Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
That six hundred-whatever dollars is a quarter of my savings. That could be the difference in getting out of here in six months … and not.
A solitary tear trickles down my cheek.
There’s no use in shopping around for prices. This was by far the cheapest company for the bare minimum coverage.
“Yeah,” I say, my voice cracking. “Please take it out of the bank account on file ending in 1122.”
She reads off a script, and I confirm payment.
“That does it,” she says. “You’ll receive an email confirmation shortly. Please read it, as there may be forms you need to fill out and return to us.”
“Lovely.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Goodman?”
I shake my head in frustration. “No. Thank you for your help.”
“You’re very welcome. Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
Blowing out a breath, I pull myself back together. “This wasn’t the energy I was supposed to be attracting.”
The ridiculousness of the statement makes me laugh. One of the men standing beside the door yells something my way, but I ignore him.
It will take me months to catch up to where I was fifteen minutes ago. All for nothing.
The temperature drops as the sun makes its final descent behind the horizon. The voices coming from the newly formed shadows are louder, and the sirens seem to get closer. At least if someone jumps me, I could get a few punches in. I could use an outlet tonight.
I move toward the building, and as I take my first step, my phone rings.
“Hello,” I say, not bothering to glance at the screen first. I keep my eyes up and scan the area.
“Chloe? Hey, it’s Jason. I hope it’s not too late.”
My steps falter at the bottom of the steps. Shit. “Hi, Jason. No, it’s fine. What’s up?”
“I was hoping you could pull a few reports for me as soon as you get into the office and email them to me. I’ll send you a list of what I need. The finance meeting is at Gannon’s office in the morning, and I’m going to head straight there before coming into the office.”
I flip off one of the smokers in response to a lewd comment and swing open the door. “Of course.”
“Hey, little mama.” The man from 1B steps into the hallway. “Have you been cryin’, sweetheart? Come inside and let Daddy wipe those tears.”
“Chloe? Who was that?” Jason asks.
“Hang on,” I say into the phone before turning to Mustache Man. I slide my key between my fingers. “Why don’t you fuck all the way off?”
His belly bounces while he laughs. “Let’s do that together. You can hold on to these handlebars and ride me as long as you want.”
“Chloe!” Jason yells, his voice barreling over the line.
My neighbor reaches for me. I jerk my arm back, hitting my elbow on the wall. My phone goes flying down the hallway.
Mustache Man’s eyes glimmer with something I can’t name—something I’m too scared to identify.
“Don’t touch me,” I say, squaring my shoulders to his. My knees tremble from the adrenaline coursing through me. “If you ever try to touch me again, I’ll spoon your eyeballs out and feed them to you. Got it?”
“Ooh. I like ’em feisty.” He licks his lips in a vile manner. “You know where I live, baby. Come on over anytime and ride Daddy’s dick.”
I walk backward until I pass my phone. Then I scoop it up, jog up the stairs, and down the hall. I quickly let myself in the apartment, locking all three locks. Click. Click. Click.
“Chloe!”
“Oh shit.” I fumble with my phone and bring it to my ear. “Jason! I’m sorry.” I get a quick glimpse of my flushed face in the mirror. “You caught me at a bad time.”
“What the fuck was that?”
His words, his tone, send a shiver snaking down my spine. Each word is sharp enough to cut through glass.
I don’t want to have this conversation with him, not tonight, not after the insurance company's highway robbery. If I talk about it, I might cry. If I cry, there will be hell to pay.
“It was nothing,” I say.
“Don’t bullshit me.”
I laugh angrily, slipping off my shoes. “Jason, with all due respect, please let this go. I’m not built for this tonight.”
The line quiets, but that doesn’t mean it’s still. His energy ripples silently through the phone. I know the exact face he’s making right now, and while it’s hot as hell, it’s also scary.
It’s a good thing we aren’t face-to-face.
“Are you safe?” he asks, the edge blurred from his words.
I sneak down the hallway to my room. “Yes, I’m safe. I’m home.”
“Who are you talking to?” Mimi shouts from her room.
“Was that Mimi?” Jason asks.
I sigh in defeat. I can’t handle these two at the same time. “Yes. Will you hang on again?”
“Do I have a choice?”