Whipped (Hitched, #2)

"Good. Let's meet tomorrow and finalize the deal." We arrange a time to meet at the gym.

Vi glances at me, still sitting on the couch with her laptop. "That's pricey."

It is, which is why I've decided something else. I call my real estate agent, Lucy. "I want to pull out of escrow."

She pauses. "Let's meet and talk about it."

"Sure." I set a time for the next day, before my meeting with the gym owner.

Vi taps on her keyboard. "I thought you loved that house."

"I did, but I don't need it right now. The next house I buy, I want to buy with you."

Her cheeks flush happily and she continues making the poster. We work late into the night and fall asleep on the floor. The next day, I meet with Lucy at her office. Her assistant, a petite redhead, brings us tea. Lucy sits cross-legged on a couch, her short blond cut in an A-line. "So, what made you change your mind?"

I sip the tea. It's bitter and hot. "I'm simplifying. Focusing on what's important."

She fidgets with her fingers. "But you loved that house. You told me you dreamed of having one like it since you were a kid."

"I did. But I have other dreams now."

She sighs. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?"

I grin. "I make up for it in other ways."

She puts her tea down on the desk and flips through a folder. "You may have to pay fees."

"It's worth it."

She pinches her lips. "Anything I can say to change your mind?"

"Nope." I take another sip of tea. "But when I'm ready to buy, I hope you can be my agent."

That seems to put her at ease. "Of course." We conclude our business, and she starts making phone calls.

Next, I meet the owner at the gym and inspect the property. Some of the wallpaper is peeling, but otherwise it's in good shape. We barter on the price. I manage to save a grand based on the damages. The owner shakes my hand. "I'll send you the paperwork." He looks relieved the deal is almost over.

"Looking forward to it."

As the sun starts setting, I leave the gym, drop by a store, and drive to Kevin's. He's sitting on the sidewalk again, tossing his tennis ball. I hand him a new board, decorated in red and purple grunge art.

His hands shake as he takes it. "Dude, I said I didn't want a free board." By the excited look in his eyes, though, I can tell he doesn't really mean it.

"Good. Because I need your help."

His eyes stay on the board. "What do you need?"

"I'm putting on a fundraiser for the youth center. I need you and your friends to put on a show."

"You mean you need us to impress those suits?"

I grasp his shoulder. "Sure do. Think you can help me out, buddy?"

He finally looks away from the board and into my eyes. "No problem, Lach. I'll tell my friends. We'll make it happen."

"Thanks, dude." I pat him on the back, and we walk up the porch and into the house. Mary's sitting at the kitchen table, her face in her hands She leans her head back, noticing us. "Oh—hi, boys. Didn't hear you coming." Her eyes are red. She's been crying.

I sit down across from her. "What happened?"

"I just had a hard day, is all."

We don't talk of troubles. But when those troubles make my friend cry, I want to hear them. I want to help. "Mary, family doesn't knock. But you know what family does? Family helps each other."

She blows her nose into a napkin, then shakes her head rapidly. "You're right. So, I'll tell you. Bill fired me. Said a younger waitress would bring in more tips. Said I was too old." Her words turn into sobs. "I want to look younger, Lachlan. Why can't I look younger?"

I grab her hands and hold them gently. "You've had a hard life, Mary. I've known people who, in your position, would have lost themselves in a bottle years ago, would have given up on their kid. You haven't. Be proud of that. Be proud of who you are."

The sobs continue, but she smiles through them. "Thank you, my boy. Thank you."

I relax in my chair and grin. "Besides, I don't know what Bill's talking about. You're crying and you still look beautiful."

"Oh, shut it." Her cheeks grow redder. She may just be blushing. "Go on, now. I need to look up jobs tonight."

"I've got something," I say. "I've made progress on the center." And saved some money by pulling out of escrow. "Now I need a secretary."

She waves her hand dismissively. "I can't do that."

"Sure you can. Better than me, that's for sure."

She pauses and finally looks up from her hands. A small smile creeps in at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I suppose I can take the job." She tries to act casual, but I can see the hope flicker in her eyes and can tell this is a big deal for her. "Thank you, Lachlan."

I'll make sure she never has to wear high heels again.

Kevin groans in the corner. "Lach, you mean mom's gonna be at the center every day?"

Mary and I chuckle. I say goodbye, promising to drop by soon to discuss the details of her new job. She grins excitedly, all pretenses gone in the face of this new opportunity.

On the way home, I drive by Bill's Burger. The open sign is flickering. I've had to keep my distance in the past, for Mary's sake.