“Get yourself something pretty, pay your rent, whatever,” he responds, dropping the cash in my lap.
“What is this for?” I tilt my head to the side and look at him warily.
“Just take it.” His tone is suddenly laced with anger.
I start chewing on my thumbnail, looking the money over. It’s only fifty dollars, and it’s not like I didn’t work for it. I exhale a breath of despair and grab it, my fingers fiddling with the edges.
“See you around, Charlie.” I look up, seeing Chasen grinning wolfishly. I grimace, looking back at the money in my hand.
“See you around, Chasen,” I mumble. Fisting the money in one hand, I use the other to open the door and get out.
FIVE
CHARLIE
It’s been three days since my ride home with Chasen. Jayden and I still have no jobs, but I managed to keep the landlord at bay with the money I got from Chasen. It won’t hold him off for long, though.
“Look what I got!” Jayden exclaims, walking through our apartment door.
Glancing up from my outdated magazine, I notice Jayden holding a plastic card in her hand. Her hair is frizzier today than usual, and her green tank top is disheveled, hanging off her shoulder.
“You look like shit, and what’s that?” I question, sitting up as she huffs and lowers her hand.
“It’s an ID,” she explains, looking it over.
“How did you get that?” I narrow my brows with concern.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t apply for one or anything. It’s fake.” She smiles proudly. My face turns into a grimace, my bottom lip tucked between my teeth in anger.
“How the hell did you pay for that, Jayden?”
She shrugs, sticking it in the back pocket of her torn-up white shorts. “I have my ways. Don’t worry, I didn’t use our cash.”
“You have your ways?” I twist my face in question, not sure what the hell that’s supposed to mean.
Jayden rolls her eyes and falls back on her bed. “I stole some sandwiches from the college’s cafeteria,” she states, changing the subject. My mouth instantly waters; I haven’t had anything to eat all day.
“You did?” My attention is completely on her, curious where she stuffed the delectable stolen goods. I should be angry that she did it, telling her it’s not something she should be doing, but the growl in my stomach couldn’t care less right now. Our food rations have been next to none with our lack of money. I’d be a liar if I said the thought of stealing food hasn’t crossed my mind.
A loud knock sounds at the door, drawing our attention.
“Shit, you think it’s the landlord?” Jayden whispers, sitting up. We stay perfectly still, making sure not to make a sound, waiting for the person behind the door to speak or go away.
“Charlie, you there? It’s Chasen.”
“It’s for me,” I mutter, releasing the breath I was holding, relieved it’s not the landlord.
I glance down at myself, making sure what I have on is presentable. I’m wearing a white stretched-out tank top with my black sports bra showing, along with my blue-jean skirt.
“You look great, don’t worry,” Jayden whispers, smiling big.
I nod and open the door.
“Fancy!” Chasen chimes, looking me up and down. I roll my eyes at his stupid nickname for me. “Damn, you look good,” he groans, making my cheeks flush crimson.
“Chasen,” I greet, holding the door open.
He looks over my shoulder, noticing Jayden.
“Sup?” he questions, jerking his chin upward.
“Sup yourself? I’m Jayden,” Jayden coos over my shoulder.
“Chasen,” he responds. His eyes trail back to me, a smile playing across his face. “Wanna get out of here?”
I can’t help the goofy-ass grin that splits my face. Lustful thoughts bring a flame to my sex, and I forget about my hunger.
“I take that as a yes.” He laughs. “Let’s bolt.” He grabs my hand, pulling me from the doorway. “I’m parked up at the café. I didn’t want to park here.” He quirks an eyebrow up and shrugs. “No offense.”
I laugh and flip my hair over my shoulder. “Nah, I get it. It’d probably be on bricks and stripped if you left your truck parked out front.” He laughs and leads the way toward the café.
“That your roommate?” Chasen questions, walking a step ahead of me.
“Who, Jayden? Yeah,” I respond, trying to keep up. We round the café and Landon charges out of the building, nearly knocking into Chasen.
“Watch it, ass-wipe!” Chasen hollers, puffing his chest out. My breath catches in my throat. I’m at a complete loss as to why Chasen is being so rude.
Landon’s face turns into a scowl that has me scared as he steps up to Chasen. My breathing shallows and I watch in terror at the two handsome men giving death stares at each other. It’s like watching two tigers circle each other with preying eyes.