by Roxie Ray
I moved on to the weights but had to be even more careful here. If I loaded them too much, the other men would get suspicious. I could easily lift what men much bigger than me could, with a smaller frame than those bodybuilders. Awkward questions were always a day ruiner.
Again, it took a while to lift enough to get my sweat on, but eventually I tired and stopped my reps. I took advantage of the shower at the gym before I left, though. The water pressure in the gym showers was worth the inconvenience of washing in public.
When I finally bought my own house, I planned to have some plumbers come in to put a narrow pipe on the shower that would help create water pressure. The pressure in the apartment sucked big time.
Fully drying my hair would take too long. I’d already been there a couple of hours, anyway, since it took me so long to tire out. With my hair still dripping a bit, I headed out of the locker room, but my phone beeped again. I’d forgotten about it in my gym bag. As I yanked it out and pulled open my emails, someone slammed into my shoulder. Or maybe I’d hit them.
Stumbling to the side, I caught myself quickly and turned to apologize to whoever had plowed into me.
“Watch where you’re going!”
Ugh. I knew that shrill voice. As I lifted my gaze, I came face to face with Kaylee, the psycho from the bar. She glared at me with murder in her eyes. “Are you going to apologize?”
With a sigh, I lifted my hands in surrender. “Sorry.” It ate at me to just let her go with her hoity-toity attitude. “But you probably should apologize to me, too. If you’d been watching where you were going, it wouldn’t have happened, same as me.”
Her glare intensified as her mouth opened slightly.
Whatever. I sidestepped her and kept going. She wasn’t worth getting my blood pressure all raised for.
“Jackass,” she mumbled.
My dragon thrashed at the word that my advanced hearing had picked up, but I rolled my shoulders and shook it off. Not worth it.
I had an invitation to Jace’s to have dinner with him and his new lady, Briana, and her daughter, Hayden. I passed the afternoon by finishing up the last bit of paperwork for the last cases I’d done back in California.
That passed quickly and I soon found myself at Jace and Bri’s dinner table.
“How is settling in going?” Bri asked. “Are you liking it here?”
Nodding, I swallowed my bite and shrugged. “Yes, I love the area. I found a gym and a barber, and the dry cleaners is right on Main, so I know where to go when I’m back in my suits.”
“What about a job?” Jace asked.
I grinned. “I’ve got a couple of interviews lined up. I’m looking forward to them. If they go well, I’ll have my pick of firms.”
He clapped me on the back. “My bigshot attorney brother.”
Ducking my head, I sipped my wine. “Come on, man, it’s just family law.” After what I’d gone through with my father and seeing the difficulty my mother had with their divorce, I’d opted to specialize in an area that would let me help people like me and my mother.
“I have to admit,” I continued. “Loft life isn’t for me. I think I’m going to look for a place.”
Bri grunted and wiped her mouth. “I love the realtor we used,” she said. They had a new place really close to clan lands. “I’ll email you her info.”
“Yes, please. That would be great.” I looked forward to a big house. “I want it all,” I said, and they smiled. “A yard, a big back patio to have little parties and stuff. Room for possible future kids to play.”
Hayden squealed. She’d been so quiet, I nearly forgot she was there. “Are you going to have kids?” she asked. “Can I hold them? I’m like your niece, practically. That makes me their aunt, right?”
Briana chuckled. “Calm down, nugget. Porter’s children would be your cousins, and yes, you can hold them. But he’s not even dating anyone, sweetie.”
And didn’t I know it.
She continued, “When he settles down and has babies, you’ll be the first to know, I’m sure.”
Hayden beamed and fixed me with a sharp gaze. “You’ll tell me first, right?”
I inclined my head slightly. “Of course. Princess Hay has to have all the news hot off the presses.”
“What are presses?” She looked back to her mother to clarify.
Briana sighed as Jace and I laughed. “I’ll explain newspapers later.”
Spending time with my brother and his newfound family was wonderful. I had a family again, a real family. After losing my mother, it meant a lot.
It also made my chest ache with longing. I wanted this. Two-point-five kids and the picket fence. But so far it hadn’t been in the cards for me. As much as I’d tried to remain optimistic, and would still be, judging by the type of home I wanted to buy, history had turned me a bit cynical.
As happy as I was for my brother and other friends back in California who had found their mates and had children, I needed to start preparing myself for the fact that it might not be in the cards for me. At least not now. Maybe ever.
3
Kaylee
My hands shook on the steering wheel as I pulled into the parking lot of the fancy dealership. I’d made a lot of money over the years, especially the last two, but I’d never had this much money in my purse at once before. I made my money on Saturday and as soon as I could get to the bank to withdraw it Monday morning, I’d gone.
Except they wouldn’t let me take out that much money in cash. Something about money laundering. I had to settle for a special check and letter from the bank. Annoying. I’d really wanted to plop a bag of money on the salesman’s desk.
Still, it amounted to the same. I was going to walk up and buy this thing with cash! And I had all the feelings about it.
As soon as I stepped out of my four-year-old sedan, a salesman walked up, ready to wheel and deal. Too bad for him, I’d already done my research. I knew the exact trade-in value of my Toyota and a fair price for the brand-new Mustang Bullitt I had my eye on.
Fully loaded. It had a digital LCD instrument panel. Everything was heated on it, even the steering wheel. Not to mention a V8 with enough horses to start a wagon train.
“Perhaps you’d like this EcoBoost model,” the salesman suggested after I told him I’d like to look at his Mustangs.
“Uh, no, thanks. I want the Bullitt. The red one.” I pointed to the car in question that I’d carefully looked over on their website the night before. I didn’t need a test drive; I didn’t need anything but to sign the title over. Gimme my car.
“That model is particularly expensive, but we do have more reasonable cars over here.” He motioned toward the sedans and mom-mobiles on the other side of the lot.
“I know exactly what it costs and exactly what I’m willing to pay for it. If you don’t mind, get whatever stickers you need off the windshield and take me to your money guy. I’m ready to purchase that car.”
He gulped and raised his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t you like to drive it?”
I shook my head. “Thank you, no.”
“Well, okay then. You made my job easier.” He chuckled. “Right this way. Our finance department can help you with your loan.”
“It’ll be cash,” I said casually as I peered at a different model inside on the showroom floor. That one really was out of my price range, but that was okay. I was happy with what I was about to drive off the lot. “Well, a cashier’s check, but you understand.” I waved my hand as if I did these expensive transactions all the time.
Old hat.
I was here for it. And three hours and a lot of haggling later, I drove off the lot in my new baby. Dark red with black racing stripes. The pompous finance man had tried to charge me ten thousand over the online price. I glared at him before putting him in his place. I’d have my car, I’d have it under sticker price, and there wasn’t a damn thing he was going to do to stop me.
She was all mine. One hundred percent.
Debt had crippled
my parents. In the end, their massive debts turned them into addicts and alcoholics. They eventually just gave up on life.
I refused to do that to myself. No way in hell. It was one of the reasons I never went to college. I tried, but I never was able to get a scholarship, so I saw no point in going just to put myself in debt. I’d worked and saved instead.
My bucket list was a mile long, and I had no intention of slowing down until I’d crossed every item off of it. Starting with this car. I’d wanted a Mustang since I was a little girl. And now I had one, and I earned it all on my own without borrowing a dime.
As I drove off the lot and headed toward Bri’s house to pick her and Hayden up for a ride, I had to wipe a few tears away. I couldn’t believe this was real. It was my life. I’d finally done it.
With a sigh, I parked my new car in the parking lot of one of the only houses for sale in Bluewater. The night I’d gotten my car, I’d called Bri’s friend about helping me find a house. This was the third one I’d seen this week, and I had to get home to stream before too much longer. Friday afternoons were usually reserved for preparing to stream. Getting in the mood, lighting candles, maybe a bubble bath. I’d have to really rush today to get everything lined up. I loved my routine.
As much as I loved my studio’s convenience, I wanted a home. I’d been thinking about keeping the studio just for a workspace, but if I found the right house, I’d set up a new and improved workspace there. I was being open about it all.
A couple of other cars were in the driveway, but it was one of those U-shaped deals, so I was able to pull off the street without having to park my baby near any of the riffraff. The last thing I wanted was to scratch her paint before I’d had her a week.
I finally gave the house a good look and widened my eyes. Holy crap. This place was freaking perfect. It was gigantic, for starters. Big white columns, massive windows, and I could just see the top of a slide in the backyard.
A pool slide.
Oh, yes. That settled it. I needed this house. If the inside was anything like the outside, this house was made for me.
With my heart thumping wildly, I walked toward the front porch, taking note of the well-manicured hedges with fancy wood chip thingies underneath.
Perfection. I moaned as I opened the front door, and the smell of old wood and furniture polish was the first scent that hit me.
With a few extra streams, I could have a massive down payment ready for this place. I would have to get a loan, of course. I didn’t have this much money at my disposal. But with careful planning and VIP streams, I’d have it paid off in no time.
Without a big down payment, the bank wouldn’t consider my income to be enough for this much house, though, since this year I’d seen a significant spike in revenue. But the loan was based on last year’s taxes.
So, I had to bring down the total amount of the loan with a hefty down payment. As I looked around the entryway, I knew my thinking wasn’t too far ahead. Somewhere, deep inside, I knew this house was meant for me. I’d find everything I wanted as I explored. I was sure. I roamed the downstairs, avoiding the kitchen because I heard voices. Climbing the stairs, I explored the bedrooms. Four of them upstairs, and a washer-dryer hookup actually inside the master bedroom closet. Holy shit. That was smart.
The entire house was floored in a rich walnut hardwood, except for the bathrooms so far. When I walked into the master bath, I moaned, and my knees went a little weak. It had a huge tub, claw foot, then a separate shower, and a double sink with drawers and cabinets everywhere. The room was bright and cheery with white cabinets and some sort of cream-colored paint. That would have to go first thing. Black cabinets and gray walls. That’s what I’d do in here. It was definitely big enough to handle the darker colors, which I normally hated. But in a large room, it might just work.
Taking my time strolling through my new place, I went down the back stairs thinking about how this house was a home. A family home. I didn’t have one of those. I likely never would. But I would have this house.
“Gazelle,” I cried as I hit the last few stairs. “I’ll take it!”
My friend was alone in the kitchen, which I’d made sure of before shouting. She grinned at me. “I knew you’d love this one.” Her grin faltered. “But you’re not the only one putting in an offer. We’ll have to see who offers more and what the owner says.”
I’d been in the middle of turning in a circle, jaw down, looking at my glorious and gigantic new kitchen. Wayne would have such a great time being my chef in this kitchen.
I had a professional cook. Goodness knew I wasn’t about to start cooking now.
When she told me this wasn’t in the bag, I froze and cut my eyes at my friend. “You’re joking.” What was the point of knowing the realtor if she couldn’t get me the house?
“But I’m putting you at the top of the list,” she said with a wink.
“I hope you’re putting my name at the top as well.”
I knew that voice. Damn it. I turned again and glared at the most recent thorn in my side. “Hello, Porter,” I said in a low voice. “You shouldn’t bother, I’m buying this place.” I locked my jaw when he barely spared me a glance.
“My chances are a lot better than yours are,” he said with one eyebrow arched.
He better not have been saying what I thought he was saying. “What does that mean?” I said in my bitchiest voice.
“It means that unless you have a preapproval, this house is mine.” He smirked and turned to Gazelle. “I put my offer on the back of my new business card. Please give the owner my information.”
With a face full of disdain, Porter walked toward the front of the house, the front of my house.
I turned to Gazelle. “Please. I need a few days to get the rest of the down payment. To get approval for a house this expensive, I need more cash, but I can get quite a bit this weekend. I’ll do a couple of special, super VIP streams. Can you delay putting in his offer?” I gave her my biggest, saddest eyes.
Gazelle sighed. “It’s Friday, so I can make up a few excuses. But I’ll have to put it in by Monday evening, and the owner is only taking preapproved offers.”
I moaned and clenched my fists. “Okay, I’ll be in touch on Monday. Just keep from sending it as long as you can, please.”
She squeezed my arms. “I’ll do everything I can, Kaylee. You know I will.”
I nodded and smiled at her. “Thank you. You’re the best. But prepare for a bidding war. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
As I walked out of the home that I’d been so damn excited to be in not a half-hour before, I bit back a sob. I wouldn’t cry over this. Even if I didn’t get it, it was just a house.
Ah, damn it. It wasn’t just a house. It was the house for me.
It was my house. And I was damn well going to get it, even if I had to fight for it.
4
Porter
My mind wandered heavily on my drive into the city. I had a meeting with my first choice of the firms I’d be interviewing with.
Yet instead of gearing myself up for the interview, I couldn’t get my damn mind off of Kaylee. The woman was nobody to me; I barely even knew her name. Why was I so distracted by her?
The thing I’d learned the most by growing up in a small town was that news traveled fast and it was almost impossible to avoid running into people. I would’ve loved to not have to see Kaylee again or even breathe the same air as her, but unless I wanted to move again, it was going to happen. She was a typical gold digger, and from what I’d seen, the only other thing she had going for her was a hot body and big attitude. Neither of those things should have been enough to keep her on my mind.
Yet here she was, floating around in my thoughts, all the way on the drive. I slapped the steering wheel and focused on how pretty the scenery was. It would give me some dedicated time that I could listen to a book on my phone or dictate notes into an app. Use my handsfree to call and catch up with my old clan. The drive didn’t have to be
a bad thing.
Kaylee didn’t have to travel to work. She just fired up the computer and got naked and… whatever else she did to get money from sad old men with deep pockets. I couldn’t respect that. No thought went into it. No training or education. She’d taken the easy way out.
And it didn’t matter how hot she was. Gorgeous, really. It was her looks that made her believe she could act the way she did, all abrasive and rude. I shouldn’t have even noticed her looks, as hard as they were to ignore. If it weren’t for the way she carried herself, like she had vinegar sitting under her skin, I might’ve given her the time of day in the bar the other night. But even her posture screamed that she was a lot of drama and nonsense.
Perhaps a casual date or two with her wouldn’t have been so bad.
But no. No. I had to shut down that way of thinking. That was me letting the wrong head lead the way. Her gorgeous face and body weren’t worth the hassles they’d bring along with them.
I parked in the garage underneath the near skyscraper that housed the offices of Gilbert, Gilbert, and Fell.
The elevators opened into an enormous lobby with a receptionist that seemed to serve all the offices in the building. Big job.
“May I help you?” she smiled and cocked her head at me.
“I have an appointment with Gilbert, Gilbert, and Fell. Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.”
She tapped on a tablet and smiled a few seconds later. “You may take the south elevators,” she gestured behind her to the left, “to the thirteenth floor.” She handed me a small sticker to put on my suit. “The clerk there will take over.”
“Thank you.” I nodded my head at her and walked toward the elevators.
This office was pretty impressive. My last firm had been highly sought after but was in a small town. It was a great position, and I’d loved my time there, but this made me feel like a country mouse in the city.
I was sure I’d get used to it, though. This had always been my dream, to work for a large firm, one day working my way up to partner, while I had a wife and kids waiting on me at home.
