is brand-new. All of the appliances come with the home as well. When I say they’re brand-new, they still have the wrapping on them for protection when they’re in the store or during delivery. I can see myself painting a few of the rooms to better colors that suit my tastes and I’ll turn one of the bedrooms into an office for myself. I want to get an entirely new set-up for myself so things are easier if I choose to work from home.
“Janice, this is the one. I want it. I’ll do a cash offer for ten thousand over the asking price,” I announce as I enter the living room where Janice is waiting patiently for me.
“I had a feeling this would be the house for you. It’s perfect for a starter house and is different from your previous home,” she says with a large smile on her face as she pulls out the paperwork I need to fill out.
With my name signed on the dotted line, Janice assures me she’ll call the homeowner as soon as she gets back to the office and alert them of my offer so they can either accept or decline it. I’m hoping they accept it without hesitation so we can get this taken care of and I can move in immediately. Janice is hopeful and believes they won’t turn my offer down. Especially since it’s a cash offer and I’m willing to pay ten thousand above their price. It puts the cost above market value.
Leaving Janice, I drive back through town and stop at the diner for something to eat because I didn’t have lunch. I notice all of the bikes parked on the edge of the lot and almost second guess my decision to stop here for food. However, I’m not a scared little girl and can handle the possibility of seeing Rex for a few minutes. I wasn’t planning on eating my meal in the diner anyway. I want to go home so I can work on the paperwork for a while before going for a ride on my brother’s bike. It’s a nice day and I want to feel as if he’s with me today. Taking his bike out always makes me feel as if he’s riding next to me.
Parking away from the bikes, I grab my purse and head in the diner. There’s a line of people waiting to be seated on the main floor as I bypass them and head for the register to place my order. A young girl greets me with a large smile.
“Welcome. Can I help you with something?” she asks me, her voice soft and melodic as I hear Rex begin talking to someone.
“Um, yes. I’d like to place an order for takeout,” I respond, turning my body away from the direction of his voice so the temptation to see him doesn’t overtake me.
“Certainly. What would you like?”
“I’d like a cheeseburger with mayonnaise, ketchup, tomato, and light lettuce. Can I have French fries with that and a small container of brown gravy? I’d also like a hot fudge sundae and an orange soda,” I give her my order and wait for her to gawk at me like waitresses usually do. I have a healthy appetite and won’t starve myself no matter who I’m with.
“Okay. I’ll have that right up for you. Would you like your drink now while you wait?” she asks me, never once losing her smile.
“Please. Can I actually get two sodas? One for here and one to take with me?” I ask, adjusting my order because I am thirsty after walking around all day. I should probably have my walker, but I forgot to bring it with me.
“Of course. I’ll get that drink for you and your order will be ready shortly,” she says, turning and leaving me to take a seat at the counter between an older couple and two older men. None of them pay attention to me as I look around the diner.
Rex is sitting in the back of the diner with a large group of men. He’s already staring at me as I quickly look away from him. I’ve seen more than enough of the jerk over the last few weeks and he constantly seems to be turning up when I least expect it. Today has already been long enough and I don’t need his shit on top of it all. Rex is a pain in the ass when he wants something and for some reason the conversation we need to have is at the top of his list. I understand why, but he needs to realize I’m not ready and I don’t know when I will be. At some point, we will talk but it won’t be today. For now, I just want to get my food and go home where I can once again be alone before going for a long ride. It will be the first time I’m on Bhodi’s bike after TJ’s attack and I hope it can be a long ride. That my body won’t hate me for doing something I miss and love.
