Finding Home Read online

  “That’s Mrs. Ethington and Mrs. Longshanks to you, thank you very much,” the one Michelle called Ethel demands and it looks as though she’s ready and willing to take me down if need be. “So are you going to murder us in our sleep?”

  “Mrs. Ethington?” I’m guessing, but she did say it first so I’m assuming that is her. At her curt nod, I continue. “I’m not here to cause anyone any harm. If my presence here upsets anyone in the slightest, I’ll leave. I can’t express my gratitude to Michelle for allowing me to not only stay here but also giving me a job.”

  Mrs. Longshanks smiles. “My, my, my, the man has some smooth words to go along with his smooth looks.” She’s running her eyes up and down my body, and I’m not sure whether I should be afraid or not. “I don’t care if you’re a smooth talker, young man. You hurt our Shelly and you’ll have us to deal with!”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I nod as I wait for them to speak again. I’m not stupid; they obviously care deeply about Michelle and don’t want her to get hurt.

  “Good, you make sure of that and we’ll be right as rain. Now, when you get a chance,

  my A/C isn’t working and I’m melting away. Poor Shelly has been calling the repair guy for the past three days, and he’s yet to show up.” She’s spitting mad now, and I’m glad that she’s okay with me staying here. I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of her anger.

  “As soon as I’m finished with Michelle, I’ll be right with you.” Okay, sounds easy enough. I can look at her air conditioning. I don’t want the poor woman to get overheated. We’re in the middle of a heatwave now.

  “Ethel and Agnes, I’ll see you ladies later.” Michelle waves goodbye and starts walking up the stairs.

  “Thank you,” Mrs. Longshanks calls, and I politely nod before following Michelle up the stairs, hoping that the rest of the tenants are as nice as the two elderly ladies.

  He’s driving me crazy, he’s so sweet and sexy. He’s taken care of himself while he was in prison. His muscles are ripped and can clearly been seen through his tight T-shirt. I would love nothing more than to run my hands up and down his body. Then I realize why he’s here, how he got here, and it’s an instant turn off. He’s a friend of my dad’s, the man who hasn’t done a thing for me for my entire life. He was never present while I was growing up; he’d drop in when it suited him, he didn’t care about us. If he did he would have been there when I truly needed him.

  I’m dying to see what Trent’s tattoos are; I’ve caught sight of a few but haven’t really been able to make them out. I’m guessing he has complete sleeves along with some on his chest as part of one was peeking out from under his collar.

  Introducing Trent to the tenants has gone a lot easier than I thought it would. Everyone has been really welcoming, and Trent has been really polite and sweet to all the tenants. When I told them all that he was coming, it didn’t go down well. In fact, a few threatened to walk out, especially as I knew nothing about Trent except for what my dad told me, and let’s face it, you can’t take anything he says as gospel.

  Riccardo, being Riccardo, didn’t even hesitate to find out who Trent was. I lied to him when I said I didn’t know why he was inside. I did. He ran a background check on him and informed me of what had gone down. Finding out that he was sticking up for his sister makes what he did tolerable. However, he needs to learn to control his anger, and until I know that he can, I’ll be keeping my eye on him. Right now, I don’t trust him. Then again, I don’t trust many people, and that includes Ric.

  Riccardo also eased the tenants, he told them that Trent wasn’t a serial killer or a rapist, and assured them that he would be around to keep an eye on him. Yes, I listened to my dad and went off that, but from what I have found out and spending the past few hours with him, I was right in agreeing to have him stay here. I hope that it works out because he has no one, and that’s something that I can relate too. It’s been years since I’ve seen any member of my family, and it hurts; it kills me that my family is only fifty minutes away but I’m not able to see them.

  As we reach the very top of the complex, I glance at Trent. He seems to be more relaxed than he had been, and it’s probably down to the reception he’s received. However, his biggest test is going to come with the tenants of these two apartments. Riccardo and Maggie, they’re both stronger than anyone I have ever met, and both love me fiercely, even though I’ve kept them at arm’s length. They’ve been here for years, Maggie since I took ownership, and Riccardo a couple of months later. They’ve helped me get this place in tip-top shape and have helped whenever I have needed it. Not that I’ve ever asked for help, it’s something I pride myself of not doing. Needing people is something that only ends in heartache. I’ve needed my parents and look where that’s gotten me.

  After knocking on their apartment doors, I wait for Ric and Mags to come out and meet Trent. My stomach is in knots. Even though I’ve kept them at arm’s length, I still value their opinions.

  Maggie is the first to exit her apartment. “Michelle.” She gives me a smile, one in which I return. She turns to Trent. “You must be Mr. Lawrence, I’m Ms. Whitley.” She reaches out and shakes his hand. As soon as she withdraws it, she turns around and walks back into her apartment.

  Ric has heard everything Maggie said as he’s been standing there the whole time; he opened his door as soon as Mags started speaking. “I’m Riccardo Montoya. But you can call me Detective Montoya. I usually fix things myself if anything goes wrong, so I doubt I’ll need your help. It’s nice meeting you Mr. Lawrence.” Just like Mags did, Ric turns and walks back into his apartment.

  “Come on, I’ll show you to your apartment, no doubt you’ll want to shower and maybe get some food.” I filled his fridge knowing that he wouldn’t have money to get food. I bought things that I thought most men would like, pasta, rice, meat, and veggies. I bought enough of those staple foods that he wouldn’t go hungry and he’d survive for a few weeks or until I can go shopping again.

  We walk all the way to the bottom floor, right back where we started. It’s where both of our apartments are. He’s close to me, and that means he’s farther away from the other tenants. I believe everyone will be comfortable with this arrangement. I had two open units and now that Trent has one I’ll be putting an ad up to advertise that I have an opening. Usually my apartments go really quickly as they back up to the beach. The rent is expensive for Bar Harbor, but I have the best complex and I actually look after my building and my tenants.

  I walk to the apartment to the right of the elevator, it’s out in the open, and you can see the apartment door as soon as you walk in. My apartment is hidden from view. It’s to the left of the elevator, but it’s tucked into an alcove, the only way you can see it is if you’re at the elevator or walking up the stairs. I like that I have some sort of privacy. Upon opening the door to Trent’s apartment, I let him walk in ahead of me. I want to see his reaction to his new place.

  His face is dead straight; I’m not able to tell if he likes it. Hell, I can’t even tell what he’s thinking. Why the hell are guys so good at masking their true feelings, sometime us women would love to have a tiny peek inside their minds so we can figure out what the hell they have going on in there.

  “Michelle, I honestly don’t know how to thank you. This is more than I ever imagined.” He’s in shock.

  “It’s in the worst location of the building. Anyone and everyone who comes in has to walk past your door.” I hope that it doesn’t bother him. Even where I am, I can hear everything, so God knows what he’ll be able to hear.

  “It’s nicer than my old apartment.” He sounds in awe, and I glance around and try to envision what he sees. The apartment is a one-bed, we’re standing in his sitting room, from here you can see the three other rooms of the house. The kitchen is to the right of the door; it’s small but it has all the essentials. The sitting room is on the smaller side, it has an armchair, sofa, coffee table and a TV. To the back of the sitting room is his bedroom, and
beside that is the bathroom. “I’ll have a shower and then go and check Mrs. Longshanks’ A/C.”

  “Okay, I’ll leave you to it. Before I go, I’ve stocked your fridge and pantry. Also, you’ll be paid every Friday, as you have yet to sort out your bank, I’ll be paying you cash in hand. Please for my accountant’s sanity, can you get your bank details to me as soon as possible? You’ll have the weekends off, although you may get a phone call demanding your presence immediately. Unless the apartment is on fire or there’s a gas leak, you don’t go until you are ready,”

  His eyes widen in shock, probably at how forceful I was when I told him not to run to their every whim. I sigh, crossing my arms across my chest as I do so. “Listen, you don’t want them to think that you’re their puppet. You live here just as much as they do. Don’t let them run you to the ground.”

  He smiles at me, it’s completely disarming. Butterflies swarm around my stomach as he smiles. God, he can’t be having this effect on me. “I won’t, I promise.”

  I nod, distancing myself from him already. “If you need me, you know where to find me. I’ll leave you to get sorted.” I walk out of his apartment and rush into mine. God, why am I feeling so giddy around him? Why does he have to be my dad’s friend?

  I walk into my bedroom and flop onto my bed, I need some sleep. I haven’t slept that well the past few days. I’ve been worried about Trent and everyone’s reaction toward him. That along with wondering if he’s horrible. I never thought he’d be as sweet and polite as he is, he’s very down to earth, especially for someone that has just come out of prison. I thought he’d be more cagy and aloof but instead he seems grounded and he’s aware of everything and everyone around him. I caught a glimpse as we we’re walking up the stairs to meet the tenants that he was glancing around to make sure everything was up to standards, I think he spotted that a few bulbs have blown.

  I fall into a dream-filled sleep, and of course, my dream consists of Trent.

  Boom, boom, boom.

  I wake with a fright. What’s that noise? There it is again. Someone’s at my door. I’m instantly awake. The banging continues, and there’s a good chance whoever the hell it is doing it will come through the door any moment. Jumping out of bed, I race toward the door, wondering what the hell has happened. Has someone died?

  Pulling open the door, I frown when I realize that it’s Ric standing there. “What’s wrong?” I ask immediately, not liking the hard look on his face. “What’s happened?” My mind starts racing with thoughts that someone is hurt or dying. I glance over at Trent’s door and see it’s locked. Is he okay? “Is it Trent?” I’m worried, I have no idea what’s happening, and Ric is just standing there staring at me. “Ric, fucking hell, what is going on?”

  “Want to tell me why you’ve never told me that your dad killed someone?” he demands, pushing past me into my apartment.

  “Um, excuse you?” I ask as he walks into my sitting room. I can’t believe he’s being so rude.

  “You heard me, Michelle. What the hell? How many years have we been friends? And not once have you spoken about your family. This dick shows up and has all this information about you; like your father being in prison for killing someone. What the hell?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ric this mad before.

  “You woke me up for this shit?” I bite out. I’m not a doormat. I won’t be spoken to as though I’m a piece of shit. I defend myself when I need to and this is one of those times!

  “I didn’t tell you about my dad because let’s face it Ric, you already knew before you began renting. There’s no way you didn’t do a background check on me, that includes finding out about my finances to make sure that I am able to keep this complex afloat.” I’m like a bull in a china shop right now.

  “As for telling Trent, I didn’t need to, he already knew. He was my dad’s cell mate, so he’s aware of what my dad did.” I inhale sharply, hoping that I calm down before I say something I may regret.

  “Miche—” he starts but I hold my hand up. I’m not finished with him yet. He waves his hand for me to continue, and he’s lucky he’s six feet away; I’d slap him upside the head in seconds.

  “Don’t Michelle me anything. How dare you? I can tell who I want, what I want. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. I didn’t tell Trent anything I didn’t need to, he’s lived with my dad for five years. Something no doubt you already know. Hell, he’s friends with him, of course he has all the information about my life!” I can’t believe this shit. What the hell is wrong with him?

  “Shelly, you’ve got to admit how it looks. I’ve been here for almost five years now, and you’ve yet to open up. Any time there may be a slight opening you slam it shut, then this guy turns up, and he knows a hell of a lot more about you than most living in this complex. What the hell is up with that?” he bites out, and I’m getting annoyed; I have no idea where this anger is coming from. “Well?” He questions like he’s waiting for an answer.

  “Well what?” I fire back. “I don’t talk about my life. I prefer to keep my life private. The only people who are aware that my dad is in prison besides my family are you and Trent. And Trent knows because he shared a cell with my dad, whereas you found out by doing a background check on me. I haven’t let you in because I don’t let anyone in. I don’t understand why the hell you’re so angry?” I place my hands on my hips as I wait for him to answer me.

  “Shelly, you can’t be that blind? That naive?”

  Wow, he’s insulting me now.

  “Christ, you are!”

  “I am what?” I give him my hard stare, utterly taken aback by this conversation and his demeanor.

  “Shelly, you’re hot. You’ve got a banging body. One that makes every man who sees you do a double take. Not only are you sexy as sin, you’re the most genuine person I’ve ever met. You go out of your way to help people. How many times has Maggie been late with the rent and yet you let it slide? Hell, you’ve even lowered her rent so she can survive.”

  “What’s that got to do with anything? This is my business, and I can run it how I see fit, why are you even bringing that up?” Maggie is a twenty-one-year-old single mom, one who is totally devoted to her six-year-old son Bryson. He’s asthmatic, and his medicine isn’t cheap, so Maggie sometimes gets behind on her payments. I haven’t accepted rent from her for the past eight months and I won’t either. When I found out how badly in debt she was, the rent she was giving me, went into a savings account, one that, when she truly needs it, I’ll give back to her. If she doesn’t need it, then she and Bryson can go on vacation when he’s a bit older.

  “Christ, this is what I’m talking about. You’re in your own little world. One where no one else is allowed in. Let me be perfectly clear. I’m into you, Shelly.” He’s looking me dead in the eyes.

  The lust he has is clear, and it’s something I’ve never noticed before. He’s wrong, I’m far from naive, I just choose to be closed off.

  “Earth to Shelly.”

  My eyes snap to his.

  “I’ve just told you I’m into you, and all you can do is stare at me?”

  I shrug. “I have no idea what you want me to do.”

  His laugh is bitter. “Shelly, I can’t believe this shit. Are you for real right now?”

  “Am I for real? Let’s see, I’ve been woken up to you pounding on my door like someone has died. You barge your way into my apartment and demand me to tell you why Trent knows things about me. You then tell me you’re into me and expect me to what? Fall at your feet? That’s never going to happen.” I inhale sharply, crossing my arms over my chest so I don’t hit him.

  He’s pissed me off big time and he’s standing there staring at me as though I’m doing something wrong.

  “I get that you’re upset for whatever reason but don’t bring that shit to my door. I don’t deal with drama and I sure as hell don’t deal with men who think they own me. I didn’t owe you an explanation to anything and yet I gave you one due to the fact that I’ve know
n you for a long time. I’m done now and I need a shower. You can let yourself out.” My hands are shaking as I uncross my arms, and I place them behind my back so that they can’t be seen. I don’t want to give Ric any ammunition to come back at me. I’m too damn tired.

  Ric lets out a low whistle. “You’ve got claws Shelly, and I like that.” He starts walking toward me and I try not to laugh, he’s strutting and any normal time when he does that I watch as he does it as he resonates sexiness but right now, he looks ridiculous. As he passes me his hand grazes my arm and I recoil, he clocks it and his face hardens. “I’ll see you around Shelly.” He winks at me as he leaves, and of course, Trent’s standing at his door watching Ric leave, something flashes in his eyes but is gone before I can register what it was. I close the door and lean against it, hating what’s just occurred. I hope that it never happens again.

  Watching Riccardo leave Michelle’s apartment with that fucking grin on his face has me balling up my fists. I inhale deeply and exhale, I’m trying to control my anger, hell if I knew why I was angry, it would be helpful but I don’t. Michelle has some effect on me and I’m not entirely sure if it’s good or not.

  “Hey, Trent right?” The asshole says, damn well aware of what my name is. The fucker ran a background check on me. I nod, I can’t trust myself to speak right now. “I’m watching you. You’re up to something.” That fucking grin, I’d love nothing more than to knock it off his face. “Stay away from Michelle.”

  “Sure, whatever you say.” I open my door, ignoring the way he bares his teeth at me, snarling as he does, there’s something about him that doesn’t seem right. My gut is screaming that this ass is bad news.