CHAPTER 31 MINA
My hands shake as I pace in the bathroom, my phone clutched to my ear like a lifeline.
“Pick up, pick up,” I mutter as I pace. The line connects and butterflies surge in my stomach when I hear his voice.
“Hey Princess. How’d it go?”
“We’re on for Friday night.” My voice definitely just cracked. Shit. I was trying to sound cool and collected, but I failed miserably. Hopefully he didn’t notice.
“Awesome. We’ll make sure to have the place ready by then. You ok? You sound upset.”
Fuck, he noticed. Might as well be honest. “I’m not sure I can do this, Alex,” I whimper. “It was hard enough to flirt with him for less than a minute. I don’t know if I can stomach any longer than that.”
“Well, if it all goes according to plan, it’ll be worth it. You’ll never have to deal with him again if we can pull this off. I know it’s going to be hard, but you’re strong, and can do hard things.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“You’re welcome. I believe in you. This will go fine, trust me.”
I take a deep, shuddering breath and shut my eyes. “I trust you.”
Friday night comes too quickly. I would describe the feeling in my gut like butterflies, but very violent, horrified butterflies. I clench my hands to stop them from trembling as I wait for Jason to bring his car around. His headlights blind me momentarily as he turns into the portcullis in front of the hospital. I get in the car, fighting back my nausea with every breath.
“I’m so glad we’re finally doing this,” he purrs, his eyes looking black and cold in the dark interior of the car. “Hopefully you realize that you deserve better than that janitor scum.”
Heat rises in my core, and I want to bite back with a sharp retort, but I swallow it down. Instead, I plaster on a fake smile and imagine I’m a barbie doll.
“I’m glad, too. I think this will be good for us.”
“So, your place first, right? So you can change?”
“Yes please. Don’t want to wear this on our first date. I’ve got a much better outfit planned!”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
The rest of the drive is mostly silent, with me occasionally giving directions to what Jason assumes is my place. We pull into the parking lot in front of Alex’s building, and I can tell Jason is trying to veil his displeasure.
“You live here?”
“Yep! For a little while now.”
“I don’t know, Mina. It doesn’t look safe for an enchanting young woman like yourself.”
“Oh, it’s plenty safe. I love all my neighbors, and with the low rent, I’m able to save more money.”
“I guess that makes sense,” he mutters as he parks the car.
I don’t invite him up, but he doesn’t wait for an invitation. He gets out and begins to follow me up. Perfect. I reach the front door first and take a deep breath before unlocking it. As I swing the door open, it takes all of my willpower not to gasp. Alex has outdone himself.
Garbage is strewn around the apartment, littering the floor and piled high in the corners and on every counter and tabletop. There’s dirty laundry in strategic heaps, and the sink is overflowing with filthy dishes. The stove looks like it’s caked in some sort of primordial ooze, and there’s a large puddle of mystery liquid in front of the refrigerator. The smell wafting out of the doorway is enough to make my head spin.
Remember the plan, Mina . I turn to Jason with another plastic smile. “Come on in! Don’t mind the mess, I tidied up some yesterday, but I was just too tired to finish it all. I’ll clear a spot on the couch for you.” I beckon to Jason as though I don’t have a care in the world. “Come on, I won’t be long.”
Jason is perfectly still, staring through the open doorway with wide eyes. His face holds both a thousand emotions and none at all as his mouth opens and shuts, but no sounds come out. At last, he speaks but makes no move to cross the threshold into the apartment.
“This… this is your place?”
“Yeah, it’s not much, but it’s home!”
“Mina, I… I can’t… does it always look like this?”
“Oh god, no!” a laugh bubbles out, though not for the reason I’m sure Jason thinks. “No, it doesn’t always look like this!”
The faintest look of relief flickers across his face, but vanishes as soon as I continue enthusiastically, “it’s usually so much worse. Like I said, I did a lot of cleaning yesterday to get ready for you to come over.”
“And you’re ok with… with all of this?” He gestures weakly at the disaster before us.
“I mean, if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t live here, would I?” I laugh again. “A home should feel lived in, right? Comfortable.”
“This isn’t comfort, it’s squalor!” His eyes flash as he hisses the words, his voice taking on a razor-sharp edge.
Finally. He’s losing it. This is working! “Well that’s kind of rude.” I pretend to pout, crossing my arms in front of me. “It’s really not that bad. Come on in and see for yourself.”
I was hoping the mere sight of the apartment would be enough for him, but to my surprise, he walks inside.
Alright then. Time to up the ante. I skip over to the couch and dramatically shove a large pile of clothes across the cushions and toss a pizza box and some fast food wrappers on the floor. Jason looks on, horrified.
“Here ya go! You can wait here.”
“I think I’ll just stand, thanks.”
“Suit yourself! If you need to use the restroom while I change, it’s right here.” I saunter over to the half bath and fling the door open and have to stifle a cackle. Alex didn’t miss a detail. The small trash can next to the toilet is overflowing with what looks like used feminine hygiene items. Even from his vantage point near the couch, they were visible.
It takes every ounce of my willpower not to howl with laughter as I watch the color drain from his face. Instead, I furrow my brows and feign concern.
“Hey, are you ok? You don’t look so good.”
“I don’t feel so great. I’m sorry, I’m going to have to cancel and head home.” He turns and heads for the door like he’s got vipers nipping at his heels.
“Oh, ok I guess. Rain check?”
He turns to face me when he reaches the door and takes one last look around the apartment. “Um… no. Sorry. No.” He shudders and practically sprints through the doorway, slamming it behind him as he leaves.
I bite my lip and count to ten, doing my best to stifle the relieved laughter welling up inside of me. I can’t take the risk that he’s right outside the door, waiting to call my bluff. I hear a car peeling violently out of the parking lot, and I run to the window. It’s him, driving like the apartment is planning to chase him all the way home. My legs buckle, and I drop to my knees as the laughter comes pouring out, accompanied by tears. I didn’t realize just how anxious I had been the whole time until it was finally over. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my very soul.
I hear the patio door slide open, and I turn on my hands and knees to face Alex.
He’s laughing too, and I’m sure he heard the whole thing.
“So, baby, how’d it go?”
“Oh, you know, terrible,” I giggle. “I don’t think I earned a second date. Hell, we didn’t even make it to the first one!”
“Oh no, what a shame,” he chuckles as he sinks down next to me on the floor. “Whatever will you do? Become a spinster?”
“I suppose,” I sigh dramatically and scooch closer, sinking into his arms. “I guess I could adopt a colony of feral cats and keep them inside to reduce the risk of a rat infestation. At least they would love me. And when I die, filthy and alone, they can eat my body to save money on a funeral.”
“Hmmm, yes,” Alex nods solemnly before chuckling again and kissing the top of my head. “Alternatively, I could call my buddies who helped me set all this up, we get this place back to its tidy, former self, and then we relax for the night. Maybe even smooch a little. What do you think?”
I tilt my face toward him and smile. “Definitely better than being eaten by feral cats.”
“I think so, too. Give me a few minutes, I’ve got some calls to make.”