Page 2 of The Obvious Check
He raises his brow and tilts his head, sizing me up. “I have three months here.” He shows me the envelope, which does nothing to calm my heightened nerves. “That’s to secure the place. We need another three upfront since you don’t have any references.”
My eyes sting, so I shake my head in a vain attempt not to cry.
This can’t be happening. How can that not be enough?
“But that’s not what you said before. You said one month’s rent to secure the place and two months upfront.” I remember exactly because I built my entire damn life around those numbers. I had to beg Chloe at the diner to switch shifts with me just to earn enough. I barely slept for three months straight, busting my ass to make this work because I need this place more than anything. Adley needs it too and I’m tired of letting her down.
“That’s the thing with places like this. They’re popular, so the only way to guarantee them is with more money upfront.”
More…
I have nothing left, and I can see it in his eyes. He knows it.
“Look, I get it.” His voice drips with fake sympathy, the kind that makes my skin itch, and he waves around the envelope between two fingers like it’s a piece of trash, not my entire goddamn life.
If he really got it like he says, he wouldn’t be doing that. He wouldn’t be treating months of waitressing tips, sleepless nights, and missed meals like pocket change.
“Things are tough for you right now.”
I know what’s coming next. The but. The excuse. The gut punch that will no doubt mean I can’t get this place.
“Unfortunately, there’s no way I can take this apartment off the market without at least six months’ rent from you. It’s just in too high demand.”
“At least?” My eyebrows skyrocket, and my hands shake uncontrollably. Getting another three months’ worth of rent would involve another three months full-time and could jeopardize my chances of graduating Covey U. If I lose my scholarship, I’ll have nothing but the beat-up car my dad left behind and the ache in my bones from trying so fucking hard for nothing.
I stare at him, my heart hammering so much I’m worried it will burst out of my chest.
He shrugs, casual as hell. Like he’s not single-handedly crushing me with his words. “Sorry, kid. It’s the way it is.”
My feet itch to run even though I know I can’t. Not without the envelope. Not when any chance of getting Adley back is tucked inside it. I need that money.
Nothing coherent comes out as I try to talk. What else is there to say? I don’t have enough and I don’t have anyone who can lend it to me either.
Daniel strolls over to the kitchen, placing the envelope on the counter before writing something on the back of his business card.
How could that thick wad of cash not be enough to get me this? All that work and nothing to show for it.
Sharp realization cuts through me, quick and brutal. Will it ever be enough? Will I always be chasing an impossible dream? Always clawing for scraps while people like him, likethem, take without thinking twice.
“You seem like a good kid,” he says, tossing the card in my direction.
I instinctively catch it in the air, seeing a name and number scribbled across it.
“Luke McCabe,” I read and glance at Daniel in confusion. “Who?”
“I know you just want to get your sister back,” he says like he knows me. Like he’s dissected me down to my ugliest, most desperate pieces. “And this guy can help you. He owns a bar downtown, and a girl as pretty as you would get enough tips to get the additional three months’ rent in no time.”
A girl like me?
I swallow, reading his name again. A bar. I don’t like the sound of it, but I guess I could squeeze in some shifts after the diner closes. It’s not like I have classes then, anyway.
“Thanks,” I mumble just as someone knocks on the door and a young couple enter.
“Hi.” The dark-haired girl smiles brightly. “We’re just here for a tour. Hopefully, the apartment is still available?”
That’s when I know I have no chance. They’re both dressed well, and by well I mean it doesn’t look like they had to buy their clothes in the sale section of Goodwill. I bet they don’t even know Goodwill has a sale section. I have no doubt they have the money, and it helps there are two of them. My efforts will never match.
“Of course it is. My name is Daniel. I’m just going to wrap this up and I’ll be right with you.”
