𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼 ~ 𝓙𝓲𝓪𝓻𝓪

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 36

JJ tapped a white envelope eagerly waiting impatiently for Mr. Ingram, the landlord, to come out of his office. After four months and seven checks saved, JJ finally was able to pay off the majority of the rent they owed. Mr. Ingram was unaware of his gesture but was glad to keep quiet about it so Mary and Luke would not force him to take it back.

Mr. Ingram opened his office door letting his previous client out.They gave a quick departure before he met with JJ.

"You're JJ Maybank I presume?"

The blond nodded while standing, "Mhm."

He gave him a firm handshake, motioning to his office, "Come on in."

They went inside and he closed the door. JJ sat in a gray padded chair that was about a couple feet from his desk. He felt like a little kid nervously waiting for his dentist appointment. He hated the dentist.

"So I'm informed that you came to talk about the rent?"

"Uh yeah, since we're a little behind, I wanted to help even just a little bit," he set the white envelope on the desk, sliding it to him.

He took it, "Oh that's great! I know how things are with your family and I wasn't in much of a rush to completely be a stickler about the situation. If it was up to me, I would've given you a little longer than the new year."

"No It's fine, I just hated sitting around unable to do something about it. Take one less debt off their shoulders to worry about."

Mr. Ingram nodded with a smile, "You're a great son that they're so lucky to have. How is Mary doing?"

"She's getting better. She had her surgery almost two months ago and her check ups are looking decent from what I'm hearing."

"Oh that's wonderful to hear!"

Mr. Ingram opened the envelope, glancing at the four money orders. He took them out seeing three with a thousand and one with six hundred.

"Well looks like it's settled, three months worth of rent paid in full."
"I know we have another month and I promise we'll pay for that too."

"Oh don't worry too much about that. I'm just glad Mary is doing okay. Are you sure she doesn't know anything about you doing this?"

"I think but if she does then she'll just have to get used to having help."

The short, bald man nodded, "Okay then, have a good rest of your day, JJ."

He smiled, giving him a brief handshake before heading out the door. JJ left feeling satisfied as a ton was lifted from his shoulders. Things were finally looking up for them. He didn't feel the ceaseless dread of waiting for the unpredictable anymore. He didn't cry or so much as quiver his lips whenever he glanced at his ill mother or their accumulating overdue notices. He almost felt glee.

Going to his bike his phone rang. It was Kiara. JJ and Kiara haven't spoken to each other since they kissed. That was four days ago. They've spent those hours avoiding each other from the inexplicable feelings one of them refuses to acknowledge. With a few seconds of contemplation, JJ finally swiped his thumb to answer.

"Carrera," he greeted.

"We need to talk."

"Like right now?"

"Yes right now, meet me at that hill you took me to during the summer,"she instructed with a little eagerness laced in her voice.

"Okay, is this like a date or something?" he quipped, playing with his helmet.

He could tell she didn't find his joke amusing as she didn't laugh but scuffed in displeasure.

"I'll be waiting," she hung up shortly after.