The Arrangement Anthology 1(95)

Mel sighs and says, “Black was here. Gabe or Blade or whatever the hell his name is, is in the waiting room to see if you wake up.”

“Black came? Who told her?” Damn, my head hurts. I rub my fingers against my temples, squinting, trying to focus.

“I did,” Mel says. “You were wearing your bracelet. The bead broke and she called you. Her thug showed up two seconds later to skin your date, but I told him what happened. Black wants her investment back.”

“Shit.” I close my eyes. I think about it for a moment, and then ask. “Is Sean’s jacket in here?” Mel nods and hands it to me. I pull out the envelope and separate the note, the necklace, and some of the money. I put those things back in Sean’s jacket and hand it back to Mel. “Call Gabe in here for me.”

“Avery—” Marty interrupts. He cuts Mel a look that says she shouldn’t listen to me, but Mel does. Before he can protest, Mel is in the hallway. “You don’t have to do this now.” His eyes are so big and brown. I never realized how much he cares about me. Marty looks really worried.

I take his hand and rub the back. “It’ll be okay. Wait and see.”

Gabe walks in. “Miss Stanz, how are you?”

“I’ve been better. Listen, I know why you’re here. Take this. Give it to Black. Tell her we’re even. I took out enough to cover the fee from the other night.” I hand him the envelope filled with cash. “Tell her my indentured servitude is over.”

He looks down at it and back up at me. “I’ll let her know. What about work? Should I tell her you’re coming back? Or are you making other employment arrangements?”

I want to quit. Since I stepped my foot into Black’s office, things have gone from bad to worse. But I can’t pull out. Not now. God knows how much this is going to cost. I’ll have to pay the debt, and finish school and work. Oh, holy hell. My head hurts. I’m staring at Gabe as I’m thinking. The answer is obvious. I have to keep working for her. Shit.

“Avery…” Marty says softly.

Mel watches me, her caramel eyes flicking between me and Gabe.

“I’ll come back as soon as possible. I want to be on the books next weekend. I’m full in, none of this halfway stuff anymore.”

Gabe nods, “You’re made of stone, kid. Hold it together and get out as fast as you can.” Gabe glances at Mel and adds, “I never said that, so you didn’t hear it.”

Mel flinches and looks at me, and then back at Gabe. “I’m not saying shit to no one. What you looking at me like that for? The more people looking out for my girl, the better. Damn right, I said that. Tell whoever the fuck you want.” Mel’s arms are folded over her chest. Standing next to Gabe, she looks so small and breakable.

Gabe smirks at Mel and leaves without another word. We all watch the door close. I rub the heel of my hand over my eyes and sit up. The room tilts to the side, but I can’t stay here. I have to get up and leave. Before I can manage to swing my legs off the side of the bed, Marty scoots closer and takes my hand.

“Avery, how could you say that?” Marty sounds like he’s scolding me.

“Don’t you dare yell at her. What the hell is wrong with you? She’s been through enough. Zip it, Dough Boy or I’ll toss your ass out of here.” Mel is standing with her hands on her hips. I can tell that she wants to yell at Marty, but her voice is calm.

She looks over at me. “You hungry? I’ll go get you something, some soup maybe? I know how much you like soup.”

I like soup as much as she likes pancakes. I smile. It makes my lips crack. I wince and ask, “Sounds good. And can you find me some lip balm?”

Mel nods. “Sure thing, honey. Glad you’re alive.”

“Me too.”

Mel slips out the door, and Marty and I are alone.





CHAPTER 2





Marty doesn’t say anything, at first. He seems nervous and way out of sorts. I tell him, “I don’t think anything is broken. I can move all my toes.”

“Avery, I need to tell you something. After all this, oh my God, if I didn’t get a chance to say it…”

I smile at him. My face hurts to do it, but he looks so scared. “Just tell me.”

“The other day when I broke the beaker… Do you remember?”

Yeah, I remember. He was acting like a crazy person. I nod. “Yeah, what was that about?”

Marty watches me for a long time. There’s no expression on his face. I sigh and rub my shoulder. It feels like the muscles have a rock stuck between them. Marty leans forward and says, “Here, let me help.” His hands work my shoulder and I can feel the muscle start to loosen up.