Page 3 of Just Another Chance

She wrings her hands and offers me a weak smile. “That obvious, huh?”

“Just a bit.”

“Well, I was wondering if you could help me out,” she begins, voice a little hesitant. “Just a little favor and I swear I’ll pay you back as soon as I can,” she hurriedly adds.

A frown creases my brow. “You want to borrow money? What money? You just said how meagre my salary is and what a shitbox I live in,” I remind her.

Kayla makes a frustrated sound. “I know you don’t have it, but what about Tanner? Okay, so maybe he doesn’t have billions. But he most certainly has millions.”

“You want me to ask Tanner to loan you money?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Is she crazy? Just when I think she can’t be any more self-absorbed than she is, she convinces me otherwise.

“I would never ask, but the credit card companies are breathing down my neck. They call me all day, every day, and I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s become too much, Addie. I need help.”

Her voice is getting whiny, and I grit my teeth together. I’m not sure how it’s my fault that my irresponsible sister has charged thousands and thousands of dollars on clothes, shoes and makeup. “Maybe you could look into declaring bankruptcy. You’re never going to pay those cards down.”

“I could if someone loaned me the money. Then I can make monthly payments back.” She stares at me with pleading eyes. “Can’t you just ask him. Pretty please? For me?”

“I’m sorry, Kayla, but I don’t feel comfortable doing that. Tanner and I don’t talk about his money.”

“Oh, my God, he’s Mr. Freaking Moneybags! He wouldn’t even miss $20 grand. It’s like a drop in the bucket for him.”

“You owe$20 grand?”I ask in complete disbelief. “What the hell, Kayla? Do you even have anything to show for it?”

“That’s not really the point. You know I have a weakness when it comes to shopping.”

Her attitude is getting petulant, and I am getting annoyed. “At some point, you need to figure it out. Not expect Tanner to write you a check.”

“It’s called afavor, Addie!”

“I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to call the credit card companies and work out a payment plan.”

“Don’t you think I haven’t done that already? God, you can be so selfish!”

“Me?” I ask in complete disbelief. “You’re the one being selfish.”Am I wrong here?I wonder. Did I miss something? How is this my fault and I’m the bad person?

“Fine,” she snaps and jumps up. She spins on me, eyes flashing. “If you won’t help me then I’ll just have to do something desperate.”

I smirk.My sister, the drama queen.“Like rob a bank?”

“Maybe. Or become a prostitute.”

I struggle not to roll my eyes, not in the mood for her theatrics. “Maybe it’ll be like Pretty Woman, and you can find your own sugar daddy.”

“You’re a horrible sister!” she cries, eyes filling with tears.

Guilt fills me as she stomps to the door and throws it open. “Kayla, wait-”

“No! I never ask you for anything and the one time that I do, you make fun of me and throw me to the wolves. Forget I even stopped by. I’ll figure it out myself, no thanks to you!”

Kayla slams the door shut behind her and I drop my head against the back of the couch. I wish I could help her, but I don’t feel right about asking Tanner to write her a check for that much money. Even though I don’t make that much, I guess I could offer her maybe $50 a week. Although with the debt she owes, I doubt it will even help.

I feel bad, but Kayla is going to have to figure this one out herself.

2

TANNER

Istride through the fancy lobby and see the restaurant attached to the hotel on my left. It’s a well-known, very expensive steak house and I’m meeting my father here for lunch. But really, all I want to do is turn around and get the hell out of here. I’m not sure why I even agreed to this.

---