Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I don’t want you worrying about me or sacrificing your life for me.”
“I owe you that.”
“No, you don’t owe me anything. Damn it.”
I propped my head against my hand, feeling like I couldn’t hold it up anymore. “Please finish school. I can manage for another year or so, then things will hopefully get easier.”
“I’m coming home in a few weeks when I have a break between summer school and the start of fall semester. We’re going to have a serious talk.”
“You don’t have to do that. It’s a long drive, and you know how miserable it is in the city in August.”
“I want to see you, Liam. It’s been way too long.” I wanted to see her too, but what the hell was I going to do, have her stay with me at the fucking Easy Self Storage?
“We can talk about your plans later, okay. I’ve got to go.”
“Are you working today?” The annoyance had faded from her voice, and she sounded worried now.
“In a little while. I need to get some lunch first.” It was so much easier to lie.
“Okay, do that. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I stayed at the coffee shop for the rest of the morning, playing games on my phone and people watching. There was a big, dark-haired man who I caught looking at me several times, but he was lying back on one of the couches, typing on a laptop. He was probably just working or killing time like I was.
When I knew I’d worn out my welcome, I left and headed to the gym that I’d been using as a shower facility. As I passed the front desk, the owner, a high school acquaintance of mine, yelled at me. “You haven’t paid your bill this month or last.”
“I know. I’ll get it to you as soon as I can.”
“I can’t keep letting you do this.”
“Just a few more days, okay?” There was no way in hell I’d have the money for him, but I really needed a shower. I considered actually doing a workout first, but with dancing six nights a week, I didn’t have the energy.
After I’d scrubbed myself and changed into cleaner clothes, I hung around in the air-conditioned locker room for as long as I thought I could, then I used the side exit to avoid another confrontation. Once I escaped, I started walking back toward the storage unit, dreading the long, hot afternoon. My generator was charged now, but I didn’t want to drain it much since I would need the fan to run all night. Or maybe I’d run the fan now anyway and just sleep in my car with the windows cracked. I could only imagine what Val would say about the safety of that.
Why the fuck did I care what he thought? Wasn’t I as safe in my car at the storage place as I’d been in my old apartment?
I pushed Val from my mind, as I walked. I saw a sign on a storefront as I walked by advertising free dinner at a nearby church that night. It said all were welcome, no questions asked. I’d kept some money for groceries, but I’d had to spend it when my car’s battery died. I had very little of the food Val had bought me left, and until I got another paycheck from Benny’s, I couldn’t afford much more. A free meal would be really great.
I noted the time and the address. When I passed by a library, I decided it would be a perfect place to sit for a while. It was cool and quiet, and I wouldn’t have as far to walk to dinner. I found an interesting book and read until time for the church to serve dinner. I noticed the same man from the coffee shop sitting in a chair and flipping through a magazine. It had to be a coincidence, right? Surely he wasn’t following me.
Once I thought I would miss the rush of people who would be there when dinner started, I left the library and headed toward the church.
29
VALENTINO
Imissed Liam like crazy for the rest of the week. Every evening, I argued with myself about defying my father’s orders and going to the club to see him. I spent most nights parked by Liam’s storage unit, making sure he got back from work safely and no one was around to bother him. When I couldn’t be there, one of the family’s security guards watched over him. If Liam was going to insist on being a stubborn ass and not let me get him an apartment, I was at least going to make sure he was protected.
On Sunday after I’d last seen Liam, I went to Mass with my family then out to lunch. Afterward, I ended up in a bar with Vito and some friends. I had to cut myself off before having too many drinks because it was my Sunday to volunteer at Our Lady of Mercy.