I looked away, hating the quiver in my voice. “I can’t, Charly. Not yet, okay?”
She leaned forward, clasping my hand. “It was Carl, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Did he touch you? Hurt you?” she demanded.
I shook my head.
“Are you sure? Maxx will go and teach him a lesson. He’ll take Brett and Stefano. The man will never walk properly again, and his dick will always remain at half-mast.”
I blinked at her words, then chuckled.
“He didn’t hit me,” I assured her.
“You can hurt in other ways than your fists,” she stated wisely.
I could only nod, my throat tight.
“He needs to be held accountable.”
“I don’t care about that. Besides, I don’t think Maxx or Stefano would leave to go fight my battles.” I swallowed. “And Brett doesn’t give a damn.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”
I shook my head, unable to speak. He loathed me now. I could feel it.
For a moment, she was quiet—which was unusual for Charly. Then she huffed a sigh. “What are your plans, then?”
“I’m going to apply for some jobs.”
“Where?”
I frowned. “Toronto, Charly. Where else?”
“But you don’t have a place to live.”
“I’ll find one.”
Setting down her coffee, she crossed her arms, using her feet to push the rocking chair.
“Pardon me, but with what? I know you had to get home using your own funds. No job, no money—do you have any idea what the going rent in Toronto is now?”
“I’ll find a room, then.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I know I had lucked out with my little place before. It’s a shame Sal decided to sell the house and they changed it to a single-family dwelling. But I’ll find something. I don’t need a lot of room.”
“The apartment over the garage is empty. And as soon as the damage from the leaking pipe is fixed, you could move in there.”
“What?”
“I need help in the garage. With the baby and Theo in school, Gabby isn’t ready to come back yet.”
I gaped at her. “Do you have any idea how bad an idea that is?” I shook my head. “No thanks.”
“Because of Brett?”
I leaned over, serious. “This is Brett’s turf. I will not make him uncomfortable. He doesn’t deserve that.”
She pursed her lips. “The offer is open. I spoke to Maxx, and we would talk to Brett first. But you are welcome to stay in the house as long as you need.”
I stood, bending down to kiss her cheek. “You’re the best, Charly. I’m lucky to have you in my life. But I can’t do that. I’ll find something and be out of your hair soon. I’m going to go take a shower and get ready for the day. I think I’ll wander a bit so you guys have your house to yourself.”
“You don’t—”
I cut her off. “Yeah, I do.”
I paused at the door. “Thanks, Charly. For caring. For being there for me.”
“The offer is open.”
I smiled. “I wish I could accept, but it would be too hard on everyone.”
I headed to my room to get ready for the day.
It would be far too difficult.
And the reason for it was all my fault.
A week later, I was ready to admit defeat. I had gone into Toronto every day looking for a job and a place to live. I scoured the internet, put in my resume, answered ads—nothing. Not even a nibble. Maxx had insisted on coming with me to see a couple of apartments, and both times, he took my arm, escorting me back to the truck with one firm word.
“No.”
“I need a place, Maxx,” I said after the second instance. “Those were the two cheapest places.” I barked a humorless laugh. “I could barely afford them.”
“Not there. Charly would never forgive me.”
“I’m a big girl, and I can look after myself.”
He shook his head. “Never said you couldn’t. But places like that? Nope.”
I huffed a long breath and looked out the window, silently grateful for his vehemence. Both apartments were basically small rooms in basements of houses that would probably give me nightmares. The rent alone would keep me broke, even if I found a job.
“Well, one good thing I got out of this week is a wedding shoot next week for a couple who had their photographer bail on them,” I said. “The money will help. And maybe it will lead to other jobs.”
“Great. In the meantime, you’re welcome to stay with us. Charly likes having you around.”
I laid my hand on his arm. “Thanks, Maxx. You’re a good guy.”
He grunted and threw me a wink. “Don’t spread that around. I like my grumpy rep.”
“Okay, then.”
I hadn’t picked up any more jobs yet. And had only one phone interview. The money they were offering wouldn’t even pay for rent for two weeks—even in the horrid little places I had seen with Maxx. Or bus fare in and out of Littleburn if I stayed there. I racked my brain. I had to come up with a plan; I was going stir-crazy. I tried to stay clear of Brett and the garage. Give Charly and Maxx their privacy. Mary already had a lodger, so I couldn’t go there. So for the moment, this was where I had to stay. The repair in the apartment over the garage wasn’t complete, so I couldn’t stay there until the damage the leaking pipe had caused was fixed.