As for me, I’m having a hell of a time not rushing this. I want to call Rover’s boss, Stormy, and say I’m ready to move today. But I can’t do that to Hawthorne. I’ve already promised him one more assignment.
It’s an important one; I know the contact well. But damn, I’ll be away from Lucy for a month. I thought about telling her last night, but when I sensed the distance, I didn’t want to make it worse.
I’ll tell her tonight. But first, I’m going to surprise her after her last lecture and take her out. Bowling and dinner. It’s what we used to do in high school. Well, that, and make out behind the bowling alley. Maybe she’ll want to give that a try again, too.
As I walk through the main quad on campus, I’m so caught up in staring at the damn trees, I almost miss Vince exiting Lucy’s building. I stop about fifty feet from the entrance.What the hell is he doing here?He’s focused on his phone as he takes a right, and doesn’t notice me, so I follow.
He puts the phone to his ear. “Joseph, so nice of you to finally fucking call me.” He stops, and I move toward a tree in case he turns. “I don’t care if you had to get a new phone. Where the fuck are you?”
When Vince picks up his pace. I continue to follow.
“Jesus, Joseph, I don’t care. My money was due yesterday. Get back to town with my money.Now!” After a beat, he laughs. “You really think you’re the one in control? Well, you should know that Lucy took me up on my offer to stay in one of my apartments. Again. Now she’ll be close.”
Why the hell is he mentioning Lucy? And what the hell? In his apartment? Why would she do that when she’s staying with me? Plus, she has her own apartment.
“Pay me by tomorrow,” Vince demands, then he pockets his phone.
Why would Vince tell Joseph that Lucy is close? Was that a veiled threat? Against his own niece? If it was, she’s in danger; I know enough about Joseph to know I don’t trust him to pay anyone back on time.
I mull over everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours as I reverse course and walk to Lucy’s office. When I arrive, her door is open, and I step in. She’s standing by the window, already wearing her red coat, and holding her bag. I watch her for a moment, wondering what’s going through her head that would cause her to accept Vince’s offer.
I tap on the door to get her attention. “Hi, you about done for today?” I ask.
“Yes. Did you locate Joseph?”
“Not yet.”
She nods. “I have good news.”
I’m not sure I believe that, since I know she’s about to tell me she doesn’t want to stay with me.
“What?” I manage to smile when I ask. Maybe this isn’t what I think.
“Well, first the bad news. My landlord has asked that I move out. Apparently, one of the neighbors found out my place got broken into, and the landlord decided I violated the lease by allowing criminal activity into the building.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. They’re blaming the victim?”
She puts her hand up. “It’s fine. I didn’t really like that place anyway. And now the good news. Vince is letting me stay in one of his apartments again. I mean, I hate that I need his help, but thank goodness it’s there when I need it.”
I take a step back. “You should stay with me,” I say almost on reflex.
She cocks her head. “Stay with you? Cody, it’s going to be several months before I can afford to pay rent. I’m now behind on all my payments thanks to Joseph.”
“So?”
“You said Stormy wants to rent his house out.”
Shit. I did say that. And it wouldn’t be fair to ask her to stay in that house all alone while I’m gone.
I want to talk to her about a more permanent option, but not until I have a solid plan. I don’t want to get her hopes up—or mine—then find out Josh doesn’t want to hire me.
If he doesn’t, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
But I still want her with me. She can’t stay in Vince’s apartment. Especially not after what I just overheard.
“Why don’t you stay with me for now, and we’ll figure out the rest?” I suggest.
She crosses her arms. “Or I can move into the apartment Vince was so kind to offer me and have my own place again.”
