Page 7 of Broken Instrument

“It was my tv––”

“Don’t give me any bullshit, Hadley. We both know you’re harboring a dog in there.” My hackles rise at the condescension in his voice, but I keep my feet planted where they are. ”And we both know this building has a strict no animals policy. You’ve left me no choice but to evict you unless you can hand over the dog right this instant. I’ll drive him to the shelter myself––”

“You don’t understand,” the soft voice argues. “If you would simply let me explain––”

“I don’t want to hear any more about it. Now, give me the damn dog.” The sound of his hand slamming against solid wood makes Trisha flinch. Another much louder and more protective dog bark echoes from inside the neighbor’s apartment.

Trisha’s eyes widen, and she covers her mouth as she peeks out the door into the hall, giving me permission to do the same.

“Now, Ms. Rutherford,” Mortin orders, though it looks like he’s backed up a few feet and is practically hugging the opposite wall. If I had to guess, the dog is seconds from attacking the bastard, and I’m not sure I’d bother to intervene and help him out if the dog did. He’s a dick who’s power tripping from his title as landlord. I only had to witness thirty seconds of this interaction, and it’s easy to see.

“You don’t understand,” the neighbor argues. I can’t see her, though. She’s still hiding behind her front door and is speaking through the crack, probably to keep her massive dog from ripping off the landlord’s head. Hell, it’s what I want to do, and I’m not even involved in the shitshow.

Mortin spits, “I don’t want to hear it––”

“But she isn’t mine! She’s my brother’s––”

“I don’t care who she belongs to. She is not welcome on the premises. Now, give me the dog or pack your bags.” The threat is clear in his voice, and I lean forward and peck Trish on the cheek in a final goodbye.

“See ya around, Trish,” I mutter, squeezing past her and into the hallway. My feet move on their own, bringing me closer to the chaos as if I have no control over my body until it’s too late and my mouth opens. “Excuse me.”

The landlord’s jowls wobble as he glares at me with beaded eyes while a pretty brunette cowers behind her door with a pair of glasses propped on her button nose.

“Mind your own business,” Mortin growls as what sounds like a bigass dog growls behind the cracked door.

“This is my business,” I argue.

“Oh?” he challenges. “How so?”

“It’s my dog.” The lie tumbles out of me before I can stop it.

He jerks back, unconvinced. “Excuse me?”

“Hey, sis,” I greet the stranger. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun, and a giant, holey T-shirt swallows her curvy body whole as I step forward and kiss her cheek. “Sorry I’m late, but thanks for watching Fido.”

Stunned, her lips part as her dark lashes bat up at me. She glances at the landlord analyzing our exchange. With a forced smile, she clears her throat and replies, “Took you long enough.”

“You’re the dog owner?” Mortin demands.

I nod. “Yeah. I was out of town for the weekend, and my original sitter fell through. Thankfully, my sister’s the best and agreed to watch Fido. Isn’t that right, Hads?” I turn back to the gorgeous stranger and find her jaw still hanging open. She recovers a second later.

“Yup. So, if you’ll excuse us, Mortin,” she smiles sweetly, “I’ll go grab Fido’s leash, and my brother will be on his way.”

Mortin folds his arms, resting his hands on his massive beer belly as his gaze shifts from Hadley to me and back again. “Dogs are not allowed on the premises. Even if it’s only for the weekend.” He points his sausage finger at me. “If it happens again, your sister will be the one looking for a place to stay. We clear?”

“Yeah, we’re clear.”

“And if I hear any barking again, I’ll call the police––”

“But––” Hadley starts, and I shake my head to cut her off.

“It’s fine, Hads.” I turn to the dick landlord. “It won’t be a problem again.”

His chin dips before he turns on his heel and waddles down the hall, leaving my pretend sister and me blanketed in silence.

“Fine?” she demands, still pissed. “What happens when she barks five minutes from now?”

I squeeze the back of my neck and force my gaze to stay on her face instead of traveling down her curvy frame. “I guess I didn’t think that part through.”

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