Page 136 of Heartland

“I appreciate it,” Rickie says, crossing his legs onto the coffee table. “As a result, I can do this rental. And also your sister can live here next year if she wants to. So can Chastity, by the way. Everybody’s rent will be only a hundred bucks a month, to cover heat, utilities, internet, and maintenance supplies.”

“A hundred bucks?” I gasp. “That’s nothing.”

“You can have the other upstairs bedroom,” Rickie points in the general direction of that room. “And Daphne can take the third floor if she doesn’t mind living with her brother.”

“Why so cheap, man?” Keith asks. “I don’t get it. You could be earning a lot more rent. Or else keep the place to yourself.”

“Nope,” Rickie says as he gets to his feet. “Being alone is the very last thing I need. And if I had a lot more cash, I’d probably just smoke it all.” He shrugs. “Night guys. See you in the morning.”

He walks out of the room, and the rest of us just kind of stare at each other for a moment.

“A hundred bucks,” Dylan breathes. “We’re going to save so much money. This is great.”

“Plus, it will be a fun summer,” Keith points out. “We’ll introduce Rickie to Friday nights at the Goat.” He also gets to his feet. “Night guys. Good gig, Dyl. You know I’m going to ask you to do another one.”

“Night!”

We’re quiet for a second. “Do you think Daphne is okay?” I ask.

“God, I hope so. Because there probably isn’t much I can do if she’s not.” He yawns. “Come to bed with me, Chass.”

My tummy flips like it always does.

He takes my hand as we slowly turn out the lights and head upstairs.

“I loved the song, Dyl,” I say quietly.

“I’m pretty sure it was written to mean something dark. But I don’t hear it that way anymore. I hear it and think of caramel and nakedness.” He kisses me on the temple. “Come to bed, and I’ll show you what I think about that song.”

I do. And he does, too.

T H E

E N D