Page 53 of Miss Typed

This was something that got her attention. She looked up. “The debt is paid?”

I grinned. “Yes. Finally.”

“Good. Now we can focus on other things. Like replacing the stove, and I don’t think the furnace will last another year. And don’t get me started on the carpeting. Also, the chimney needs sweeping, the shed needs to be repaired or replaced, and I don’t remember the last time my car had an oil change.”

I had to blink back the tears. Just when I’d thought the heavy wet blanket of burden had gotten lighter, here it was getting heavy again.

My mom didn’t know I’d been stripping, but somehow I didn’t think she’d care. Sadly, I didn’t think it would have fazed her even if I’d told her I’d nearly prostituted myself to earn the money needed to get back the deed to the house. We’d been scraping by before the death of my father, but after— Well, after everything had been about survival. James had pitched in at first, but soon it became apparent he was using. And then hanging with the wrong people. Then gone for weeks at a time, only returning home when he needed to flop between binges.

“I won’t be making as much money going forward, but I’ll send home what I can.” If I wasn’t stripping, it would cut my contribution down significantly. Still, I could send home the extra thousand per month I’d been doing all along. I knew that helped with groceries and the heating bill. Perhaps I could get a second job waitressing or something to reimburse Aiden what I now owed him.

“In that case, it would be prudent for you to move home after your contract is up. Mr. Jenkins mentioned he’s hiring secretaries, and you could work nights waitressing at the Blue Bird Café. Unless, of course, you want Rachel to give up choir and work there?”

There was nothing wrong with my younger sister getting a part-time job, in my opinion, but I certainly didn’t want her to give up her after-school activities like I’d had to do when I’d worked at the café all through high school. Sometimes it felt as if I’d never not been working. Heck, I remembered babysitting at age twelve for the kids down the street. And suddenly, I was weary.

“I’m thinking of moving back to LA to return to school. I could still help out, but I’d really like to finish my degree.”

Her shrewd eyes met mine. “What good would your degree in graphic design do you? You can’t tell me there’s money in an entry position.” She shook her head, jabbing at the cloth on the table. “Going to college when your family is barely getting by would be selfish, Chloe.”

Would it? Just once, I’d have loved for my mother to let me follow my dreams and be proud I could make my own living. “I still have three months left on my contract in Dubai.”

She sighed. “Rachel will have a lot more expenses next year since she’s a senior. And having you here with another car would help us out. Having the one gets tough. If you were to get a used car and Rachel learned how to drive, then you girls could share it. Would help me out in shuttling everyone back and forth.”

My shoulders slumped in defeat. I didn’t begrudge my younger sisters anything, but I was exhausted by feeling like they were my responsibility all of the time. As if I was the other parent instead of their sister.

“Also, Rachel could use a new winter coat. Both girls could. For the money you’d get for that jacket, you could buy two.”

Yes. I could. And I would. Because it would be the right thing to do. It would be the unselfish thing to do. It would be the path of least resistance. Hell, I’d probably give Rachel my boots, too. Because God forbid I actually did what I wanted instead of what was expected.

“When do you go back?”

“I have a few days.” I’d take my sisters to dinner at Chili’s, a rare treat for them, sell my coat, take them shopping for their own jackets and boots, and run them around for their activities. Then I’d leave a home in which I no longer seemed welcome.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chloe

I might only have a few months left on my contract in Dubai, but I found myself pondering an extension the minute I arrived back. At least that would prevent me from having to move home. I could always do a couple online classes even if I planned to work two jobs like I’d done in LA. Yes, that was my next goal. Get a part-time job to help pay Aiden back.

Aiden. I’d missed him. When I came into the office on my first day back in Dubai, I found myself on edge, waiting to see him. But by the time lunch came around, there was still no sign of my boss. I thought perhaps he wouldn’t be in today, but a voice startled me as I was bent down to get something out of the bottom drawer of my desk.

“Hi, Chloe.”

My stomach erupted with butterflies when I rose to see him standing beside my desk, looking unbelievably handsome in a suit and tie. “Hi. How are you?”

“Good. If you have a few minutes, I’d like to catch up in my office.”

“Okay.” After he unlocked his door, I followed him in, trying not to get nervous about being alone with him for the first time in days.

“Take a seat, please.” He did the same behind his desk, bringing a document out of his briefcase.

I sat perched on the edge of my seat while studying his tired face. I wondered if he’d been sleeping. Wondered if he’d missed me at all. “What is it?”

“It’s the deed to your family’s home. I thought it might be best for you to hold on to it.”

“Thank you. You’re right. It’s probably for the best.” That way my mom wouldn’t be able to sign it over quite so easily again.

His attention laser focused on me. “How was time with your family?”