Chapter One: A Writer's Romance

Chapter Five- Flat Tires and Potential Company

Cliff Edgar

Where'd I dump my phone last night? I wondered as I rifled through my drawers. I was writing, and then I showered at about two, and then there was that idea I got for the companion series to Killing Club... Eventually, after going through every step of my entire evening, I decided that I'd look back in the bathroom to see if I left my phone there after coming up with my new idea. I did, after all, tend to lose track of what was happening around me when books were on my mind.

"Ah-ha," I said to myself after looking in one of my sink drawers. It wasn't that I cared if I had my phone. In fact, most of the time I preferred it didn't exist. The only problem was that Lexi Morgan was supposed to contact me about the flat tired my car had acquired the previous day and I couldn't leave my house until she did. That day seemed like a good day to go to town and people watch by the park lake for character inspiration, but without transportation, I was S.O.L.

When I scooped up my phone, I saw not one, but several texts from my pesky agent.

"Tire company coming to fix your flat in ten."

This was sent well over an hour ago, so I assumed my tire was probably done. I flipped over to the next text.

"You need to get out more."

I smirked and thought back to two days past, where I'd run into Ellis Anne Clemens for the third time. She was something else, something interesting, but I hadn't decided whether or not she was interesting enough to spend my time figuring out. This thought is primarily what kept me from texting her, though it was tempting all the same, especially with her number scrawled on a torn piece of paper sitting on my dresser. Either way, now was not the time to think of such things. I sighed and scrolled to the third text.

"I think I'm going to get you a housemate. Will talk later about details after my three o'clock meeting."

Now this could be a problem. A housemate? I did have a massive house, but I didn't know if I wanted people living in it, despite the numerous unused rooms. However, with Lexi Morgan's husband being my real estate agent and allowing me to live on the property alone, even though I paid for all of it, I'm not sure I'd have much choice. I made a sour face and read the last message.

"I'm taking on another client if all goes well. That means a client welcome party once everything is made official. This is your fair warning that I plan on hosting it at your house."

Another sour face. I definitely wouldn't have a choice in this, with how legally entwined I was with Lexi's family. Even so, she always wanted to host parties in my house's huge, ballroom-style dining room, and it irritated me at times.

I didn't really want to dispense extra energy on fighting Lexi that day, and so I texted back my one-word response.

"Fine."

After hitting send, I made my way to my room to shower and prepare for the day, trying to remember if I had any duties to attend to. I couldn't think of any off the top of my head, and Lexi, who normally kept reminding me when I had business, hadn't said anything about it, so I considered myself free and planned my day around it. Before I jumped into the shower, I made a list of things to do.

1.      Hygiene.

2.      Scavenge for food.

3.      If number 2 is a failure, head to store or that one waffle place.

4.      Procure a new bowtie.

5.      If 4 fails, text Miss Clemens.

6.      Never mind. If 4 fails, you are incompetent at living and need to make a better list.