“Got it. I have her credit report here, do you want me to read the highlights?”
I dropped the pen I was holding on my desk, not even sure why I had it in my grip. Had I subconsciously planned to take notes on what Carson told me about Dakota? That wasn’t fucking weird or anything. “You have her credit report? No, I don’t want you to read that. It’s none of my business.” Even if I was curious.
“There is something really noteworthy.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“She’s being evicted,” Carson blurted out, clearly unable to stop himself.
So much for being a steel trap.
“Oh, shit.” I rubbed my forehead. “I didn’t need to know that.”
I didn’t. Because I couldn’t get emotionally involved with Dakota. I couldn’t catch feelings for her. It would be a total disaster. My life was busy and complicated. Hers appeared to be falling apart.
No. It couldn’t happen.
But then I said, “Find out how much she owes in back rent.”
Yep. I said that.
Carson’s eyebrows shot up but he just casually said, “Sure. No problem. Anything else?”
“Can you club me over the head and knock some sense into me?”
“You could just date her,” Carson suggested. “Maybe no one will notice.”
“Now I need to club you over the head.”
“Was the sex good at least? Was it worth it?” The little bastard looked genuinely curious.
“Yes,” I said shortly. “You saw her, right? In all your research.”
“I did, but I’m too short for a woman like that. I would literally feel like her boy toy.”
That made me laugh. “Get the fuck out of here. Arrange my meeting.”
“Yes, sir. And I’ll clear your schedule for an hour after the meeting.”
I started to protest, then figured it wasn’t a bad idea. This might not take a mere five minutes. I had to convince Dakota to keep what had happened between us a secret.
Plus ask her why the hell she hadn’t contacted me.
Chapter Seven
“He’s the head coach?” Isla asked. “How could you not know that, Dakota?”
I shrugged. I’d made the hike to Brooklyn to meet up with my girlfriends, Savannah and Isla. Felicia couldn’t make it because her baby was going through a teething patch, and Leah was in the Hamptons escaping the heat with her gazillionaire husband at his family compound.
“I don’t know. You know me. I don’t always pay attention when I should.” It was true and it was a problem. It was why I was being evicted. I hadn’t told any of my friends about that yet, which was also a problem. I needed to beg one of them to let me crash for a couple of weeks. It was either that or go back to Cleveland. Which would be horrible, because I hadn’t lived with my parents in a decade and there were no job opportunities for me there.
“I don’t follow football,” Savannah said. “So you could have told me his name and I would have had no clue.”
“Yeah, but you’re not a cheerleader for his team,” Isla said.
I waved my hand. “He’s a new coach. Whatever. The point is he ghosted me and now I have to stand there knowing he's very close to me physically and I can’t do a damn thing about it. It sucks.” I sipped my drink. “God, it’s hot in here. Don’t they have the air-conditioning on?” Maybe I was just hot from riding the train but I was wearing a crop top and shorts and I was still feeling the heat.
My phone was sitting on the table and it rang. It was a number I didn’t know. Probably a bill collector. My credit card company was on my ass hard core.
“I think it’s fine in here,” Isla said.
“I think it’s hot,” Savannah said. “But then again, I’m pregnant, so my temperature is off.”
I set my drink down hard. “What? You’re pregnant? Oh my God, that’s amazing! Congratulations!” I hadn’t even really noticed she hadn’t ordered a cocktail. I had been wrapped up in my own nonsense. “How is Maddox handling the news?”
Maddox was Savannah’s fiancé. Savannah had been a single mom when Maddox had reappeared in her life and they had instantly become inseparable. He had adopted her son, Sullivan.
“He’s thrilled. You know he wants like six kids.”
“Well, you’ll be a third of the way there,” Isla said. “Congrats. That’s amazing. When are you due?”
“April. We’re going to have to move. We cannot have two kids in a one-bedroom apartment. We need a two-bedroom, so if you know anyone who is moving and has a good-sized place, let me know.” She turned to me. “Dakota, do you want to take over our lease? I think it would be a perfect apartment for you and I want you in Brooklyn for selfish reasons.”
I wished I could. She had a cute apartment. It had natural light and a galley kitchen. Room for an actual coffee table. “I would love to, but I’m not really in a financial position to do that right now.” It pained me to say that out loud. “As a matter of fact, I’m actually a little behind on my rent. I have until September fifteenth to get caught up or I’m getting evicted.”
“What? Oh my God,” Savannah said. “Why haven’t you said anything?”
I shrugged.
“That’s only two and a half weeks from now,” Isla said.
I grimaced. “Trust me, I know.” I sipped my drink. I had ordered a vodka and soda water. I had gained a few pounds over the summer and needed to cut back on the sugar. The drink tasted like shit. I wanted something delicious and cold and fruity.
“How much do you owe?” Savannah asked.
That number got stuck on my tongue. “Three months,” was all I could manage. If I said the actual number, I would freak the fuck out. “Is it okay to feel this tired?” I asked them. “Like where it would just be nice to have answers about my life, where my next paycheck is coming from.”
“Oh, damn, honey, that sucks,” Isla said. “Do you need a loan? I can give you a few grand.”
“I can’t borrow money from you,” I said. “I know you and Sean are trying to open your own restaurant.”
“I can give you money too,” Savannah said, reaching out and squeezing my hand.
The very thought made my stomach turn. “No way. Don’t even think about it. You’re having your second baby, you need to move to a bigger place, you and Maddox are planning a wedding. I can’t borrow money. I’ll be fine. I don’t know what I’m going to do but something will pan out. It always does.”
Though I wasn’t sure what miracle would be coming my way this time. Even if I got a dance gig, it wouldn’t pay what I needed it to in two and a half weeks to get out of the hole I was in. It was a disaster. “The only thing I ask is that you let me crash on your couch for a week or two once I get thrown out.”
“Of course, sweetie, whatever you need.”
“You got it.”
The look of sympathy they both gave me made me both grateful for amazing friends and utterly humiliated. “I’ll be right back.” I didn’t need to use the restroom but for a split second I thought I was going to cry and that nonsense needed to stop. This wasn’t the end of the world. I was stronger than this.