Page 16 of Legally Binding
"Hey," I call out.
"Hold on!" Ciara shouts back in her usual annoyed tone. She’s always in a bad mood, which is the complete opposite of my other roommate, Angel. She hardly ever speaks at all, but I don’t think she likes anyone.
I stand there for over a minute before she finally comes and undoes the chain. "We need a new lock,” she informs me as I enter. “So use the chain."
"What's wrong with it?"
"It's busted. You can turn it, but it doesn’t lock."
"The entry one is busted too."
"Yeah, I think it might have been the same person." Ciara rolls her eyes before going to the futon we have in the living room and plopping down.
“Someone broke our lock?” That’s a big deal, and she’s saying it so casually.
“Yeah, but it didn’t look like they took anything.” She shrugs.
“Did you check my room?”
“No, you don’t have anything to steal.” I ignore her and go straight to my bedroom.
Ciara didn’t even notice that I didn’t come home last night. I could go missing for days, and no one would notice. I bet alarm bells would only go off when I didn’t pay rent. That’s a sad thought.
I flip on the light and look around. Ciara isn’t wrong, I don’t have anything of importance to steal except for my laptop. I keep it tucked under my twin mattress, and when I reach for it, it’s still there.
Nothing appears to be taken, but I get the sense someone was in here. The cap is missing from my body spray, and a few of my drawers are partially open. It’s only a couple of small things being out of place, but with the size of my bedroom, I’ve made it a habit to keep everything organized. Maybe I was so worried about the meeting with Mr. Wilson that in my distress I didn’t put everything back in its place.
I go to my closet and grab the one and only bag I have. I thought about using a trash bag for some of my clothes, but it will be way too embarrassing if I have to sit in the lobby and wait for Landon. As I shove my things into my bag and really look over everything I own, I wonder if I'm making the right decision. I can’t see all my worn-out stuff in Landon’s home. It doesn’t fit with his nice place.
No matter how hard I tried to get to know my roommates, I never felt like I belonged here. We don’t talk, and most of the time it’s like I’m intruding on their space. Now I’m not sure I belong in Landon's world either.
I walk over to my bed and flop onto it, feeling overwhelmed.
Where do I really belong?
Chapter Ten
LANDON
“Mr. Adair?” Scout knocks on my office door, and I look up, then at my phone. Normally when she needs something, she calls me. “Sorry, but there’s someone here to see you.”
“I can’t right now, I’ve got?—”
“I know, but he was rather insistent.” She glances behind her and then back at me.
“Tell him his family is here to see him.”
The sound of my Uncle Dino makes me grin, and I push away from my desk. “It’s okay, Scout. You can let him in.”
“You’re sure?” she asks and then lowers her voice. “Should I call security?”
“Only if he tries to flirt with you,” I say, and Scout’s expression turns serious.
“You know, some ladies don’t mind a man with a few extra miles on the tires.” He looks Scout up and down as he passes her, and she takes a step back.
“Tell Judith I’ll be there when I’m finished,” I say to Scout, who practically runs back to her desk.
“Nice girl,” Uncle Dino says and shrugs. “A bit skittish for my tastes.”
