Page 45 of Boyfriend Maintenance

“It was Becca’s idea,” I offer, but it doesn’t matter. I went through with it.

He rolls his eyes as I continue, “I wasn’t going to do it until I started getting calls from Craig about wanting to get back together.”

“What is it that Becca calls him? Cringey Craig? I mean, he’s never been my favorite guy either, but …" He finishes his sentence with a whistle.

After a few beats, he speaks.

“I’m going to give you the money. It’s the least I can do. One, for causing issues between the two of you the other night. Two, I still feel like shit for what I said about you paying him with sex. And three, I called off the wedding, therefore ushering in the need for you to have the money sooner than expected.” He leans over a little and fishes his phone out of his side pocket.

“No way. I’m not going to take money from you. This is my bed, now let me lie in it.” I shake my head furiously.

“Let me loan it to you then. Family interest rate of: pay it back when you can and not in one lump sum.”

“Levi, really, no.” My eyes water because he’s always looked out for me, but he isn’t paying attention as he's doing something on his phone.

“Done, too late. I’ve just transferred the money. You should be good to write him a check tomorrow.”

I fling my arms around him and hug him this time, telling him thank you. He chuckles and hugs me back.

* * *

A couple days later,I have a check in hand, for fifteen grand made out to Jake. I stand in the middle of my apartment staring at the small piece of paper, wondering how to get it to him. I don’t have his address, so I can’t mail it to him. I texted him this morning and surprise, surprise, he never replied. I can’t say that the fact that he is ignoring me is helping my confidence levels. When you sleep with a guy and he goes MIA, it’s hard to feel good about yourself. Not to mention, my heart is just a bit numb. I was falling for Jake. Those feelings, I thought, were mutual.

Anyway, I don’t want to have a face-to-face with him, but I need to pull up my big-girl panties and get it over with. Decision made, I fold the check, put it in my pocket and head down to the maintenance office.

Minutes later, once I’m standing outside the office, I take a deep breath.

You can do it.

I push the door open and step inside.

A man I’ve seen around the building before, stands inside, leaning over the desk and looking through a pile of paper. He lifts his head and smiles kindly at me. He’s older than me, maybe by ten years, and his sharp, expensive suit tells me he comes from money.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah, I was looking for Jake.”

“He’s off today. I’m Leo, I own this building. Is there anything I can do for you?” He puts the papers down and extends a hand for me to shake.

“Emmy. And no, I needed to talk to him for a minute that’s all. I’ll catch up with him later.” I smile. “Thank you, though.” I offer a small wave as he nods and goes back to the papers on the desk.

I leave the office and walk back out to the lobby.

Think, think.

I want to get this over with. Then I decide that I at least attempted to woman-up for a face-to-face, it’s not my fault he wasn’t around. So, I walk to the concierge desk.

“Hey, Lisa.” I smile as I come to a stop at the desk.

“Hi, Emmy. How can I help you this evening?” She’s the second-shift concierge. She’s about twenty-five and as sweet as can be.

“I’m fine. Do you have an envelope I can use?”

“Of course.” She leans down to open one of the drawers behind the counter and pulls out a crisp white envelope. I thank her as she hands it to me.

I pull the check out and put it in the envelope, lick the back and close it. Then I grab a 425 Madison-branded pen from a holder on the counter and write Jake’s name on the front of the envelope.

“Where can I put this to make sure he gets it?” I lift it up showing her the name. “It’s very important.”

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