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I watched her from the corner of my eye as she huddled at the end of the bar in the entry to the hallway. It was quiet enough that her voice could be heard. Did she know we could hear her?
“Now really isn’t a good time. I’m at work… I don’t know, it seems fine. It’s different… quieter.” She paused to giggle. “The manager is really nice. I’m not sure about the other guy yet. He’s kind of a dick.”
I didn’t have time to get frustrated before Auston punched my arm. “Why are you being such an asshole?”
“I’m not being an asshole.” Who was I kidding? I was definitely being an asshole, but I couldn’t help it. I had a strange feeling about her.
“You’re kidding, right?”
I crossed my arms and rested my hip against the bar. “I’m just not sure she’s going to fit in, okay?”
He lifted his brow in a mix of annoyance and sheer amusement. “And that’s because…?”
“She just doesn’t seem like she’s going to fit in well. I don’t know. She seems a little full of herself, or like she’s too good for us or this bar.” As I went on, Auston tilted his head more towards his shoulder. “I mean, come on, man. Cross-stitch and cooking shows? She is probably too much of a good girl to really fit in here.”
Auston opened his mouth to say something, but the argument came from behind me.
“You think I’m a good girl? You have no idea what kind of girl I am.” Her voice was full of malice, and she narrowed her eyes. When she turned back to Auston, the anger in her face had disappeared. “I should head out. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Actually, tomorrow is Logan’s night. I won’t be back until Thursday.” Auston shot me a warning glance.
“Great.” She dragged out the word, not waiting for it to end before she grabbed her things. “I guess I’ll see you then, champ.”
I gritted my teeth and groaned. My head hurt preemptively. “See you then, sweetheart.”
Chapter 4
Simone
Ithrew myself onto my sheets, clutching my phone in my hand when I rolled over. The purple sheets were scratchy, unlike the ones I had in Detroit – the ones I had thrown away to move here. It was to be expected when I’d spent less than fifteen dollars on new ones, but at least they were my favorite color. Supposedly, that would make it feel more like home.
It didn’t.
Sighing, I unlocked my phone and hit the most contacted name in my call log. It only rang twice before my cousin picked up. It was almost instant comfort in the way he sucked in a breath before he greeted me.
“Hey, kiddo.”
I grumbled. I was only three years younger than him, but he’s always acted like it was a larger difference. “Hey, Chance.”
“Woah, you don’t sound so hot. What’s up, buttercup?” He was usually the one to make me laugh without much of an effort, and this was no different. I giggled, ending it with a small sob.
“Did I make a mistake?” I paused, picking at the thread already coming loose at the seam on my fitted sheet. Great. “Like moving to Grand Rapids?” I winced, furrowing my brow as if he could see me. Was it too early to admit defeat and move home?
“No. Why would you say that?” His voice was stern, but then he sighed. “You were so excited about this change a week ago. Now you think it’s a mistake? What the hell happened?”
“It’s just… I thought it would be an easier adjustment.” Was I expecting instant friends as if I was Little Miss Popular back home? Yes, not that I had ever made friends as easily as I wanted to.
“You’re in a good spot staying with Emmy. Did you get all settled and unpacked?”
I looked around the room at the two boxes and single suitcase stacked in front of the closet. In front of the pile sat the few outfits I’d worn since I arrived, but the rest of it was still trapped behind zippers and clear tape. Unpacking was such a permanent moment, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“Yeah, I’m all moved in.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before he cleared his throat. “Okay, tell me about the new job.”
I jerked upright on the bed with images of Pour Decisions crossing my mind. I could handle a strange environment, but this one was different than anywhere I had worked in the past.
“Oh my god, Chance. It’s such a weird place. There were people putting dresses on dead rats when I got there! And a group of rough-looking bikers practically humping their Bibles. I’m pretty sure they have a sign somewhere that welcomes only the strange and unusual, but supposedly it gets really busy. I can’t imagine that many people are playing dress up with rats, right?” I paused. “Right?”
