Page 40 of Reconciling With the Rival

“In the imaginary backyard we don’t have.” Hads rolls her eyes. “I don't know. I think he was joking, but sometimes, I can’t tell.”

“Or he’s buying you a house!” Paige says, and the rest of us laugh.

For the rest of the night, we chat about books, and I smile more than I have in the past few weeks. If there’s one thing I always know for sure, it’s that my friends can always recharge my batteries when they're starting to drain.

This week has officiallygone from bad to worse. As I knock on the door of my sister’s apartment, I hope and pray to anything I can that the one person I don't want to see right now doesn't open the door. That would be the fucking cherry on top of this fucking week.

“Leo? What are you doing here?”

“Is Ella here?”

My sister looks at me like I’ve grown four heads. “No, she’s at Paige’s flat for book club.”

“Thank God,” I say as I step into their place.

“What are you doing here? And why do you look so,” my sister does a once over of me, “disheveled?”

“I need your help,” I say as I sink onto her couch. I can’t remember the last time I said that to someone. It feels odd coming from my lips.

“Please tell me you didn't get a girl pregnant, Leo. The last thing I want is to become an Aunty from some one night stand you had.”

“Well…”

“Leo Zimmerman, you did not get—”

I put my hands up in defense as she grabs one of her sandals from by the door.Is she about to throw that at me?“I’m joking! Fucking hell, sis, you should see your face right now.”

Then, she smacks me in the face with her shoe.

“For God’s sake, Liss, not the fucking face!”

“Never do that again, Leo. I mean it.” My sister throws her shoe back to where she got it. “God, you’re the reason my heart rate is so high.”

Me getting a girl pregnant is quite literally the last thing that could happen. In order to get someone pregnant, you would have to have sex—unprotected, might I add. Not only do I always wrap my dick, but I haven't had sex in months.

Maybe that wasn't the best road to go down, considering what I came over here for. Whatever. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

“Okay, can we talk for real?”

“Spit it out, Leo. I know you don’t need money, so what is it?” she asks me as she takes a sip of her drink. I’m not sure if there's alcohol in it, but that could work in my favor. I’m also glad Ella isn't over here, because I know she would turn down what I’m about to ask my sister.

“I need somewhere to live.”

Her face pinches together. “You have a place to live.”

“No, I don’t. I got a call earlier. The flat I planned on moving into soon got delayed for a few more months. There’s some sort of leak that set the construction back. My contract is up at my rental, and I can’t extend it, since someone else is moving in right after me.”

“Shit,” my sister says, knowing what I’m asking her.

“I’ll pay a third of your rent. That’s still cheaper than what I’m paying now, and it will help you guys out a little bit while I’m invading your space.”

“You do realize Ella also lives here, right?”

Yes, I do. And if I end up moving in, Ella and I are going to be around one another every single fucking day—at work and at home. “Yes, but I’ll be nice if she is.”

“I don't believe you.”

“Please, Liss. I’ll do anything. I’m going to be homeless next week if you don’t say yes. I’ll clean, I’ll cook, I’ll pay for food, whatever you want.” I sound like I’m begging because I am. This is quite literally my last resort. The last thing I wanted was to live with Ella and my sister, but hotels are too expensive per night, and there are no other places to rent around here that have stays long enough to last me until my flat is ready.

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