Lexi
My first client isn’t until noon, so I spend the morning taking advantage of the building’s amenities. The gym is simple but clean and high-quality. I’m not a gym rat, but it’s fun to play, so I do a few rounds on the machines. Then I head up to the rooftop pool, which is amazing. I had both to myself.
When I go into Stylz, I’m a new woman.
Until Arissa corners me in the kitchenette. “Listen, Lexi. I know you’ve had a rough time with the accident and being out of work”
“No, I know,” I cut in. “I owe you a lot. But I can make a payment right now, and I’ll give you everything I make today. I just need another month or two to get the back rent paid down, but I promise I’m good for it.”
I have the money I’d planned on giving the landlord, plus a couple hundred dollars from Bobby, and now that I don’t have to worry about paying rent, I can use all my earnings toward paying her off first, then chipping down my medical bills.
“It’s just that you haven’t made any payments toward the back pay at all, and”
“I’m so sorry. It’s just taken me a while to climb out of the hole, but I’m starting to catch up.” I definitely don’t want to explain that I’d prioritized her below my landlord, nor am I going to tell her I got myself evicted.
Behind her, I see Ondrea wincing for me.
“Let me give you the money I have right now.” I push past her, even though she doesn’t seem finished with whatever kind of ambush this is. I grab my purse and fish out every dollar I have, counting them up and handing them to Arissa, who followed me over. “This is nine hundred eighty-five,” I say.
She’s not impressed. In fact, she seems even more offended. “You had this much money in your purse the whole time?” she snaps.
Ugh. “Well, no.” Crap. Now she thinks I was holding out on her. I’d better just tell her the truth. “I just scraped this together to bring to you today.” Not a complete lie.
She narrows her eyes. “You owe me twenty-five hundred more. I need it by the end of this month or you’re out.”
I somehow hide my gasp, but my heart starts pounding like there’s an ax murderer after me. Ondrea makes a horrified face behind Arissa.
She’s kicking me out?
I thought we were on better terms than that. I really did. I was never late before the accident. I thought she knew me.
I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears back.
She must see them because I can see her resolve wobble. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I can barely make the rent here, and you haven’t shown any signs of catching up.”
“I’m catching up!” I insist, even though it’s not really true. “I’ll pull together the rest of the money. I promise.” I don’t know how, but I will.
“Good.”
She walks away, and I get busy, trying to pretend things aren’t completely awkward for me here now.
Even if I figure out how to put together that much money by the end of the month, I’m honestly not sure I want to stay here now. I love Ondrea and a few of the other stylists here, but…ugh.
I have no right to resent her for leaning on me, either. Of course, she has a business to run. I guess I’m just…hurt, honestly. We were friendly before.
Now it feels icky.
God, I hope I get the trainer job.
Bobby
“Mayor Randolph. What can I do for you?”
“Cut the crap, Manghini. You know damn well why I’m calling. I had phone calls from five reporters asking about my contracts with you. What the fuck is going on?”
Reporters. Fuck.
How did that happen? Someone at the FBI must’ve leaked the investigation. Talk about an organization in crisis.
“I’ll call you back.”
“The fuck you w”
Fanculo. I end the call and drop my phone to the floor, crushing it with my heel. I open the bottom drawer of my desk and pull out a burner phone, still in its plastic container. As I tear it open, I stride out of my office and into the hallway, taking the the stairs down at a fast pace. Once I’m on the street, I call the mayor back on his cell phone.
“What were you thinking calling me from your office line? Stop acting so fucking guiltyyou’re putting an noose around your own neck.”
The mayor goes silent. “Was that a threat?”
“Jesus,” I mutter. “Do you need one? Aren’t you worried enough about your own neck to smarten up?”
I hear him exhale.
“This is likely being stirred up by democrats anxious to take your seat. Don’t give them a reason to. What did you do with the cash I gave you?”
“I’ve been spending it. But what’s left is in a safe in my home.”
“Move it. Clean your house and office of anything incriminating in case they pull a warrant. I’ll do the same. Meet me tonight at the Starbucks on 5th and Appleton, and we’ll go over the bids you received to discuss why mine was superior, then you’ll have the answer for the press.”
“You seem pretty sure of yourself.”
“I am sure. You’ve got nothing to worry about, except your own erratic behavior. Smarten up. You’re the goddamn mayor. Act like one.”
“Fuck you, Manghini.”
“See you tonight.” I end the call before he can curse at me again.
Goddammit. I don’t like any of this business.
I generally keep my ducks in order, but it’s time to make sure they are military-fucking-straight.