The Bachelors: a tiktok story

116: Desperate Times

It'd been 2 more weeks since you officially moved in. You brought all of your clothes and it was definitely nice to not steal all of Emma's clothes every day but you still had the bulk of your stuff at your parent's house and knew you'd need to go get it soon. You definitely didn't have space to store everything but needed to pack up the things you used on a nearly daily basis.

Olivia's new apartment came furnished but eventually, she would come back for her bed and dresser. The last thing you wanted was to have to ask her to leave it... or honestly ask her for anything.

You texted your Mom to ask about taking your furniture from your childhood room and she seemed weird about it even though it'd been a gift to you from your grandma.

Honestly, that really pissed you off. Your mom had been there that day when your grandma offered to buy you a new bedroom set for your birthday. It had been completely her idea that she get you something you'd be able to keep and use long after you were grown and living on your own. Your mom knew that because she'd even made sure you picked something neutral enough that you wouldmt outgrow it.

No, this wasn't about your Mom at all. It was clear it was your dad who had set out to punish you for leaving. You checked your banking app to see that after paying your first month's rent and helping with groceries, you didn't have as much left as you'd thought. You could definitely pay next month's bills but not if you bought bedroom furniture too.

You hated how bitter and miserable he had become. You desperately didn't want to end up that way. The only way you could get through to him that you were done being controlled without stooping to his level was to not let him do anything for you. Zero help. You needed to talk to your Mom in person about it eventually. She would understand if she'd just get out from underneath your Dad's misery. God, how you wished you and your Mom could just exist in a world where he either wasn't this man he'd become.

Emma came up behind you:
"Whatcha up to?"

You: "I think I'm gonna start paying my own car insurance and trying to see how long I can afford to do that."

Emma: "If money is tight you can always talk to Tayler about taking your job back. He asks about you all the time."

You: "I don't know..."

Emma: "Just think about it. I'm going in for my shift in an hour. You can ride in with me and talk to him before it gets busy."

You had to admit, living on your own with no drama and Josh being able to come and go as you wanted was normally nice. You'd do just about anything to not lose that freedom again. Even...:
"Okay. I'll come with you."

When you walked into the restaurant, Tayler was beaming up at you from the bar. It felt weird that he was always happier to see you now that you were ancient history than he was as your boyfriend. A year ago, you couldn't even get through a night without an arguement. If it could even be called that because you never fought back. You just took and took his anger until he gave up and stomped off getting his way. You could be having the most lovely evening and it would end in heart break 9 times out of 10.

Emma smiled at you and nudged you forward before heading over to say hi to Eva who was already setting up the server station. Eva seemed to watch your every move like she was taking notes to report back to Olivia.

As you walked up, Tayler tried to play it cool:
"Hey! Whatcha doing here?"

You: "Emma mentioned that maybe there might be a job opening still."

Tayler perked up:
"For you? I already told you that your job would be waiting for you when and if you wanted it."

You: "I mean I need it."

Tayler: "Then come back."

You: "I just have so much going on right now that I don't know how good of an employee I'd be."

You quickly added:
"... but I really do need it."

Tayler: "You mean with the trial?"

You: "How-"

Tayler looked up at Eva and back down. Of course, Eva would have heard about it, coming and going from the apartment. It really made you wonder what else Eva had heard or seen and reported it back to Tayler or Olivia. Ugh! You'd finally found a major downside to living with Emma. You still hoped that as soon as her lease was up, she would decide to move out but you knew you'd never ask Emma to kick her out so you just sighed.

Tayler: "How is that going by the way."

You: "The trial?"

Tayler nodded and you were surprised at how easily you opened up to Tayler:
"I don't even know. The officer who took my statement sounded like it might go to trial but I haven't heard anything more specific so honestly I don't know if that'll even happen."

Tayler: "It needs to! He is a creep."

You swallowed back any dig you might have thought but he understood the change in tone anyway and added:
"I know I wasn't perfect but I never would have put my hands on you the way Noah did at that party... or anytime after that."

You hated that he or anyone knew there was more to things with Noah than what the whole town saw at that party. No one but you and Chase knew details but it seemed everyone knew something took place.

Tayler: "Just take the job. And when you need off to just deal with all of that, you take the time and I'll make it work."

SHOULD WE TAKE THE JOB?