I’d started to make a run for it when Mrs. Hardy turned the corner and our eyes met. Fucking hell.
Janice’s eyes found me, and they went wide with surprise. She hadn’t been expecting us to get caught either.
I stood there unable to move from this train wreck. How did I explain this? I didn’t need this woman to know what I did. I was going to find another job, and when I did, I was going to make myself worthy of Amanda. Her mother knowing this dirty secret of mine would ruin everything. She’d tell Amanda. If she ever found out about Amanda and me, she’d tell her.
“Oh, Preston. I’m so glad you’re here. The uh, toilet that is broken is upstairs to the left. It just keeps running over.” Janice’s forced smile and high-pitched voice weren’t very convincing. “Run along now and get it fixed.” She waved her hand and smiled back at Amanda’s mom.
Mrs. Hardy’s eyes were still locked on mine. She was connecting the dots, dammit.
“Yes, ma’am. I thought you mentioned that your washing machine was broken too.” I was a hell of a lot more convincing.
She nodded nervously. “Yes, yes it is. But go on and get that toilet fixed.”
I nodded and headed up the stairs, praying Mrs. Hardy believed this bullshit.
“Sweet kid. He can fix anything,” Janice said in the same nervous, high-pitched tone.
“Is that so?” Mrs. Hardy asked. The tone of her voice made my stomach knot up. She knew.
Fuck it all to hell. She knew.
Amanda
Preston had gone to work out again today. He got a call from his coach and had to leave unexpectedly. I’d been on my way over here. We were going to go down to the beach. We only had a few weeks of heat left before the fall air started making it impossible to enjoy the beach.
I scrolled through my text messages to kill time, and I saw Jason’s unanswered one. It had been two weeks since he’d sent it. He hadn’t sent another one. I’d been so wrapped up in Preston I’d forgotten about it.
Me: I am so sorry I haven’t responded. With school starting back up and everything, I’ve been busy.
I might need to call him. Two weeks was beyond rude. Jason’s response popped up on the screen.
Jason: That’s okay. I’ve talked to Sadie. I know you are seeing someone. Lucky guy.
Sadie hadn’t mentioned Jason when we’d talked the other day. She was happy for me, but she’d sounded worried too.
Me: Yeah. That too. I should have responded, though. I’m really sorry.
Jason: Don’t worry about it. Just promise me if things don’t work out that you will give me a call. Keep this number.
He was really sweet. If things didn’t work out, I’d be crushed. There would be no calling someone else.
Me: I’ll remember that. Thank you again for the offer. Flying to NYC for dinner would be amazing.
Jason: Offer stands. Just say the word.
The door to the apartment opened, and Preston walked in with a scowl on his face. He’d only been gone an hour and a half. He wasn’t very sweaty, either.
“Hey,” I said, laying my phone down to get up and go to him.
He held up his hands to hold me off. “I’m nasty. Let me get a shower first.” He didn’t say anything else. He just stalked to the bathroom and closed the door. Loudly.
Was he mad that I was still here?
My phone played the text song, and I reached down to get it.
Jason: I got an invitation to your brother’s wedding.
Willow must have sent it when she’d thought there was something going on between us.