Page 55 of Empire of Lust
“Why? So you can have a patrol car parked at the curb day and night?”
“You know me too well, sweetheart.”
* * *
“What do you think?”The building’s burly owner stands in the doorway leading out to the hall, thumbs hooked into his belt loops. “I don’t want to rush your decision, but I have three interested candidates who already looked at the place.”
I’m sure he does, but I also know this is a pressure tactic to get me to make up my mind. “It’s really nice,” I tell him, and it’s the truth. There are plenty of windows, so I’ll get lots of sun, and the living space itself is bigger than I expected. The kitchen is compact, but the stove and fridge are brand new. The bathroom is a nice size and extremely clean. There’s not a speck of rust or grimy grout.
“Of course, I’ll need first and last month’s rent upfront,” he continues. “But I ran your credit application already, and everything looks good, so I’d have no problem with having you sign immediately.”
Now I sort of wish I’d let Dad come with me, as childish as it sounds. I don’t like feeling forced into this. I’m not the kind of person who’s ever been able to make split-second decisions, at least not over something as big as this. Signing a year-long lease is a big step, and I’ve never taken it by myself.
“Can you give me till tomorrow morning?” I ask, turning away from the windows in time to watch him scowl before he fixes his expression.
“I’ll be in my office by nine.”
“Good. I’ll call you first thing in the morning.” My footsteps echo off the new laminate floors as I cross the room and head for the door.The couch could go here, and my bed in this corner. I could buy a screen to partition it…“Thank you so much for taking the time to show me the place. I really am interested. I just need to—”
“You don’t need to explain. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He locks the door behind us and follows me down the stairs to the busy sidewalk. Quaint shops with apartments on the upper floors line the opposite side of the street. A girl walks past with two leashed dogs while a couple crosses her path, pushing a stroller. The little girl inside reaches for the pups, and everybody smiles, including me.
I love the idea of living in the center of everything, being able to walk to the corner store or to one of a dozen restaurants within a couple of blocks. Seeing the same people every day and getting to know them. The commute to work will be way simpler. With all the good that comes with this place, it still has its cons. Living here means leaving Callum, and I realize as I say goodnight to the landlord that the thought of leaving him is what’s holding me back. I could make it work here for a year. The problem is, do I want to?
It’s this or risk my friendship with Tatum. I know this is the safest way. The only option that leaves our friendship in one piece and their father-daughter relationship intact. Even if it hurts, I need to do the responsible thing. Being an adult means making tough choices, though this one seems to have made its own choice.
“What did you think? Are you moving in?”
My stomach clenches and my heart takes off at a frightening speed when I whirl around and find Lucas sitting on the front stoop of the building next door.There’s no way he’s not following me.I shiver at that knowledge. He’s dressed in a T-shirt printed with the gym’s logo, so maybe he just came from work to spy on me?
“What do you want?” I growl because, damn it, I will not shrink back and let him scare me. “And why the hell did you bother my dad? Can’t you get it through your thick head that we’re over?”
He has the nerve to look offended as he stands and brushes the back of his shorts off. I could push him into traffic and not blink. I should. “With that attitude, I assume you don’t want to hear what I have to say?”
“What you have to say?” I’m almost shocked at the audacity. “Why would I care what you have to say?” I throw my hands into the air with frustration. “I listened to you for years. I bought every lie and every excuse. Every word that came out of your mouth, I heard. In my eyes, you hung the moon. Not anymore. I’m tired of listening to your bullshit. It’s over. We’re over.”
His lips purse like he just sucked a lemon. Good, now he can be the wounded one. “I guess you thought it was pretty funny on Friday night, didn’t you? Who was that guy?” he grunts, lowering his brow as he approaches.
We’re in the middle of a busy sidewalk, and it’s barely six o’clock, meaning it’s still fully light in late June. I have nothing to be afraid of, and he’s never hit or threatened to hurt me, so why do the hairs on the back of my nape stand on end?
I back up a few paces, glaring at him. “It’s none of your business who it was. Nothing would’ve happened if you had left me alone. I’m not going to ask you again. You need to stop doing this.”
“I’m sorry for giving a shit. I only care about what’s good for you.”
He can’t really be serious. “You’re not any better of a liar than you were a boyfriend.”
His chest puffs out. “I’m serious.”
“Congratulations. It’s about time you gave a shit,” I snap, before barking out another bitter laugh. “Because you didn’t when we were together, and you know it. All it took for you to notice me or give a shit was for me to breakup with you.”
“This isn’t funny. I’m fucking serious, Bianca.”
I can’t believe how stupid I was. How did I not see him for who he was years ago? It’s all so obvious now. The way he twists my words to make him the good guy doing his best while I’m the unreasonable one.
“You’re right.” I sigh. “It’s not funny. It’s pathetic. For five years, it was fine for you to run around and have your own life while I sat around waiting for you. Do you know why Tatum’s the only good friend I have?” I don’t give him the opportunity to answer. “It’s because she’s the only one who stuck around when you did everything you could to keep me away from the rest of the world. She was too damn stubborn. But you? You did whatever you wanted, no questions asked. How dare you stand there and tell me you give the slightest shit about what’s right for me?”
The weight on my shoulders lightens. That felt good.
“Listen to you.” His lip lifts in a sneer, and his gaze trails down my body in a predatory way. “I’m almost surprised by the outburst, but not really, given all that rough company I hear you’re keeping lately.”