I force a smile. “Let’s go to bed.”
Chapter 10
Jett
With two days left until I head to the airport to meet up with Team Loco, I am determined to find my family a rental house. The girls fell asleep watching Christmas movies last night, even though it’s still a couple weeks until Halloween. They love their Christmas movies, and by the time Christmas does roll around each year, I’ve already seen them watch Elf two dozen times. While they slept, I was up on the computer. I sent an email to Mark Avery, the real estate agent in town who seems to have more rental properties than anyone else. He seems like he knows what he’s doing, which is evidenced by the fact that he calls me at eight in the morning the next day.
“Jett Adams,” he says after I answer the phone. “Are you any relation to Jace Adams, the famous dirt bike guy?”
I try not to snort out a laugh. If someone says ‘dirt bike guy’ they probably don’t know anything about this sport--just enough to know that my dad is someone famous in town.
“Yes, sir, that’s me.” Is it totally pathetic that I kind of want to tell him I also race professionally? At least occasionally? Jace Adams isn’t the only big deal around here.
Okay, maybe he is. But still!
I sneak out of the room to continue this phone call downstairs so I won’t wake up Harper or Keanna. Mom sits at the kitchen table, sipping coffee and scrolling on her phone. She smiles at me, but stops talking when she sees I’m on the phone.
“So what interests you in a rental house?” Mark asks. “Are you not wanting to stay in town long enough to buy?”
“No, I’m already a homeowner,” I say. “It’s just that my house burned to the ground.”
“Ahh, I did hear about a house fire in town. Sorry to hear that. It must be devastating.”
“It is,” I say, opening the back door and stepping out onto the porch. The pool looks inviting even at this early hour, but I know well enough to know it’s way too cold for a swim. “And it’s going to take months to get a new house rebuilt, so my wife and I are looking for a rental. Maybe even a month-to-month contract, but we’re fine with signing a year lease if needed.”
“Most rental houses around here require a two year lease,” he says. “The days of one year leases are long gone for homes. Apartments will do a one year.”
“Oh…that sucks. But yeah we’re not looking for an apartment. I found a few houses online. Do you think we can offer them more money to do a shorter lease?”
“Everything is negotiable,” Mark says with a confident chuckle. “I’m free today around noon if you want to take a look at the houses?”
“Perfect.” I tell him about the houses I had in mind and let him know we absolutely need something that allows dogs. He texts me his cell number so we can coordinate the house visits. It’s not exactly easy for both of us to take off work in the middle of a weekday, but my parents will have to pitch in until we’re back.
After ending the call, I head back inside to find Arko waiting for me at the back door. He was fast asleep with Harper when I got up, but he knows it’s breakfast time and he’s not about to miss out on that.
“Good boy,” I say, setting his food bowl down on the floor mat.
Keanna ventures down the stairs, still wearing her pink pajamas and her hair in a very messy bun on top of her head. “Morning.”
“Good news,” I say, kissing her forehead as she makes her way to the coffee pot. “I talked with a real estate agent today and we’re meeting him at noon to look at houses.”
Mom pokes her head in the kitchen from wherever she was a few minutes ago. “Houses?”
An anxious pit forms in my stomach. I don’t want her to feel like we’re abandoning her, but she has to realize it’s not fun staying at your parent’s house when you’re married. Like for example—they are around to hear your private conversations.
”Yeah…” I say, hoping the right words come to me. Mom’s face already looks a little hurt at the idea that we want to move out.
”It’s Arko,” Keanna says, swooping in to save me. “He really needs a big back yard, and he’s so messy and sheds so much fur, we just don’t want to overstay our welcome and make your home messy.”
Mom crinkles her brows. “Eh, Arko is fine. I don’t mind the mess.” She walks in the room and puts her arms around our shoulders. “But I support whatever you want to do.”
”Really?” I say. “We are so grateful that you’re letting us stay here, but we just feel like we need our own space.”
”I totally get it.” She smiles, and I can tell she’s sincere. “Six to nine months waiting on your house to be rebuilt is a long time. You guys do what you need to do and we will always be here if you need us.”
“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”
”I am the superior parent,” she says. Her eyes look off to the side and I realize Dad just walked in, so she’s teasing him.
