There’s no way I can give my social security number. That’s even worse than my license. If I give my social and it gets run through any system . . . they’ll know where I am.
It begins to feel like something is sitting on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I have nothing I can provide to get approved for something as simple as a phone.
Not wanting to let on about anything, I nod, forcing a grin. “I think I’m more interested in a pay-as-you-go phone.”
I don’t wait for a reply from the salesman or questions from Reno. I begin to walk around the store, looking at the phones.
Reno, however, follows me, and I can feel that he wants to ask too many questions. Things that should be so simple for anyone else are anything but for me. He’s beginning to see that, and I can’t risk it.
I look up at him and raise an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
His eyebrows dip as he stares at me. “What?”
I cross my arms and stand in front of him. “You’re acting weird today. You won’t keep eye contact with me. You’re not talking like normal, and you seem nervous. What the hell is it?”
He lifts an eyebrow, tilting his head. “Why the hell would you want to get a prepaid phone? The reception is awful.”
Unlike at the dealership, I’m not able to distract him.
I shrug as I look around at the phones. “I don’t want a phone plan,” I say.
He shakes his head, finally making eye contact with me. “Why wouldn’t you want a better phone? It’s crazy to pay for a phone that isn’t going to be as reliable.”
I blow out a breath as my stomach swims with nervousness. I need to come up with something that will make him stop pushing a phone plan. I know it’s better, but it’s too risky, and I can’t afford that.
“I’m trying to watch my money. This is cheaper, and honestly, I don’t need it for much. It’s not as if I’m calling many people,” I say.
Once again, I didn’t think this through. If I want to stay hidden, I can’t just keep my tattoo covered. I need to keep my personal information private too.
Reno is going to start pushing for answers to my behavior, and I’m not ready for it.
I don’t think I ever will be.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Reno
“I think you’re giving me a bullshit reason for not getting a better phone. Ever since I asked you about what your plans were here because Boss wanted to know, I’ve felt like things aren’t adding up, and they’re not. You don’t have to hide anything from me, Valencia. For fuck’s sake, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think I’m going to judge you for it?”
Valencia’s face pales, and she immediately licks her lips. “Why can’t you just believe what I’m saying?”
“Because I wasn’t born yesterday, and this isn’t adding up. Why can’t you be honest with me?”
“It’s just embarrassing, is all,” Valencia murmurs, and the salesman stays on the other side of the store behind his all-white counter. Valencia begins walking around, looking at the different phones, and I stick by her side.
“I promise I’m not going to make fun of you. Tell me what’s going on. Maybe there’s some way I can help.” I’m only offering because I want to help her if I can. It seems like she’s stressed out, and if I can do something to alleviate some stress, then I will.
Valencia sighs, and after a few long moments of silence, she tells me what the big deal is. “I don’t have any sort of identification. I surely don’t have one for New York or one that has the club address on it. I don’t have anything to prove who I am when you really think about it, and I think that’s really embarrassing. It makes me feel like a child.”
“Well, you’re not a child at all. Sure, you might not have identification, but we have people who can help with those sorts of things, even if they’re not legal. Do you get what I’m saying?”
Valencia turns, and her eyes lock on mine. “Yeah, I do.”
“So don’t worry about this pointless bullshit. It’s not worth the stress level.” I dig my wallet out of my back pocket and pull out my driver’s license, then wave for the salesman to come back over. He heads this way, and as he’s approaching, I clear my throat, knowing Valencia will give me some sort of pushback. “I’m going to put my girlfriend’s phone on my plan. Here’s my license so you can pull me up.”
“Okay, sounds good. Would this be a second line on your plan?”
“Yes, and I want her to have unlimited data and 5G.”
