Page 44 of Breaking Hollywood

She bursts into tears.

Ah, fuck.

“Jesus. Speedy, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“You didn’t.” She sniffles.

“Then, why are you crying?”

“Things have just been a bit rough recently. I’m sorry I got upset.” She dries her face with her hands. “I’ll go figure something out with Gucci, and then I’ll come back to take care of you. I just don’t know what I’m gonna do…”

“Where did she spend yesterday?”

“She was at my apartment.”

“So, why isn’t she there today?”

She shifts uneasily on her feet.

“Speedy?”

“I don’t have an apartment anymore, okay?” Her eyes fill with tears again.

An unfamiliar ache appears in my chest. “What do you mean, you don’t have an apartment anymore?”

“I was evicted. It was my last night there. As of this morning, I’m officially homeless. I’ve been trying to get a new apartment for Gucci and me, but there’s nowhere that allows pets.”

Fuck. She’s lost her job and her apartment.

And I know very well how hard it is to be stuck with nowhere to go.

“Why did you lose your apartment?”

“Well, after Jeremy left, I was feeling lonely and a bit sad. And, one night, I was on YouTube, watching cute animal videos to cheer me up, and I came across this one of pygmy goats. And they were so adorable, and I just felt really happy, watching them.

“So, I Googled pygmy goats for sale, and a website came up. A farm in Glendale. I emailed them to see if they had any, and the guy responded back, saying he had one left. So, I said I’d drive down in the morning to have a look. And, when I saw her, I just fell in love. She was so sweet and friendly. So, I paid the guy and brought her home with me.

“Only I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to have a pet in the apartment. And she was being a bit noisy, as she was nervous, I think, from being in a strange place at first. And, when I was at work, she apparently made a lot of noise because some of my neighbors complained to my landlord. He said I either got rid of her or I was out. And, of course, I couldn’t get rid of her. So, he gave me a month’s notice, and I haven’t been able to find another place that allows pets.

“And then I lost my job yesterday, and I hit you with my car and said I’d take care of you. So, I didn’t get a chance to sort anything. But I will.”

“You made yourself homeless for a goat.”

She frowns. “She’s not just a goat, Gabriel. I told you, she’s my family.”

I don’t know if I should admire her loyalty or have her committed for making herself homeless for a goat.

“Where are you planning on sleeping tonight?”

She shifts on her feet, clearly uncomfortable at my question. “Well, my friend Logan said I could crash on his couch until I got myself sorted, but he’s not allowed to have pets at his place either, and I don’t want to get him into any trouble with his landlord.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Speedy. Where are you staying tonight?”

She bites her lip, nervously twisting her hands in front of her. “Well, if I can’t get a hotel room, I guess we’ll be sleeping in my car.”

“Where’s all your stuff?”

“Why?”