She wasn’t kidding. She really came home and made dinner. Garlic bread, salad, and spaghetti sits on display in the center of the table.
“You’ll probably have to heat it up in the microwave,” she tells me with a frown, as she twirls her fork in the pasta on her full plate. “The salad is probably wilted too.”
“Thanks.” I offer her a smile that she ignores. “Shoulda stayed at the Grill with me.” I observe and she pushes her plate away.
“You okay?”
She sighs and shakes her head. “I was fired today.”
“So, come work for me.”
“What?”
“Come work for me at the bar?”
“You run the bar?”
“I own the bar.”
“You think that I would come work at that shit hole bar for you”
“I’ll pay you ten dollars an hour. Tips under the table. I need you and you need me.”
“I need to talk it over with Ezra.”
“Is he your boyfriend or your daddy?”
“That’s original.” She rolls her eyes.
“Think about it. You’d make damn good tips.”
She nods. “I will. I’m going to bed. I’ll clean this up in the morning.”
“Sure, no problem.” I shrug and grab an empty plate, loading it up with noodles and sauce.
In the kitchen, I glance at the clock on the stove and it reads 11:15. Damn. Ezra should’ve been home by now. I put the plate in the microwave and pour a glass of milk while I wait. I hate the way he is doing Conleigh. I know that he said he made a mistake when he cheated on her with Judy, but in my gut, I know he’s still seeing her. When I dropped him at the office the other day, she was standing at the door waiting for him with a coffee and when she kissed his cheek in greeting, his hand went to the small of her back, in an intimate gesture.
Once the microwave dings, I take my plate and drink to the dining room. Maybe Ezra will come in before I finish and join me. Seems like we haven’t really hung out much lately. Shit, I see Conleigh more than I do him and she just moved in.
I was hesitant when he mentioned her moving in. This has been a bachelor pad since I first bought the building. However, Ezra swore it wouldn’t change my lifestyle, and he said it wouldn’t be long before they found something for the two of them. When I turned twenty-one I was given access to my trust fund and invested in this property. I use the basement for my workshop. I create furniture and anything really out of pallet wood. College wasn’t for me. I dropped out as soon as my funds were released. It wasn’t like I had anyone who cared to stop me.
I let that thought go and rip off the crust off my bread. It’s hard as a damn rock, but the center is soft.
As I am enjoying the meal that was cooked for another man, I can hear the faint sound of Conleigh’s sobs.
Part of me wants to comfort her, make her laugh or something, but it isn’t my place. I finish up eating and still, there is no sign of Ezra.
All this food shouldn’t go to waste, so I transfer it into plastic storage containers, sticking them all in the fridge. Then I load the dishwasher and set it to start in the morning, so it isn’t running while we are sleeping. I don’t have to wake up early, but I remember Conleigh mentioning she has an early class or maybe that was the other day. I don’t know why I care. It isn’t my place to and Conleigh has made her feelings about me perfectly clear.
When I reach the end of the hall, I can hear Conleigh on the phone with one of her friends making excuses for Ezra. This is why I don’t do relationships, it only leads to disappointment. I’ve had enough of that shit in my life. Don’t have room for more.
Lifting my shirt over the back of my head, I toss it on a chair and shove my jeans down. After kicking my socks off, clad in my boxers I get ready to crash.
Fuck, I forgot to brush my teeth. That’s the only thing that I want to change about this place, a spare bathroom. We’ve not ran into any issues yet, but then again, it’s only been a few days of having a chick live here. I never thought I’d see the day that girly shit would be lined up on my sink.
Pink fucking toothbrush, a curling fucking iron, and a makeup bag. I stick her shit under the sink. Out of sight out of mind.
When I see her tampons under the sink…I don’t know if this is going to work. Girl shit in my space is a big fat nope. I’ll give it time, maybe they’ll get a place of their own—soon.