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We say our goodbyes and depart. Then I look down at my phone at the list of other potential places I’ll be looking at today. They’re fine, I guess. I’ll go look. But nothing screamshometo me. I shrug to myself, pulling onto the street and off to my next destination.
I sincerely hope one of these places pans out. Otherwise, I’ll be homeless in a few weeks. The lease on my place ends this month, and I don’t want to pay the outrageous month-to-month extension they’re asking. Sure, I make great money, but I’m not exactly in the mood to spend it on stupid shit.
Maybe, if all else fails, I can stay with my brother and his wife until something comes up. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. I’d love to get to know Drew and Ava more anyway. I know I wasn’t exactly a huge fan of Drew in the beginning, but once I realized her intentions were pure, I couldn’t be happier for them. And Ava is an awesome bonus. Being an uncle will probably be really cool, and living closer will give me the chance to find out.
I pull into the parking garage of what’s supposed to be a five-story building in an older but up-and-coming part of town. This place looks like an abandoned warehouse, with its rust-colored brick and large panel windows that are so dirty you can’t even see through them.Jesus.
I look around the parking lot and across the street at the other buildings. This area looks nearly deserted. There are no people walking by, only one or two cars on the street, and no signs of life in the windows.
Tapping my foot against the brake pedal of my Mercedes, I wait to see if anyone else pulls up or comes out of the building.This doesn’t feel right.I scroll back through the listing on the real estate website, but there’s no phone number listed.Also strange.
“Screw this,” I mumble into the empty space of my car. I push the car into reverse and back out onto the road, not even bothering to check for traffic because, well, there hasn’t been any for the last ten minutes.
This is the sort of situation someone finds themselves in right before they get mugged or their car gets jacked. I’m not so desperate for a place to live that I need to risk my lifeormy Benz.
Of course, I’m not due at the next appointment for another hour and a half. Getting lunch won’t exactly hurt my feelings either. I probably even have time to stop into Hawk’s shop and say hello. Will is probably there too, and I haven’t seen her in a while.
My brother’s best friend, Will, might as well be our sister. She’s been a tagalong member of our family since I was in middle school. Though, I’ll admit, she grew up very, very nicely. I’ve done my best not to notice the development of her womanly curves over the years, but I’m a man, okay? I’m not blind.
I grab a sack full of sandwiches from a nearby deli and make my way to Bird’s Eye. I can’t exactly walk in with sandwiches for just me and Hawk. That’s rude. Today, everyone gets a sandwich.
I’m sure Will and the guys will be fine with what I got. I know Avery and Hanson will be. For them, free food is the most delicious. I haven’t really spent a lot of time around them, but during Hawk’s bachelor party, I had the chance to get to know them a little more. They’re good guys. My brother has done a great job at building a solid team.
It’s about noon when I arrive at the shop. The bell over the door rings overhead as I step into what can only be described as chaos.
I’d forgotten about the expansion for a second too long. Part of the new section of the shop is still draped in plastic as workers install booths on one of the far walls.
“I don’t care what you said,” a familiar voice booms down the small hallway leading to the office in the back. “The paint is supposed to be here today, and you need to figure out how to get it here as promised.” Will appears a moment later, the shop phone to her ear as she gives hell to the person on the other end of the call.
She stops dead in her tracks as her eyes lock on me. I smile and wave, which doesn’t go a long way in wiping the blank expression from her face.
“I have to go,” she says into the receiver. “See you soon with the paint.” Will hangs up the phone, placing it on a counter close to her and tucking her loose hair behind her ear. “Hi,” she says to me. “I didn’t know you’d be here this early.”
“I have some time between showings, so I brought sandwiches by. I was hoping to say hi to Hawk.”
“Oh, um,” she hesitates, “Hawk isn’t here. He’s running some errands to prepare for you coming by later.”
I nod and laugh. “No worries. I’m sure his sandwich won’t go to waste between Avery and Hanson.”
“Did I hear my name?” Avery pops his head up from his booth, his tattoo gun still buzzing in the air.
“Got a sandwich for you when you’re done,” I yell back toward him.
“Sweet,” he says, poking his head back down to concentrate on the client he’s tattooing.
“Um, we can eat in the office, if you want?” Will offers.
I nod, letting her lead me back to the more private space. “So, how’s life, Willette?” I tease.
She hates her full name, though I don’t know why. I’ve always liked it. It’s different and it suits her. For whatever reason, she lets me get away with it.
“It’s shitty, Derek,” she says. “My life is shit.”
I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY
WILL
Derek is the only person who gets away with calling me by my full name without getting hell from me in return. Everyone else would die by my hands if they ever called me Willette.
