Page 64 of No One But You

I turned off the light and prepared for a hard night’s sleep.

Chapter 24

Kai

Terry was passed out on the couch, and the RV smelled like a combination of nasty feet and stale beer. I needed to get my house back under control and out of the grip of Terry. I spent Saturday working outside, clearing and staking out where I’d be laying the foundation for the house. I let Terry do whatever he wanted, and now here it was Sunday, and I was left to clean up after him. I opened the curtain and lifted the windows. I cranked open the vents and opened the door wide. Fresh air would help clear out the funk that was built up inside the fifth wheel, and my mind also.

“Close the curtain. A guy needs to get his sleep.” Terry slapped the pillow over his head and rolled over on the tight couch.

How could he sleep on that couch? It wasn’t made for people six feet tall to use as a bed, but here Terry was every night, passed out, and every morning, he slept in.

“Get over it and get off your ass. I’m cleaning, and this place needs airing out. You need a long hot shower with lots of soap. I filled the water last night. Use it all if you need to, but this laziness is going to stop. You’ve got to get yourself moving and put together. Your court date is Tuesday. You look like hell.” I scrubbed the kitchen counter, using more bleach than probably safe for human inhalation, but bleach smelled clean, and right now, it was needed.

Terry pushed himself off the couch and mumbled something about dumb shit and fuck off.

It didn’t matter. He was gone, and I had a chance to dust, sweep, and mop the small area.

Eventually, the RV was shining and clean and no longer smelled like stale beer and feet. If Terry was going to stay here, things would have to be ultra-organized, and I needed to get things started.

He appeared in clean clothes, and his hair was wet. Finally. “All right. You’re clean and are somewhat respectable. I’m heading into town for lunch. Why don’t you come with me? It wouldn’t hurt for you to talk with Trevor at Jerry’s Pub and apologize. Maybe you could do some work there and work off what you owe him.”

Terry narrowed his gaze and opened his mouth but closed it quickly and pushed his feet in his shoes. “Fine, let’s go. I’d like something to eat outside of a turkey sandwich. I think I’m going to start strutting around and gobbling.”

I chuckled and closed the door behind me.

It didn’t take long for us to get to Jerry’s, and when we walked into the pub, Trevor’s brow shot up and Terry wiped his hands on the legs of his pants, a nervous habit he’d always had, but it didn’t show itself unless he was sober.

So, in a way, that was good.

Trevor walked toward us and placed two glasses of water on the counter. “So, what brings you by?”

I took a sip of the cold liquid. “Well, we’re hungry, and I think Terry has something he needs to say to you.”

Trevor leaned on the bar, his hands clasped together, and stared at Terry like a father waiting for a guilty admission from their child.

Terry took a drink, placed the glass on the counter, turned it in his hands, and played with the water droplet that escaped down the side. I let out a breath and elbowed him. “What was that for?” Terry rubbed his side. “Fine.” He turned toward Trevor. “I was a bit drunk and belligerent the other night. I owe you a new television and whatever else I may have broken. What can I do to help pay it back?”

Trevor drummed his fingers on the counter and glanced back and forth between me and Terry. I shot my brow up and continued to sip my water.

“Tell ya what,” Trevor said. “If you’re willing to work for free, I think you can work off some of the broken cups, liquor, plates, and odds and ends. We can discuss the television and table and chairs after your court date.”

“Sounds great.” I said and sat up tall, very interested in Trevor’s deal for Terry. It gave him something to keep him busy, and most important of all—he’ll be out of my camper for a few hours every day. “What are you thinking?”

Trevor lifted his face toward the ceiling and wobbled his head. “Well . . . Nico could use a dish washer in the kitchen. You could work today and tomorrow all day. We can see how that goes and readjust from there.”

“Perfect.” I thumped Terry on the back. “Get to washing, old man.”

Terry sat up. “What? Now?”

“No time like the present. You made a mistake and have a chance to make things better, so might as well get started. I’ll pick you up later. Just call me when you’re almost ready to go.”

Terry glanced between me and Trevor and stood slowly. “Fine. How about I eat a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with fries, then I’ll get to work?”

“Sure. What do you want, Kai?”

“Cheeseburger with the works and fries would be great.”

Trevor slapped the counter twice, then made his way to the kitchen. It didn’t take long until we were finished eating, and then Trevor took Terry to the back to begin his work detail.

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