Page 15 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

It wasn’t enough that Jarrett turned out to be a nightmare, he also decided to skip out on paying rent. I received a text earlier today from him, once he was bailed out, I guess. He said I could pay the rent myself since I was the one who put him in jail. Of course, because him assaulting me and destroying my house ismyfault.

What an asshole.

So now I’m without a roommate, which wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t skip out on his half of the rent that is already due, leaving me in an even bigger bind.

I only have a small savings, and the weight of having to cover his missing part of the rent and the fact that I’ll have to search for a new roommate puts me even more on edge. All my savings will be completely gone: all of the cushion that I built up for Alex and me if I don’t do this.

For the first time in a long time, our future is uncertain, and it terrifies me. What happens when I can’t find another roommate? I can’t afford to pay the rent by myself and continue paying Alex’s school tuition. He worked so hard to get into this private Arts and Science Academy, and I feel like I’m failing.

Which leads me here. Making a call that I swore to myself I would never make, but at this point, I don’t know what else to do. I could never and wouldneverburden my friends with my problems. It’s a vow I made to myself long ago. MJ was already barely getting by, and I couldn’t call Eli while he’s on his honeymoon asking to borrow money. Even if I found a new roommate in enough time, I’m still stuck paying his part of rent for this month and I can’t deplete the little money I have saved to do it because I’ll be digging myself into a hole I’ll never be able to get out of .

The line rings, once, twice, three times before she answers.

“Auden?”

“Hey, Mama,” I say softly, stepping outside the back door of the club. My shift is only halfway over, but I’ve been anxious all day and desperately need to figure things out just so I can breathe a little easier.

I’m still so worked up over last night, but it was surprisingly…comforting to have Asher there this morning. I’m not sure why, but he makes me feel calm, and safe. I mean, he barely knows Alex and me, yet he intervened without a second thought and has been so patient and kind. It’s been a long time since I’ve known a man so understanding.

I still feel his arms around me, comforting me while I cried.

“I know it’s, uh, it’s been a while, I just wanted to call and talk to you for a bit.”

Silence meets me, and I’m not surprised. Both she and my father have reached out over the years, mostly to make me feel like less than them, but they have shown genuine concern for Alex. At this point, though, I can’t tell if it’s a ruse to make me feel inadequate or if they really care how he’s doing because they’ve never tried to see him. Though I’m not even sure I would let them if they asked. I know how manipulative and controlling they can be. There’s nothing I wouldn't do for Alex. No one I would put before him, no matter the situation. It’s my job as his mother.

That’s what makes this phone call so hard, and so scary.

“Nice of you to check in, Auden,” she says curtly. “How are things in Chicago?”

I swallow, trying to hold the tears at bay, but failing miserably.

“Uh, well, I was calling because something has happened. I need help, Mama. I know you and daddy are set on me making my own path, but I just need a little help right now.”

I sit on the curb beside the club, pulling my knees to my chest, as I hold in a breath, waiting for her response. My stomach is in knots, anxiety clawing its way out of me.

“What’s happened, Auden?” Disappointment and condescension lace her tone, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

It’s always the same, no matter what I have to say on the other end of the phone. I’ll never amount to anything, not after being a high school dropout. Not after becoming a statistic my daddy fought so hard for me to never be. I’m an embarrassment to them, a pregnant teenager with no father for my son. My daddy couldn’t stand the thought or that I refused to acquiesce to their demands. Enough to where he disowned his own daughter.

“My roommate assaulted me last night, Mama. I had to call the police, and he was arrested. Now, he’s refusing to pay the rent he owes.”

There’s a shocked gasp on the other end of the line. “My God, Auden, what kind of environment do you have my grandson in?”

Right. Grandson. That one she’s never even met. Resentment courses through me. She doesn’t even care if we’re okay or hurt.

“Alex is perfectly safe. It’s not like I asked to be assaulted, and I ran a background check and credit report before he became my roommate. There weren’t any flags. And, I don’t need to hear your disappointment right now, Mama, trust me I know that you wish you had an entirely different daughter. I just…would you and Daddy please help me this month? Just cover his half of the rent until I can find a new roommate and pay you back. You know I never really ask you for help, I just…this time, I really, really need it.”

I hold my breath while I wait for her response. With everything inside me, I hated asking her this, but I would push my pride to the side if it meant taking care of Alex.

“Absolutely not.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, blowing out a sigh. I knew the answer before I even picked up the phone, but I owed it to Alex to at least try. I’ll see where I can cut back things, see what I can shave down to help until I can find another roommate.

“Okay, Mama. I understand.”

“I mean honestly, Auden, the audacity you have to call and beg us for money when you put yourself in this situation. We knew you couldn’t do this on your own. Wait until your father hears about this. He’s going to belivid.” She scoffs. “Your father and I will not be supporting your…trashy lifestyle. It’s bad enough that you work in a strip club. Lord, imagine when people hear that. It’s a disgrace, and so utterly embarrassing.”

“Can we not?” I swallow thickly, the threat of my father more than I can bear right now. My anxiety is already through the roof, and the weight of his disappointment is too heavy to bear. I shouldn’t care what they think, either of them, they’re the same people they’ve always been.

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