“Ohhhh, definitely a loft,” Carrie cooed.
Randi chuckled.
“We have a nice furnished unit that just came available. Let me grab the keys and we can go take a look. It’s on the backside of the property, so it has a view of the golf course.”
“This is a bit much, don’t you think?” Randi said when he walked away.
Carrie shrugged. “He’ll probably show you the place of your dreams and then hit you with a rent price that’s triple everywhere else.”
“Here we go, ladies. We’ll take the golf cart,” Derrick said, walking over to the dark green cart with a white top. Oxford Villas was written on the side in white.
Randi got in next to him and Carrie sat in the back. As soon as they were settled, he drove through the gate to get into the actual complex, and headed over to the gym and the pool, showing off the amenities.
“Each unit comes with a washer and dryer, so we don’t have a laundry facility,” he said as he headed over to the golf course. “Do either of you play golf?”
“No,” they laughed.
“Soccer keeps us busy enough,” Carrie said.
Derrick snapped his fingers. “I knew I’d seen you somewhere. You play for Richey FC, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Randi replied.
“I’ve been to a couple of games. Your picture is plastered around.”
Randi pursed her lips and nodded. She was one of the faces of the team, so she was used quite a bit in their advertising.
“Here we are,” he said, pulling up to one of the structures. “The buildings in the back are only two units high, but the ones in the front are three units, with the top unit having a much better view over the top of these back buildings, so they’re a little higher priced. The open unit here is on the second floor, but the view is the same, so it doesn’t affect the price.”
“Speaking of price,” Carrie said.
Derrick led them up the stairs and unlocked the door.
Randi walked in first, noticing the white and gray granite counter top in the kitchen and stainless appliances. It had light, bamboo colored wood floors and crème colored furniture with dark accents. The small kitchen had an island that opened up into the dining/living room area. A half bath was off to the right, and across from the living room were the sliding glass doors that went out to the balcony, where a small iron patio set was located. The iron spiral staircase was on the left side of the room, which led up to the loft bedroom with a queen bed and bathroom with a glass shower and single sink next to the toilet. There was plenty of space for one person in the apartment, and it would still be comfortable if she had company over. She tried not to look excited, but she’d never lived on her own, and this place felt perfect.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“How much is it?” Carrie questioned.
“It’s nice. I could see myself living here,” Randi said. “But, yeah…what’s the rent?”
“Well, if you want the full package, access to the gym, the pool, and the golf course…this unit is $1900 per month.”
“Holy shit,” Carrie spat. “My mortgage isn’t that much.”
“I’m definitely not interested in playing golf, and I have access to the team gym seven days a week, so I don’t need that either. I wouldn’t mind access to the pool though. What would that be?” Randi said.
“Without the golf and gym amenities, this unit would be $1300. The deposit is equal to one month’s rent, as well.”
“That’s still steep,” Carrie said.
“What’s your price range?” he asked, looking at Randi.
“I haven’t thought much about it. I agree though, thirteen is a bit high.”
“We do have a special, if you pay first and last month’s rent upfront, we take $100 off, so you’d be looking at $1200. This includes utilities. I don’t think I mentioned that.”
“That makes more sense,” Randi said. “When is it available?”
“Right now. You fill out the application and pay the three-hundred-dollar deposit. Then, we run your background check and credit report. That takes about five minutes. After that, you sign the lease.” He checked his watch. “If everything clears, you’d have the keys with enough time to move in today.”
“Wow,” Randi mumbled. “Is the lease for a year, or can I do something shorter?”
“We do offer a nine-month lease with terms. Otherwise, all of our leases are a year.”
“What are the terms?” Randi asked.
“You pay first and last month’s rent, plus a deposit equal to a month’s rent.”
She bit her lower lip and looked at Carrie. “I’ll do nine months,” she said as a big smile spread across her face.
“Wonderful,” he said and grinned. “Let’s go get your paperwork started.”
44
“Can you believe this happened because she swerved to miss a squirrel?” Dena shook her head.
“Yeah,” Berkley muttered, watching as Maggie and the other firefighters cut the door off the side of the overturned car. The elderly lady inside was stable and complaining of pain in her ankle, but they had to take full precaution to prevent a spinal injury.
“When she comes out, we’re going to have to move quickly. She’s been suspended upside down for close to fifteen minutes. Her circulatory system is being severely stressed,” Dena said.
Berkley nodded in agreement and unstrapped the backboard that was lying on top of the stretcher. When the door popped off, opening the entire driver’s side of the car, she and Dena rushed over.
“Okay, Hilda. Now, we’re going to slide you onto this hardboard as we pull you out, okay?” Dena said.
“Alright,” the elderly woman replied.
Berkley got under her, using her strength to hold her steady while Dena slowly pulled her free. Maggie helped out, holding the backboard in place. Once they had her free, they strapped her down with the backboard lying on the ground. Then, they secured the board to the stretcher and wheeled her to the back of the ambulance.
Dena started the intravenous line while Berkley began collecting her vitals.
“Everything looks good so far,” Dena said.
“I can’t see anything but the bright lights and I know this isn’t the ride to the pearly gates.”
Berkley laughed and leaned over so she could see her. “Hi.”
“Well…hello,” Hilda said. “I’d flip my car more often if handsome ladies like you came to my rescue every time.”
“You’d probably see me, I’m actually an officer with Richey PD. However, I don’t recommend swerving for squirrels anymore. Or intentionally rolling your car.”
“What are you doing in here if you’re a cop? I like their uniforms better, by the way,” she said with a wink.
“I’m EMT certified, so a couple times a year I work with fire rescue to keep my certification up to date.”
“I see. A Jill of all trades. I bet you have a beautiful young lady at home.”
“Nope,” Berkley muttered as she finished writing down all of the vitals.
“Surely the ladies love you. Back in my prime, we certainly didn’t see anyone like you walking around. We probably would’ve torn each other’s beehive hair out to get to you.”
“Don’t let her fool you, she’s in love,” Dena laughed. “Miss Hilda, how’s your pain level?”
“I’m a tough ol’ bird. How’s my ankle?”
It’s pretty swollen. I splinted it as best I could. The doctors will know more after an x-ray,” she said. “I’m going to head up front and get us on the road. The hospital is about five minutes away.”
“Great,” she replied, looking around until Berkley appeared over her again. “Now, does this girl love you back? If not, tell that broad driving us to swing by her house so I can smack some sense into her.”
Berkley smiled. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”
“That’s the problem with y
ou kids these days. Old fashioned romance and love are gone. It’s all about Tweetbooking and Snipping pictures on your phone.” She shook her head. “Take her on a proper date. Hold her door, and push her chair in. Order only one glass of wine, if she does first. Make her laugh because her smile should light up the room. Otherwise, why are you with her? Casually hold her hand when you walk. When you drop her off, walk her to the door and kiss her cheek. And for God’s sake, leave your phone at home!”
Berkley chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“We’re here,” Dena called from the front of the rig as they rolled to a stop in the emergency room bay.
Berkley unhooked everything from the machines as Dena opened the double backdoors. Together, they wheeled the elderly woman into the hospital and handed her off to the waiting staff.
“She was something else,” Dena laughed as they filled out the paperwork and headed back to the rig. “I’m pretty sure she had a crush on you.”
“You think everyone wants me.” Berkley shook her head.
“That’s because they do.”
“Uh-huh.” Berkley rolled her eyes as she got into the passenger seat.
“Sounds like she gave you some sound advice.”
“Yeah, maybe I’ll use it next time a hot girl falls into my lap.”
Dena shook her head and laughed.
“You know, I’ve never been called handsome before now. Would you use that word to describe me?”
“I’d say you were good-looking. I don’t use the word handsome. It’s old-fashioned, I guess. So, anyway, why did you call Randi a liar?”
“We’re back to that?”
“Yes,” Dena replied as she pulled out of the hospital parking lot. “Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
Berkley checked her watch and sighed.
Dena smiled. “Yep. You’re stuck with me for a while. You might as well spill it.”
“She and her girlfriend broke up, but they’re still living together.”
“What?”
“I accused her of trying to play games and keep me around.”
“What did she say?”
“I left.”
“Berkley!”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Hear her out.”
“I heard enough.”
“Sometimes, I want to check to make sure you don’t have a penis because you act like an asshole male,” Dena chided and shook her head.
“That’s nice,” Berkley muttered.
“Well, it’s the truth.”
“I should’ve just had an affair from the very beginning, keeping is solely physical like I always do.”
“You said you were done playing games…especially with taken women.”
“It looks like I’m the liar.”
“No. It looks like you fell in love with Randi and don’t know what to do about it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“What if it is?”
“She’s still living with her ex, and they literally just broke up.”
“Has it occurred to you that they probably broke up because of you? She’s obviously in love with you, too.”
“Thank you for analyzing everything, Dr. Phil.”
“Fuck off,” Dena chuckled.
Berkley was about to say something when the radio went off with another call. She grabbed the mic. “Rescue 22—en route. ETA three minutes.”
*
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Randi said as she began pulling her clothes out of the closet. “Am I crazy?”
“To move out of your ex-girlfriend’s house or move into your own place?” Carrie asked. She was already home and Randi had her on speakerphone.
“When you put it like that…”
“It’s the right decision.”
“I need a drink,” Randi said, tossing her shoes into an empty box.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come help you?”
“There’s not much to pack, honestly. We’ve already split our stuff up. I’m not going through the house and nitpicking everything like an angry divorced couple. This is her house. My apartment is furnished. The only things I need are personal belongings.”
“It still sucks to do it alone.”
“I’ll be fine. I have my big girl panties on,” Randi laughed.
“You’re a mess. Call me when you get settled later.”
“I will,” Randi said before ending the call. She looked around the room. Everything she owned was in six brown boxes and her clothes were in piles covering the bed. With nothing else to pack, she began taking everything out to her car.
It was like a real-life game of Tetris trying to make everything fit, but she finally got it all. The spare room looked just like it had before she’d taken it over two weeks earlier. A tear slid down her cheek as she took the house key off her key ring. She wasn’t sad about the breakup, but leaving behind the life she’d known for the last five years choked her up. She quickly pulled it together when she heard the garage door.
“Hey,” Olivia said, walking up a minute later.
“Hey,” Randi replied, stepping away from the counter. “Can we talk?”
“Sure. What’s up?” Olivia pulled out a stool and sat down at the island.
Randi slid the key over, and Olivia looked at her with a raised brow.
“I’m moving out…technically, I’ve already done it.”
“What? Where did this come from?”
“We’re not together anymore. It’s the right thing to do.”
Olivia nodded. “You could’ve stayed.”
“I needed to be on my own. You’ll always have a place in my heart, but living together isn’t the best idea.”
“I know. You’re still one of my best friends. I think that’s what sucks the most about this.”
“Yeah,” Randi agreed.
“Do you want any of the furniture? Half of all of this is yours.”
“No. I told you before, keep it. I’m good with what I have. Besides, my place is furnished.”
“If you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will. I should probably go. I’ll see you at practice on Tuesday. We can tell the team then if you want. Or wait until after the game Saturday.”
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”
Randi nodded and gave her a quick hug before leaving.
45
Berkley was beat from the 24-hour shift with fire rescue, and planned to spend the last of her time off on the couch, catching up on some much-needed rest…until a knock on the door woke her up. She yawned as she got up and padded across the house. She was dressed in an old t-shirt and gym shorts, with no bra, but she didn’t care. If someone was at her door, they knew her and they were there for a reason.
“I hate that you know where I live,” she said, answering the door to Dena’s smiling face.
“You love me and you know it.”
“Do I smell coffee and donuts?”
“I thought you didn’t want me here,” Dena replied, pretending to turn and go.
“Get your ass in here and hand me that bag of donuts,” Berkley mumbled, opening it as she walked away.
Dena waited for her to get some coffee and sugar in her system.
“I figured you might be tired. That was a pretty busy shift.”
“It’s been a long week to begin with, and it starts all over tonight,” Berkley uttered between bites of pumpkin donut. “I can’t believe they have these out already. It’s barely September.”
“I know. The stores are practically putting Christmas shit on the same aisle as Halloween. I guess Thanksgiving doesn’t exist anymore.” Dena shook her head. “Anyway, that’s not why I’m here.”
“I figured. You don’t just show up. What’s going on? Is everything okay with you and GT?”
“Yeah. We’re fine. Still having sex like rabbits,” she laughed.
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“I didn’t need to hear that.” Berkley rolled her eyes.
Dena shrugged. “No, I couldn’t sleep when I got home this morning. I kept thinking about your situation with Randi.”
Berkley nodded as she chewed her donut.
“I think you’re scared.”
“Scared?!” she blurted, causing donut chunks to fly out of her mouth.
“You’re in love with her, and you haven’t let yourself feel like this…ever.”
Berkley chugged some coffee to wash the pastry down before she choked. “She has a girlfriend or ex-girlfriend or whatever the fuck it is and they live together. That’s a complicated mess that I don’t want to be involved in.”
“You’re already involved, Chica.”
“I should’ve just slept with her and moved on weeks ago,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“You mean like with all of the others?” Dena chided. “This has been a pattern with you for as long as I’ve known you. I thought you said you were finished with games? Yet, you played the game one more time. The only difference is, you fell in love this time.” Berkley opened her mouth to speak, but Dena held her hand up. “If she’s broken up with this girl, then she probably feels the same way about you. Have you thought about that?”
Berkley grabbed her phone and searched for Randi’s Instagram account. She scrolled through the most recent posts, showing Dena pictures of her and Olivia together. “They don’t look broken up to me.”
Dena shrugged. “I guess I don’t understand why you’re not fighting for her.”
“Because I’ve been down this road,” she sighed. “Her name was Selena. We dated all through college, even lived together our senior year…until I found out she was cheating on me with a guy in one of her classes. I was going to ask her to marry me, so I was shocked and completely heartbroken. I nearly failed two of my classes. It took months for me to pull myself together. After that, I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the equation. I wasn’t getting cheated on again, so I played the game, and I played it hard. Hell, you know that. Married women threw themselves at me. It was easy to get what I wanted and move on. I got tired of the game and decided I was done. Then, out of the blue, this beautiful girl spits coffee all over me. She took me completely by surprise, and I was instantly attracted to her. I thought maybe I’d give it a shot, lightning rarely strikes twice.”
Playing the Game Page 27
