The Arrogant Architect by LK Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

six years later. I don’t even
want to imagine the hours I’ll be trapped on the fucking freeway.
    I get home and notice right away that King’s car is not
outside. He hasn’t been at the project for days– not that I’m keeping track,
but I totally find myself doing so and I have no clue why. Grabbing my boxes, I
haul them upstairs and crack a beer. I power up my laptop and search Craigslist
for any new rentals that are in my price range, hoping…praying that there is at
least one. I’ve also gone around to all the nearby apartment buildings that I
can afford and put my name on the waiting list, so I’m still holding out hope
there. I mean…I have to find something and fast.
    Getting lost in searching again, the same way I have been
for days, I pray my mom is looking down on me and that she will not let me end
up in a bad situation. I hold onto that hope as I persevere, not giving up, the
way she raised me.
               
    _____
     
    I tossed and turned all night, another terrible night’s
sleep. The sun is beginning to light the sky and I’m thinking– or more like
hoping–an early morning run might jump start my day and help to clear my mind.
Dragging my tired ass out of bed, I pull my hair up into a ponytail and brush
my teeth, get dressed, then trudge to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.
    Scooping out the grinds, there is a knock on the door. I
answer it automatically, and am surprised when I see King, immediately followed
by aggravation. I slam the door in his face, but he stops the door with his
hand, and says, “Oh good, you’re up.” And walks right on in like he owns the
place.
    “Sure, just come right in,” I tell him and yawn, struggling
to make the coffee, feeling all the fight go out of me as I concentrate on
getting caffeinated.
    “Why, thank you,” he says and closes the door behind him. I
glare at him over my shoulder as I press the “on” button. His wide eyes are so
fresh and awake as he undresses me from behind. “Should I get naked, or are you
really going to stare at me like you can see through my clothes?”
    “I’m not staring at you.”His tone is offended and he’s quick
to recover. “But you can get naked, if you want.”
    “Fuck you!”
    “I like your mouth.”
    “Yeah? Well, I don’t like yours, and I really, really don’t
want to deal with you right now.”
    The coffee begins to brew and I’m forced to turn around. The
sink is empty of dishes, so I have nothing else to keep myself busy.
    “I wish you did.”
    “What do you want?” I ask him.
    “I come bearing gifts.” He unbuttons his suit coat, this one
is gray and sleek, and he pulls out a folded piece of paper from the inside
pocket, handing it to me.
    “You know I don’t want any of your gifts.”
    “Well, this one I am legally obligated to deliver to you and
I think you’ll like it.”
    Slowly I open the paper as he watches me, studying my every
move. My heart stammers reading the letter he gave me. A feeling of relief
rushes over me, like never before, and I shake my head so utterly confused. Why
would he do this? Looking up at him, I blink away the tears and ask him the
question he keeps asking me. “Why?”
    “Why not?”
    “Don’t. Don’t fuck with me like this. This letter says…” I
trail off and turn my back to him. “What kind of person would do something like
this?”
    “Me? Did you really think that I was gonna sit back and let
you get evicted? I might be a dick, but I’m not heartless, and I told you I
wanted to help.”
    “But I didn’t need your help.”
    “Ever, look around you, all of your things are packed. In
two days, you were gonna move out of here. Face it…you needed my help.”
    He turns me towards him, the beating of my heart is off the
charts, and I look back down at the paper.
    “You don’t seem happy,” he whispers and runs his fingers
into his long combed back hair.
    “I’m in shock, King. Who buys someone they barely know, an
apartment