Renley
Work began to consume his life. He accepted all the overtime he could get and when he wasn’t on the job, he was hunting for apartments—and getting more frustrated by the minute.
Most of them denied him because he didn’t have enough work history.
So he kept looking, hoping that he didn’t end up in a bad part of town.
Despite being fought at every turn, he started paying Shannon part of the rent.
Apparently best friends weren’t supposed to take money for letting the other sleep on their couch.
He was just walking off of a jobsite to get rid of some debris when Eveline pulled up. As usual on weekends, she brought them lunch. “Need some help there?” he asked, meeting her at her car door.
“Yes, please.”
He took the bags of food and waited for her to settle into the wheelchair—what a hassle that must be each time. “Why not get one of those cars that you can use sitting in your wheelchair?”
“Pride I guess.”
“Did that question bother you?”
“No. It’s natural to be curious.”
He shrugged and stole a peek into the bags.
“You okay? You seem off?”
He cocked his brow. “I’ve hardly said anything.”
“Not just today. In general.”
“Just frustrated with finding an apartment.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” Kitten.
As they entered the property, he tried to mask his irritation.
Not at her, of course, but the whole situation.
He wanted to ask her out, wanted to take her on dates, but he felt shitty doing so with his life in shambles.
Maybe he was too hard on himself. After all, he had come a long way since he’d been released.
Once his shift finished, he went to an apartment complex near the Galleria area.
It was a little more expensive than he cared for, considering he wanted to have a financial cushion in case anything happened.
To his utter surprise he was offered a studio on the spot.
It was even accessible. He was offered a move in date two weeks out if he could pay the deposit right away.
He’d never obtained a money order faster.
In the days leading up to the move, he realised how… unprepared he was. And found himself feeling rather immature for finding a place without having thought of cutlery . He stalked the local thrift stores for the basics, even splurging on a new mattress.
Shit , he hadn’t realised how expensive those things were.
By the time move-in day came, he’d even thrifted a couch and a dining set. Shannon stayed right by his side and, usually the first to tease him about anything and everything, he was oddly quiet.
Once they had everything moved in, Renley handed his friend a beer and some food, falling onto the couch next to him. “Thanks.”
“Why do you look so depressed? This is what you wanted, right?”
He shrugged and downed half his beer in one go. “I thought it would look less broke.”
“You’re starting from scratch, and you have the most essential items. Remember when I moved out the first time? All I had was a microwave that I stole from my mom.”
Renley chuckled, remembering fondly how they’d snuck that thing out of his parents’ house. “Yeah.”
“It’ll fill up soon enough.”
Picking at his ketchup with a fry, he sighed. “I’ve wanted to ask someone out, but felt stupid doing so if I didn’t even have a place of my own. I just thought once I had it, I would feel confident enough to do it.”
Shannon nearly choked. “Who? And why am I only hearing about her now?”
Renley had no idea how to tell him that his new boss was also the woman who’d paid him for sex, so he omitted that little detail. “She’s my boss.”
That earned him a slap against his chest. “Man, you just got that job!”
“I know, but we’ve been flirting, and she let it slip that she would like to go on a date.”
“I repeat: ‘You just got that job!’”
Without the whole story, he couldn’t blame Shannon for being aggravated with him, but Eveline had been ashamed of their night. Well, of how it had happened, not the events that followed. “It’s stupid, I know.”
“And still you’re going to do it.” Shannon truly seemed upset, and Renley wanted to tell him the whole truth so badly, but he wouldn’t without Eveline’s consent. “You’re just getting on your feet again and now you’re going to risk it for some hot girl. Who’s your fucking boss !”
“She’s not really a girl… She’s thirty-four.”
Shannon grunted disapprovingly. “Fucking idiot. Do whatever you want, but don’t come crying on my shoulder when it all falls to hell.”
“How long will you be upset with me?”
Shannon rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Probably until I get home and realise my best friend is no longer in the next room and I actually have to leave the house to see him again.”
“Lazy fucker.”
They both laughed it off, and Renley truly hoped that one day he could tell Shannon the whole truth.
The next day, he asked to take a longer lunch at work.
He cleaned up as best as he could and—armed with flowers and a cupcake—drove to Harris & Gomez headquarters.
With Houston in the midst of the Rodeo and her comment about wanting to see him with his hat, he at least wanted to take her to the carnival.
The actual rodeo and concerts were sold out, but he could give her this.
Even though this was what she’d asked for and he’d promised, his heart pounded furiously against his ribcage. Drying clammy palms on his jeans and combing through his hair before hiding it under his cap, he got out of the truck and walked into the office to be greeted by Mira.
Shit , maybe the flowers were a touch too much. “Is Eveline in?” he asked, surprised at how confident he sounded.
Mira grinned, curious, but nodded. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” He didn’t dare look toward Jeronimo’s office before he knocked on Eveline’s door.
“Come in.” As the frosted glass swung open, he was met with that smile that made his heart stop. “Oh, hi there.”
“Hi.” Kitten. He smiled back at her. “Am I interrupting?”
“It’s welcomed.”
He closed the door behind himself and handed over the flowers. “Good. I was hoping to bring a smile to your face today.”
Smelling the flowers, she grinned up at him. “That you definitely did.”
“I wanted to see if you’re free on Saturday.”
“I am.”
“I’d like to take you to the carnival.”
“Will the answer determine if I get that second surprise you’re hiding behind your back.”
His lip quirked into a cheeky grin. “Maybe.”
“I would love to go with you.”
“Perfect.” He then handed over the cupcake, her eyes beaming when she realised it was one of Selene’s. “What time would you like me to pick you up? I don’t want to get in the way of your cats’ schedule,” he teased.
“Wise choice,” she laughed, indicating the seat behind her and holding up the cupcake. “If you have a little time to spare, I’ll share with you.”
“I do.”
“We could go in the afternoon and if you meet me at my place and let me drive us, we’ll get premium parking.” Her voice vibrated in a blessed hum as she took another bite of the cupcake.
“Only an idiot would say no to that.”
When the sweet treat was devoured, she cleaned her fingers and spoke again, offering him a napkin of his own. “So, you found a place?”
“Moved in this weekend.”
“Congratulations.”
“Don’t make me blush.”
She laughed and leaned back, her soft eyes sending a warm shudder down his spine. “It feels odd, doesn’t it? It did for me, at least.”
“It does, though I must say the comfort of a mattress makes up for it.”
“Don’t miss the couch?” she teased.
“Fuck no, I don’t think my back will ever be the same.”
“I’m happy for you. It’ll feel like yours soon enough.”
Could this woman be any sweeter? “Thank you.”
She scribbled something down on a sticky note and looking at it he saw her number and address. “What do I have to bring so your cats don’t shred me apart? Treats? Tuna?”
“You might not even see them. They’re a bit skittish.”
He folded the note before placing it in his wallet for safe keeping. “I don’t want to be on their bad side the second I step in.” Then he stood and smiled down at her. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
“I can’t wait.”
He practically skipped out of the office, unable to hide the pep in his step or the goofy grin on his face.
This felt good.
This was right.