Page 1 of Sinners’ Appetite

I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to fit everything into this house. It’s so much smaller than the place I owned in Ohio. I suppose, once I move all of my photography equipment into a studio, it’ll clear up some space.

I only have a few more boxes left to bring in and sort through, and once I’m done with those, I’ll have to head downtown in search of a space big enough to run a photography business from.

Relocating wasn’t really something I wanted to do.

Not like this, anyway. That’s what happens when you have a self-centered family.

At least now, I have an excuse to distance myself from them.

I don’t know who I despise more—my mother or my sister.

I’m sure they hate me too, though. My father left over half of the inheritance to me.

I was the one that took care of him until he took his last breath.

I didn’t expect to be compensated for it, but certainly didn’t want my evil family to benefit from his death.

My sister and mother are like two peas in a vile pod.

The perfect definition of “like mother, like daughter”.

I haven’t spoken to either of them since I left, and our last conversation was anything but pleasant.

Well before he passed away, my father wrote me a letter telling me that he left such a large inheritance to me not only because I was there for him, but also because he knew I dropped everything just to be with him and he wanted me to succeed well after he was gone.

We talked about it several times throughout our many trips together and it became my goal in life to fulfill his wishes. He meant the whole world to me.

The only thing close to the love I had for my father was the love I had for my fiance, Amber.

We were together for four years before she got into a car accident that left her in a coma for a whole year until she passed.

This was prior to my father getting sick and it really took a toll on me.

It still does to this day. It’s never something you really get over.

Even when you think you’ve moved on, the grief comes back with vengeance to haunt you.

That’s a huge part of why I decided to move so far away from where we first met and fell in love. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Losing two of the most important people in my life within a seven year span was just too much for my heavy heart to handle. Everywhere I went, I was reminded of them.

One might think that’s a good thing, but for me? It was fucking torture.

After driving around downtown for at least a half hour, I finally set eyes on a space worth checking out, so I park my car and walk over to the window where a “for lease” sign hangs. I fetch my phone out of my pocket and dial the number listed.

Someone quickly answers. “Hello. Jeremy speaking.”

“Hi. It’s Malachi White calling. I’m inquiring about the space you have for lease downtown. Is it still available?”

“Sure is. When would you like to take a look at it?” he asks.

“I know it’s a long shot, but would tonight work?”

“Are you there now? I get off work in ten minutes. I can meet you there a few minutes after.” His suggestion brings a grin to my face..

“That works. I’ll be here.”

“Great. See you then,” he says, ending the call. I was half-expecting some grumpy old guy to answer the phone, but this guy sounded like he’s around my age—maybe even younger.

About fifteen minutes later, a jet black Escalade pulls up behind my car and parks. The driver gets out with a friendly smile on his face and walks over to me. “Malachi?”

“That’s me,” I greet him, hitting the lock button on my key fob and following him over to the door.

“Just a heads up—this place has been empty for a few years. It’s dusty as fuck,” he warns as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of keys.

“That’s not a problem,” I assure him, allowing him to open the door and walk in first.

As soon as we enter, I take a look around, rather impressed by how big the space is. Judging by the way the outside looks, I thought it would be a hell of a lot smaller inside than it is. This space is perfect. With some cosmetic fixes and a fresh coat of paint, I’ll be up and running in no time.

“So, how much a month?” I ask.

He smirks, almost like he can’t believe that I’m still interested. “How’s six hundred?”

“Are you sure? That seems like a small amount of money for a space this size.”

“It’s been vacant for so long. Every person I show it to, never calls back,” he insists.

“Am I allowed to paint and make minor changes or fixes?”

“Fuck yeah. I’ve been meaning to get around to getting all this shit out, but you know how it is—life always comes first,” he laughs.

“Are you keeping any of it? I could use the desk and counters, if you’re willing to part with them.”

“You’re free to have whatever you need. Whatever you don’t use, I can haul away to the landfill.” Jeremy nods.

“Then it’s a deal.” I grin, finally feeling like something is starting to go my way. “I appreciate this, man.”

“I’m just glad someone can finally use the space. My folks signed it over to me years ago. It used to be someones paint studio, but she flaked and it’s been empty ever since.”

“So, you live around the city then?” I ask.

“Just on the other side of the city. You?”

“Same here. Just moved in, actually.”

He shoots me a friendly smile as his phone starts to ring in his pocket. “Excuse me for just a second, it’s the girlfriend.”

He finishes his brief conversation and turns back to me. “How about you do whatever repairs you want, and take the cost off the first bill?”

“Sounds good to me,” I agree, taking a look around to get a feel for what color I’d like to paint the walls.

“You’re free to stick around, but I have to get going. The girlfriend wants to go out tonight.” He hands me the keys and starts to walk back toward the door. Suddenly, he turns back around. “What are you up to tonight? It’s wet t-shirt night at the club we’re going to. You should come!”

Fuck. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I stepped my foot into a club.

It’s never really been my thing. I think the last time I went to one, it was with Amber.

We were celebrating her twenty-third birthday and we ended up leaving early because she got a headache from the loud music.

I didn’t mind, since I didn’t really want to be there in the first place.

I shrug, contemplating it for a moment before finally responding. “Fuck it. I might as well, I suppose. It’s not like I have anything else to do tonight.”

“I can come pick you up, if you want. The event starts at nine. You’ll have to catch an uber back home.”

“I guess we should save each others numbers then, hey?”

The second I get home, I take a quick shower then choose something classy to wear from the array of unpacked boxes stacked against my bedroom wall.

I shoot a text off to Jeremy and send him a pin to my location. A little while later, I hear my doorbell ring, so I head to the front door.

“Hey.” I open the door and Jeremy walks in, scanning my empty house as he takes a few steps forward.

“You meant it when you said you just moved in…” he chuckles, walking in far enough that he notices the lack of furniture.

“Just this morning, actually. I have a truck load of furniture coming this week,” I slip on my shoes and grab my keys off the side table near the entryway.

“Is this just a one-story?” he asks.

“It has a finished basement too. I might make it into something eventually.”

“Are you renting?”

I shake my head. “No, bought it outright a month or two ago.”

“That’s even better. No fucking mortgage payments. I swear, I’ll never get to see the end of payments on the duplex I own now.”

Just thinking about the reason I was able to purchase this house, along with everything else, makes me slightly nauseous. I just want my dad back.

I take him around the house a little, and then we finally head out to his car.

“Sammi, this is Malachi.” Jeremy introduces me as we hop in.

“Hi! I’m Sammi! I mean—you already know that, because…well… Jeremy just told you,” she chuckles. She then looks over at Jeremy, playfully smacking his arm with the back of her hand. “You didn’t tell me how hot your new friend is, babe,” she grins.

“Jesus, baby. Be good tonight. You’ll end up scaring him off.” Jeremy laughs, shooting me a side grin through the rear view mirror. “Is Nikki working tonight?” he asks, sounding like he’s trying to change the subject.

“Of course she is,” she replies. “I dared her to wear a white t-shirt tonight, actually.”

“You know damn well that she won’t. She hates these events, remember?”

“She really does, but the tips make the bullshit worth it.”

A short while later, we arrive at the club. It takes another fifteen minutes to find suitable overnight parking along the street and another ten minutes to search for Sammi’s phone that she lost beneath the seat.

For the first time in several years, I get asked for my I.D. Quite the compliment when you’re pushing close to forty years old. Let me tell you, I needed the confidence boost, even if they are asking everybody else for theirs too.