“I know,” he says, kissing my head. “You’ll start at the office on Monday morning. Tomorrow, I’ll send some movers by to get you set up at the new place.”
“And what do I tell Sable and Dad when they find out I’m living in your apartment?” I ask.
“The truth,” he says. “Just minus the part where I fucked you.”
“You mean the part where you tried to bruise my internal organs? Yeah… I’ll keep that to myself,” I say and he laughs.
I am standing in my new apartment, watching them unload and set everything up. “Man, he wasn’t kidding when he said he’d furnish this place,” I say.
“Dad will find any reason to spend money,” Sable laughs then bumps my shoulder. “You know you could have told me. I would’ve helped you.”
“I know,” I sigh. “I just hate asking for help. I sure as hell don’t ask dad for help.”
“Yeah. I understand that hard work builds your character and all but there’s no reason you should’ve been living like that. You are not someone to be greedy. Just because he helps you out doesn’tmean it’s going to spoil you. Although, at this point, you deserve to be spoiled,” Sable says then perks up when one of the movers drops the couch. “Please, be careful.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” he says with an attitude.
“Well, isn’t he a ray of sunshine,” I mumble.
“I think Dad likes the grumpy ones. They match him perfectly,” Sable says.
“Your dad isn’t that grumpy,” I laugh.
“You only say that because you think my dad is hot,” she chuckles. “To be fair, your dad is grumpy and hot also.”
“Okay. This is getting weird now,” I laugh.
“Hey, Dad,” Sable says as she turns to the door.
“Hey,” Marc says as he hugs her. “Are you being mean to the movers again?”
“Again? I’m not mean to people,” she says, and I laugh.
“Hey, Raven,” he says, hugging me.
“Hey. Thanks again for this,” I say.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says before I pull away. His hug lingers just bit and Sable immediately gives me a weird look. Marc doesn’t notice so I just pretend like I don’t either. “Like it okay?”
“I think my old apartment could fit in the closet,” I say. “I love it!”
“Oh. That reminds me,” Marc says. “Your neighbor… the veteran… I paid for him to go to rehab. I told him if he completes the four-week program, he will have a job at the office. He has been drinking for so long. That detox is going to kick his ass for a few daysso I told him that we could talk once he feels a little better and get an idea of where would be best to place him.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Billy will love that. I bet he was so happy,” I say happily.
“He was extremely happy,” he nods. “He was happy to find out that you moved also.”
“Who is Billy?” Sable asks.
“Her old neighbor,” Marc says.
“He would get shit faced and sit in the hallways between his door and mine so that if anyone was going to mess with me that they’d get distracted by him,” I add. “He also threatened to beat up Marc for me.”
“Interesting,” Sable says, looking between Marc and me. “Well, I’m taking you out tonight, Raven. Just us and the dance floor!”
“Okay,” I smile. “I’ll need to find something to wear.”
“I’ll dress you up. It’s my fave thing to do,” she laughs. “I’m going to go to my apartment and grab a few things, then we can go get dinner before we find a club.”