Page 66 of Nothing To Lose
I consider at least rocking the bed to pretend we're screwing around, but Tyler looks mortified at the mere mention of my sister knowing we're fooling around. Rolling my eyes, I change into some sleep pants and brush my teeth. When I crawl into my childhood bed and pull Tyler against me, everything feels right in the world.
* * *
The next morning,Tyler gets up early with me. He's gotten used to my early bird schedule and has started working out with me before we do his self-defense lessons. Today we grab coffee, or tea, in Tyler's case, before heading out. We find most of what we need at the localHabitat Restore, but the rest costs more than I’d like. I tally everything up in my head as I load the lumber and other supplies into the back of my truck. Tyler watches me with concern, but doesn't say anything.
Back at the house, he acts as my well-trained assistant. We've gotten used to working with each other when he helps me with projects around the gym. He helps me haul the materials in, measures behind me, and always seems to know where I need him to support the structure while I install the beams. The worst of it is installing waterproof material over the top of the roof. It's cold outside, but the sun still beats down on us. We're sweat slicked and tired, but we push through and get it done.
Mom isn't in too much pain today. It’s manageable at least, but she is fatigued. Once we're done with the roof, we clear everything out so she can nap.
I'm just considering trying to get Tyler to take a shower with me when he pins me with a look. "This isn't a long-term fix, is it?"
I shake my head. "We're buying time for now."
"I figured. Do you have a plan, or?—?"
"I'll figure it out. I always do."
He smiles softly, then looks down at his feet and back up at me. "I don't know how much you need, but–"
"No," I say quickly. It comes out more forcefully than I intended, and Tyler balks.
"I have some money set aside. Not a ton, less than ten thousand dollars."Jesus, does he not consider that a lot of money?"If you let me help, I can–"
"No, Tyler," I say more softly this time. "I don't want your money. This is my responsibility and I'll take care of it the way I always have."
"By giving up something important to you? By cutting corners? By going out and letting people hit you?"
I look away, jaw clenched. He's not wrong, but I don't know how to do anything else. This has always been my life.
I'm not sure how I'm going to come up with the money. There have been a lot of unexpected expenses, more than I planned for, which I thought was a lot. With the skyrocketing cost of materials and manufacturing, it's already going to be a miracle if I pull this off as I've envisioned it. If I need to make some concessions, so be it. I can always add on more to the gym later, if I decide to forgo the cardio equipment like I've been considering.
"Just think about it?" Tyler says, rubbing my arm.
I nod, but I think we both know it's never going to happen.
The good thing is that the renovations are moving along faster than I’d anticipated. I've got a plumber coming this week to finish modifying the plumbing for the new shower fittings, then I can install the privacy screens and lockers. After that, it's just a matter of getting the equipment delivered and setting it all up. A few inspections, and we could be up and running this spring instead of the summer. If I can make that happen, I'll at least be able to stop hemorrhaging money the way I am. I don't expect to be profitable for the first six months, and most of the profits will go towards expenditures for another six months after that. But if I can get us to spring, then a year of being extra frugal, I have a chance at making this work.
Failure is not an option.
21
TYLER
I lay on my stomach, propped on my elbows, watching a tutorial about refinishing floors. I was going to use a little of the money I’d put aside to have new flooring installed, but now I'm looking into something more budget-friendly. I figured out that the apartment has a concrete subfloor, so I'm thinking about tearing up all the existing carpet and refinishing the concrete, then adding rugs in the main living space and bedroom. It's more work, but I don't mind. It'll save a lot of money, and I think it'll look really cool. I think Isaac will appreciate the modern aesthetic. As much as this place feels like it's becoming mine in a way I never expected, I want everything about it to feel like home to Isaac.
The mattress shifts as a warm weight crawls up the length of my body. I barely suppress a groan before I feel Isaac settle over my back, draping himself over me like a human blanket. A few weeks ago, this kind of closeness, this position, would have me tensing up and pulling away. Now I relish it, my body entirely at ease beneath his.
“What are you working on?" He murmurs, his breath tickling the shell of my ear. A shiver runs down the length of my spine as warm lips brush over the back of my neck.
I snap the laptop shut and move it to the bedside table. "It's a surprise," I say, grinning over my shoulder.
Isaac huffs a soft laugh and presses his lips against the side of my throat. "Not even a hint?"
"Mmm.I could maybe be persuaded," I purr, curving my back to press my ass up.
He groans and rolls his hips into me, his cock hardening. "How about now?"
"I need you to tell me your favorite color. It's for the apartment. I'm not great at interior design, but Brenna is helping."
