Page 10 of Bound to the Daddy

He holds his hand up, keeping me from stepping any further as he speaks into his radio. “What seems to be the issue?”

“It’s with my last paycheck. I’m missing a large chunk.”

Again, he speaks into his radio and listens for a moment. “According to them, all is correct. You were docked the last few days due to the incident leading to your termination. Now please leave before I have government enforcement remove you forcibly.”

This can’t be happening. This cannot be fucking happening. I don’t even have enough to fully cover my rent. What the hell am I going to do?

Thankfully, when I start the car, it cranks up without an issue. The check engine light is still there, but it should get me back to my apartment. As long as I can get home, I’ll be fine.

I stareat the television screen, but don’t really see what’s playing. Right now, it’s just noise in the background while I think. There’s a chance I could get a loan, but without a current job, that will be difficult.

The unemployment screen on my laptop fuzzes as tears blur my vision. Unfortunately, my boss was right. In bold, red letters, it says I’m not eligible. None of this makes any sense.

Who could I have pissed off? Who even knew me well enough to put in some false claim? Is it possible to sue? But then, the onus would be on me to prove I was wrongfully terminated. Not to mention how expensive lawyers can be.

Mr. Rothsbourne would have the money for a lawyer. I just don’t relish the idea of crawling to him like this. Not when I’m sure I can figure something else out.

With a determined sigh, I check online for possible job openings. With my car the way it is, something from home would be ideal, but I’ll take anything at this point.

Several hours go by, and I’m positively sick to my stomach. Whatever I’m accused of doing has been seeded into the internet. Not one application allows me to upload my resume.

Sliding my laptop off to the side, I curl up onto the couch and force myself to concentrate on the drama happening on the screen. If I can just sleep for a little bit, everything will be okay. I’m just far too panicked to think clearly. That’s all.

After another hour or two, my eyes close. Nightmares flit in and out of my dreams as I toss and turn on the couch, unable to really sleep all that deeply but not be awake either.

When the sun streams into my windows, I force myself to get up. Every joint aches. Every muscle is sore. Groaning, I stretch and do my best to get my brain into gear. Coffee only does so much, but at least the cobwebs are now cleared away.

Pulling down a calendar, I note the days left until rent is due. Three… Three fucking days. What can I do in three days?

For a half a minute, I debate giving some blow jobs or hand jobs to come up with the cash, but that’s not me. Even if I wasn’t with Brody, I don’t think I could do that. Deep down, I know I wouldn’t make a very convincing sex worker.

Helpless, I look around my apartment for things to sell in a hurry. Unfortunately, there’s not much. My laptop is the most expensive thing I own, but I need it to look for work. I suppose Icould make do with my phone. A notification buzzes in drawing my attention.

Fuck. I forgot about the electric bill. Normally it doesn’t matter that it comes out on autopay since I always have enough for my bills and rent. But now, that’s another couple hundred I’ll have to make up somehow. Three days. Just three days.

Grabbing a bag, I throw several things in and walk to my local pawn shop. I don’t dare use my car more than I have to. Not until I know exactly what’s wrong with it and how much it will take to fix.

By the time I’m there, sweat pours down my back, and I nearly pant as I push my way through the door. Several people look at me, the judgment clear in their eyes. But I don’t have the luxury of caring. With a groan, I set my bag on the counter.

“How much for all of this?”

The man sifts through everything for a few minutes and frowns. “I could give you seventy-five.”

“For all of this? All of it? But this laptop is only two years old?”

He picks it up again and looks it over. “Yes, but this model is discontinued. No one’s buying this brand anymore.”

I can’t keep the tears at bay as I reach for it. “I was told it would last…”

“You were scammed. I don’t know what else to tell you. The seventy-five is generous. I’m planning on scrapping it and using it for parts. Do you want it or not?”

“I need a lot more than that.”

“How much?”

“At least six hundred?”

The man gives a low whistle. “Even if this was a new laptop, you wouldn’t get that much. Have you considered a loan?”

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