Page 6 of O Goalie Night
I blow out a breath and shake my head. “I’m not sure. Do otters hibernate?”
“No, but they are fascinating. Did you know river otters can dive to a depth of sixty feet?”
I did not know that.
“Seriously?”
“Yes!” She pushes her dark hair behind her ears and twists in her seat so she’s facing me. “They can hold their breaths for eight minutes under water. They’re extremely intelligent and adaptable, and they mate for life.”
I sneak a glance at her after that comment and have to bite back a laugh when I find that her cheeks have gone pink.
“Definitely talking too much,” she mutters under her breath. Before I can argue that’s not the case, she sits up in her seat and points to a house. “I think this is it.”
I pull up in front of the two-storey house with white siding and park the car. It seems like a nice neighbourhood and the properties all appear to be well-maintained. I make a mental note to tell Ben as much as I’m sure he’ll want to know.
I insist on taking her bag in for her. The thing is more beaten up than a retired boxer and must weigh at least eighty pounds. I have no idea how she managed to get it this far.
I’m almost sad it didn’t take us longer to get here. I enjoyed talking to her. Or I suppose listening to her would be more accurate. She’s funny and smart. Hopefully I’ll get to see her again sometime now that she’ll be living here.
As a friend, of course. Don’t get me wrong—she’s cute as hell, in that wide-eyed, girl-next-door way—but she’s Ben’s sister, and I would prefer my balls remain attached to my body.
“So you’re renting a room, not the entire house?” I ask, eyeing the two Toyota Corollas parked in the driveway.
“Yes,” she answers as she skips up the walk way. “I’m renting from a retired couple. They have an ensuite apartment, so I have my own kitchen and bathroom. They’ve been wonderful to deal with, especially considering I needed to move in on such short notice.”
I set the suitcase down as she knocks on the door. She bounces on the balls of her feet as she waits, practically radiating excitement. After a few moments a teenage girl wearing headphones and a bored expression opens the door.
“Oh,” Beth stutters, taking a step back to make sure she’s at the right house. “Are Colleen and Brian here?”
The girl takes one look at the suitcase and rolls her eyes.
“Moooooom! We’ve got another one.” The sour teen turns and walks away without another word leaving us standing in the open doorway.
I’ve got a very bad feeling about this.
A middle-aged woman appears, drying her hands on a dish towel. Her face falls when she sees us and she gives us a look of pure pity. I know before she opens her mouth what she’s about to say.
“I’m guessing you’re here about an apartment of some sort?”
Fuck.
“Yes,” Beth says, giving her an anxious smile. “I got an email from Colleen yesterday confirming it would be ready…” she trails off.
It’s clear that Beth knows something is very wrong, but she hasn’t quite figured out what. Every cell in my body is urging me to throw myself in front of her to shield her from the disappointment that’s coming.
“There is no Colleen,” the woman says sadly. “And no apartment either. I’m so sorry, dear. You’re the eighth person this month. I’m guessing you already paid a deposit?”
Beth gives a minuscule nod and whispers, “And the first month’s rent.”
Rental scams. Con artists using the housing shortage to prey on people. I’ve seen reports of it happening all over the country.
I’m so angry right now. Not only at the criminals who took advantage of her, but at Ben for not helping her find a safe place to stay.
“Do you need a drink of water, dear?” The sudden concern in the woman’s voice brings my attention back to Beth who’s gone paler than snow and looks unsteady on her feet.
Afraid she might pass out I put my arm around her waist for support and she sinks against my side. I thank the woman for her time and apologise for disturbing her.
“I wish there was something we could do. We keep reporting the ads to the police, but as soon as they come down, new ones pop up.”
