“It would be a great solution to your problem, too,” he adds.
“I can’t live there without paying.”
“So, you’ll do it?”
No!
No.
No.
Sadie, what are you doing?
The girl’s code sets her whole world on fire.
I open my mouth and close it again. Barring a typhoon or a major illness, do I have any way out of this?
“Let me think about it. It’s very kind of you … but my mom relies on me to help, and only if James is happy with it. I don’t want to cause him any stress or …”
He squeezes my fingers. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day,” he says, as if it’s a done deal.
Oh, shit.
Chapter 6
Sadie
As soon as I’m back at my desk, I pull up website after website searching for an apartment: anything to get me out of the hole I’ve just dug for myself. I’ve got an advance on my paycheck now, which has bought me some time. I can stay where I am for a few more nights until I find a sensible alternative. I absolutely can’t live with someone who I have an unfortunate crush on, doesn’t want me there, and is now my boss. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen.
In the middle of all this, Jake starts messaging me:
Any word on your pay?
Did you ask?
But I just ignore his texts as I sweat through numerous websites and send out around thirty messages. All the apartments are insanely expensive. I book another night at the hostel and text my mom that I’m staying with my friend for a few more days because we’ve got a deadline. Mom never worries if I’m working hard. She wants me to do well, to make her sacrifices worth it, and I totally get that. Anyone who doesn’t has never been poor. Her message back is simply: “Fine, baby girl.” I’ve got to talk toher about Jake, but hopefully this will hold things for a bit until I get settled.One problem at a time.
As I head out of the office, I jam my headphones into my ears and press play on an audiobook. As a warm voice fills my head, the day starts to fade into the buildings beside me and I take a deep breath. I’m just in a fight scene where the hero has challenged someone to a duel, when somebody grabs my arm, and I jerk back hard as I stare up into a pair of weaselly eyes.Fuck.
“I knew you fuckin’ worked around here,” Jake says, triumphant. Then his eyes narrow. “Where’s my money?”
Goddamn Jake and his debts. “What do you mean,yourmoney?”
He jerks back. “The money for your mom’s and my debt.”
All the mistakes of the day bubble up inside me. “It’s not her fucking debt, is it? She’s never owed anyone in her life.”
He glowers at me. Normally, I don’t answer Jake back, but it’s like ever since he touched me, the lid that I keep slammed down on everything has been pushed open.
He shakes my arm. “Don’t give me that fuckin’ lip. Did you get the money?”
“Of course I didn’t!”
His eyes narrow. “You didn’t fuckin’ ask, you spineless …”
“You’re delusional. Why would they advance my paycheck, Jake? A girl with no qualifications who lives in social housing in Queens. I swear you have no brain cells.”
“Don’t you fucking talk to me like that! Your mom’s gonna hear about this.”
