Page 2 of Sinners' Appetite
“Then it’s a deal.” I grin, finally feeling like something is starting to go my way. “I appreciate this, man.”
“I’m just glad someone can finally use the space. My folks signed it over to me years ago. It used to be someones paint studio, but she flaked and it’s been empty ever since.”
“So, you live around the city then?” I ask.
“Just on the other side of the city. You?”
“Same here. Just moved in, actually.”
He shoots me a friendly smile as his phone starts to ring in his pocket. “Excuse me for just a second, it’s the girlfriend.”
He finishes his brief conversation and turns back to me. “How about you do whatever repairs you want, and take the cost off the first bill?”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree, taking a look around to get a feel for what color I’d like to paint the walls.
“You’re free to stick around, but I have to get going. The girlfriend wants to go out tonight.” He hands me the keys and starts to walk back toward the door. Suddenly, he turns back around. “What are you up to tonight? It’s wet t-shirt night at the club we’re going to. You should come!”
Fuck. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I stepped my foot into a club. It’s never really been my thing. I think the last time I went to one, it was with Amber. We were celebrating hertwenty-third birthday and we ended up leaving early because she got a headache from the loud music. I didn’t mind, since I didn’t really want to be there in the first place.
I shrug, contemplating it for a moment before finally responding. “Fuck it. I might as well, I suppose. It’s not like I have anything else to do tonight.”
“I can come pick you up, if you want. The event starts at nine. You’ll have to catch an uber back home.”
“I guess we should save each others numbers then, hey?”
The second I get home, I take a quick shower then choose something classy to wear from the array of unpacked boxes stacked against my bedroom wall.
I shoot a text off to Jeremy and send him a pin to my location. A little while later, I hear my doorbell ring, so I head to the front door.
“Hey.” I open the door and Jeremy walks in, scanning my empty house as he takes a few steps forward.
“You meant it when you said you just moved in…” he chuckles, walking in far enough that he notices the lack of furniture.
“Just this morning, actually. I have a truck load of furniture coming this week,” I slip on my shoes and grab my keys off the side table near the entryway.
“Is this just a one-story?” he asks.
“It has a finished basement too. I might make it into something eventually.”
“Are you renting?”
I shake my head. “No, bought it outright a month or two ago.”
“That’s even better. No fucking mortgage payments. I swear, I’ll never get to see the end of payments on the duplex I own now.”
Just thinking about the reason I was able to purchase this house, along with everything else, makes me slightly nauseous. I just want my dad back.
I take him around the house a little, and then we finally head out to his car.
“Sammi, this is Malachi.” Jeremy introduces me as we hop in.
“Hi! I’m Sammi! I mean—you already know that, because…well… Jeremy just told you,” she chuckles. She then looks over at Jeremy, playfully smacking his arm with the back of her hand. “You didn’t tell me how hot your new friend is, babe,” she grins.
“Jesus, baby. Be good tonight. You’ll end up scaring him off.” Jeremy laughs, shooting me a side grin through the rear view mirror. “Is Nikki working tonight?” he asks, sounding like he’s trying to change the subject.
“Of course she is,” she replies. “I dared her to wear a white t-shirt tonight, actually.”
“You know damn well that she won’t. She hates these events, remember?”
