Pride (Living In Sin #1)

Chapter 12

Alec

"I thought for sure you were going to be beaten to death and I was going to find you in some dark alley. Thank God it's an actual job."

As Max spoke, I could only wonder if there was a storm coming from the rumbling sound that echoed through the room. I dismissed it almost instantly; all Australians knew how to handle a little rain. I had bigger things to think about.

Thankfully, the apartment did not seem to be decorated by the mysterious Crave. It was in muted cream, white and greys and I'd let out a huff when I'd finally stumbled in and it was so normal. A quick search had turned up a combined living/dining/kitchen area, one bedroom, and a decent sized bathroom. There was even a little balcony with a washing line.

The place was fully furnished. Another breath of relief. I wouldn't have to buy much. I'd even get to use those bedsheets I'd brought all those years ago when I'd been confident my couch surfing was only temporary. Something about the sheets on the bed already made me itch to replace them. I knew nothing about the last person who might have leased the apartment. It was just weird to be using their sheets. I'd put them in the washing machine straight away. Then I'd donate them to the local charity when I had the chance.

But it was also what had prompted me to call Max. If I was going to be staying here, I was going to need some stuff. And while I was at it, I might as well get everything. The problem was, I'd spent the last of my money getting here. I was going to have to hope there was a kitchen at the club and that I could beg for food for a couple of days. At this point in my life, I was definitely a master at begging. It was a pity it wasn't fun and interesting begging.

There was no way I could afford a taxi or uber back to Max's place. So again, I was going to have to beg for a delivery.

"Me too, man." It was easy to talk now, the fear of having a place to stay having evaporated. Even if I wasn't sure yet how I felt about Pry and his brothers that I hadn't met yet. "But the contract seems solid. And this place is pretty nice. It's a weird setup, but the timing was perfect. Can't be a slacker forever, right?"

The laugh it brought to Max was delightful. Thankfully, he didn't sound like he was too worried or stressed. Again, if this fell through, maybe I'd need a place to stay for a few days. Max would be my last choice, but at least I had one if I needed it.

"All right, all right." I could hear Max's grin. "I'll bring your stuff by before my next shift. You won't have to be naked for long."

Rolling my eyes, I wandered around the lounge space. The furniture was mostly new, which was a pleasant surprise. It was going to be one of the nicest places I'd stayed. In current memory, Max's was probably just a little bit more fancy. And here I was going to get to sleep in a bed. It was feeling a little too good to be true. Well, more than it had a few hours ago.

I was sure another shoe was going to drop. Maybe I wouldn't be able to handle the other owners; Pry's siblings could easily make what was a perfect setup into the most horrible job I'd ever had. For all I knew, working in a nightclub could be awful. I shook my head. I wasn't about to let myself imagine worst-case scenarios and screw the whole thing up before it started. I could give myself a few weeks’ grace and if it was impossible to continue, I could take a month’s pay and find something else.

I'd never find something as perfect as this again, but it lifted a weight from my shoulders, knowing this wasn't my only option. No job or situation ever was. Shaking the thoughts off, I focused back on Max and the actual reason for my call.

"About that. They want me to have a trial shift." Max made a noncommittal sound. He was distracted by something, which was probably for the best, really. "Tonight. At the club."

There was a telling pause as my words sunk in and what I wasn't saying hit home.

"Dude," Max hissed, sounding almost scandalised. “You don't have any clubbing clothes. Jeans and t-shirts aren't going to fly at a place like Club Midnight."

I rolled my eyes. Even though he was being dramatic about it, Max was right. Any clothes that might have been even slightly acceptable had long since been retired and I didn't have them. It was time for drastic measures. "I know that, Max. I was hoping I could get you to bring my stuff soon. Those black leather pants I have still fit. Maybe I could borrow a shirt of yours or something?"

"You'd never fit into my clothes." The rebuttal was instant, and it made me sulk a bit. It was true. Max was basically a giant compared to my little stick figure. I watched my last hope sail out the window as I resigned myself to looking like a hillbilly and getting fired on my first night. Maybe I could con a little bit of time in this apartment. I was really looking forward to sleeping in a bed.

"Actually," Max mused, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. I was ready to do just about anything to get to stay in my own unit. "Now hear me out. You might not like this idea.

I could practically hear the smirk in Max's voice. "But you and Evette are almost the same size."