Page 87 of High Frequency

When he hesitates, I already know what’s coming.

“Well, I’m not sure where to find you. Things didn’t work out west so…I came back to Billings, but I couldn’t get into our place and I was told you left.”

“It was never your place, Jeff. It was mine. My name on the lease, my money that paid for it. Mine.”

“I lived there.”

“For four months. That’s it.”

“Right, but here’s the thing, I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“And that’s my problem, how?” I snap.

“You’d have your child’s father living on the street?”

This time I laughed because that was hysterically funny. “I honestly can’t believe you. Find yourself a place to live.”

“Listen, I can probably get my job back at the pub, but I spent my last money on the flight home. There’s a furnished studio apartment two blocks down from our old place I could move into today, but I don’t have first and last month’s rent.”

I’m aggravated, get to my feet, and start pacing around the room.

“You’re looking at me for money?”

“Unless you let me crash at your place until I’m back on my feet.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Come on, Sloane, where are you living now?”

His whiny voice grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. How could I ever have thought we’d be able to turn what essentially was a one-night stand into a lasting relationship? I don’t think I even like the guy.

I stop in the kitchen and look out the window over the sink. It got dark outside, but I can see there’s a full moon out. Maybe that explains it.

“Certainly not in Billings,” I let slip.

“You moved? I’m pretty sure you can’t just move away. Aspen is my daughter too.”

“Oh,nowyou remember?” I scoff. “And before you get any ideas, let’s remember who disappeared for months. We’ve come full circle here and this conversation is done.”

I still hear him railing as I take the phone away from my ear and end the call. Then I turn around and almost have a heart attack when I see Dan standing just inside the door. I grab for my chest.

“God, you scared the shit out of me.”

He motions to the phone. “That the guy? The asshole who abandoned his baby daughter?”

Dan’s voice is soft, but holds a threat I can feel across the room. I know for a fact if Jeff were to show his face here, he might well come to regret that.

“It was. How much did you hear?”

“Just the last bit,” he shares, walking this way.

He stops right in front of me and leans down for a kiss. Then he takes a step back.

“I smell, I need a shower. Keep me company, and fill me in on why that asswipe called you?”

I follow him into the bathroom and sit on the toilet seat, enjoying the view as I tell him about the call. Despite a few growls, he doesn’t interrupt me.

“He wants money.”

---