“I’ll buy you an upgraded apartment from what you have now—twice the value. You let her live with you. Take her rent as profit and pay whatever you’re paying now for your own apartment. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Christopher considered the offer in silence.
“When she moves out, because eventually she will, you can keep the place.” Now that was a deal no one could turn down.
“Any other stipulations?”
“No.”
“I don’t have to be nice to her?”
I tried not to smile. “You can be normal.”
He turned away and rubbed his chin. “My god, you must be in love with her. I don’t care how rich you are, no one would do something like this unless he found his future wife.” He continued to rub his chin as he considered the offer.
She wasn’t my future wife, but she would be something better than that. “What do you think?”
“I’m interested. But I’m not sure how I’m going to get her to live with me. I’m sure she doesn’t want to live with me as much as I don’t want to live with her.”
“Tell her you need her to cover a portion of the rent.”
“But she knows I don’t need her money.”
“If you get a bigger place, she would believe it.” And she would live in a nice place, which would make me happy. And if anyone gave her shit about it, Christopher would be there to look after her.
“I guess I could give it a try.”
“So we have a deal?” I extended my hand to shake his.
He eyed it. “You’re really serious about this, huh?”
“Absolutely.” I’d never been more serious about anything in my life.
He shook my hand. “Alright. We’ve got a deal.”
“Thank you.” Eventually, he would understand how much this meant to me. Without him, I’d have to lose sleep every night while wondering if she was okay. “If you ever need anything, let me know. I always repay favors.”
“You’re the one doing me a favor, man.”
The apartment was nothing to me. It barely affected my bank account. But I wouldn’t say that and sound like an asshole.
“My sister finally found the right guy to take care of her. So you’re the one making my life easier.”
23
Rome
When we got into the elevator, I knew this place would be fancy. Christopher always had a taste for luxury. Even when we were kids, he said he would be rich someday. He carried on about designer clothes, expensive cars, and nice apartments.
Christopher stood beside me as the elevator rose to the top floor. “I think you’ll like it.”
“What was wrong with your old place?” It was a mansion in my eyes. He had a bedroom, a separate kitchen, and even a dining room.
“I just wanted an upgrade.”
The doors opened and we walked down the hall to his door. The hallway looked like it belonged to a fancy hotel. Paintings were on the walls with art lights, and there were lamps outside each door. He got it unlocked before we stepped inside.
As I expected, it was gorgeous. It immediately made me think of Calloway’s place. With hardwood floors, walls with original moldings, and so much space he could have thirty people over for a dinner party, it was a dream come true. “Wow…it’s beautiful.”
“I know. I love it.” He walked around with his hands in his pockets and admired the windows that showed the city beyond.
I was so proud of my brother. He worked so hard and never gave up. When he put his mind to something, he succeeded. He took out loans for college and spent a year in poverty to pay them back. Now, he was on top of the world, and no one deserved it more than he did. “I’m so happy for you.”
He came back to me, mischief in his eyes. “There’s actually something I wanted to ask you.”
“Hmm?”
“The rent is a little too high, so I’m looking for someone to share the rent with. You interested?”
I laughed because it was ridiculous. “What makes you think I could afford to live here?”
“I only need like five hundred bucks a month. And that’s mainly to cover utilities. I need the cash to buy drinks for all my ladies.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“You’re serious?” He actually wanted to live with me?
“Yeah. I know you’ll be at Calloway’s most of the time, and the bedrooms are nowhere near each other. There’s plenty of space for both of us.”
There was no question that this place was a mansion. “I’m just surprised you don’t want a different roommate, maybe a guy who can pay you more for rent.”
“I’d rather have someone I know. Someone who understands me and won’t get in my way. So, what do you say? Unless you’re going to stay with Calloway?”
Christopher didn’t realize how much his offer helped me out. I didn’t want to stay with Calloway, but I didn’t like the apartment complex I intended to move into. I put up a front with Calloway, but the place was tiny and dirty. The walls were paper-thin, and I could hear everything from the neighbors. He would be happy I was living in a nicer neighborhood and under the protection of my brother. It killed two birds with one stone. “No, I’m not staying with him.”