Page 54 of Keeping Katie
My heart warms, and I can’t help but smile. “That’s awfully selfless of him. A lot of landlords around the city jack up their rent prices so they can make the most profit. How does he find the families?”
Marie, the real estate agent Grady arranged for me to meet, has been so kind since the moment we shook hands. I can see why he recommended her.
“He works with schools and veteran offices to find them. He’s been doing it, gosh,” she says, tapping her chin, “probably for the past fifteen years or more. He’s my favorite client.” She laughs, and I don’t blame her. If he’s purchased that many houses from her, he probably keeps her income nicely padded.
“Well, that sounds wonderful. Are you sure about the price, though? My previous agent had told me the house wasn’t worth anywhere near that amount.”
She scowls. I wonder how it’s possible for such a sweet woman to also have such a terrifying expression. “Yes, well, Calvin is quite the scum of the real estate industry. Several of us have been trying to get his license revoked for years, but for whatever reason, it hasn’t happened.”
That’s strange. I should probably contact the life insurance company that recommended him to me. Although, I’m not exactly impressed with their business practices either.
“Are you sure you want to sell this place, though? It’s a great house,” Marie says, looking around again.
I follow her gaze and let out a sigh. “It’s either sell this or Twisted Bean. Though I have good memories here, the coffee shop means more to me because it was my parents’ dream.”
The woman gets a misty-eyed look and steps forward to hug me. I’m surprised by it at first, but then I hug her back. This is definitely the sort of person to do business with. She actually cares. It’s touching.
“I’m so sorry you’re in this position. You seem to know what’s most important, though, so I understand your decision. Well, let me talk to my client and see what he thinks. He’s a cash buyer, so it would be a quick sale. You’d have a check within a week.”
My jaw nearly hits the floor. “A week? Oh my gosh. That would be amazing. The insurance company has been breathing down my neck for me to settle my parents’ hospital bills.”
The scowl she had earlier returns, and she shakes her head. “Well, give me a few days and you can tell them to shove that check where the sun don’t shine.”
I actually snort as I burst into giggles. I throw my arms around her again. “Thank you, Marie.”
She gives me a squeeze, then grabs her briefcase and heads for the front door, her sky-high killer heels clicking on the wood floor the entire way. I don’t know much about BDSM, but she gives off what I’d imagine would be Dominatrix vibes. It’s hot.
When I’m alone again, something settles inside me. I swear I can actually feel the weight that’s been holding me hostage lift and float away.
Slowly, I wander through the house, stopping in each room to give it one last look. Memories play through my mind like a movie. Christmas mornings, pancake Saturdays with my dad, birthdays, and snow days. By the time I make it back where I started, tears stream freely down my cheeks. I miss them, but they gave me a life some people could only hope to have. They gave me unconditional love. Even on the darkest of days, no matter how sick they were, they loved me. I’ll miss this place, but the thought of it being a home for someone in need makes it easier to walk out of the front door for hopefully the last time.
As I head to my car, I dig through my purse for the keys. I need a smaller purse. Or a car with one of those fob thingies, so I don’t always have to dig in the endless black hole I carry around with me.
“Thought I was going to have to come in to talk to you.”
My head snaps up so fast it gives me the spins. An icy shiver runs down my spine. “Calvin,” I say.
“Yep,” he says slowly, popping the P at the end.
Is he drunk? It’s not even noon yet.
I look at my car and wince. He parked directly behind me, blocking me in.
“Can I help you with something?” I ask.
He staggers forward, and I take a step back. Shoot. He is drunk. Not only is he not walking in a straight line, but he reeks like he slept in a bourbon barrel.
“Oh, you can help me, all right. You and me, we were going to be great, doll,” he slurs. “I was going to sell this piece of shit house, and then I was going to celebrate by fucking you in it.”
My stomach twists. I swallow several times, trying to urge the bile to go back down. I wouldn’t have fucked Calvin if he were the last guy on earth.
“But noooo,” he sneers. “You sent your boyfriend and his fucking gangster friends to see me. They walked in like they owned the goddamn world. And now…nowall of my assets are frozen, and you don’t think I would put two and two together? You bitch.”
I take another step back and shake my head. “Calvin, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t send anyone to see you, and I have no idea what’s going on with your assets.”
He lurches toward me. Like a rabid animal trying to catch prey. I swear he’s even foaming at the mouth. Letting out a scream, I try to dodge him, but excruciating pain sears through my ankle as I twist it. Unable to hold my weight, I fall backward and land on my tailbone.
Owwie.