Page 23 of The Bad Brother

What a coincidence, those are also the busiest nights for our emergency room.

Before I can say it out loud, River opens the door with a small flourish and I fall in love.

Holy shit.

Stepping into the large, open space, I turn myself in a slow circle to take it all in. Gleaming hardwood floors. Exposed brick on the exterior walls. Twenty-foot ceilings crisscrossed with refurbished wood beams. A kitchen with living edge countertops and brand-new, restaurant-quality appliances. Living room and dining room, both gorgeously furnished by someone with taste and who can afford quality. On the other side of the living room is a spiral staircase that leads to a large, open loft space. I can see the ornate footboard of a king-size bed from where I’m standing.

“There’s a half bath for guests behind the kitchen, across from the laundry room. The bedroom and a full bath are upstairs,” River says behind me while I wander around and try not to gawk. Stopping in front of a pair of large, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, I open one to step out onto a well-appointed terrace that looks out across a rolling green lawn that leads down to the river. I can see the hospital’s ambulance bay from here. When I’m on call, I could beacross the bridge and scrubbing in for surgery within fifteen minutes.

It's perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“It comes furnished,” River says, confirming my worst fears. “Utilities included and it’s move in ready—you can move in right now if you want.”

No, I can’t because above the rowdiest bar in Barrett county or not, there’s no way I can afford this place.

Turning away from the window, I give River a brittle smile while I fight back frustrated tears. “You’re right, River—this place is great.” Looking around I try not to imagine myself living here. “Better than great—it’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Which is why I can’t possibly afford it.”

Now River frowns at me. “How do you know? You don’t even know how much the rent is. You didn’t even ask.”

She’s right, I didn’t. Because I don’t have to. Because whatever it is, it’s more than I have at the moment, but I ask anyway. “Okay… how much is rent.”

“Five hundred a month.” She blurts it out like she just pulled the number from thin air.

“Five hundred?” I repeat the number like I must’ve heard wrong. When all she does is nod her head in confirmation, I sigh. “What about the security deposit? Terms—first and last? Cleaning fee?”

She gives me a shrug. “I don’t want any of that. Just give me five-hundred dollars and its yours.”

“River…” Shaking my head, I start to tell her she’s crazy, even while something wild flutters in my belly.

Hope.

It feels like hope.

Hope that I’ve found a clean, decent place to regroup and lick my wounds that is not only affordable but almost as close to the hospital as my condo.

Before I can say anything, she cuts me off. “Look—” sweeping her gaze around the room, she sighs. “I’ve been bugging Jen to let me rent this place out for months now. He finally said yes and if I don’t get someone in here,fast,he’s gonna change his mind.”

“Wait—” Suddenly confused, I shake my head. “your boss doesn’twantto rent the place out?”

“Yes, he does.” River gives me a stubborn head nod. “He just doesn’t know it yet.”

Frowning, I shake my head. “I don’t know what that means, River.”

“It means Jen needs to move on and he’s never going to be able to do it while this place is empty.” River sighs. “He told me I can rent it to whoever I want. He won’t kick you out. I won’t let him—I swear.”

Even though I still have no idea what she’s talking about, I feel myself start to bend. This is such a bad idea.

Shit.

I’m going to regret this—I just know it.

But I’m desperate and head over heels in love with the thought of living in this place, no matter how temporary.

Driven by impulse and instinct, I reach into my bag and pull out my wallet. Opening it, I retrieve the stack of bills I stuffed in there over a week ago to secure Ethan’s wedding gift. “I have fifteen hundred dollars, cash—can I pay three months in advance?”

If I pay in cash in advance and there’s a binding leaseagreement signed before River’s boss finds out, hecan’tkick me out, no matter how much he wants to.

At least that’s what I’ve decided to tell myself.

---