Page 113 of Love Undiscovered
But then I wouldn’t have a means of transportation. And, Remi would question it. Shit, everyone in my life would question it. And if my parents knew that I’d sold my bike just to pay for something for them, they’d insist on paying me back.
I took a big pay cut for this job because of two things: one, it was time to leave undercover work, and two, coming onto a force in a smaller town. Not that I need to make a lot of money anyway. My living expenses have never been that high to begin with. At least not outside of my Helen days where I would be buying things that made her happy. Or made her appear happy.
But having to come up with this additional money hasn't been easy. If I ask Alex for half of the bet money, since I've met half the terms essentially, it will give me what I need to make my payment.
I grab my phone and make the call.
Alex answers after the first ring. “Yo, loser. What's up?”
I adopt a fake persona and respond, “No losers here, brother. In fact, I've already won over half the bet.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. So I figure I'll save you the trouble of coughing up the entire two and a half G's at once and let you pay half now.”
“Dude, there's no payout for half the bet.”
“Hey, we both know I'm closing the deal. I'm just looking out for your wallet, man,” I say.
“I can't believe you're doing it,” Alex says. “Tappin' that ass.”
“I told you, there's not an ice queen I can't thaw.” I wince as I say it, hating myself more and more as this conversation continues. Talking about Remi like this makes me want to throw up. I'm treating her like an object or a plaything. Definitely not like a woman I'm falling for.
“Okay, dude, half it is. Tomorrow after b-ball, at the Recovery Room. I'll bring cash. You don’t close this deal, you pay me back immediately.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“And just because you're winning this, doesn't mean you aren't still a shitty b-ball player.”
“Later,” I say and hang up.
I'm an asshole.
Such a fucking asshole. If I lose her because of this, it will be one hundred percent my fault.
