Page 35 of Snapshot

Practically skipping with joy that I don’t have to call my mom, I make my way over. I ring the doorbell and wait patiently but to no avail. When that doesn’t work, I start to knock. I know his house is big, but it’s notthatbig. Did he hear the bell and make himself a freaking sandwich first? I know he’s home. All the lights are on.

By the time he opens the door, I’m scowling. His face, however, lights up when he sees me. “Oh, hey, Trouble. Your hair.”

I grab it self-consciously, remembering my crappy dye job. “What? It’s bad?”

“No, it looks great. Purple again. And with you knocking all crazy like that, it’s bringing back memories. You want to come in and have a beer?” He looks me up and down. “I warn you, though, the pitch jar rate has gone up. Fifteen bucks.”

I try not to laugh, but I can’t help it. “Why’d you take so long to answer the door?”

He frowns. “Sorry, I was finishing a work call. I hung up as soon as I could.”

“Work? It’s like eight o’clock at night.”

He shrugs but doesn’t offer an explanation. “Are you coming in?” He nods over his shoulder, gesturing inside.

He smells so good. His house smells good too. I’m going to miss him so much. “Don’t you want to know why I’m here first?”

He screws up his face like I said something absurd. “Do you need a reason to be here? I just thought you came to say hi.”

Dammit, that would’ve been more considerate. “That too.” I cringe.

He chuckles. “What’s up, Len? You need something?”

“I got evicted. My roommate fucked me over big time, and now she’s on the run. I have to be out by tomorrow. I still have to move my bed, but my car isn’t big enough. Finn’s out of town and took his truck. I’ve been breaking my back, moving stuff into my car all day by myself, but now I really need help, and I’m running out of time.”

Dex narrows his eyes as he leans against the door frame. Even leaning, he’s so tall he looks a little intimidating at the moment. It’s not the reaction I was hoping for. I thought we’d spring into action, quick like bunnies. I realize it’s not the most fun task at night, but I’d do it for him. Isn’t that what friends are for? But judging by the annoyed look on his face, I half expect him to brush me off.

“When did all this happen?” he finally asks.

“Earlier today.”

“And where the fuck is your boyfriend? He’s just standing by, letting you go through this all by yourself? This whole good guy façade, and then he shits the bed when it matters most?”

I stare down at my blue cowgirl boots, noticing the fringe on the left side is starting to come loose. There’s also a black scuff on the top of my right boot. I’m really just noticing anything tonot have to meet Dex’s stare. I know he’s looking at me. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt my feelings, but he did. I don’t need a reminder of how I blew up my entire life in the past few weeks. Got fired. Threw away the best relationship I’ve ever had. Blindly trusted a freaking drug dealer as a roommate.

I get it.I’m fucking up.

“We broke up,” I muster out. “So, I didn’t call him. I’m sure if I did, he would’ve offered to help.” I finally lift my eyes to meet his, and all I see is sympathy on his face.

“Oh, Len. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“We’re on good terms though,” I assure him with a little nod.

The smile that always starts at the corner of his eyes doesn’t quite reach his lips this time. “No ass-kicking needed?”

“Not at all. And anyway, I’d call Finn for that.”

He clutches his chest, pretending like I broke his heart. “That’s offensive.”

I turn my hands so the backs are facing him, then wiggle my fingers. “I mean, you’re strong, but you’re such a pretty boy. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your manicure.”

His laugh is thick and grumbly. The best sound in the world. It immediately lifts my mood. “Okay, Trouble, you’re going to pay for that.”

I’m laughing now, too. “Go ahead and kick a girl when she’s down.”

He exhales and crosses his arms, still surveying me.What the hell is he trying to figure out?I just told him everything. “Your mattress is a piece of shit.”

“This is fact,” I say noncombatively.

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