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

by Jackie Wang

  I tried to feign indifference. After all, I could ask Asher about all of this when he got home.

  “So what brings you here today, Vicky?” I asked.

  Vicky dug through her purse and retrieved a leather wallet. “He forgot his wallet.”

  I snatched the wallet from her. It felt like a brick in my palm. “Is that all?”

  “I was hoping I could talk to him too,” she added.

  “About what?” I was acting jealous and nosy, but I didn't care. If Asher really loved me, he would've told me about her. But he didn't. I wanted to know why.

  “It's private,” Vicky said. “None of your business.”

  “His business is my business,” I said. “We're in love, and we live together. We tell each other everything.”

  Vicky laughed. “You think he tells you everything. But I think you and I both know Asher isn't the straightest arrow.”

  “You're wrong. He's a great guy.”

  “So great that he slept over at my place and never told his girlfriend about it?” Vicky asked.

  To be fair, we weren't boyfriend-girlfriend yet at the time.

  I knew she was baiting me, but I couldn't stop myself. “Why did he sleep over?”

  Vicky leaned in, a sinful gleam in her eye. “Why does any man sleep over at a woman's house?”

  “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you came here to say,” I said.

  “I came here to tell you to back off,” Vicky said. “Asher wants to be with me. He's been chasing after me since I was in college for God's sake. You? You're just a fling. If he liked you so much, he would've put up way more of a fight when I offered him a blowjob the next morning. You should've seen the look in his eyes when he saw me naked. It was the same look he gave me when he came all over my face a few months ago. Right where you're sitting now.”

  “You're lying.”

  “Ask him yourself. He won't be able to lie to your face about it. He wanted me. Bad. He might deny any involvement, but his body—his erection that morning—it did not lie.”

  “Shut up,” I cried, my entire body tensing. “If you came here just to rile me up, then you're not welcome here. Get out. Now!”

  Vicky picked up her purse and smoothed out her dress. “Ask Asher to call me when he gets back. He knows my number. Goodbye, Sierra.”

  After Vicky had slammed the front door, I sat motionless, her words tearing me up inside. She was lying. She was a conniving bitch, and she was deliberately trying to hurt me. I wasn't going to let her get to me. I wasn't going to think anything until I saw Asher and asked him myself.

  I was actually controlling my temper pretty well... until Asher's father showed up.

  Talk about adding jet fuel to the fire.

  I'd been licking my wounds and gorging on a tub of mint chocolate Ben & Jerry's when the doorbell rang. I thought it was Vicky, so I didn't answer it. But when it rang again, I figured it was Asher. Turns out, both guesses were wrong.

  “Mr. Morgan,” I said, opening the door and inviting him in. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Hi, Sierra. How are you doing?” He stared down at my cast. “What happened?”

  “I broke my leg,” I said. “But I'm doing much better now. Come in, have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Eat?”

  “No. I won't be staying long.” Charles Morgan looked devastatingly handsome in his bespoke suit. An older version of Asher. He scanned the house and made a few humming sounds.

  “What brings you here today?” I asked. I suddenly realized I probably looked like shit. After all, I'd been crying a little since Vicky left and I wasn't even wearing any makeup.

  “I'm here to talk about Asher,” Charles said.

  “What about him? Did something happen?”

  “No, he's fine. It's about his job. I'm sure you know he got fired.”

  “You fired him,” I corrected, trying to stay calm.

  “Do you know why?” Charles asked.

  I nodded. “Because of me, right? But I can promise you, Mr. Morgan, Asher will give you 1000% if you give him another shot. He was just... worried about me. Because I broke my leg. But everything's good now. He's ready to go back.”

  “I don't think he can ever give the firm 1000% as long as he's with you,” Charles said.

  “What's that supposed to mean?”

  “It means you're a distraction, Sierra. One I'm willing to pay off if it means you'll stay the hell away from my son.”

  “Pay off? Mr. Morgan, I'm not some whore you can just get rid of with a fat check.”

  “A hundred grand. I'll pay you $100,000 to move out of this house and break up with Asher.”

  I pulled myself up and stood eye-to-eye with Charles Morgan. I could already feel a rash prickling up my arm and my lip developed a tic. “As hard as it might be for you to believe, I'm in love with your son. Frankly, offering to pay me off is insulting, and I thought you were a better man than that. Asher worships you like some sort of god, and this is how you treat him?”

  “$250,000. Final offer. I know your parents need the money.”

  “Don't drag my parents into this,” I snapped. “Now please, just leave.”

  First Vicky, then this? Enough was enough. Who did they think they were, waltzing into my home and saying these things to me?

  “Your parents' farm is about to foreclose, and you'd rather take your chances on some stranger you just met than save your own family from bankruptcy?”

  I had no idea things were that bad on the farm. Why didn't they tell me? Was it true? No, Charles was just saying anything he could to force me into taking his disgusting deal.

  “How do you know any of this?” I asked.

  “I'm a lawyer, Sierra, with extensive connections. I can find out almost anything about anyone. For instance, I know you have over thirty grand in student loans. You're buried in debt, your credit is shot and I'm offering you a way out.”

  “You're only offering this now because you think I'm a threat. I'm not after him for his money if that's what you're worried about.”

  “You may not be after Asher's money, but who's to say you aren't after mine? After all, when I'm dead, Asher stands to inherit the firm and millions of dollars in assets. Do you think I'd even take the tiniest chance on the future of my company? The one I built from scratch, with my blood and sweat and tears? If you think for a second—”

  “I can't believe you think so little of me,” I mutter. “And obviously, there's nothing I can say to change your opinion. So I think we're done here.”

  Charles turned to leave. “The offer still stands. Think about it, Sierra. Here's my card.”

  I ignored the rectangular slip of paper and then shut the door.

  How did the perfect day transform into my worst nightmare?

  I slowly made my way back to the couch. Max and Bowser were chasing each other around, paying me no attention. I thought about calling Cally, but she was probably busy at work. I couldn't possibly keep all these emotions bottled up. And I needed to clear my head.

  So I called my dad and asked for a ride and a listening ear.

  Dad showed up an hour and a half later. “What's the matter, sweetheart? Did something happen? Are you okay?”

  A lot of things had happened, actually.

  “Is it true that the farm is on its last legs?” I asked, praying he'd say no.

  “Who told you that?” Dad asked, his forehead furrowed.

  I suddenly noticed his thinning hair and leathery cheeks. He looked so brittle and old. Had him and Mom been putting up a false front for my benefit? Were they really struggling in secret? “It doesn't matter. I just need to know the truth. Is it?”

  Dad helped me down the steps and into the truck. “C'mon, we need to talk.”

  Dad drove for a long while before he cleared his throat and said, “It's true, Sierra. We're in a lot of debt. We'll probably be shut down within the next three months. Before winter, for sure.”

  I bit back tears
, hating that Charles had been right. “Why didn't you tell me?”

  “I didn't want you to feel guilty or worried, honey. You're doing well for yourself in the city. Getting your education. You found a man.”

  “I thought you hated the city...And I still deserved to know,” I said, biting my lip furiously. “How can I help?”

  “There's not much you can do, sweetheart. We just can't compete with the larger corporations. Newfeld made us an offer. We might sell.”

  “How much?”

  “$30,000.”

  “You've got to be joking,” I gasped. “The farm's easily worth $300,000!”

  “We owe a lot of people money Sierra,” Dad looked straight ahead, unable to meet my gaze.

  “Let me help. I'll sell Grandma's house. We could get at least get $600,000 for it.”

  “No. Grandma left that house for you,” Dad said. “You need it, for your future.” I could tell that saying that tormented him.

  “Not as much as you and Mom. Please, Dad, don't take that insulting lowball offer.”

  “We were planning on signing the papers next month.”

  “Where would you go? What would you do? The farm is everything to you,” I said.

  “We could work on someone else's farm. Plenty of them around. We'll be fine.”

  “No, you won't. You'll never be happy. Mom will be miserable. Don't sign the papers. I'll sell Grandma's house, and we'll share the profit.”

  “I could never ask that of you.” Dad pulled into a vacant parking lot and sighed.

  “You're not asking. I'm insisting.”

  “Where would you live?”

  “On the farm of course,” I said. “I'll come back and help. However I can.”

  “What about your degree? Your schoolwork?”

  I rested a hand on Dad's shoulder. “School will still be there when I'm ready to come back. I can take a term or two off to help you guys.”

  “You'd really do that?” Dad asked, his lips trembling.

  “I know I haven't been the greatest daughter these past few years. I was just so stubborn and eager to make something of myself. To make you guys proud. I had no idea I was leaving you and Mom to struggle.”

  “Your mother will be so happy. She'll be so happy,” Dad cried. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you, Sierra. You're saving our lives.”

  “It's the least I can do,” I murmured into Dad's neck.

  A small nagging voice in my head cried, “What about Asher?” I chose to ignore it.

  Until Dad brought it up.

  “Your boyfriend...He won't mind?”

  “He—There's no other choice. I'm sure he'll understand,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

  “He can visit anytime, of course. The couch will always be there for him.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “I'm going to tell Lil. She'll be so thrilled. So thrilled. You know she hasn't been sleeping well for months because of all our money problems. Now we'll finally be able to breathe again.”

  “I love you, Dad,” I murmured.

  “I love you too, sweetheart.”

  After Dad dropped me back off at the house, I let out a long sigh. I really didn't want to face Asher, But I was an adult. And I needed to make some adult decisions, ASAP.

  CHAPTER 24

  ASHER

  “YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT?” I asked, dropping my briefcase on the couch.

  “My parents will have to sell the farm unless I put in the money and effort to keep it afloat. I have no choice, Asher. They need me.”

  “What about me? What about us?”

  “You can visit anytime,” Sierra said. She tried to put on a smile, but it seemed insincere.

  “It'd be okay if it was short-term, Sierra, but I can't possibly drive two hours there and back to see you every day.”

  “You were okay with it before you got into my pants,” Sierra said pointedly.

  “I didn't visit you because I wanted to get into your pants,” I snapped. “Don't you know how I feel about you? I did it because I love you.”

  Sierra scoffed. “Yeah... love. Did you realize you loved me before or after you slept over at Vicky's house?”

  My jaw dropped. “How—”

  “She came here to drop off your wallet,” Sierra said. “You forgot it when you stayed over. Apparently, you also forgot to mention that little detail to me. Vicky seemed to think it was an unforgettable night, though.”

  “Sierra, I can explain.”

  “You better,” Sierra said, trying to keep her emotions in check. I glanced at her arm and realized she'd broken out in hives. Angry red welts covered the entire length of her forearm, and I hated myself for causing her so much stress. Her chest was rising and falling fast and she could hardly stay standing.

  “I bumped into Vicky at the vet. She had a flat so I drove her to this party. Stayed for dinner because I was hungry. Then she got really drunk, so I had to drive her home. I was being a responsible friend,” I said, hoping it sounded innocent enough. I mean, it was innocent... but it'd be harder to explain why I slept over.

  Not missing a beat, Sierra said, “That's fine. But why did you sleep over and then not tell me about it?”

  I felt my face grow hot. “I was exhausted. I'd gotten fired, then I ran over a dog. On top of that, I was soaking wet from the storm. I didn't want to drive all the way home just to drive back again in a few hours. So I slept on her couch.” It was all truth, but for some reason, I still felt guilty. And I knew why. I felt guilty because I didn't tell her about any of it right away. And of course because of what had happened the next morning at Vicky's house.

  “Vicky said you saw her naked. She said you two even had sex on this couch a couple months ago,” Sierra continued. She was crying now; big blustery tears coursing down her cheeks. Her pain gutted me, and I wanted to hug her and kiss her until she was all right again. But at the moment, she had her arms folded over her chest, and she was backed against the wall.

  Defensive.

  And very, very angry.

  She had every right to be.

  So how the hell could I make things right?

  I clenched my hands into fists and bit my lip. “She tried to seduce me. I didn't play along. I left, and now she's trying to drive a wedge between us.”

  “Did you see her naked?”

  Sierra wouldn't let that go.

  So I nodded. “She stole my car keys. When I went to get them back, she'd stripped down.”

  “Then what?”

  “I told her that I didn't want to play her stupid games. And called her a slut. She gave me my keys after that.”

  Sierra seemed to soften a little.

  “I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I meant to, but I just got carried away. Then there was all that shit with my dad. Nothing happened between me and Vicky, I swear.”

  “I just... I don't want you to keep secrets from me,” Sierra finally said. “I want us to have an open, honest relationship.”

  I took a step closer towards Sierra. She didn't shy away so I pulled her into my arms. “That's what I want too. So much. I want everything you want.”

  “No more secrets then?” Sierra asked.

  “No more secrets,” I murmured into her hair.

  “In that case, I need to tell you something else,” Sierra said.

  I kissed her forehead. “What is it?”

  “Your dad came by earlier. After Vicky left.”

  I let out a sharp sigh. “Don't listen to a goddamn thing he says.”

  “He told me that the farm was failing. And he was right. I asked my dad, and he confirmed it.”

  “Why did my dad tell you that?” I asked. Dad rarely paid house visits unless he was up to something.

  “He offered me $250,000 to leave you. Said I wasn't good enough for you,” Sierra sighed. A long pause. “That money would change me and my parents' lives forever.”

  Dad offered her a quarter-million dollars? Did
he really hate her that much?

  “Tell me you said no,” I said, teeth clenched.

  “Of course, I said no.” Sierra hugged me tighter. “That's why I need to sell the house.”

  “I can loan your parents money. Not a lot, but enough to keep them going for a few months.”

  “They'd never take a penny from you,” Sierra said. “But thank you for offering.”

  “There must be another way. You shouldn't have to sell this house. Not to mention, where the hell are we going to live?”

  “I'm moving back to the farm for a bit. Maybe a few months. Just until they can manage on their own again,” Sierra said. “You understand, right? I mean I haven't been the greatest daughter in the world. It's the least I can do.”

  “What about your job?” I asked, “And school? And me?”

  “I'll take a break from school and quit my job. The hours were shitty anyway, and there were no benefits.”

  “You said you were planning to go back to work next week,” I pointed out.

  “Until your dad dropped this bomb on me. It was an eye-opener. I know what I need to do now.”

  “Sierra, can't Jordan help out on the farm? I need you here. With me. I wouldn’t be able to stand having you move back there. Your leg's not healed. You'll barely be any help, and you'll be miserable and bored.” I squeezed Sierra harder, but she pushed against me.

  “I still have to try. I don't even know how to reach Jordan. I have to do what I can with my situation. It'll only be temporary, Ash. Until things get better.”

  “What if I co-sign a loan with your parents? Or loan them my own money and charge them interest or something? I could be an investor. We could help out together on the farm on weekends.”

  Sierra shrugged. “They're proud people, Ash. They don't want a handout.”

  “It's not a handout. And they're practically family. Please, let me try at least.”

  “Why don't you drive me to the farm and ask them yourself then,” Sierra said after some time.

  “Okay. Come on.”

  We made the drive to Maywood Farm mostly in silence. When we were about ten miles away, I asked, “Do you think your parents will be mad and think I'm selfish for wanting to keep you in the city?”

  Sierra shrugged. “Probably. Dad said Mom would be 'so thrilled, so thrilled' to have me back.”