Page 28 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

Probably pretty damn great.

“Well,” I said at last, “I’d tell you that you need to get out more and really work on your love life, but I feel like that would be like arguing with a tree stump.”

Seth grinned victoriously. “Exactly like that.”

How was it thateverythingSeth said just oozed charm? I couldn’t be charming if I tried, but it seemed to be his default. He really was something else.

Chapter Eleven

Troy

People always said the key to getting ahead was to work harder. Always harder. I used to believe that—probably in high school, when“working hard” meant going to class, clocking in at my part-time job, rinse and repeat.

But now, I stood in my cramped apartment, staring at the floorboards, wondering where exactly I’d gone wrong.

There was now a leak in the kitchen. Did I expect maintenance to fix it?

Hell no.

Did I have the means to sue the landlord’s ass and make him fix everything like he was supposed to?

Hell no.

One thing was clear; somewhere along the line, I’d screwed up.

Oh, hell yes.

I pulled out my phone and sighed. “I think I’m having a midlife crisis in my early twenties. Is that possible?”I typed toDiscord. Send.

Of course, Godofdiscord’s solution was always, “Lawyer up or move,” or, “I’ll send you money to throw at the problem.”

I wondered just how much money hehad.Godofdiscord never bragged about money, but he was always ready to throw cash at everybody and their mother. Maybe he was rich like Seth.

Seth would tell me to lawyer up. I knew he would. Hell, knowing Seth, he might just offer his personal attorney to come and fix the problem. I couldn’t do that. No, I had to figure this out myself. Just work a little harder, and eventually, it would all pan out.

Work a little harder? Gawd, where had I heard that? Duh.

My phone buzzed, but it wasn’t Godofdiscord. It was Skye, come to pick me up for our semi-frequent sibling get together. I didn’t particularlylikebeing summoned by my sister every couple of weeks, but it was easier to go along with it than to argue with her, about as productive as arguing with a brick wall.

“Are you coming down yet?”

“On my way.”

I sent the message before I gave in to the impulse to lie. I could claim I’d caught the flu and leave it at that. But that seemed mean-spirited, like I was punishing my sister for having thegallto care for me. And after going and wandering around an antique shop with Seth, Ididfeel a bit better. So maybe she and Godofdiscord were right. I did benefit from going out more and not staying inside all the time, surrounded by four walls that were falling apart.

I needed to move somewhere else, but had nomeansto do so.

As I headed downstairs, I tried to silence my thoughts about money and my crappy apartment. After all, I knew what Skye would suggest, to move back home, which wasn’t an option. So, I headed out and climbed into her car, the cloying stench of vanilla cupcake air freshener hitting my nose. Why she bothered with the thing, I didn’t know. I didn’t begrudge her her airfreshener, but this was still a fairly new car. Why cover up that new car smell with Bath and Body Works? I didn’t get it at all. But then, there were many things about Skye that I just didn’t get.

Like why she felt the need to dress all fancy just to have dinner with me. There was absolutely no need for her fancy red dress or those giant high heels, Apparently, Skye hadn’t gotten the memo. Here she was in stilettos that she probably could’ve mortally defended herself with. Come to think of it, she was a bit like Seth. Dramatic, with a desire to be the center of attention. I wondered if she would get along with him better than I did.

My pulse quickened at the thought. I couldn't tell if the thought irritated me or made me jealous.

“Where to?” I asked.

Skye pulled away from the curb. “I was thinking Portabella’s,” she replied.

“That sounds fine,” I said.