Page 27 of Comeback
“It really isn’t and I want to get up early in the morning for a run.”
“A run.” Tripp scoffs, then he motions toward me. “We can’t go. She’s celebrating tonight.”
Archer’s brows pinch together, and he glances at me. Tripp’s face scrunches up, and he shoots me an apologetic look while Archer’s attention is still on me.
“I think I’ve celebrated my return to Lake City quite enough. Thank you for the drinks. I drank them good.”
He laughs. “You sure did, Little Six.”
“I’m not a Six.”
“You’re right, baby. You’re a hard ten.”
Archer groans. “That was a terrible line. Even for you.”
Tripp smirks. “I’m not wrong though, am I?”
Archer’s jaw is tight as he flicks his stare to me. “No. You’re not wrong.”
9
SABRINA
“Aunt Brina, this place is not very clean.” Greer’s adorable face scrunches up as she looks around my studio.
It’s not that different than the face her mom made the first time she saw this place, but I am not deterred. I can see the potential.
“No, it’s not,” I tell her. Greer is five and has no problem speaking her opinion on all things. She hates bananas, bedtime, and bugs with equal measure.
“That’s why we have to clean it up. So people will come and dance with us.” I find an extra broom and twirl in a circle before handing it to her.
She giggles and spins the same way I did. Her blonde ringlets bounce around her shoulders as she comes to a stop, grinning so wide I can see every single one of her teeth.
“We’re going to need a lot more than a couple brooms.” Olivia blows out a breath that puffs out her cheeks, but like the true friend that she is, pulls out her phone and starts some music for us before jumping in to help.
I am not blind to the amount of work that needs to be done in here, but I truly can see it all cleaned up and full of life again.And more importantly, I can see myself here. I always wanted to live and work in an area with a lot of people and things happening. I can grab coffee across the street and lunch at the pizza place or grab a drink at the bar a block away after the day is done. I want this. I’ve wanted it for a long time and now that it’s finally happening, a little dirt (okay, fine, a lot of dirt) isn’t going to scare me away.
Olivia and Greer stay until dinnertime. We make some good progress on cleaning the front windows, but it’s like every step shows just how bad everything else is.
“Do you want to come over for pizza night?” Olivia asks.
My stomach growls, but I shake my head. “Thank you, but I want to stay a little while longer while I still have light.”
“When does the electrician come?” She grabs her purse and hooks it over one shoulder.
“Next week.” I hold up my fingers and cross my middle finger over my pointer finger. “Hopefully the weather stays bearable until then.”
We’re having an unseasonably cool few days, and that mixed with a couple fans blowing air are the only reason it’s not scorching hot in here.
Olivia mimics my motion, crossing fingers on both hands. Greer does too. As soon as they’re gone, I miss the company, but I get back to work.
Aside from the front windows being cleaned, the main room is swept and I’ve washed one wall. Can I just paint over the dirt? I’m not sure, but I add it to the list of things I need to google later. When the sun is setting and I have to seriously pee (I haven’t braved the bathroom yet for fear of the animals living there), I head home.
My chest is tight as I walk into the apartment and my breathing is a little shallow. I may need to start wearing a mask while I’m there so my asthma doesn’t flair up. Archer’s musicvibrates the floor, but I don’t hear or see him or my other roommates.
I head straight for the shower to rinse off the grime and sweat, and then get dressed for work at Lilac Lounge.
Exhaustion has seeped into my bones. I so wish I didn’t have to go tonight. The hangover this morning combined with being on my feet all day at the studio, pretty much ensures I’m going to be a zombie by the time my shift is over.
