Page 32 of Saving Ren

Ignoring both my apology and Jo’s comment, he continues, “Listen, I got everything done I needed to this morning, and if you’re all set at Jo’s, I wondered if you’d like to come and have a look at this unit we’ve got coming up for rent. . . If you’re still looking?”

I remain silent as I try to think of an excuse, but my exhausted, battle-weary brain has nothing.

“I. . . yeah. I’m still looking, but I’m sorry, I’m not going to be able to make it work today.”

“Tomorrow then? I can text you the address and meet you there around. . .”

“Gabe, look. This is really good of you, but right now, I can’t. I need to find work and just generally get my shit together before I can even consider taking on a rental.”

A menagerie of birds, bats, and butterflies all flapping their wings at once replaces the hollowness in my chest and belly as I start to panic at how much I really do need to organise.

“Look, you need somewhere to live. We can work something out with the rent, it’s honestly not a problem.”

Overwhelmed and exhausted, I’m done with the back and forth and let out a long sigh before responding.

“Again, thanks, but I’m not looking for a handout or any other kind of charity. When I’ve got my life in some kind of order, I’ll be in touch, but that’s not likely to be any time soon,” I bite out.

Leaning forward, I rest my forehead on Jo’s granite benchtop, and almost bang it against the surface before remembering it’s broken and glued together.

I don’t know why I’m being so horrible to him. Even as I’m saying the words and using the tone I’m using I know it’s arseholish of me. He’s been nothing but nice, and here I am being a total bitch.

“Okay. Well, no worries then, Lauren. . .”

I’m knocked sideways and again nearly come off my stool as Jo snatches the phone from my hand.

“Gabe? It’s Jo again, can I call you back? Lauren is definitely interested in the place you have for rent, and we’ll be looking at it soon. Call you back, bye.”

I’m in pain, and can barely keep my eyes open, my mouth on the other hand just hangs there gapping.

“What?” Jo asks but doesn’t wait for an answer. “Youneed somewhere to live,hehas a place to rent, he’s obviously into you, and who wouldn’t wanthimas a landlord? I’ll go and have a look at the unit for you if you don’t want to go.”

I let out a loud sigh. “I need to sleep, Jo, and to be able to do that, I need some more drugs. When I’ve done that, then I’ll argue with you about this, but I don’t have one more battle left in me right now.”

Even before I finish talking, she gets up, pours me a glass of water, and hands it to me with the pain meds we picked up on the way home from the hospital.

“Take them and go, I’m gonna try and get a couple of hours myself.”

“I love you,” I tell her. “Thank you for everything.”

“Stop talking, you know you’ll only end up crying. Go.” She waves me away with a flick of her wrist.

I slide off the stool and take my battered heart, mind, and body to Jo’s guest room.

Chapter 11

Gabe

I havezero idea as to what the fuck I’m doing, but apparently, it’s not the right thing. Never in my life have I pursued a woman, and it’s pretty fucking obvious after just sounding like the world’s biggest pussy on the phone to Lauren and getting totally shot down for it.

I’m not sure what it is I’m so attracted to. I like my life drama free, and this woman is literally draped in one giant red flag, but there’s just something about her that has me hooked.

I make my way back into the Italian place where I’m having breakfast with my brothers and Jack.

Sitting back down at the table, Zac doesn’t miss the stench of failure that must be oozing from my pores.

“Who pissed inyour Weet Bix?” he asks before my arse even hits the chair.

I give him a blank stare which I hope conveys the ‘fuck right off’I’m thinking.