Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Hey,” Skylar said, startling me out of my thoughts. “I…uh, thanks for tonight. But you don’t have to stay. This could take a while.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Sky,” I replied, using his childhood nickname, and he nodded, looking a bit reassured. We may have only reunited as friends, but no way was I going to leave him when he needed one most. “Hey listen, have you had any other problems in your building, with repairs or stuff not being up to code?”
“Not really. Maybe a couple of things here and there.” He motioned in the direction of the fire chief speaking to a short, bald man near the curb. “Bob is the super, and he’s a good guy.”
“Okay, cool.” I blew out a breath quietly, not wanting to appear too alarmed, but I worried that he might be living with faulty wiring or something like that.
“I know this place might not seem like much, but it’s rent-controlled and the only one I can afford.”
I wouldn’t tell him horror stories about other rent-controlled properties I was aware of. Ones that had changed owners, only to leave the apartments in substandard condition, banking on tenants moving out so they could charge the next person more for rent.
Skylar added, “If there’s even anything left…”
I squeezed his shoulder, trying to offer support, and he shut his eyes, seeming to appreciate the contact. It was hard seeing him broken up like this, but given that everything he owned was inside…it was a distressing situation.
The next couple of hours were spent waiting for the firefighters to do their thing and then assess the damage. I found a concrete post to lean against near the parking lot, suddenly feeling guilty about driving the expensive car parked just feet away while Skylar was hoping to still have a place to call home.
I stood when Skylar strode toward me, hopefully with news.
“We need to make other arrangements for a while because of the smoke and water damage, but at least my place didn’t go up in flames. They said I can come back to get my things when they give the all-clear, which will be…who knows when.”
I patted his back. “Fuck, glad to hear it.”
“Me too.” He winced as he glanced toward the mom and teen, who undoubtedly had far bigger troubles. The neighbor Skylar had approached upon our arrival was making his way toward the parking lot, and Skylar asked him, “Will you be okay? Where will you go?”
“My mother’s place. How about you?”
Skylar glanced at his phone. “I’ll probably do the same. I can crash on her couch.”
“See you later,” the man said, waving over his shoulder.
But Skylar was distracted as he scrolled through his phone, no doubt for his mom’s number, and just as he was about to punch it in, I reached for his wrist, making a split-second decision.
“Hey, it’s late, so why don’t you call your mom in the morning?” I said, and his eyebrows knitted together. “What I mean is…stay at my place. I have a guest room.”
“No, I couldn’t—”
“I insist. My car is right there, and you’re totally beat—who wouldn’t be after all this? You’ll have a clearer head in the morning,” I pointed out.
He sighed, looking weary, and I wanted nothing more than to help him out.
“Okay, sure. Thanks.”
7
Skylar
Clark gave me his address, and I drove my car to his place. Mine wasn’t a great vehicle, but it ran, I kept up on the maintenance, and it looked okay. It helped that I didn’t drive it all the time, often opting for the bus or a car service, but I also didn’t want to leave my vehicle at the apartment for who knew how long while they worked on my place.
Fuck my life.
The last thing in the world I wanted was to have to move in with my mom. I loved her like crazy, but…she was a lot sometimes.
I knew if I asked, Jesse would let me crash on their couch, but I didn’t want to put him out either. At least Clark was letting me stay with him tonight. That would help.
I wasn’t surprised to see he lived in a posh neighborhood, with a price tag too steep for me to be able to afford it—not that I’d want to. I was happy with my life. I didn’t need all the extra stuff.
Clark had two parking spots in the underground lot, so I pulled my Honda up beside his Audi, then followed him to the stairs. So strange to think I was heading up to Clark’s apartment. I’d thought of him often over the years, but never expected to reconnect, yet after one day, there we were.
“Thank you again for letting me stay tonight. Seriously. I appreciate it, man.”
“No problem. What are friends for?” He gave me that shy Clark smile that made me feel like a chocolate-chip cookie that just got pulled from the oven.