Page 41 of Falling in Love with Two

I take another lap around the apartment. It doesn’t take long since it’s so small. The ad online called it quaint. I wouldn’t say that. I’d say certified shit hole, but it’s pretty much my only option.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a slew of apartments. Every time, it ends one of two ways.

One, the apartment itself is practically perfect, but I’m turned down either for my income or crappy credit.

Or two, the apartment is super scary.

And I don’t say that lightly. I’ve lived in some places that have been pretty sketchy, but this one just may take the cake.

I look around and try to picture how to make this place a home. I’m sure I can make it a little more cozy with some nice curtains and some good-smelling candles.

Listen to me—acting like I have extra money for those things.

All the application fees I’ve paid over the past few weeks have almost cleaned me out. I’ll barely have enough to scrounge together to pay the first and last month’s rent.

Amy did give me a couple more weeks before I had to be out since moving in her mom is taking longer than expected. Even so, I know I’m running out of time…and out of options.

It may be about time to bite the bullet and just pick somewhere to live. It’s not like it’s a permanent situation.

I think it’s about time to make an adult decision and get my shit together.

Looking at Joel, I say, “I’ll take it.”

“Thank you,” I tell the worker at the drive-thru window as she hands me my food.

She smiles. “Have a good day, dear.”

Doubtful, but I’ll try.

Since I always make a mess while trying to eat while driving, I pull into the parking lot of the local Piggly Wiggly. Rolling down the windows, I breathe in the crisp autumn air. It’s one of the rare days that it’s not raining in our little hamlet of Oregon.

Moving to a small town has been a bit of a culture shock from moving from Portland. Back in the city, I was always going out and having fun. There was always something to do. But I was also getting into heaps of trouble.

In between all the bad relationships, I’ve slept with a slew of idiots. Surprisingly, I’m less of a mess now than I was back then.

As much as I’m not an instant fan of my new apartment, maybe it will be nice to have somewhere to call home. Amy’s was close, but I knew it was temporary.

Ever since I left home when I was seventeen, I feel like I haven’t stopped moving. For ten years, my life has gone by in a blur. Maybe it’ll be nice to stop running.

I look at the clock to see that it’s only three. I don’t have to work tonight, and I’m not quite sure what to do with my time.

I consider calling Dylan. I could use a couple of epic orgasms right now. But it’s a bad idea.

He’s kept his promise of not reaching out. Now, I need to do the same.

But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him and getting all hot and bothered while I eat my cheeseburger.

Our last encounter started with us playing Twister and ended up with him beating up my pussy so good I felt it the next day. Add in the magic he did with his tongue in between, and you’ve got yourself a good time. What more could a gal ask for?

The man may look like a puppy dog, but he knows what he’s doing.

Really knows what he’s doing.

For just a moment, I let my mind wander and think about what it would be like to date someone like Dylan.

I’ve been with deadbeats who thought they were just so cool. Some cheated. Others gaslit me. Most lied. I seem to attract every loser in a ninety-mile radius.

I’m sure I should take a long look in the mirror to figure out why that is, but…meh.

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