Shep moved in closer, his amber gaze moving between the two of us as he set the bags down. “May I?”
My face flamed with embarrassment, but there was no sense in hiding it from him either. “Sure.”
He took the paper from Thea and read it quickly, a muscle in his jaw beginning to tick wildly. Finally, his gaze lifted to mine. “This is illegal, Sutton. I know because I have a few rental properties myself. In Oregon, you can only raise the rent once in a calendar year. And you have to give your tenants thirty days’ notice when you do.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I’m month to month with the bakery now since it’s been over a year, but I’m week to week with the apartment. That’s always given me more flexibility?—”
“You don’t have to explain,” Shep said gently. “If you’re week to week, the same rules apply. After a year, he could raise your rent again, but he has to give you at least a week’s notice.”
My stomach cramped. I shouldn’t have been surprised that Rick was pulling something shady. He’d always seemed smarmy and pompous. “I still don’t think I can do anything about it. I can’t exactly afford a lawyer to take this to court.”
“How about I call that douche baguette and tell him where he can shove his rent money?” Thea offered.
Shep’s lips twitched. “Let’s not give Trace any reasons to arrest you, Thorn.”
She sent him an annoyed look. “I’d do the time. That guy’s a prick, and he always stares at Sutton’s ass when he’s in here.”
That had Shep stiffening and his gaze moving to me. “Doeshe make you uncomfortable? I’d be happy to call him on your behalf?—”
I shook my head quickly. “He gives me the ick, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Shep didn’t look all that appeased. “Reach out to him via email or text so there’s a record. If he gives you a hard time, I have a contact with the county who handles this sort of thing.”
God, Shep was a good one and exactly who my best friend deserved. Taking a deep breath, I picked up my phone and typed out a text.
Me
Hi, Rick. I think you must’ve made a calendar error in raising my rent. Mine was already raised in April, so it can’t be raised again until April of next year, according to the state of Oregon’s tenant rights. Let me know if you need anything else or a copy of that notice. Thank you!
My teeth tugged at my lip as I set my phone down. “See? All done.”
At least I had a few more months to figure out my next steps. But come next spring, I had a feeling Rick would raise my rent as much as was legally possible.
Thea pinned me with a stare. “You haven’t been sleeping enough.”
“I’m fine,Mom.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady.”
I chuckled. “Thanks for having my back. Both of you.”
Shep’s arm went around Thea’s shoulders, pulling her against him. The action was so effortless and comfortable it made my chest clench. I wanted that. The knowledge that I had someone to lean on, to count on. A true partner.
He sent me a kind smile. “If you need anything, just say the word. Rick isn’t exactly known for having a stellar reputation.”
Of course, that was who I’d ended up with for a landlord. It couldn’t be any other way. It was just how my luck ran. But I’d putfar too much energy and money into this bakery and couldn’t just move buildings. I’d go under if I did.
My phone dinged, and I looked down. The second I read the text message, all the blood drained from my head.
Rick
This was me looking out for you, Sutton. I didn’t want to have to play hardball, but you’ve left me no choice. I need you to be out of the apartment above the business within the stipulated notice period in accordance with the state of Oregon. You have ten days.
10
COPE
My SUV’sengine still hummed as I sat in the rink parking lot, staring down at my phone. Teddy had sent me the article with the words:What the hell is going on, Reap?But I didn’t have an answer. All I could do was stare at the headline.
