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"Can't be worse than mine."
"I wouldn't take that bet." She runs her hand up my arm and squeezes my shoulder. "I'm glad you spoke to me. Not just because I needed to know and stay the hell away from the dick. Things like that—you can't keep it in. It'll eat you up inside."
She's right. Usually, I'd talk to Lola and Erica, but the first isn't around, and I saw the second for the first time in months last night. "How about you? Anything to get off your chest?"
She snorts a laugh. "Tons." She gets to her feet. "I need to get to work, though. Next time?"
With our schedules, there's no telling when the next time will be. Especially since I'm about to call my boss to beg for extra shifts. Not that a few hours at the café will help me out of my situation, but I can't afford time off right now.
I need to ask my bank for a loan, and when they grant it, I need to pay back the money. That means I'm getting back to work—today, if I can.
I can't think about what will happen if I don't get approved. I just can't.
ChapterThirty-Two
I get a huge fruit basket delivery Monday evening—bananas, strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, cherries. Each one is so delicious, my roommate and I finish it the very same evening.
I text Camden. He didn’t need to be that thoughtful.
Me: Thank you! I loved the fruit.
Camden: I have a few ideas of how you could thank me.
I roll my eyes, but don’t engage him further. I’m too stressed to deal with him after today.
Faith gave me the shifts I request, and I have an appointment with the bank tomorrow afternoon. With a game plan, and my new shoes, which are much kinder to my feet, I get ready for work.
Monday and Tuesday are, blissfully, much calmer than Sunday's madness.It even gets quiet enough for me to get my full hour break. I bring a drink to a booth and start to look into loans on my computer.
My chances aren't good if I go for a traditional loan. My employment record only shows three months of a steady salary. I got my tips in cash and didn't declare all of them, because taxes suck. I might qualify for a student loan, but I don't know how long the paperwork will take.
"Hey! I thought you weren't working today?"
Trent.
I completely forgot about his entire existence until this moment, to be honest. My mind was completely taken over by the fifty thousand bucks I have to somehow produce in the next forty-eight hours.
"Oh, hi."
He bends down to kiss me, and when I move my face, it lands on my cheek.
"I needed the extra shift. I meant to call you," I say honestly. "I had a crazy-ass weekend."
"Are we still on for dinner tomorrow?"
Dammit, I completely forgot about the fact that I'd agreed to dinner Wednesday night.I guess I have to see him at some point to break up with him. I only have five minutes left of my break, so I shouldn't do it now. That said, between the bank and the thug’s deadline, I just can't pile anything else up on my schedule right now. "Can you do Thursday instead? I'm working tomorrow, too."
"You work too much." He squeezes my wrist, affectionate and supportive as ever.
I'm an asshole.
"A girl’s gotta pay the bills." I attempt my best smile, knowing my mind is a million miles away.
To be frank, I always faked it with him to some extent. At least right now I have a compelling reason to be preoccupied.
Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get any more awkward, the door swings open and Camden Hunt strolls inside.
Oh for the love of everything holy, will someone give me a break?
