17. A night at home and money woes
17
A NIGHT AT HOME AND MONEY WOES
Archer
“Tomorrow, huh?” Neil nudged me as we sat on his couch eating a new vegan ice cream I’d bought.
“No idea what you’re talking about.” That was a big fat fib. I’d been counting down the hours until Micah got back from his trip and my cock was in a state of panic. I’d kept my word that I wouldn’t jerk off—but I’d come close to breaking it—as painful as that was.
Getting in the shower each morning and evening, my hand slid to my arousal while the water pounded on my head and shoulders. But Micah’s voice in my head saying, “No. No. No,” had me slamming my fist against the wet tiles, tears of frustration mingling with water. Damn that unicorn shifter. Even when he wasn’t here he was in my head, and my other bits.
In bed at night, instead of jerking off, I lifted my legs and my fingers tapped around my hole, longing to shove them inside me leading to an orgasm. But what I really wanted was Micah sharing my bed. Him cuddling me, his lips on my hair and his cock in my hole.
And as Neil sat beside me tasting the ice cream and commenting, “Not too bad” as he licked the spoon, my dick was uncomfortably hard. Even my wolf was irritable and complained he needed to hunt at least once a day. That wasn’t happening, though I did cycle to Daire’s parents’ place one night and gave my beast his fur. That reminded me of the first time I’d been there. The night I saw Micah’s unicorn.
“Do too. Don’t lie.” Neil brought me back to Earth with a bump. He was good at sussing out how I was feeling .
“Oh, yeah that,” I shrugged but I got a look from Neil. Why was I pretending? For myself. Not wanting to get too excited and be disappointed, I tamped down my expectations. “We’ve been getting on okay.”
“Better than okay based on the way you skipped down the stairs yesterday,” he observed.
Swallowing the last of my ice cream, I turned to him. “Do you think there’s a way for us to work out?” Poor guy. He and Ivor must be tired of me asking the same question. Hours of insomnia since Micah had been gone, had had me coming up with possibilities of how he and I could build and sustain a relationship. Being together but not mating went against instinct. My wolf didn’t understand the word and yet it guided him in everything he did. He needed to be near Micah.
“I’m not a shifter historian,” Neil sighed. “Heck, I’m not even a shifter, but I believe in love.”
Putting an arm around him, I pulled my friend in for a hug. “After the upheavals in your life and all you’ve had to overcome, I admire you for being so positive.”
“Thanks. I’m taking steps to change things.” He stared at the empty ice cream container. “Shame we finished it.”
“Thinking of becoming a vegetarian or maybe a vegan?” I asked. Was that the change he was referring to?
“I wouldn’t go that far but it’s probably a good idea to reduce how much meat I eat. For me and the planet.” He tossed the container in the garbage. “I’ve accepted the offer to coach the youth soccer team.” I didn’t mention it but I noted how he gripped the kitchen counter as he spoke.
“Was that a difficult decision?” I asked as I licked the last of the ice cream from around my mouth.
“Mmmm. It’s terrifying but small steps.”
“If the coaching session is on the weekend, I can come too if you’d like. Not that I can help but having a friend with you might be comforting.”
“That’s sweet of you. I might take you up on that. My therapist is pleased with my progress, especially when I told her I went and had coffee by myself and then went shopping for clothes.”
“Neil, I’m so impressed. That’s not small steps, it’s huge strides.”
“But I was glad to be home and close the door.”
“I feel that way when I arrive back from work. Home is a safe space for everyone. Or should be,” I clarified, thinking of people for whom that wasn’t true.
“And it’s where I both live and work.”
Neil earned a good income from his regular job. And while many people would disapprove of what he did, he didn’t see it in quite the same way. There was a need and he filled that need. But he was torn between wanting a job that was intellectually satisfying, but probably didn’t pay well, and continuing his present work which brought in a steady income .
“Let’s change the subject and talk about you and Micah.”
“Let’s not,” I disagreed. “I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“Fine. Who else’s love life can we dissect? What about Ryder and Ivor.”
“Is there something to discuss? Ivor has a crush on the guy. That’s it unless you have concrete evidence.”
“Not sure. But Ryder kneeling in front of Ivor and giving him a raise that night on the roof almost brought me to tears,” he said
“Do you think they’ve admitted to the other person that they’ve developed feelings?”
We shared a glance and then both said, “No. Kellan.”
“While he’s still flitting in and out of Ryder’s life, I don’t think they should move forward,” I told him.
“Poor Ivor.”
“Poor Ryder. Maybe as Ivor’s friends we should bring it up?”
“What would we say?” Neil asked as he hugged a cushion. “Ivor, you told us you like Ryder but it’s a bad idea to act on it, so don’t do it because it may destroy any chance of happiness you have.”
I made a face. “Yikes. When you put it like that…”
Daire
“I’m sorry, but your loan application has not been approved.”
Sitting in the car outside the bank with the banking loan officer's words repeating in my ears, I caught a glimpse of how hard life was when you didn’t have enough money. Not that I would ever understand grinding poverty—I was what they called extremely privileged—the frustration at not being able to accomplish what I wanted, and the constant refusals had me looking at life differently.
My parents had refused to co-sign the loan and the only income I had was money from a trust that I received each month. Yeah, there was that privilege again. I had a trust and got income from it. How lucky am I?
Ivor was grateful for a few hours of work each day in Ryder’s office. I didn’t have to worry about where my next meal was coming from. And that reminded me I was hungry. Maybe there was a burger in my future.
None of my college friends were in a position to help me out. Most had no idea my family was wealthy and my best friends all lived in Sunshine Manor. And I couldn’t go to any of my parents’ business associates. They were as tightfisted as my folks and besides, Father had probably warned them I might ask.
This is what Father called being an adult. It kinda sucked.
I was still holding out on selling my car. Yeah, I’d do it but needed more cash to make up the shortfall.
So where does that leave me?
Run . Hunt , my grizzly insisted .
Soon.
Wishing Micah was here, I scrolled through my phone. Even though he was only about ten years older than me, he acted as a friend, a buddy but sometimes as a surrogate father. And he was in the property business. He might have some ideas.
“Hey, what’s up?” he answered.
“When are you back?”
“Tomorrow. Why? Something wrong?”
“Don’t worry, there aren’t any leaks or other disasters. Well, that’s not strictly true, but the building’s standing.”
”You got me worried wondering what I’d find when I arrive.”
“Nah, man, nothing like that. And Archer’s fine.” I cackled at that. He hadn’t asked but I bet he wanted the deets. “Though he seemed to be in pain yesterday.”
“What?” I held the phone away from my ear as he shrieked.
“Not so loud,” I complained.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“He was bent over. Maybe he got hit in the groin. When I asked him, he said it was nothing and it’d be sorted in a few days.” Micah laughed, which was weird. “Hello, did you hear what I said?”
“Yes,” he sniffed and snorted. “Archer’s doing as I asked. He’s being a good boy.”
Ewww. “Na. Na. Na. Na. Na. I can’t hear you.”
“Much as I enjoy chatting with you, was there a reason for the call?”
“It’s the same problem. Money. Or lack of it,” I explained.
“Never thought I’d hear you talking about not having enough cash.”
“Mmmm, wouldn’t have until I got cut off,” I admitted. “It's hard.” More than that. I’d looked at the income in and the money going out for this month and even if I sold my baby—my sports car— there wouldn’t be enough.
Micah didn’t speak and there was rustling on the other end. “I have a proposition.”
“Whoa, I don’t need a loan. That’s not why I called. Just needed someone to listen to me whine.”
“I get it. But hear me out. I don’t have a lot of spare cash since Jason cleaned me out.” He paused and I imagined him grimacing. That fucker who stole from my friend. Both Ryder and Micah had fallen for the wrong person. “But since I’ve been at Sunshine Manor, I’ve saved up some.”
“Pleased for you, man, but as I explained, I’m not borrowing money from you.”
“Not a loan. I become part owner of the building.”
That wasn’t what I was expecting. We’d all fought so hard to save our home, so no one else would take it over. Could I hand over Sunshine Manor to Micah? If it had to be anyone, it’d be him.”
“I know what you’re thinking, Daire. ”
“You do? Okay, tell me,” I said as I rolled my eyes.
“You think I’ll whisk it out of your hands and you won’t get a say in what happens. Much like your parents treated you. They owned it but never consulted you on what you thought.”
“Yeah, sort of.” That was exactly how it’d been.
“My contribution won’t be huge. Not even a quarter of what the place is worth. And sure you’ll need to discuss with me before making decisions and we need a lawyer to draw up paperwork, but if you agree, I’ll be a partner, a friend, not your boss or your enemy.”
Everyone pitching in to stop the sale of the building was great, but when they complained about a rent hike, and suggested I sell my car, I felt so alone. But my name was on the deed. Father had made sure of it, sending the papers from his lawyers for me to sign.
“Okay. What do I do?” I’d been so used to my parents making decisions about everything in my life, I had no idea how to go forward.
“I’ll guide you. I’m not taking over. This’ll be a learning experience for both of us. We’re in this together. An injection of cash will help but we have to come up with a concrete long-term plan on how to get Sunshine Manor to pay for itself.”
“Thank you. You saved my ass. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. But can I ask one more favor?”
“Okay.” He sounded wary and I didn’t blame him.
“Don’t share any deets on whatever you and Archer do when you’re alone.”
“Deal.” I could hear the smile in his voice.