Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1)

by Jackie Wang

  After a few more angry words had been exchanged, Cally said, “He's coming up now. With Jordan. Ugh. This might get ugly.”

  “So what's the deal with Jordan anyway?” I asked. “I accidentally told him that Sierra inherited her grandma's house. He was pissed. Did I strike a nerve?”

  “He's the black sheep of the family. Sierra's parents run a farm. She and her brother left to pursue their dreams in the city. Sierra went to school while Jordan pissed off his savings on booze and cigarettes. Last I heard he was working in construction or something. I haven't seen him in over a year.”

  “So they're not close, I'm guessing.”

  “Mortal enemies, more like.”

  “I guess I made a good call by keeping him away from her.”

  Cally nodded. “I mean, he probably wouldn't have hurt her, but still. I think he's the last person Sisi wants to see when she wakes up.”

  “Did Sierra mention anything... you know, about me?”

  Cally narrowed her eyes. “Nothing good, if that's what you mean. She said you were engaged a couple months ago?” She pushed my chest. “What the hell, man? Why would you kiss her if you just—”

  “—It was a fake engagement,” I interrupted, without getting into the details. “Long story. Anyway, here they come.”

  We both turned to face Cameron and Jordan coming down the hall.

  I heard Cally suck in a sharp breath. “Holy shit,” she whispered. I could only assume she was referring to the fact that Jordan looked like a goddamn MMA fighter.

  “I guess he didn't look like that a year ago?”

  “Not even close. He was muscular… but not like this,” she said. Waving Jordan and Cam down, she said, “In here.”

  Once Jordan got closer, Cally shot him a forced smile. “Hi, Jordan, long time no see.”

  “Callista,” he said, politely but indifferently. “Where's my sister?”

  “Room five. Come on.”

  She led us all back to Sierra's room. It was quickly turning into a crowded room what with the six of us huddled over her bed. A regular circus act. I felt like the outsider of the group. I had no real reason to be there. I wasn't even really her friend. Though I wanted to be much, much more than that...Which was why my heart did a triple somersault when the first words Sierra said upon waking up were, “Where's Asher?”

  I'd been standing near the door, contemplating leaving. When I heard the words, I pushed past Cam and Jordan so she could see that I was here.

  “I'm here,” I said, taking her feverish hand. “I'm here.” Relief, heartbreak, joy, and guilt formed an unstoppable deluge of emotions that flooded my lungs. “Sierra,” I choked, my voice broken. “I'm here.”

  Sierra's dry lips cracked into a smile. “I was looking for you,” she said, her voice weak.

  “I know.” I kneeled down and kissed her fingers. At that moment I didn't care that I had an audience. She was all I cared about. And she cared about me. “You should've left. I could've taken care of myself.”

  Sierra groaned, visibly in pain.

  “Can I get you something? Do you want me to call the doctor?” I asked.

  “I'll go call the doc,” Cally volunteered.

  “Honey,” Sierra's mom said.

  “Hey...Mom,” Sierra croaked. “Dad...Cam...Jordan.”

  “My poor baby,” Lillian said, rushing over and giving Sierra a hug. Lillian buried her tear-stained face in Sierra's blankets, loud racking sobs washing through her.

  “I'm all right Mom, no need to—”

  “—You call this all right? You were in surgery for three hours! You lost so much blood! You could've died. Now you're strapped in with all these bloody tubes and wires and—This is not okay.”

  “But I'm alive,” Sierra pointed out, “and well.”

  Lillian wouldn't have any of it. “This city...these people, they're a bad influence on you. This would've never happened if you were back home.”

  “Mom, that's not true, and you know it. Remember the time I almost drove the tractor into the stables? Or the time I nearly got decapitated by a weed whacker—”

  “—Your mother's just worried about you. As am I,” Ernest pointed out. “We've been talking. We think it's best that, given your condition, you come home and stay with us for a while. We can take care of you until you're back to full health.”

  “Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore. I'll be fine,” Sierra insisted. She tried to sit up but grimaced. “Just a few scratches.”

  “Don't move too much, Sierra, you're weak, and you hurt your leg pretty badly,” I said. “The doctor said you also got a mild concussion.” I looked at Sierra's parents then back at her. “Maybe your parents are right. You've had a terrible accident. You'll need people to look after you until you're all better.”

  “I'm fine. I don't need to be babied,” Sierra cried. She looked like a girl throwing a tantrum. “See?”

  She tried to push herself off the bed but nearly fell off instead. The lines running from her arm to the IV bags were twisted around her wrist, and she let out a yelp. The alarms on the machines went off.

  “You're hooked up to IVs and a catheter,” I said. “Don't move, Sierra. It'll hurt you.”

  “Get me out of here,” she cried, her face regaining some of its color. “Where the hell is my doctor? I want to talk to him in private. You guys are blowing this way out of proportion.” She gestured to the tubes and machines. “This is ridiculous!”

  When Dr. Majumdar entered the room two minutes later, he said, “Could everyone please wait outside while I talk to the patient and her husband in private?”

  “Her husband?” Lillian asked.

  I shot her a panicked look that said I'll explain later.

  “Yes, Mr. Morgan, you can stay. Everyone else, if you please—”

  They all glared at me but exited the room, one by one.

  “Please take a seat, Mr. Morgan.”

  I nodded.

  “Sierra, my name is Dr. Majumdar. I spoke with your husband earlier.”

  Sierra's shot daggers in my direction. “Yes. Can you please tell me when I will be discharged?” she asked.

  “As I explained earlier, we'll keep you under observation for a few days. If all your vitals look good, you should be discharged around Thursday.”

  “I feel fine,” Sierra said. “Really, you can check.”

  “You just had surgery, and you suffered some major trauma. You need to keep your leg up to reduce the swelling. You are on some powerful antibiotics and morphine right now. That's why you may not feel anything.”

  “See, the doc says you need to stay here and rest,” I said.

  “Your husband is right. I'm afraid even after you’re discharged, you'll need someone to look after you. Depending on how physiotherapy goes, you may need crutches for six to eight weeks. I'll write you up a referral.”

  “What?!” Sierra exploded. “Crutches? For up to eight weeks? Why the hell would I need those?” She pulled back the covers and looked down the length of her legs until she noticed the thick cast on her right calf.

  “You broke your leg, Sierra. When you fell,” I said.

  “Shit,” she grumbled. “How am I supposed to go back to work like this?”

  “Do you want me to make some calls for you?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “No, I'll do it myself. I just—Ugh, I can't believe I was so stupid.”

  “It wasn't your fault,” I pointed out, gripping her hand tight. “It was an accident.” I could blame myself for causing it all I wanted, but there was no way I'd let Sierra feel bad about it.

  “If you don't have any more questions, I'll leave you two alone now,” Dr. Majumdar said.

  “Thank you, doctor,” I said.

  Once the doctor left, Sierra asked, “Husband, huh?”

  “It was the only way they'd let me in to see you after surgery.”

  “How long was I out?”

  “About a day.”

  “Damn.” Sierra glance
d at the door. “You called my parents?”

  “No, Jordan did. He came here shortly after me. He was your emergency contact. But he seemed a bit hostile so I didn't let him in until your parents got here.”

  “Yeah, I really need to update my emergency contact information,” Sierra said. “Thanks for keeping him away. Him and I... aren't exactly on speaking terms. Actually, I'm not doing so well with my parents either.”

  “Cally came too.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.”

  “I'm sorry. I can't help but feel I'm responsible for all of this,” I said.

  “It has nothing to do with you,” Sierra said. “I was an idiot...But thanks for coming to visit.”

  I sighed. “You scared me to death, you know?”

  “Asher Morgan, scared? I'm shocked,” Sierra grinned.

  I was glad to see her in such a good mood, considering the circumstances. “Please promise me you'll be more selfish in the future,” I said. “And if there's a goddamn evacuation, you'll get yourself to safety instead of worrying about other people.”

  “Okay, I'll keep that in mind,” Sierra said. “You don't have to stay anymore. You probably have work right? My family's here so I'll be fine.”

  Shit. I suddenly realized it was Monday. I needed to be at the office, in a meeting with the Holdom sisters, right now. But instead, I was on Penderton Island, at the goddamn hospital, talking to my landlady. Dad was going to give me major shit for this. Especially since I'd promised Sierra wouldn't interfere with my ability to work. They were probably calling me right now, but my phone was dead so they wouldn't be able to reach me.

  “I wish I could stay,” I said. “But you're right, I do need to get to work. I'll come visit you tomorrow.”

  “You don't have to, really Asher. You don't owe me anything.”

  I folded my arms across my chest. “You think I'd sleep in that shitty chair all night for anybody? I fucking care about you, Sierra. I've told you again and again. I care. That's why I stayed.”

  “Geez, Asher, no need to curse.”

  “I'll be back tomorrow after work.”

  “I think visiting hours are—”

  “—Fuck visiting hours. Nothing's going to stop me from seeing you tomorrow. Now get some rest, Sierra.” I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

  I caught a glimpse of Sierra's gobsmacked face before leaving.

  No matter what anyone said, I’d put her in this mess, and I was going to make it right.

  CHAPTER 15

  SIERRA

  “HUSBAND?” MOM ASKED, CLEARLY perturbed.

  “He just said that so they'd let him see me,” I explained.

  “Is he your boyfriend?” Dad asked.

  “No, he's—He rents Grandma's house.”

  Jordan butted in. “He told me Grandma left the house to you. And that you're his new landlady.”

  Asher Morgan...goddamn blabbermouth.

  “Yes, Grandma left it to me.”

  I prayed my being in a hospital bed would soften the blow. Maybe Jordan wouldn't be so upset and he’d take it easy on me. Jordan always thought Grandma loved him more. But when he started hanging with the wrong people, he stopped visiting me and Grandma, and the three of us became estranged.

  “Did she leave me anything?” Jordan asked.

  Of course, he'd say something like that. He didn't even go to the funeral, and now he had the gall to ask about her will?

  I shrugged. “You'll have to ask her estate lawyer.”

  “Can't fucking believe this,” he muttered. “I'm six years older than you.”

  “Watch your mouth, Jordan. That's no way to speak to your sister after such a long time apart,” Mom admonished.

  “What do you want me to say to her? Congratulations on getting my house?”

  “Son, that's enough. Don't be petty,” Dad said. “If you're going to upset your sister, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”

  I remembered seeing Cally and Cameron talking outside the room. “Can you call Cally inside? I'd like to talk to her.”

  “Of course, dear. Would you like something to eat? Drink?”

  I didn't really, but to make Mom feel useful, I requested a sandwich and some apple juice.

  Once they left, Cally slipped into the room and locked the door.

  “Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry about what happened,” Cally said.

  “I'm fine. No need for a pity party.”

  “I know you're a tough girl, but still, you broke your leg, Sisi.”

  “It'll heal. I'm young and healthy.” I crooked my finger and invited her closer. Once she was by my side, I whispered, “Did Asher really stay here all night?”

  Callista nodded. “Cameron said so.”

  I felt a bit giddy. Asher's words rang through my head. You think I'd sleep in that shitty chair all night for anybody?

  “He's totally falling for you,” Callista said. “You should've seen how worried he looked earlier. He's got it real bad.”

  “Shut up, Cally.”

  “Just telling the truth,” she said. “Cameron says when he found out about your accident, he nearly lost his mind. He was so guilty and angry at himself.”

  Another bubble of joy burst in my chest. I felt weightless.

  “So are you two going to get together or what?” Callista asked.

  “I don't think so,” I said. “Actually, I don't even want to think about that. I just want to get better; that's my main goal. Missing work for the next two or three weeks will really set me back. Financially. I'm not sure where I'm going to find the money to pay my bills.”

  “Your parents want to bring you back to the farm.”

  I bit my lip. “I might have to take them up on that offer. I have no vacation or disability pay.”

  “What kind of shit job do you have?” Callista asked.

  “The worst kind,” I replied. “Anyway, it would make things a lot easier if I stayed with my parents for a few weeks. Clear my mind a bit.”

  “I'll come see you at least once a week,” Callista said. “Work is getting busier so I don't think I can promise you more.”

  “Once a week is plenty,” I said. “I'll be fine. Roxy will love it.” Roxy was my eight-year-old thoroughbred horse. Well, I guess she belonged to my parents now. I'd left her behind when I moved to Northbridge. I couldn't wait to ride—oh crap. Already forgot I wouldn't be able to ride her with this stupid cast.

  Callista smiled. “I guess it'll be like a summer vacation.”

  “Yeah, except I'll be hobbling around on crutches, feeding pigs and chicken. I'll be useless, and it won't be much fun. If I stay at the farm, there will be no end to the complaints from Mom and Dad. They'll try to make me stay there forever. Move back home. Plus all my bills, student loans—I'll be bleeding money.”

  “Maybe not. Now that you have a house in the city—”

  “—Trust me, they'll want me to sell the house and invest that money in the farm.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” I said. “They're miffed Grandma left it to me. Not as much as Jordan, but they're still upset. After all, if they’d inherited it, they would’ve sold it and bought new farm equipment. Did repairs on the house. Started retirement savings. They're not exactly young anymore. Too bad they weren't on speaking terms with Grandma. They kept saying how foolish Grandma was for fueling my impossible dream.”

  “I never thought about it like that,” Callista said. “Well, if you don't want to stay with them, you're welcome to continue staying with me. I can cook for you—”

  “—You've already done way too much for me, Cally. Besides, I don't think I could stand seeing Brandon's stinky mug for one more day. He hates me, you know.”

  “Oh come on now—”

  “—Don't deny it, Cally.”

  “Fine. But if you ever get tired of the farm, I'm just a phone call away. I'll pick you up and bring you back to the city. You just tell me when.”

  I beamed. “I love you
, you know that, Cally?”

  “Love you too, Sisi.” Callista leaned over and gave me a light hug and then a peck on the forehead.

  After Cally had left for work, Mom and Dad came back with some food and drinks. They said Jordan had to go to work as well, and he might not come back to visit. I was fine with that.

  “So have you given more thought to what we said?” Dad asked. “About coming home for the summer?”

  “Just for a few weeks of course,” Mom said, careful not to step on any toes. “Until you're all better.”

  I took a deep breath and mustered my best smile. “I think it's a great idea.”

  Mom stood up and did a happy dance. Dad laughed. “'Atta girl.”

  I hadn't seen the two of them so happy in a long time.

  Mom stroked my cheek. “Look how thin you've gotten since you moved to the city. I'm going to have to fatten you back up.”

  “Mom, I don't want to be fattened up like a pig. I'm fine.” I'd struggled with weight issues throughout high school because Mom had insisted on slathering all our meals in home-made butter and fresh cream. I didn't eat very well now, but I still didn't want to put on extra weight if I didn't need to.

  “Not like a pig, dear,” Mom said. “Just going to put some meat back on these bones.”

  +++

  ASHER CAME BACK TO visit me every day until I was discharged. I was surprised by his determination, but I didn't question his motives. It felt nice to be pampered; I hadn't had that kind of luxury in a long time. Asher brought me fresh bouquets and Mylar balloons and snuck me cake and junk food when the nurses weren't looking. He was unbelievably sweet. However, in all his visits, Asher never brought up anything about going on a date again. I was actually quite disappointed but not surprised. After all, I wouldn't want to date a chick with a broken leg either. I wondered if we'd be dating now if I’d never broken my leg. Asher even stopped making sexual innuendos, which I missed. By the time I was discharged, I could only think that he came to visit because he felt guilty and somehow responsible for my accident.

  Even though I'd told him a million times it had nothing to do with him.

  He was being a good friend, which I appreciated. I wanted more but wasn't in a position to ask.