The Logan Brothers - Books 1-4 (EXPOSURE, CRASH, TWIN PASSIONS, and ADDICTED TO YOU!)-L. A. Shorter
EXPOSURE (Book 1)
Chapter 1
“I'm sorry Alice but I have a responsibility to my customers.”
The words were still ringing in my ears. “I cannot keep you on any longer. You're fired.”
I stood outside, the cold air nipping at the tips of my fingers as I poked at the lock on my car, my shaking hands making it harder than it should have been to stick the key in. Great, another job lost.
I climbed in behind the wheel and gunned the engine, which spluttered to life after a couple of turns of the key. I turned on the heating and a burst of foul smelling air hit my nose. I guess that's what you get with a third-hand, ten year old, banger.
The night was stretching on as I shot down the road, the usually busy intersection now beginning to wane. Despite the warming heat in the car my hands continued to shake, more through nerves than anything else.
I couldn't afford to lose another job, but I knew it was inevitable the way I was going. How exactly could I choose between my studies and my job, especially when they were so inextricably linked. Without working, I'd have no way of living, no way of paying my rent, of buying food, of getting around. But if I didn't study enough, I'd be kicked out anyway.
It was getting harder at college, my assignments taking up more of my time, my grades beginning to slip. Eventually I'd begun to start turning up to work late, even missing shifts on a couple of occasions. No wonder Mr Asim fired me, I'd have done the same thing.
I turned into the parking lot on campus and stepped out of the car. The cold once more pinched at my cheeks as I slipped on the icy ground, my heels far from appropriate in this weather. I was like Bambi on ice out there as I gingerly crept closer to the door of my halls, a couple of guys laughing at me as they passed by.
“Looking good there Alice,” one shouted. It was Tom, a typical jock, a walking cliche wearing his college football jersey and light blue jeans.
“Screw you Tom,” I said. I was in no mood for his shit right now.
“Whoa whoa, easy there girl. Just trying to be friendly.”
“Yeah well try elsewhere.”
I finally managed to steady my footing as I inched into the hallway of my dorms, the cosy warmth hitting me immediately. I was totally spent as I made my way up the mahogany stairs, past plaques of notable alumni and various noticeboards as I went.
I got to my dorm on the second floor and held my breath as I put my hand to the door handle. Please be out. I turned the handle and felt it immediately jam - locked. Yes, she was out.
I stuck the key in the lock and opened the door to darkness, hitting the lights and spilling a bright yellow glow over the room. It was an unpleasant light, bringing the discomfort of the room into clear focus. It may have been a carbon copy of every other dorm room in the building, but I hadn't made much of an effort to make my spot too cosy. I guess it was because I was never in, never really found the time.
My room-mate - Jen - she was fine. In fact, I liked her, but I didn't really want a room-mate in the first place. I wouldn't call myself solitary, but I certainly wanted my own space. If I could have afforded to live alone that's exactly what I'd be doing.
Jen's side of the room though, that was nice. She had all this cosy bedding and bright colored throws and blankets that she put everywhere. Thankfully that extended to the more communal central areas of the room, so my side didn't look quite so bare.
Did I care? Hell yes I cared! My life wasn't meant to be quite this shit, but it had been a downward spiral from the get go. It wasn't like I had a mom to call up when I was feeling low or a nice family home to return to when things got tough. No, I just had a semi abusive father who didn't care two hoots about me. His only contribution to my life was helping me out with my college fees, something he only did because it had always been my mom's dream for her little girl to go to college.
I sat on my bed and stared over at the ever growing pile of college books stacked on my desk. Every one of those damn books sucked my coffers dry. Quite why they were so f*cking expensive I didn't know.
Not tonight, I can't bare it, I thought as I looked at the the half finished paper burning into my mind. I needed it done by Monday but I just couldn't stand to think about that right now. Sleep, Alice, sleep and think about everything tomorrow.
I tapped my touch activated bedside table lamp and shut off the main light at the door, casting the room into darkness but for a light orange glow next to my bed. It looked nicer like that.
I lay down on the lumpy mattress and pulled my light tog duvet over my body, the warm fabric of my pyjamas and dressing gown pretty much the only luxuries I had. It was cold in the room, so cold I could see my breath clouding in front of me in the warm light. I wasn't going to put my heater on though - that damn thing eats electricity.
Think about things tomorrow Alice. Chin up, tomorrow's another day.