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Fox’s face reddened as he took a few steps backward. “I…” He rubbed a hand over his stubbly jaw several times. “I don’t even know how to respond to you sometimes.” He threw his hands up in frustration. “Honestly, yes. Yes, I thought this was something more than just fucking.”
“Fox, I didn’t want this to be weird. Maybe this was a mistake.”
“A mistake? A mistake? Sometimes you can be such a…aagh,” He gave a guttural growl then stopped speaking mid-sentence. Shaking his head and mumbling something to himself, he stormed into the bathroom. A few minutes later he returned, later no longer wearing his glasses but still muttering. When he reached the front door he asked, “Are you ready to go?” His voice was strained and deceptively calm.
“Wh-where are we going?” I asked, getting up from the chair. I was expecting more of an argument, so his actions were confusing.
“I’ve got to go to the restaurant, which means I need you to leave. I usually don’t let girls I fuck stay here when I’m not home.” The callousness of his words and the coldness in his stare stopped me from moving.
“What the fuck is your problem, Fox? I never promised you anything. I have no idea why you are mad at me for choosing not to play games.”
“Oh, you’re playing games alright and I don’t have time for it.”
I glared at him for several seconds as my anger bubbled to the surface. “Fine.” I hurried to the back, stuffed all my things into my bag and charged past him. Once outside, I continued past his car and kept walking down the road. I heard his car door slam followed by the sound of tires on gravel. When he drove right past me, I wanted to scream, call him all kinds of ugly names and then punch him in the face for being an asshole. Except, I knew I was the only asshole in this scenario and “kick-ass” Harley’s mouth was to blame.
I spent the rest of the morning walking around the island and looking at a few places for rent. The first was a large upstairs bedroom in Mr. Dennison’s house, a man in his late seventies. He seemed like a pleasant man with decent mobility, though it was difficult for him to walk up the stairs. He said he hated seeing the rooms go unused. I also had suspected that he was hoping for a little bit of live-in help. Someone to cook, clean and look after him. It was something I felt I couldn’t do, not after taking care of Gram. It would have been too painful.
My next stop option was a room in Selma Green’s attached garage that had been converted into a studio apartment. Selma looked to be in her late fifties and impeccably dressed. Her house felt like a showplace and not really a home. She also had an orange cat that kept trying to climb onto my lap. The whole scene became awkward rather quickly because I hated cats. The persistent ball of fur kept poking me with its tiny, razor sharp claws and I tried repeatedly to gently push it away without appearing rude. It was as if the little orange demon knew how I felt and enjoyed taunting me. Selma had also mentioned that she would significantly reduce my weekly rent if I agreed to join her church and attend service every Sunday. So, on to the next house I went.
The last one was a three-bedroom house owned by Tayia and Blake Jones. Blake was boyishly handsome with light brown hair and baby blue eyes and looked to be in his early twenties. His sister Tayia, a cute brunette with olive skin and big green eyes who appeared to be a few years younger than her brother. While it wasn’t my ideal situation it seemed to be the best option of the three. My feet hurt from walking and besides, they’d agreed to let me move in right away. After signing an agreement with them, Tayia showed me up to my room.
“Here it is. Not much but it’s fully furnished.” She gestured to the full-size bed with a white fluffy comforter, a matching dark wood nightstand, and four-drawer dresser set.
“Thanks, Tayia,” I said feeling grateful that I was able to find something in such a short amount of time since things with Fox didn’t end well.
“So, you said that you’re working at Annette’s Catch?” Tayia asked, leaning against the doorjamb while I walked around the room.
“Yup.” I nodded, not wanting to mention that I’d probably worked my first and last shift the day before. I would have to get out the paper again and find another job fast. I’d given Blake nearly everything I had for the deposit and first week of rent.
“Catch? My best friend Jonna’s family owns that place!” she said enthusiastically. I eyed her suspiciously because she seemed too sweet to be Jonna’s friend.
“Well, it is a small island after all,” I replied dryly.
“Right, well, I’ll stop talking your ear off. I’m in the room next to yours and we share the bathroom down the hall. Blake is in the master bedroom on the first floor. Just holler if you need anything,” she called as she turned and disappeared down the stairs.
As soon as she was gone, I shut the door and flopped down on the bed. I really wanted to take a head-clearing shower but instead I tried humming to myself for a while. But after several repeats of it, I wasn’t feeling any better. I still remembered the scent of him, the taste of him and the way he made me feel. Those blue eyes had invaded my soul from the moment we met, and I wondered how I would ever be the same.
I also couldn’t figure out when my little game had turned on me.
Suddenly, it wasn’t fun anymore.
Chapter Fourteen
My eyes snapped open at the sound of light tapping on the bedroo
m door.
“Harley?” Tayia’s muffled voice called from the hallway.
“Yeah?” I answered groggily, not realizing I’d fallen asleep.
“Annette’s on the phone and wants to know if you could work tonight. Something about Anna still not being back.”
Two questions immediately came to mind. First, how the hell did Annette know that I was there and second, how did I feel about seeing Fox again so soon? With a long sigh, I got up from the bed and opened the door. Tayia’s face was bright as she smiled at me. How is it possible to be that chipper all the damn time?
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” she whispered, holding a phone against her chest to muffle our conversation. “What do you want me to tell Annette?”
It was an opportunity I wasn’t in the position to refuse. I needed money more than I needed to hide from Fox.
