Worth the Fall by Caitie Quinn Read Free Book Online

blank card and hadn’t even signed it.
    “Wow. That’s—I don’t even have words.” Jenna just stared at the card. “It’s not very often I don’t have any words. But this may be one of those times.”
    We all just stared at the card.
    Just stared as if the longer we looked the more the chance of it making sense might happen.
    “Do you think he just had this sitting around the house?”
    Yesterday I would have said no. But, today I was realizing anything Jason-related was possible.
    “Maybe? Who knows?” But, at that point, I didn’t even care. I was only going to be homeless for a few weeks and I had a great business plan forming. Maybe getting dumped was the universe forcing me to shake loose all the bad stuff in my life. “I’d love to sublet this place.”
    “Great!” Ben wrapped an arm around Jenna again. “Looks like you’re going to be stuck with me every night for the next three weeks.”  
    “Oh. Wow. I don’t want to force you out of your house.”  
    “Don’t worry about it. I mean, why move twice? And where would you go for three weeks anyway? As long as you don’t mind that we can make some time each weekend for me to do some long term packing. We’ll make it work.”
    “Isn’t he the best?” Jenna beamed up at him. No wonder she seemed like she was always so happy.
    “Guys. This is too much. This is great.” I fought the tears I hadn’t cried since this all started two days before. “I just can’t believe this.”
    “No worries.” Ben shifted one foot behind the other, leaning away, obviously uncomfortable with the near tears. “Why don’t you go home and get yourself ready to move tomorrow? We’ll trade physical labor. I’ll help you get stuff in and you’ll help me get stuff out.”
    And with that, I headed back to my empty, cold, dark apartment to get ready to move into a cozy little paradise.

EIGHT

    Eight calls. I’d called Micah eight times. He hadn’t returned them when I’d reported my heat-hot-water-electric issue. Not when I’d called to see when they were going to be back on. Not when I’d called to say I’d be moving out on the agreed upon date and needed a parking pass for a moving van. And not when I’d called while walking back.
    By the time I’d run all my errands and headed home it was dark out and I was getting chilly and annoyed. Plus, I really had no interest in sleeping in a cold, dark room again.
    I climbed the three flights to my apartment and slid the key home into the lock.  
    Nothing.  
    I checked the number on the door. Yup, I lived there. I pulled the key out and tried it again. Nope. Still didn’t turn.
    I rooted around for my cell phone and checked my messages. Nothing. Not one thing. Who doesn’t call back a tenant in an emergency?
    I considered calling him one more time, but figured he’d just ignore me again. Micah had never been the best super in the world, but I’d never thought he’d lock me out of my own apartment.
    On the upside, I always left my bedroom window cracked. Jason had told me over and over again that it was a bad idea. That I should at least get a bar to block the window from opening more since the fire escape landing was right outside.  
    I kept meaning to. I kept forgetting.
    Now, that meant I had another way into my apartment.  
    I tromped back downstairs and out the front door. On the sidewalk, I glanced up to Micah’s apartment, but the light was out. Without any other options, I headed around to the side of the building to begin my MacGyver entry.  
    The first step was just getting onto the fire stairs. It took several tries to jump high enough to loop my bag’s strap over the first rung of the stairs and pull them down. Then, it flew up, clanging against the landing above it when I tried to unhook my bag. I was making a such a racket even the stray cats were taking off.
    After two more tries, the bag was looped over my shoulder and the ladder was firmly in hand. I climbed up the cold, rusty