Page 13 of Rivals

“Ready?”

This is my last chance, I can walk past him and say no. But that little seed of curiosity has fallen into a gaping hole now, and it feels like he’s the only one who can help me with it. That’s probably the guilt talking because I got us into this mess. I lift my chin higher and look him in the eye. “Yeah,” I grumble.

His eyes stay locked onto mine as if he’s waiting for me to change my mind. I’m frozen in our stare-off until he breaks it, and he turns around and saunters to the exit.

Chapter 14

Lachlan

Ileadthewaythrough the doors onto the busy New York street. Our humble school is located in Brooklyn in the Fort Greene neighborhood. Though sometimes, it feels like we’re smack dab in the middle of Times Square with the number of people coming through here. Only maybe less selfie sticks. The city was a source of inspiration for a while because there was something different everywhere. I live in a melting pot of a state. There’s a lot of history, culture, and inspiration.

I don’t check behind me to see if my new temporary roommate is following behind. I was raised with manners, but I don’t particularly want to use them with her at the moment. Revna will be staying with me for two days. Two whole days. What have I gotten myself into? We are going to a guy I know who can get us the OBA I asked for. I didn’t like the idea of using again, even if I had in the past. But after I thought about it, I knew she was right. It might help speed up this process.

But what will you do when you get to the third round and have to do it all over again?I’m not going to think about that right now.

I’m nervous to let her into my space and see me. Rather, see something that I don’t want her to. I really don’t want her anywhere near me or my art, but it is what it is.

Revna catches up with me so we’re walking side by side. Her steps are two for every one I take. I know I’m going too fast for her, but I don’t care. I stop at a gentrified warehouse that’s now lofts, the same as my building. “Is this where you live?” she asks, staring at the large brick building.

“No, this is where my hook-up said to meet.”

“Oh,” she says, looking down at her feet, kicking a nonexistent rock.

“Any more questions?”

She flicks her eyes at me, then looks at the people as they walk past us. “No,” she mutters. Huh. I expected her to flip me off, maybe some kind of snide remark.

“Are you nervous?” I ask her. She looks at me again, and I want to reassure her that it will be fine. We will work this out. But I’ve never been the reassuring type. I’m a call-it-like-you-see-it kind of guy.

“Even if I were, I wouldn’t tell you that,” she says, flicking her eyes at me again. Fair enough. I wouldn’t tell her either and Iamnervous. I’m not only nervous about her coming into my space, but I’m nervous about not producing something that will get us to the next round. I’m afraid it will be some mediocre modern painting that doesn’t authentically say anything like a red dot on a white canvas, and it’s hailed as genius. That’s one thing I have never appreciated about modern art. It has always looked relatively directionless, in my opinion. I’m surprised sometimes, but for the most part, it’s all stupid.

I check my watch again, wondering where the guy is. He should be here by now. I told him I couldn’t be waiting around for him. I want to be done with this. Revna kicks her shoe on the pavement again, and I try not to let it grate on my nerves. My stomach grumbles, and Revna makes the scuffing sound again. “Stop,” I spit out.

“What?” Revna asks.

“I said stop.”

“Why?” she asks, a sly grin on her face. “Am I irritating you, Lachlan?” Her voice is saucy and I know she’s trying to get a rise out of me.

I open my mouth to respond, and then my guy clears his throat. “Sorry I’m late, I got caught up. I’ve got what you asked for.”

“Great,” I mumble, handing him the small stack of cash. It hurts me to pay for this because I made that money the last two nights of working, but it’s what has to happen right now.

“Here,” Revna says, shoving bills at him. I grip her wrist and link my fingers around it, squeezing hard. She shifts to get out of my hold, and I pluck the money from her fingers.

“The man has been paid for our agreed-upon rate. I’ve got this.” I say, still holding my hand around her thin wrist. She tries to pull out of it again, but I hold on. The guy looks between us both and hands me the small bag. I nod my head and shove it in my pocket.

He looks between Revna and me one more time with a funny look and says, “Have a good night, I guess.”

Revna shifts in my hold. “Yeah,” I mutter, and he walks back down the street. I finally let her go, and she glares at me.

“Can we get this over with, please?”

“My pleasure,” I mumble and gesture for her to go first down the street. She takes a few steps and then stops, realizing she has no idea where she’s going. I continue walking past her and make a right towards my apartment.

I stop at the brick building, go through the lobby, and hit the button for the elevator. Revna has a grimace on her face as she wraps her arms around herself like she’s trying to make herself small enough to disappear.

I watch her carefully until the elevator dings and go down the hall to my door. Our footsteps echo in the brightly lit hallway, and I glance over my shoulder at Revna one more time before I turn the key.