Page 31 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

I could have burned the entire building down today.

I could have hurt myself. Or Leo.

River.

Fuck, I am such a moron.

I glance around my new living space. Aside from a few color changes like different flooring and cabinetry, it’s the exact unit I have—had—just flipped.

Should be a relatively easy adjustment. That’s good, because I could use something easy considering I just set my apartment on fire and all.

Shit. I can’t believe River of all people took me in.

My sister’s place was a bust, considering she’s still living back in Assholetown.

Nolan’s place is way too small, and sketchy. The dude should move to a better neighborhood.

And there’s no way in hell I’ll be going to my parents with this. My dad would eat this mishap up like it’s bacon, and my old man fucking loves bacon.

A hotel would have been my only other option, and it would have been an expensive one. When River offered up her place, I almost said no. I’d pony up that money just to spite her kindness. But then the thought of picking up my life and moving into a complete unknown for an indefinite number of weeks when I have so much on my plate coming up…

And, well, here I am.

Fucking hell.I scrub a hand through my hair, pulling at the ends a little too hard. But, shit, I mean, how dumb am I to let myself get into this mess? With my luck, this is going to take months to fix. It’s going to completely throw off Leo’s schedule,myschedule. It’s—

“Hey.” River’s voice interrupts my panic. “Everything will be fine. Lucy was right—nobody was hurt, and that’s the most important thing. Apartments and things are replaceable. People and pets aren’t. Just focus on that and everything else will fall into place.”

Her words are soft. Calming even, like she can read the anxiety flowing through my mind. It’s the sweetest her tone has ever been toward me.

“Uh, thanks.” I lift a hand, squeezing the back of my neck. It’s strange being on the receiving end of niceness from River.

Yet…it’s comforting.

“You’re welcome.” She clears her throat, then points toward the console resting against the wall. “You can put Leo over here if that works for you. You’ll be staying in my office, and there’s no spot for a tank in there. I’ll go in and rearrange it tomorrow so there’s room for more than just an air mattress. You’ll have to sleep on the couch for tonight.”

“I don’t mind the couch. Some nights I pass out on mine anyway. I’m just thankful to have a place to stay.”

And it’s true.

Even if it is with River.

She nods and begins pulling knickknacks off the console, moving them to the bookshelf taking up the other wall. “I don’t have much food here and I was planning on pie for dinner, so we’ll need to grocery shop too.”

“I can pay for those. It can be part of my rent for staying here. Which, again, I appreciate.”

Another short nod. “And I’ll need to stop by the hardware store sometime to get you a key. Maya has my only spare.”

She moves on quickly again, like she doesn’t want me to acknowledge her niceness at all.

I just don’t get why.

“What’s your angle?”

She halts her movements, peeking up at me through the messy red hair that’s barely staying in the clip she has it thrown up in. “Excuse me?”

“I said, what’s your angle? Why are you letting me stay here and then acting all whatever about it when I keep trying to thank you?”

Her brows go up a fraction. “Is that what you’re doing?”

---