Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Yeah? Feel free.”
“Actually, about that. Daddy and I have decided that it’s time for me move out,” I said tentatively.
Ralph snorted. “Your alcoholic of an old man is finally kicking you out, huh?”
“Ralph! You shouldn’t talk about him like that.”
“You’re in denial, baby girl. The only reason that he kept you for this long was because you were his meal ticket. Now that he’s got someone else, someone who can take care of all of his needs, he doesn’t want you around. When are you going to see your father for what he really is?”
My stomach rolled, and I swallowed hard. Parts of Ralph’s words rang true, but my father was the only family that I had. Even with everything happening, I couldn’t just talk about him like that. It wasn’t right. Glancing over his shoulder, I saw that he wasn’t doing any work at all. He was looking at sports scores. “He does want his girlfriend to move in with him. I get it. He wants some alone time with her.” And my last paycheck. “I’ve got a week, and then I need to find a new place.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” he said absently. I’d already lost his attention. Desperation welled up inside me, and I decided to just come out and ask. It felt a little like begging, but what other choice was there?
“Maybe I could stay here? I can help pay rent. Help keep the place clean. You’ll be able to focus more on your job.”
Ralph snorted. “I see. So now that I have a decent job, you expect me to support you? Is that it?”
“What? No,” I cried out, leaning forward. “Not support me. Seriously, Ralph, I can help pay. I know that you’re between roommates…”
“You can’t afford enough to be a roommate,” he cut me off. “And I’m not about to have two people crowding me here.”
“I could stay until you get a roommate,” I tried again in a small voice, but he cut me down with a cold stare. Leaning back in the cushions, I wrapped my arms around my body. I had this idea that Ralph was going to be my hero, and now he was abandoning me. Didn’t he realize the kind of trouble that I was in?
His phone rang, and I looked away as he answered it. Once again, I felt weak and powerless as a lump formed in my throat. Furiously, I tried to gain control of my emotions. I wasn’t going to fall apart right here in front of him.
“Of course. I’ll be right in.” Hanging up, Ralph stretched. “I’ve got to go, babe. My CEO’s assistant is calling me in. I think big things are about to happen.”
“Good for you,” I whispered, trying to look back at him without crying. Plaster a smile on my face. Pretend that my life wasn’t unraveling right out from under me.
“Babe, don’t be upset.” He leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “We’re just not at that part of our relationship where we should live together. You want us to work, don’t you?”
“Yes. Of course,” I nodded. He had a point. Maybe moving in would jeopardize our relationship, and he was just protecting us as a couple.
“You’re a smart girl. You’re going to figure something out. I’ve got to get ready, but I’ll call you later, okay?”
“I’ll just wait for you to get back.” The fact that things still weren’t working out for me made me want to go home even less, plus Rosaria had already moved in and was making life there hell for me.
“No, you won’t.” Ralph frowned at me as he stripped off his t-shirt. I watched his half-naked body and tried to stir up some interest, but there was nothing. He wasn’t a bad looking guy. A little too pale and slender, but he had nice blue eyes and great hair. I liked running my hands through it when he kissed me.
It was about the only thing that I liked when he kissed me, but that would change too, right? When we were more comfortable around each other.
His words finally sunk in, and I widened my eyes. “What?” I was flabbergasted. “You’re not going to let me stay while you’re at work?”
Buttoning up his shirt, he shrugged. “I don’t like people in my apartment when I’m not here.”
I wasn’t just ‘people.’ I was his girlfriend. He couldn’t trust me?
“Ralph,” I protested. “I’m not going to steal anything or snoop. I just want to watch some television.”
“I said no,” he said sharply. “God, when did you get to be like this? This sniveling, whining bitch? Pull yourself together, Daisy.”
Flinching, I closed my eyes. “Yeah. Okay. I’m sorry.” Dazed, I grabbed my purse and stood.
He straightened and smiled as if he hadn’t just yelled at and humiliated me. “Thanks, babe. I’ll talk to you later.” Maybe he was just under a lot of stress at work, and I needed to respect that.