Chapter 3
THREE
“You have got to be kidding me!” I exclaim, gawking. “I’ve lived here for three years—”
“I will refund last month’s rent,” Otis responds. “Look, Mackie, I like you as a roommate, but my girlfriend wants to live with me. You have to understand.”
“Without warning? Where am I supposed to go?” I snap angrily. I’ve lived here since college. Yeah, it’s small and cramped, and I could afford something better, but it worked. Besides, I like having a roommate, even if Otis and his girlfriend can be loud when I need to sleep.
“You have money. Stay in a hotel until you find a place.” Otis shrugs. “You can pack your stuff another day, but we’d like you out tonight.”
I can’t fucking believe this. Otis and I aren’t besties in any sense of the word, but I thought we had more loyalty.
I guess not. My jacket and shoes are still on, so I storm to my room, pack a bag, and stomp past. “I’ll be back for the rest,” I snap, “and I want two months refunded for the hassle.”
He swears, and I slam the door behind me, taking the stairs down to the lobby since the elevator has been out of order since I moved in.
Like I said, I could afford better, but it never bothered me.
It was close to Starfire, and I’ve never needed a lot of space.
Yes, my income is better now, but that doesn’t mean I want to splurge on a crazy place where I only lay my head to rest. Most of my life is on a track, and I’m barely at home, but I suppose I need to find somewhere else.
Where am I going to stay tonight?
My first thought is to go to Noah, but I don’t.
This isn’t his problem to solve, and besides, he will never take me seriously if I keep relying on him to solve everything for me.
I could stay in a hotel, but the closest one to the track is on the other side of the city in the richer area, meaning my commute would be a bitch, and I need to be there early tomorrow for the new photographer.
I wander the pier the apartments overlook then lean against the railing as I watch the boats pass. It’s cold, so I wrap my jacket tightly around me, my bag at my feet. I’ll need to figure out arrangements soon. I can’t afford to be tired because my schedule is packed.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out. When I see Sky’s name, I answer, knowing he’ll just keep calling otherwise.
“I’m hungry,” he whines.
“Eat with Bones,” I reply grumpily.
“He’s studying at the library and told me I wasn’t allowed to bother him. Apparently having sex with me isn’t studying,” he grumbles. “It isn’t my fault he looks hot when he’s reading.”
“You’re like a feral street cat,” I mutter.
“You okay? You sound stressed,” Sky asks, and I frown as I stare at the city, shivering in the cold. “Mack?”
“I am stressed,” I admit.
“Meet me at Grandma’s.” He ends the call so I can’t argue, and I sigh. Sky is a good man, and he’s as close to a brother as I’ve ever had, but I know he won’t understand. I like my routines, and I don’t want change. He’d just throw money at the problem, but that’s not my style.
Putting my phone away, I spare the river one last glance then sling my bag over my arm. I head to Grandma’s, knowing he’ll just keep bugging me if I don’t.
He arrives before I do. I sit on the wooden bench seat, sliding my bag under the table. I hoped he wouldn’t notice, but of course he does.
“What’s with the bag? Running away?” he jokes.
I shrug, and he narrows his eyes but signals and orders from Mama. I’m silent as I pick at my food, and he watches me the entire time. Thirty minutes later, Bones turns up, and they whisper between them before Skylar sighs.
“Alright, out with it.” My head snaps up, and his eyes narrow. “Unless you want me to kick your ass to get it out of you or call Noah.”
My eyes widen. “No, don’t!” I hold up my hands, and he smirks.
“Then out with it,” he demands as Bones chuckles and looks between us. I like Bones a lot. He’s funny. He’s also the only person who can keep Skylar in line. I like seeing them happy. They deserve it.
Since Bones spends so much time with Sky, we’ve gotten close, and I know Sky likes that Bones has more friends to surround himself with.
“My roommate kicked me out with no warning.” I sigh. “I’m going to have to find a new place to live.”
“He can’t do that. Did you sign a rental agreement? Let me look it over,” Bones replies, sitting taller.
“I don’t want to argue.” I shrug as I look at my food, playing with it. “It’s fine. I’ll find somewhere else. I just don’t have a lot of time to look, and the commute is already killing me with our new schedules.”
Skylar frowns when I glance up. “Want me to kick his ass?”
I crack a grin. “Nah, his girlfriend will do it for me. It’s fine. I’m just being dramatic.” I raise one shoulder, and he sighs.
“Where are you staying tonight?” Bones asks.
“I’ll find a hotel somewhere,” I answer. “I don’t have a free day until next week, so I’ll stay there until I can look for a place.”
“Like hell. You need sleep, and the closest hotel is an hour away,” Sky protests. “Just take one my old places. I have a few of them in the city. I’ll be kind on rent, so you don’t have to worry about finding someplace. Just take your pick from one of my dick dojos—”
“Dick dojos?” Bones repeats. I was also going to ask that very same thing.
“Yeah, well, it’s where I first got your dick.” Sky grins as I blink, scarcely believing this is my life.
“And it will be the last,” Bones hisses in embarrassment, sparing me an apologetic look.
I just lean back, knowing how this will go.
They don’t argue, but their conversations are insane.
Sky truly is odd, but Bones isn’t much better.
I genuinely never have a clue what they are going to say to one another.
“Nah, angel, because then how will we make a baby?” Skylar asks softly.
Bones sighs so deeply, I swear I feel it in my soul. “Skylar, for the hundredth time, we are two men. We can’t make a baby.”
“Doesn’t stop me from trying.” Sky wiggles his eyebrows. “Besides, I read that article—”
“You mean fan fiction?” Bones interrupts. How many times have they had this conversation?
“Wait, there is fan fiction between you two?” I ask, and they both look at me.
“Yup, and it’s this genre called Mpreg. Very eye-opening and creative,” Skylar replies.
Mpreg? I’ve heard of it but can’t say I’ve read it.
“Wait, who gets pregnant?” I ask curiously, distracted from moping for a moment.
They share a look, and Skylar grins as Bones blushes. “My angel, of course, and he looks so cute as a daddy, and then I’m his daddy.”
Jesus Christ.
“Well, this is enough to scar me for life. Remind me never to go on the internet again. Who writes this?” I mutter.
“Probably Sky,” Bones scoffs, making me grin. He’s right.
“Anyway . . .” I cough. “This has been both traumatizing and enlightening, but I don’t think I could sleep at your place knowing what you two get up to.”
“Or eat at his place.” Bones smirks, and I gawk.
“Eat? Skylar, are you a fucking animal? I’ve eaten at your place!” I roar.
“So have I,” Skylar says, wiggling his eyebrows.
Covering my face, I debate how the hell I became friends with such a lunatic as I hear Sky ask Bones, “Want to try to get pregnant again?”
Seriously, someone kill me now.
“Babe, I told you the only way I’m getting close to one of your sons is when I swallow it,” Bones growls.
“Shit, don’t say that. I’m hard—”
“I can still hear you.” I drop my head back and look at the sky. “And I’m still traumatized.”
“Wait until you read the fanfic about you and Noah.” My head snaps up. “I sent it to Noah once, and he didn’t speak to me for a week. It was raunchy stuff.”
“Wait, what?” I ask.
“I’ll send it later. Anyway, one of my apartments is on the south side.
Bones has never been in it, nor has any other man,” he says before I can speak.
“I bought it to support the building since I was investing. It’s bare and basic, but it’s yours if you want it.
” He grins slyly. “Or you can call Noah and be a damsel so he can save you. I bet he’s into that kind of thing. ”
I groan, not wanting to call him. Besides, he would be uncomfortable with me in his house. He avoids me enough at work. I don’t think I could handle him avoiding his house because I was there.
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to rely on anyone—” I start.
“Mackie, we are friends. Let me help you, okay? It’s empty, so you’ll be doing me a favor,” Sky insists. “If you won’t go to Noah’s, then please take it. I’ll still charge rent, so it’s not a favor or a helping hand.” He knows how much I hate that.
Bones leans over. “Just do it or he’ll kidnap you there anyway.”
“Nah, I save the kidnapping for you, angel,” Skylar teases, but he turns serious when he looks at me. “Aren’t we friends?”
“Of course,” I respond automatically.
“Then let me do this, please,” he implores as he pulls his keys out and takes a fob off. “Here, take it. I’ll text you the address.” He throws money on the table and grabs Bones. “No take backs, bye!”
I watch him go, gawking as I glance at the fob with a deep sigh, but a smile soon curls my lips.
I guess that’s one problem solved, and knowing he’ll charge me rent does make me feel a little better, but I’ve seen Skylar’s tastes.
I really hope it’s not some penthouse or I might turn around and leave.
I guess there’s only one way to find out. After adding a tip, I grab my bag and jump in my car, entering the address he texted me.
The building is a high-rise, like those around it.
They form a triangle with a park and some vendors in the middle, but it’s all closed up at this time of night.
I park in the spot with the number for the building and walk through the lobby, wincing in the elevator when I realize it’s on the top floor.
When it opens, I find more doors, which is good.
Striding down the carpeted hallway, I search the numbers until I find the double door at the end.
Fuck. Already regretting my choices, I scan the fob and let myself in.
I drop my bag on the floor inside the door as I search for a light since it’s pitch black in here.
When I find a panel on the side, I hit it a few times until the lights turn on, bright and blinding.
Glancing back at the panel, I realize it controls the apartment, and I know this is going to be bad.
The floor is dark wood, and the small foyer area I’m in has a table to the left with some decorative shit on it and a mirror above it.
There’s a door to the left, and I peek inside to find a closet.
Shutting it carefully, I walk to the open doorway and into the living area.
It’s basic, like he said, but fine hotel basic.
To the left is an alcove kitchen with a counter and chairs splitting it from the lower level, which is the living room. There are two couches and low chairs facing a fire pit in the middle and a massive TV coming down from the ceiling.
The skylight above lets in starlight, and balcony doors open out to a small seating area. I shake my head at the opulence before I notice the stairs tucked in the back corner. Heading over, I ascend them.
Luckily, there’s only one bedroom, and the stairs lead directly to it.
I find a king-sized bed with another skylight above it, two side tables, and lamps with another control panel.
Lights turn on under the bed as I walk closer and open the door to the right, which conceals a walk-in closet that leads to a bathroom with a tub and separate shower.
Shaking my head again, I collapse onto the bed and stare up at the skylight.
It’s more than I can afford, and I know Sky won’t charge me the full price, but I stress for a moment before deciding that’s a tomorrow problem. I need to get some sleep. I’m exhausted and need to be up early for makeup and hair for the new photos Noah texted about.
Heading downstairs, I grab my bag and leave it packed, knowing I probably won’t stay long. I turn on the shower and step inside, letting it wash away the day, but as usual, my thoughts go back to Noah.
Is he at home or still working?
Does he think of me like I think of him?
My hand drifts up, brushing over my lips as I remember the kiss once more. It seems like a dream now. It’s probably a nightmare for him, but it’s what I hold onto and why I keep fighting a losing battle.
One day, I’ll have to give up, but for now, I clutch onto that dream again, cursing the fact I met him.
I wish he would see me the way I see him.