8. Chelsi
CHAPTER EIGHT
chelsi
“If I have to go back to being an accountant, I’m going to lose it.
I’ll adopt a dozen cats and become the woman who mutters to herself as she walks down the street.
That’s my future, Kate. I’m thirty-five and basically in my Golden Girls era.
” I lean into the top couch cushion, draping my arm across my eyes as I hold the phone in my other hand.
Kate sighs. “Brutal honesty or supportive cheerleader?” she asks, using my own words against me.
I groan and sit up straight. “You know I always go for brutal honesty…so lay it on me. How many cats do you think I’ll end up having?”
“Oh, Chelsi. I hate seeing you like this, but your life isn’t over. We’re definitely not at the level where you need to start adopting cats and wearing clothes made of nylon and polyester.”
A cold shiver runs through me at the mere mention of that fabric touching my body. Is it possible to be allergic to clothing? I’m about to break out in hives just thinking about it.
“That’s easy for you to say. Your career has been consistent since you graduated.
You didn’t throw away years of training to transition into a new career path because you woke up one morning and decided you hated numbers and would rather talk to people.
” My shoulders tense as I remember convincing Maddox to hire me on the spot three years ago without any actual PR experience.
I only had a knack for charming people and figuring shit out.
“This is merely one setback. You’ll find something new in no time. Didn’t Maddox offer to help you find your next role?”
I scoff and roll my eyes. “I mean, theoretically. But you know those offers are meaningless. It’s what everyone says when this happens, then no one bothers to follow up.
I’m sure as hell not going to be the one to reach out.
” Blowing out a long exhale, I pull my legs closer to me and rest my head on my knees, angling the phone so Kate can still see part of my face. “He basically fired us all.”
Kate winces. “You weren’t fired. The company was shut down. This was not a reflection on your performance.”
“Sure, we can keep telling ourselves that, but if Maddox believed in the leadership team and the work we were doing, the billionaire would’ve kept the company in business.
Or at least given us some idea he was considering closing up shop and allowed us time to address his concerns before he decided.
But no, the tech nerd decides one day, tells us the next, and we’re expected to move on with our lives like it wasn’t a big deal… when it’s a major fucking deal.”
My shoulders slump as I lean farther back into the couch, wishing I could disappear from this level of embarrassment. “I lost my job and my boyfriend within the same month. What does that say about me?”
“It’s only bad timing, Chelsi. The two things are unrelated. And you know—”
“Don’t start telling me about how everyone gets laid off at least once in their life. I’ve already heard that from my parents.”
Kate chuckles softly. “They’re not wrong.”
“I know. It doesn’t change how it makes me feel. I was doing some of the best work of my career until the rug was pulled out from underneath me without any warning. How could Maddox do this? Not that it impacts anything other than his ego. He’ll probably buy another yacht to cheer himself up.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force the image of Maddox telling us the company was closing out of my mind.
It’s been on constant replay since it happened yesterday, occupying my every thought and preventing me from getting any good sleep.
Even my attempts at giving myself an orgasm were fruitless after five different vibrators.
I’m not meant to go without sleep or orgasms for more than a couple of days.
“Are you worried about money?” Kate asks in a gentle tone, bringing my thoughts back to our video call. “I could cover my old portion for the condo. I still feel bad for moving out and leaving you with the responsibility of the entire payment.”
I hold my hand up, hoping to silence her on this subject without words.
Originally, I had no concerns about taking over the rent by myself because I made more than enough and detested the thought of finding another roommate.
Let’s be honest…you only hit the roommate jackpot once if you’re lucky, and mine was used up when I found Kate.
“I’ll figure something out,” I mutter, unsure of what the hell I’m going to do as my brain starts calculating how long my abysmal savings will last. Definitely shouldn’t have splurged on the three pairs of Christian Louboutins or the new wardrobe I bought for Hawaii.
Fuck.
Tears brim in my eyes as I blink them away, attempting to prevent myself from crying as I start to realize how dire my financial situation will be in a few weeks without a paycheck. This is my penance for investing in fashion rather than the stock market like a normal thirty-something.
“Can I suggest an idea?” Jake asks out of nowhere in his raspy voice, the one women all over the world go wild for, especially Kate.
My spine stiffens, not realizing he was listening in. Not that Kate doesn’t tell him everything anyway. I just don’t want anyone’s pity, so the fewer people who know what’s going on, the better.
“Why not?” I reply, changing my position on the couch so I look slightly less downtrodden.
Kate adjusts the phone to bring Jake into view. He’s sitting next to her on the couch with his arm slung around her shoulders.
“Are you committed to staying in Chicago long-term?” He raises his eyebrows and has a slightly mischievous look on his face.
“I mean…yes and no. There are six months left on our lease, so I guess I’ll be here for at least that long.
Then, who knows? I definitely don’t want to go back to my hometown.
Can’t stomach living with my parents again.
” I shudder, thinking about what it would be like to move back into my childhood bedroom.
Doing it for a few months, like Kate did when her mom was in a car accident, is one thing, but having to do it because you didn’t make good financial decisions is another.
“Most of my connections are in Chicago. It’ll probably be easier for me to find a job here. ”
God, I’m going to have to start networking.
I may love talking to people, but making bullshit small talk in the hopes of getting a favor out of someone one day in the future is my least favorite thing to do.
I’d rather get a pap smear than go to a networking event.
Don’t even get me started on my hatred of so-called coffee chats.
“Move in with us,” Jake says, taking the phone from Kate and pulling her in closer until she rests her head on his chest. “Let me cover the remainder of your lease in Chicago. Stay with us for as long as you need until you figure out what’s next.”
“I couldn’t—”
“You can and you should, Chelsi. It’d be great to have you closer,” Kate adds.
“Take it from someone who experienced a major life event that turned his world upside down.” Jake glances at Kate and smiles.
“This could be one of those moments that changes everything about your life—forever. You deserve the time and space to take stock of what you want and plan how you want your next chapter to go. Let us give you that. After the way your life was disrupted thanks to me in the last year, I owe you one.”
“I don’t know,” I mumble, avoiding eye contact. It’s an incredibly generous offer and part of me wants to accept it, but I hate to feel beholden to anyone. Not that Jake or Kate would ever intentionally make me feel that way or expect anything from me in return.
“Please let me do this for you, Chelsi. You’re family.”
Silence hangs on the line for almost a full minute as I run through various scenarios in my head about how to make staying in Chicago work long-term and whether that’s even what I want. The reality is, I don’t know. I never considered any other alternative until today.
I sigh. “I don’t want to interrupt your extended honeymoon. The two of you fuck like bunnies. I can only imagine it’s gotten worse since the wedding.”
A sheepish grin grows across Kate’s face, and her cheeks redden.
Jake chuckles. “You’re not wrong. I can’t keep my hands off this one. We’ll put you in the guest room at the other end of the house, so you shouldn’t hear us…that much.”
“Jake!” Kate cries out, lightly smacking his chest and looking even more embarrassed.
He shrugs. “What will it be, Chelsi?”
They both stare at the camera, their gazes boring into me and slowly breaking down all of my reasons for turning down their generous offer.
It’s not like I have much left for me in Chicago. No boyfriend. No best friend. No job.
Maybe change is what I need. A different location to start over and reinvent myself.
“Okay,” I answer, nodding as I try to process what it will mean to have not one, but two roommates.
To start fresh in a city I’ve only ever visited.
To figure out how to turn this shit sandwich into something that doesn’t stink up my life forever.