Then came the actual questions, which were different from the ones above that read more like an application for a loan. He asked if I drove, if I owned a car. If I would have a problem being alone in his house for extended periods of time—to which I answered no. I thought it was an odd thing to ask, but then again, there were probably people who would’ve felt uncomfortable staying by themselves in a stranger’s house. Without ever having been in that type of situation, I gave him the most honest answer I could. After that, he went on to ask about family, if I was in a relationship, and if I could foresee the possibility of having overnight guests often.
The only reason he’d need information about my relationships with others was to find out how long I could go missing before anyone came looking for me. But instead of deleting the form and any communication with this guy, I lied…through my teeth. I told him I was very close with my family and even had relatives in his area, which was why I’d contacted him in the first place. The dating question made me hesitate. I assumed if I said I was in a relationship, it’d look odd that I would be interested in living with a guy. I also assumed it’d be strange for me to move away from a boyfriend, and too coincidental if he lived on Geneva Key. So I went with simple and said I’d recently split with my ex, hoping that would give us something in common.
Spinning tales and half-truths could’ve almost been a full-time job. But the hardest part would be remembering everything I’d told him. Nothing turns a face redder than being caught in a lie.
I hit send and then quickly put the computer away to keep me from another day of obsessing over my inbox. Instead, I took Aria to the local park after her nap. It was obvious Derek had tired of us being there, cramped around the table every night for dinner. So, to give them some alone time, I stayed out later than usual and hit the dollar menu at a drive-through.
By the time I made it back, Stevie was in the kitchen cleaning up dinner dishes, and Derek was on the couch. He craned his head, took one look at me, and then headed off to their room. I couldn’t help but grow agitated, realizing Aria and I would have to skip another shower. I’d learned very quickly how to bathe myself in the kitchen sink, but Aria still had trouble getting through it without making a mess.
“You were out late,” Stevie said as she put the last dish away.
“Yeah…Aria needed a break from the TV, and while I was out, I grabbed a few numbers to call off the message board at the college.” I conveniently left off the part about how I’d already called them and got turned down as soon as I mentioned having a kid.
“It took you all day to get numbers?”
“No. I was just trying to give you and Derek some time together without us being in your way. I’m sure this hasn’t been easy on you. Believe me, I’m looking for another solution.”
“We’re managing just fine. Don’t rush out before you’re ready.”
“Derek hates us being here.”
“He’ll get over it.” She waved the dishrag in my face. “He’s aware of how hard it is—he was raised by a young, single mom. So he’s more understanding than he acts. Don’t let it get to you. First, you need to find a job. You won’t be able to go anywhere without one of those.”
“I’m trying. I’ve applied at almost every daycare in town, but it’s hard without any certification or degree. And from what they all charge to actually watch Aria for me while I work somewhere else, I’d have to sign over my entire paycheck, plus some. It’s insane how much childcare costs. It baffles me how single mothers without family can afford to work.”
“You’ll get through this. You always land on your feet, and this will be no different. My only concern is that you’ll worry too much about cramping our style and rush into something, only to find yourself in a worse situation.” She raised one eyebrow to punctuate her meaning, but she didn’t need to do that, I understood all too well. That was the last thing I wanted to happen.
I had no desire to crawl back to my mom’s house for many reasons, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. Stevie could tell me until she was blue in the face that I hadn’t overstayed my welcome, though I’d never believe her. The walls were thin, making it easy to overhear some of the conversations they’d had behind their closed door at night when they thought I was asleep. In fact, the walls were so thin, there was no doubt Stevie and Derek weren’t having sex—and he’d pointed that out to her in these hushed, late-night discussions. But I couldn’t exactly tell her that I’d been privy to that information.
“Thanks, Stevie.” I gave her a hug before she headed back to her room.
By the time I finished bathing Aria and wiping myself down, it was after ten. I’d gotten her settled on the couch with cartoons on the TV, and as soon as I heard the first note of her own personal lullaby, I grabbed the computer.
My heart skipped a few beats at the sight of another email. Except this time, rather than it coming from Roommates Anonymous, the sender was Cassius Nicholson.
2
Cash
When I’d submitted my ad for Roommates Anonymous, I suspected I’d get dozens of fictitious requests. However, I hadn’t expected it to go viral. Rather than dozens, I had to field off hundreds, if not thousands, of people interested in my identity.
It wasn’t like I was some Hollywood movie star, or even someone famous. But that didn’t mean I wanted every Tom, Dick, and Harry looking me up, either. I’d left quietly in the middle of the night, purposely ignored calls from Colleen, and relocated to this tiny town for a reason. I happened to like my privacy.
I just hoped giving her my personal email address wouldn’t backfire.
I fell onto the couch, ready to flip through the channels until I fell asleep. Ever since finding Colleen riding that dickhead in his truck, I had a hard time sleeping. Before that memorable event, I’d come home on a Friday night from a job and crash. There was something about being next to a woman that made it easy to shut off my brain and give in to the world of unconsciousness. But ever since I’d left her, I had turned into an insomniac. On the job, away from the job—it didn’t matter. I was lucky if I got four hours a night, less than that if my target was sneaky.
Just before I grabbed the remote from the side table, my phone alerted me to a new email.
Cash…or Cassius? Which do you prefer? I’m sure there’s a good story behind a name like that. Hopefully I’ll be around long enough to hear it. And what about the last name? Did you spell it wrong on your profile? Sounds like something that would happen to me. Anyway, it was nice to hear from you. I just thought I’d tell you that I don’t have email on my phone. (I’m currently using my friend’s computer.) So if you email me and it takes a while for me to respond, that’s why. I’m not great at texting, but it’s probably the fastest way to reach me. If I’m moving too fast, please forgive me. I’m not at all trying to speed things along, just didn’t want you thinking I’ve bailed when it’s just taking me a while to get online.