CHAPTER NINE — STEPHANIE
"Wait, you're evicting me? But I thought we had a deal," I say.
David sighs.
"I know. I can't explain it. There's some legal issues, but I have to do this. I genuinely am sorry. I'll pay you two months' rent to give you time to get settled. How's that sound?"
"It sounds like bullshit," I say. "You know what the housing market is like right now. I might not be able to find a place. I'm in the middle of school. You're so fucking selfish. Your generation has no idea what it's like out there."
The sympathy drains from David's face, and I notice him clench his jaw.
"And your generation has no fucking manners or concept of hard work. Everything's a joke to you. I gave you one chance to make things right, and what did you do? You squandered it away by showing up in this fucking ridiculous outfit."
"So my outfit is the problem?" I say. "I knew it."
David sighs. I can't say anything else. My blood boils. I've never been this frustrated in my life. Just then, the waitress comes by with the check.
"Two bills or—"
"I'll get it," David says.
The waitress hands David the machine and he inserts his card. There's a bit of an issue and he turns his back to me as he begins fiddling.
Just then, I notice his phone buzz on the table. The screen lights up a split second later. I can't help myself. I peek over. Like an idiot, his phone is unlocked, and it's open to a string of text messages.
Quick as a flash, I grab his phone and scroll. I can't believe what I'm reading. It looks like he's talking to someone who's giving him advice, maybe legal advice, telling him to kick me out.
I start getting angrier and angrier. I keep scrolling. Then I see a text message that makes my heart stop.
Please tell me you didn't do anything with her at least.
No… but trust me, it's not like I haven't been tempted, David replied.
Promise me you won't do anything, the man he's texting, whose name is Liam, replied.
You're already in enough trouble as it is.
If you get involved with her, there's no way in hell you'll ever be able to evict her.
And if you try, she'll be able to pull this trump card on you.
Trust me, man, it's not worth it, no matter how hot she is.
I know, I know, David replied. I'm not gonna do anything.
But if you could see her, she's probably the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
Unfortunately, she knows it. She's probably the flirtiest girl I've ever come across.
Although, maybe that's just how young kids are these days?
I can't quite tell if she has actually even been flirting with me, or if that's just how she acts all the time.
It sounds like she's into you from what you told me, Liam replied. But again, don't do anything. Just go on Tinder and find another hot 22-year-old and pretend it's her.
You know that's not really my thing, David replied.
And like I said, I don't think I'd be able to do that.
She's legitimately the most beautiful woman I've seen.
She has this power over men. I've seen it with my own two eyes.
In a way, I get why she acts like such a brat.
She's used to playing life on easy mode.
Men fall over themselves for her, and so she takes advantage of it. I can hardly blame her.
It's a shame, really, that I met her this way, because if I actually was able to ever do anything, I could probably also teach her some lessons. It seems like she's sorely lacking some parental guidance.
Ha, Liam replied. I didn't know you were into all that daddy/daughter stuff.
I'm not, Liam, David replied. It's more like, have you ever seen a beautiful woman with a dirty mouth, and you got the sudden urge to just put them over your lap and turn their ass bright red?
Well, it's happened to me a few times when I've dated sassy women, but never to this extent with her. I have to stop myself sometimes.
Whoa, whoa, there, Liam replied. You need to stop thinking about this woman, or you're gonna blow up your entire life, okay? Promise me you'll evict her today.
I will, I will, he replied.
Good. You're doing the right thing, trust me.
I'm just finishing re-reading that last message when I hear somebody clear their throat. The voice is deep and rough, definitely male.
I look up startled, and I find myself looking straight into David's baby blue eyes. They look like a sea storm.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asks, snatching the phone from my hand.