Page 31 of Stuck On Them

I threw the package on the table, and it slid off the side and onto the floor, spilling cookies. Oops.

“I live here because I lost my damn mind, packed my bags, and moved here with enough for three months’ rent and expenses. I used all my money on wedding deposits because my parents couldn’t help, and Daniel’s family is traditional in the fact that the woman’s family should pay for the wedding. Of course, since I’m fucking broke anyway, Daniel said if I put all my extra money into it, he’d cover the rest.” I laughed because if I didn’t, I was going to cry.

“He doesn’t deserve you.” His hand tightened on my phone, and I worried for its safety.

“Yeah. I know that now.” I looked at the envelope on the table. “Taking that money will only make me feel like shit. As much as I need it and it would make my life easier... it would make it ten times worse because it makes me feel...” A lump in my throat stopped me from speaking.

Ryker set my phone on the table and sat down next to me, clasping his hands as he leaned his arms on his knees. “What would it mean? Help me understand because right now I don’t.”

“That I’m not good enough. That I screwed up. Guilt.” I tried explaining it the best I could since I didn’t even entirely understand it. “Cheap.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and turned his head to look at me. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.”

“You did the second I woke up and you were gone.” I wanted to look away because, damn, his eyes were intense. “I know it was a one-night stand, but it felt like… I don’t know. Just forget it.” I looked away and movement caught my eye. “Rat! He’s returned!” My squeal probably scared him more than my revelation about my feelings.

Without so much as a second thought, Ryker got to his feet, grabbed my throw blanket off the back of the couch, and grabbed the rat from where it had started to chow down on my Oreos. What a bold move from both the rat and Ryker.

“Do you have a trash chute?” He went to the door, the rat making a sound like it was being murdered.

“At the end of the hall by the bathroom.” I was frozen in place, not sure what to do besides dance around like I had bugs all over my body.

He seemed to have everything handled on his own, the blanket now a sack to hold the rat. “I’ll have to buy you a new blanket. Get your bags packed. You aren’t staying here.”

Then where the hell was I going to stay?

Chapter11

Rat Whisperer

Ryker

Dealing with the rat in Paige’s apartment brought up way too many memories for me. I’d been struggling all day to keep my demons at bay and the rat was just the icing on the cake.

Or in the rat’s case, on the Oreo.

If rats were coming out when people were in the room and so boldly chowing down, that meant there was a bigger problem lurking behind the walls. I would bet if I listened carefully, I’d be able to hear them.

Paige was right where I left her on the couch when I came back without the rat or the blanket. I knew she was going to try to argue with me, but I couldn’t leave her in such a place in good conscience.

Yet you’d try to fire her and pay her off.

“I can’t let you stay here with this rat problem. Where there’s one, there are many. It’s not safe,” I said firmly, trying to ignore the way her curves looked in the tight clothes she had on. Her top was practically sheer and seeing her nipples poke at the fabric made me remember how she’d gasped when I took one in my mouth in that elevator.

She huffed and crossed her arms, clearly not happy with my interference in her life. “I’ve been living here for over a month and have only seen a rat one other time. The super said he took care of the issue.”

“Well, clearly he didn’t.” I picked up the package of Oreos and the few that had spilled onto the floor. “Go put some clothes on and pack a bag for a few days until we can get you moved.”

Paige rolled her eyes, but I could see the fear in them. “Fine, but I’m not leaving my apartment for good. I can’t afford to.”

I nodded to pacify her for now. “I understand. Let’s just get you out of here, and we’ll figure something else out.”

She winced as she grabbed onto the armrest of the couch with one hand and pulled herself to her feet. I guess I now knew why she hadn’t immediately jumped up when she saw the rat.

“What’s wrong?” I located her trashcan and threw away the cookies before tying off the bag.

“Hm?” She moved to the bottom of the ladder to the loft and looked up.

“You sound like you’re in pain and moving like you’re the Tin Man in need of some grease.”

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