Page 16 of The Power Play

“Do you have anywhere else to stay? Family? Chandler?”

She laughs, “Definitely not Chandler. Wouldyouwant to stay there?”

I grimace at the thought of all the sex that goes on at that house. I don’t care if the room I stayed in is across the entire house, I feel like it’s impossible to escape. “Good point. Family?”

Her eyes drop to her lap. “No.” I can tell that’s a sensitive spot and I don’t push it, though it does make me curious. It’s not like Lacey and I have had conversations about family and even though I know more of her than she knows about me, she’s right. We don’t know each other.

“Well, I can leave you my number and if you decide you can’t take it here anymore you can stay at my place. Like I said, I’m barely there right now anyway.”

She just nods and even though I doubt she will end up taking me up on my offer, I write my number down on a post-it in the kitchen before leaving. As I drive away, I can’t decide if I am hopeful she changes her mind, or hopeful she doesn’t.

9

It takes all of twelve hours in the brutal Colorado winter, my phone battery hanging on for dear life, and the lack of caffeine on tap for me to suck it up and decide I need to stay somewhere else. I called at least five pest control companies, and about the same number of electricians, whom all are busy and can’t come out for at least a week. That’s not even counting how long it might take to fix it, or if I can even afford it.

I know I should just go stay at a hotel, but I also know that until I know how much this is going to cost me, I shouldn’t waste money. I also consider staying with Chandler because it can’t be that bad, right?

Who am I kidding, it’s going to be bad. Plus, I do need to work. I could never live off the grid. I tried using my phone’s hotspot, which sucked and just drained the battery. Don’t even get me started on how cold it is. I finally, reluctantly sent a text to someone I should stay away from.

Audrey: Does your offer still stand?

With my pride,sanity, and a duffel bag full of stuff in my hands, I knock on the door to the condo that is on the top floor of a very nice building.

And he said he didn’t have a mansion.

Charlie answers the door in slacks and a button up shirt that is unbuttoned near the top because he clearly hasn’t changed since coming home from the game they had tonight. A game I was unable to watch or participate on cam because I have no power. And then I was too busy packing and trying to talk myself out of this.

“Come on in,” he greets, opening the door wider for me.

“Thanks,” I say quietly before taking in the giant penthouse.

It’s modern with a row of windows that look out onto downtown Denver. I bet it’s beautiful here when the sun is out and you can see the picturesque mountains. He has a sectional that takes up a majority of the living room and a large TV. Minimal but I don’t expect any different from a bachelor.

“I’ll show you where the guest room is,” he sounds almost nervous, and with his hand rubbing the back of his neck I feel like he just might be. Maybe he’s realizing this is a dumb idea as well.

He leads me to a room down the hall when he opens the door there is only a queen bed and two nightstands.

“Sorry it’s not much,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“It’s fine. It’s not like I’m going to be staying here for very long,” I shrug.

“Right. So, I leave on a road trip tomorrow for the next week. Feel free to make yourself at home.”

I nod, “Thank you again.”

Charlie almost looks like he wants to say something else but doesn’t as he just nods back and leaves my temporary room. As awkward as this situation is, maybe it’ll be better to have the time he’s gone to get comfortable here. I sigh looking around the bare room before throwing my bag onto the bed accepting this is my reality for the time being.

I don’t leave the room for the remainder of the night, mostly to avoid more interactions with Charlie. I use the time to update Lacey’s social media and apologize that I haven’t been able to be on, but that I’ll be back tomorrow. It’s going to be a bit more complicated to have a show in here since it’s not really set up to be a cam space, but I’ll just have to make due.

Charlie is gone when I wake up in the morning, at least it seems like it by the silence of the condo. I debate checking his bedroom to be completely sure, but on the off chance he’s still in there I really don’t want to deal with that confrontation.

While I’m making myself a simple breakfast of eggs and toast, my phone rings and I answer Chandler’s facetime.

“Good morning sunshine,” she greets with a smile.

“Good morning,” I reply, propping my phone up so I can continue cooking without having to hold it.

“How’d the first night go? Did you two kiss and make up?” she teases. I told her about the kiss at my house briefly, but mostly brushed it off which she refuses to believe.

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