Except I can’t leave it like this all night.
I really don’t want to call a plumber at this point on a Friday night, knowing it will cost a higher overnight or weekend rate. Mrs. Johnson’s daughter won’t be able to help me, and she lives forty-five minutes away anyway. The only person I can think of to call for help is Maddox. He gave me his phone number when I ran into him at the hardware store a couple of months back, offering his help anytime I might need it. Well, I think this qualifies.
I grab my phone and pull up his number. I cringe when I look up at the clock on the stove and notice it’s well after ten o’clock. It was ringing for the third time and I start to get nervous, ready to hang up. Maybe he’s already asleep? I’m calling later than I ever wanted to call anyone’s house knowing they have a family at home sleeping.
“Hello?” A woman answers sounding very tired.
“Good evening. This is Erin Anderson, and I’m so sorry to call so late at night. Is Maddox available by chance?”
“He’s right here. Hold on a second, Erin.” I hear muffled voices talking and assume she puts her hand over the phone while she talks to Maddox.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Maddox. I’m so, so sorry for calling you so late at night but I have a little problem.”
“It’s okay, Erin. I’m still up packing for our move tomorrow. What’s up?”
That’s right! I recall overhearing conversations tonight that he was moving in with Jake’s little sister tomorrow. “Well, I came home from the retirement party tonight and my kitchen floor was soaked. My sink is leaking water all over the place, and I don’t really know what to do.”
“Do you have a bucket you can put under the leak?”
“Yeah, I have a big bowl under there now.”
“Okay, good. I’m not really sure what to do without looking at the leak to determine if maybe you just have a busted fitting or something more serious with the pipe itself. I have a friend, James, who actually lives not too far from you. Why don’t I give him a call and see if he can buzz over and check it out for you?”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I just didn’t know if there was something I could do without having to call a plumber.”
“Well, it may be an easy fix, but I’m just not sure. I know James well and I’m sure he can give you a little advice. I’d run over myself but I’m afraid Avery will kill me if I leave this disaster for her to tackle alone.” He chuckles as his fiancée mouths off in the background.
“Well, if you think he could help. I’d be willing to pay him.”
“I’ll call him and call or text you back.”
“Thank you so much, Maddox. Tell Avery thank you for taking the call, and, again, I’m so sorry for disturbing you all so late at night.”
“Don’t worry about it, Erin. We’re happy to help. Talk to you soon.”
“Thanks again. Bye.” I hang up the phone and sit back and wait on my plumbing knight to come and rescue me. Heck, maybe James is cute and it won’t be such a bad thing that my pipes started leaking in the middle of the night.
A text comes through my phone a few minutes later. Help is on the way!
Excellent! James is coming to help so I should probably get to cleaning up the excess water standing on my kitchen floor.
Chapter Three
Jake
I’m relaxing on my couch in a pair of sweatpants when my phone rings. Maddox.
“Don’t tell me you can’t wait for my help until tomorrow. I’m not coming over now to pack up boxes, dude.”
“No, I need your help with something else.”
“What?”
“Erin just called and her kitchen sink is leaking.” I sit straight up on my couch at the sound of her name. “I called James to see if he could run over there to help her but he’s up at Jack’s. Can you run over there?”
“Don’t ever call James again before you call me when it comes to Erin,” I growl into the phone. “I’m on my way.” I hear Maddox laughing as I click off the phone without even saying good-bye. Dick.
I head back to my bedroom to grab a sweatshirt and some socks. Once my feet are stuffed in my running shoes, I grab my keys and head out the back door towards my garage. I grab a few hand tools that I might need for a water leak and throw them in the cab of my truck. I’m out of the drive and heading towards Erin’s a few minutes later. Yes, James may live a couple of blocks away, but there is no way in hell I’m going to allow that douche to help Erin. If anyone is going to go over there in the middle of the night, it’s going to be me.