“Try ten.”
His mouth fell open, and he widened his eyes. “You’re fucking with me.”
“I’m not. He just made me so mad this morning. He wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say. And he made me madder suggesting I should be comfortable spending his money, so I did. I spent ten thousand dollars of it out of spite, which now that I think about it is dumb.”
“What the hell can you buy for ten thousand dollars in a day?”
“I bought some expensive designer shit. What am I going to do?”
“Bring them back?”
“I could, but I’m pretty sure he already knows. He called me four times, but I let it go to voicemail.”
“You mean you didn’t answer at all?”
“I sent him a text that I couldn’t talk but would get back to him when I could. It was just a cop-out because I didn’t want him to worry about me. I can’t.” I jumped to my feet and paced. “I’m in so much trouble. Can I hide out here until I figure out what to do?”
“Umm, sure, but don’t you think that will make matters worse?”
“I won’t just disappear. That would be mean, and I don’t want him to worry. I’ll tell him I need some time to think. He’ll respect that. Don’t you think?” I groaned. “Why couldn’t I just leave enough alone and accept that he wanted to take care of me?”
“I’m blown away that you can spend ten grand just like that.”
“I know. I felt so awful when I dumped everything at home. Oh god, I think I’m going to be sick.”
I rushed past Tack toward his bathroom. I retched over the bowl, but nothing came up. My stomach was too tight, knotted, and hurting. I should man up and call Sully back, tell him I was sorry and ready to wave the white flag. He wouldn’t back down, so why should I prolong this argument? Maybe there was another way I could win him over. Ten grand was an expensive way to make a point.
I rinsed out my mouth, even though I hadn’t vomited. I splashed water onto my face and dried it with a paper towel, then went to find Tack. The sound of the microwave and the smell of pizza led me to the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “Maybe with a full stomach, we can brainstorm what you need to do.”
“Maybe. I’m not sure I can eat much, but I’ll try.”
We sat at the small, rickety wooden table in the kitchen. I should have at least put the money to a good cause. Tack could have used some of it, but he was proud. Would he have taken it?
“You must think I’m a spoiled brat for doing what I did.” I picked off a pepperoni and popped it into my mouth.
“It did cross my mind.”
And that was one of the reasons I liked him so much. He had little tact and spoke his mind, not caring it might upset me.
“I’m really not, though he treats me to nice things. I’m angry that he doesn’t want me to work for him. Do you know what it was like when I had to work for my pimp and hand over my money? Working for Sully was supposed to give me some of that power back.”
My phone buzzed. Another call from Sully.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“And say what? Sorry for blowing ten grand on clothes and shoes?”
“I bet he won’t even be mad. He sounds like he genuinely wants to take care of you. You should let him.”
“We haven’t been in a relationship that long, Tack. I want to earn my keep.”
He snorted. “Then earn your keep. Give that man the best damn fuck he’s ever gotten in his life. Trust me, if done right, he’ll think it’s worth every penny.”
“How’s that any different from me being the prostitute I was before?”
“The fact that this guy obviously cares about you. You’re like that hooker in Pretty Woman. Only prettier.”