Once I’m done going through the paces to work some of the kinks and knots out of my body, I stand up. This room isn’t going to clean itself, that’s for sure. I snag my phone off the bed, pull up the music app, and choose a station that reminds me of my mom—a nineties pop alternative playlist—put the volume to max, and start picking up the clothes that are piled in different areas on the floor.
I go through my tasks one by one, doing laundry, dusting my room and the living area, running the vacuum, swapping clothes from the washer to the dryer, starting another load, and then working through the kitchen. Hours later, with a different playlist bouncing off the walls and my chores successfully done, I’m hopping in the shower before I do one last chore: the dreaded grocery shopping. I don’t need a lot, just some yogurt, fruit, bread, and the like. If I happen to be home for dinner while the girls are cooking and they offer aplate, I make sure to slip some money into the communal cookie jar. One day, I hope to eventually be able to do the same for them.
First, I need to shower, dress in clothes that aren’t pajamas, and wrap up a few small things. All of a sudden, the world doesn’t feel like it’s closing in on me, there’s a lightness to my soul. Maybe it’s Matthew, along with the copious amounts of orgasms, or maybe I’m learning to let go of the things I can’t control.
Hours and more money than I wanted to spend later, I walk out to my car, hands full of reusable bags. Not only do they help with the environment, but saving money off my bill, even if it’s a dollar, is a win in my book. The weather outside is warm, the sun is shining, but the breeze that floats across the air makes it so it’s not unbearable. Then again, the humidity here in Florida isn’t nearly as high as normal this week.
I keep my eyes peeled like usual while moving along with my day, saying hello to others, a nod here or there. Some, I’ve seen around town a time or two, others I know from Twisted Oak. Everyone’s cordial, unlike the douche canoes from last night, and I hope they never come back.
“How the hell?” My eyes are in utter disbelief when I make it to my car. Just when I thought things were heading in the right direction, this shit happens. I unlock the door to my car, toss my bags in the passenger seat, and walk around the entirety of the silver sedan. I’m pretty sure my mouth ishanging open when I count not one, not two, but three tires sitting on their rims.
I’m half-tempted to walk back into the grocery. There’s no way someone didn’t intentionally do this. One tire, sure, maybe even two, but this is too much of a coincidence.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and quickly pull up the Leasie Geesies thread.
Me: Hey, are either of you back at the apartment by chance?
Neither of them answers right away, which, honestly, I didn’t expect them to. It’s very rare for me to be the first to reach out, plus Mischa is with her boyfriend, and Liv is with her parents.
I chew on my bottom lip, going back and forth about what to do next. Ophelia would probably answer, maybe, it is Sunday, after all. She has two children, and damn it, now that I think about calling her, it leaves me just as fast as it came. Which means I have one last option: Matthew. A few swipes of my fingers, and I’m putting the phone to my ear.
“Please pick up, please,” I utter the plea as the ringing continues on the other end of the line. My only other option is to order a car, drop my food off at the apartment, call a tow truck to the nearest mechanic shop, and go from there. This is going to set me back a lot either way, but adding a ride share to the mix will be even more.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise, kitten.” Even through the mess of my life, his voice has the power to make my heart flutter in excitement.
“Hi, I wish it were for something exciting, and I’m trulysorry to bother you, but can you possibly pick me up from The Oaks?” I feel like the biggest nuisance.
“Yeah, not a problem. Is everything okay?” he follows up with zero hesitation.
“I’m not sure, maybe. I came out of the store to find my car sitting sideways. It’s weird, though, because I had no low-pressure light on and didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary while driving it.” I don’t explain anything else, mostly because I’m at a loss for words. It might also make words tumble from my lips, and my problems are mine. If this thing between Matthew and me goes in the direction I’m certain it will, I don’t want to pummel him with problems right out of the gate.
“Sit tight. I’m actually near you. It won’t take me but ten minutes, if that. Do you want to stay on the phone with me, or are you okay?” God, he’s a lifesaver. I may be out more than a few hundred dollars, but saving money on a ride will help in the long run.
“I’m okay. It’ll give me time to figure out which tow company to hire and what shop is open on a Sunday to work on it.” There’s no weird sensation surrounding me, plus it’s broad daylight. Surely, nobody would be stupid enough to try something. Then again, my tires going flat like this is kind of ballsy for someone to do, too.
“Letty, I can change a tire,” Matthew offers.
“If it were only one, I could, too,” I reply on a defeated breath.
“I’m on my way. You can use my tow service, and I’ll give Colt a call, he owes me a favor.”
“You don’t have to do all of that, promise. A ride is all I need.” Well, that’s not entirely the truth.
“Kitten, I want to do this, and I will do this. I’ll make a couple of calls and see you in a few minutes.” Matthew leaves no room for brokering.
“Thank you. I will pay you back, though.” How, I have no idea, but I’ll figure something out.
“You’re welcome. See you soon.” I can hear the keys clinking in the background, along with voices.
“See you soon.” We hang up, and I open the door to my car, move the bags to the floorboard, and take a seat. Why does it seem like when anything good happens in my life, some bitch has to come in and screw it up? God, the dark thoughts try to take hold, and if I’m not careful, I’ll end up staying in an unpleasant state of mind, which will do nobody, including myself, a lick of good.
10
MATTHEW
“Thanks for helping me out, bud,” I tell Jude after hanging up the phone with Letty. I’ve been here for a few hours, he had some paperwork to look over, and I needed him to do his sneaky hacker type shit for me.
“No problem. Glad you’re finally going after your girl.” Jude, as well as all the other guys in our group, has given me hell about this for far too long. They’d probably understand more if they knew exactly how innocent my kitten is and what I like to be called in the bedroom. Sure, I could tell them, and not a single one of them would judge. Our group is an eclectic bunch. Hell, Johnny’s club is a story in itself, especially the downstairs portion.
