Page 12 of Out of the Shadow

At the same time, Angie screeches, “What?”

Blaine points to some provision in the contract, but my attention is fixed on Angie. Her chest expands and contracts as she takes deep breaths. A flash of her breathing like that after climaxing around me flits through my sex-starved brain. I do a mental headshake. It’s been too long since I was with a woman. At least a week.

Her manicured fingernail taps on the table. “Well, that changes everything. You’re going to have to fast-track it to get your license in New York. I’ll be your sponsoring broker.”

“How kind of you,” I say, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“New York requires seventy-five hours of instruction before you can qualify to take the actual test. You can do that in a week.”

My eyebrows raise. “A week?” I’d barely have time to do anything else but sleep.

“Yes. You need this license ASAP.” She points at me. “You’re going to have to actually work for it.”

I collapse back into my seat and stare Blaine down. I knew this was too good to be true. Angie explains that after I take some online course and pass their test, I’ll have to sit for the actual state test. What a crock. And a waste of my time, since I have no desire to become a real estate agent.

“I don’t need a license. This is a television show.”

Angie’s cheek hollows and she shifts her attention from me to Blaine. “This wasn’t what we discussed. If you want me to pretend he’s working here, he needs to at least have a license. Let’s get Trevor in here. At least he has his license and understands the business.”

“I understand your position,” Blaine begins.

All I hear isTrevor. The dude who cost me my trust fund. The asshole who’s been mooching off me for years, only to snort it up his nose. The guy who flat-out refused my entreaties to go to rehab. My spine stiffens. No way is he taking what is mine.

Not to mention I promised Diego ten grand for college.

I need this job.

Fuck. I’ll take the class and pass the stupid test.

“I’ll do it.”

King

I WIPE THEsweat from my face with a towel and toss it into the hamper, then leave the locker room after a good three-hour workout. The ladies at the reception desk smile when they see me approaching.

“I hope you enjoyed what we have to offer here at Hit It Gym,” the brunette says.

She’s pretty, but Angie’s much more so.What? Shaking my head, I read the clerk’s nametag. “Thanks, Tammie. I did enjoy the machines you have here. I’ll be back tomorrow to continue my trial.”

“Great. I look forward to seeing you then.” Her eyes skim my body.

Gotta love these one-week free trials. With at least ten gyms in the near vicinity of my temporary apartment, I can work out for ten weeks for free. Factor in being invited as someone’s guest, I’ll be able to work out for free for this whole shoot. If worse comes to worst, I can always use the gym in the apartment complex or even run on the beach. I’m getting better at this budgeting thing, although I suspect Dad would accuse me of playing the system.

After leaving the gym, I turn left and begin the short trek back to the apartment that the network rented for me. The salt air stings my nose in the most agreeable way possible. Maybe being stuck out here for a few months won’t suck so bad. But for Angie, I’ll probably enjoy it.

I enter the lobby area and head over to the elevators. My apartment is on the next-to-top-floor. Of course, the penthouse would’ve been better, but beggars can’t be choosers. For the millionth time, I curse Dad for cutting off my trust fund. And my sponsors for pulling up stakes. Which leads me to the ten millionth time that I curse Trevor.

The elevator doors open and I’m stepping into the cab when a woman’s voice rings out, “Hold the doors!”

I do and a beautiful woman, about my age, joins me. She’s wearing workout clothes like me, which accentuate her toned arms and legs. Her blonde hair is pulled into a sloppy ponytail, which she reaches around and removes from its holder. No rings on her left hand.

“Hi,” I offer her my hand. “I’m King. Just moved into the building.”

“I’m Callie. Welcome.” We shake.

Her eyes show the telltale sign of recognition, and I smirk. “What floor?”

She checks the call panel and smiles. “I’m going your way.”

---