Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
My stomach churned as I lay back on my bed, my boots still on the floor.
I wasn’t sure what I’d gotten myself into, but I’d never in a million years rescind the offer.
Somehow, I passed out halfway hanging off the bed, and when I woke up the next morning my back was killing me and my mouth tasted like something had died inside it.
The house was quiet as I got ready and left for Otto’s. I probably should’ve waited until a little later in the morning before showing up, but I was wound too tight to sit around and I was sure they were already up for the day.
When I got to Otto’s, the curtains in the front window were open and I could see Esther and Noel sitting in the living room with the girls.
Ariel saw me first and waved excitedly as I walked up the porch steps.
“Come on in,” Noel said, opening the door almost as soon as I’d knocked. “You’re up early.”
“Forgot to shut my blinds,” I lied. “So, I got up with the sun.”
“Hey Titus,” Esther called, smiling at me over the back of the couch. “I hear you’ve got big plans.”
I glanced over at Ariel and Flora who were playing with some kind of figurines on the floor.
“They don’t know yet,” Noel said quietly.
“You’re movin’ in?” I asked, my voice just as low.
She didn’t answer me, instead turning toward the girls. “Hey, why don’t you go out back and get the eggs. Uncle Otto is already out there with Diana.”
“Okay!” they scrambled to their feet and were running toward the back door without complaint.
“Looks like he’s behavin’ himself,” I said to Esther as I glanced down at the baby she was holding.
“Mornings are getting a little better,” she said, rubbing Ansel’s back. “You’re stealing my sister?”
“Uh.” I wasn’t sure how to reply until she smiled. “Yeah, I offered. You know how big my place is and it’s gonna be even more crowded in here when the baby comes.”
“You don’t have to convince me,” she replied.
“I don’t?”
“You have to convince her,” she said, tipping her head toward Noel.
“You’re movin’ in?” I asked Noel as she moved into the living room.
“I have some conditions,” she said slowly.
Esther nodded in encouragement.
“Hit me,” I replied.
“First, I want to meet your other roommate. Otto said he was with you when you came to Washington.”
“He was,” I confirmed.
“I’d like to actually meet him. Before I move in.”
“Done. What else?”
“I want locks on both bedroom doors,” she said, glancing at Esther briefly. “I trust you, but I don’t know those other men and I’m not trying to be mean or anything but—”
“You’re bein’ smart,” I cut her off. “You can trust them, and eventually you probably will—but consider it done. I’ll buy some new ones today.”
“Otto and Esther are going to get me a car,” she said firmly. “I’ll pay them back as I can.”
“Works for me.”
“I’ll need a weekly paycheck,” she said, a little less firm. She chewed the inside of her cheek. “I don’t need much, but the girls and I will need some things and I’ll have to pay for insurance on the car. If we’re not living here, I’ll have more expenses.”
“Good, we’re in agreement, then.”
“That’s okay?” she breathed.
“Of course. Did you really think I wasn’t gonna pay you?”
“We’re already going to be living there,” she replied, like she was trying to convince me not to pay her. “And you’ll have to pay for groceries, at least for dinners, and—”
“I pay for all groceries,” I argued. “All.”
“That’s not really fair.”
“All groceries,” I said firmly.
“Um.” She looked at Esther again.
“Two days off a week,” Esther reminded her.
“She can have as many days off as she wants,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.
“And I can come over whenever I want,” Esther added.
“You already come over whenever you want,” I replied dryly. “Anything else?”
“Are you sure?” Noel asked quietly. “Really sure?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, then we’ll move in with you,” she said, her eyes widening.
“Now that it’s settled,” Esther said. “Could you go get my husband? He’s got an apology to make.”
Noel left the room, and I raised my eyebrows at Esther.
“He felt like a jerk after you left,” she explained.
“You don’t think it’s a bad idea?”
“Oh, I think it could go really badly,” she replied wryly. “But I also think that Noel deserves a little independence. The situation isn’t ideal, but she feels like she’ll be contributing, working toward being self-sufficient—and I think that’s a really good thing.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
“It probably helps that you’re in love with her,” Esther said, watching me closely.
“I’d never—”
“Please, Titus.” She shook her head. “I know you. I know you’d never make her uncomfortable. Otto knows that, too, he was just surprised last night.”
“He acted like a dick.”
“Yeah, he said that.”
Otto chose that moment to enter the room.