Chapter 10 Never a Waste
Never a Waste
Savannah
“I’m going to bed,” Catalina said, standing in my doorway.
I smiled at the sight of her pajamas with various pictures of Pusheen scattered on the pink shorts. As much as she loved that sleep set, she never used the stickers on social media or when she texted me.
“Sleep well, Cat.”
She dropped her chin toward her neck. “You should get some sleep too, you know.”
I nodded. “I will, after I talk to Alanis.”
For the first time, possibly ever, I wasn’t looking forward to talking to my best friend.
At the hospital, she’d made it clear how upset she was that I’d hidden my audition from her.
The situation was so extreme and I knew she wasn’t in a position to help me.
I should have told her sooner, but… she’d have still probably been mad about it.
It all felt like a no-win scenario. We hadn’t even gotten into me being with Punc…
but then I wasn’t sure there was a ‘me and Punc.’ He slept on the couch because he felt obligated.
The way he held me in his vehicle earlier had felt good, but it also felt like we were just friends.
Catalina cut into my racing thoughts. “Yeah, I hope things are getting back to normal on the Alanis front. She was really torn up about you hiding your other job from her. She should hear you out.”
I pressed my lips together. “Yeah, I hope so. Good night.”
The sound of her door closing seemed amplified in the silent house.
I hadn’t lived here in almost five years, but when Mom was alive, she’d been a night owl.
The TV a constant source of noise to compete with other sounds.
That wasn’t there any longer, and my mind wandered to the enormity of the problem she left us.
I’d never had a problem this big before, and all I wanted to do was call Mom because where else would I turn? Yet… the thought brought me to tears and enraged me. I’d lost my rock. Even if my rock was the reason for my problems, she’d know exactly what to say.
I grabbed a tissue and wiped my eyes. Those tears weren’t going to solve a bloody thing.
My phone vibrated. I expected to see Alanis’s number, but the display showed Punc’s name.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. What’s up? Do you need something?”
He hesitated. “I don’t need anything, but you sounded… sad when you answered. Is something wrong?”
Now I hesitated, debating whether I should share. “I’m thinking about Mom. It happens more at night, especially now that I live here again.”
The sound of his sigh came through ever so faintly, and a strange curl of warmth spread through me.
Plenty of people showed empathy and sympathy for me, but getting that from Punc felt different.
Not exactly better, but far more soothing than from anyone else.
Like the difference between tomato soup versus chicken noodle soup when I had a sore throat.
Both could do the job, but only one cured what ailed me.
“Yeah, I’d say I understand, but I sure as hell don’t since both my parents are alive.”
“Right,” I whispered. Then I forced myself to talk normally. “Anyway, I can’t imagine you called for no reason.”
That got me another chuckle - this one more of a rumble. “You imagine wrong, Smythe. I don’t have a reason, just wanted to hear your voice and make sure you’re okay.”
“You dropped me off like three hours ago. Not sure why I wouldn’t be okay,” I muttered.
“I can think of one reason and you gave me another when you started talking about your mom. Anyway, I’m on break right now, so I can’t talk long.”
I gave a short head shake. “You’re wasting your break time talking to me?”
That drew him up short if his sharp inhale was any sign. “Talking to you is never a waste, Savannah.”
That was so sweet it shocked me into silence.
“You still there?”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
He sighed. “Nobody’s ever told you that, I take it?”
I scoffed. “Why would you say that?”
“Woman, you went so silent I heard your AC kick on. And that tells me you can’t believe I said that.”
I sat up in bed, laughing. “You did not hear the air conditioner, and you can’t get that from silence, Puncture.”
“Most people couldn’t, but I heard the way your parents spoke to you back when you were young. You’re more than just a pretty face, Savannah.”
My smile fell and I fought the bristle rising inside me. “Thanks for the reminder, Punc.”
“Desiree won’t be picking you up tomorrow.”
“That’s abrupt. Why not?”
He exhaled hard. “Turk’s woman, Suzy, was taken earlier today and so was Yak’s woman, Nora.
Just found out they’re both safe. We know Prime took Nora.
We don’t know how Suzy was taken - at least not yet.
Prime and Ghost have been arrested, but they could post bail unless they get a hard-ass judge.
I’m spending the night again so you’re safe.
Your sister gave me a spare key earlier this morning, so I won’t have to wake either of you when I get there.
Bottom line, you need to lay low and stay away from the club. Got it?”
My head tilted back in a very slow nod. “Yeah. I got it, Punc.”
“You sound bummed about having time off. What’s really going on here?” he asked.
I fought a frustrated growl. “Bills have to be paid, Punc. I’m not one for charity, and let’s be real.
Desiree claimed she needed help with her social media, but we never got around to it.
Only Lucy had me video her. I know what they were doing.
As much as I appreciate it, I have to earn my own way.
Dying isn’t cheap, Punc. Mom had some of her affairs in order, but not everything. ”
“And between the money you made here and what Rita gave you, I’d think you’d be sitting pretty.”
For some strange reason, I couldn’t tell him about Frank Darren.
I had to protect Punc from this mess in my life.
Him bringing up how my parents used to talk to me was bad enough.
Admitting that Mom had - for some mysterious reason - gotten into debt with someone like Frank, no, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Besides, it wasn’t like Punc could help with this.
“That doesn’t change the fact that money goes quick these days, Punc. And Catalina’s senior year is coming up. Have you seen the prices of senior photos? She gets those done this summer, so between that and her cap and gown plus all the other stuff… it’s a whack.”
“All right, I get it, but you aren’t cleaning houses tomorrow,” he said.
I chuckled against my will. “And who made you my boss?”
“I did. My break’s almost up and you need to go to sleep. What do you want for lunch tomorrow?”
My brows drew together. “Lunch?”
“Yeah. I’ll be sleepin’ on your couch, but I have to hit the clubhouse before noon. When I’m done there, I’m bringing back lunch. This time I can get you something better than Mickey D’s.”
I hesitated because I wasn’t fussy, but I also wasn’t very decisive. “Um…”
“I’d get fajitas, but they don’t travel well.”
“A sub sandwich might be good,” I suggested.
He hummed for a second. “Fine. I get the feeling you’re trying to cheap out on me, so I’ll hit Rosina’s and get meatball subs and cannolis.”
My lips curled with a small smile. “Thanks, Punc.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at your place.”
I ended the call half-wondering what the deal was with him.
Right before the accident, all the signals were there that he was interested in me.
However, the way we’d ended things Wednesday night after our kiss, he’d made it clear that we were co-workers and we both would pay the price for being more than friends.
The phone rang with Alanis’s ringtone. “Hey, kiddos are all in bed?” I asked.
“Yes. Triple encores tonight from Dalton. Thank God I’m not having any more kids, or I’d tell you to remind me of this shit. How are you doing now that you’re home?”
I stifled a yawn. “I’m as good as can be expected at this point. And I’m really sorry I hid the dancing from you.”
She blew out a sigh. “Wish we were face-to-face for this conversation, but I get your side of things.”
That was a complete one-eighty from how angry she was at the hospital. “You do?”
“You can thank Michael for that,” she said with affection for her husband in her tone.
I gave a short chuckle. “Why is that?”
“He played devil’s advocate. Pointed out that if you’d come clean about the audition I’d have probably come and blocked your driveway or your path to the doors at Platinum’s. Even if I had to have Nina strapped to my chest while I did it.”
I smiled at the visual. “Yeah. I could see you doing that, almost like Elastigirl from The Incredibles.”
“Exactly the description he used.”
Another reason I loved Michael for Alanis, he had a heckuva way of getting her to shift her perspective.
“Are we cool?” I asked.
“Yes, because you won’t be dancing anymore.”
I sighed. “Nobody said that.”
“Savannah, you can’t—”
“Alanis, I paid Frank two grand the Friday before my attack, and I owe him another two grand at the end of the month. Thanks to how crowded it was Sunday night, I’ve got enough to pay him for June, July, and August. Even so, that will only lower the debt to roughly thirty grand - assuming he doesn’t do something tricky with the interest, but either way this amount of money is outrageous. ”
“Report him. Come stay with us - you and Cat both—”
I shook my head. “Honey, you don’t have the room, and we’d totally cramp your style.”
She sighed. “I hate this for you.”
“Me too,” I admitted. Then I changed the subject. “How much do you know about your brother’s motorcycle club?”
“Probably as much as you do. If you’re curious, why don’t you ask him?”
I told her what Desiree said about the Riot MC being outlaws.
Alanis sighed. “Yeah. He and Dad got into it when he first earned his patch. Dad got on a soap box about how taking the law into your own hands is never the answer.”