Page 118 of Hollywood

“Well, as soon as this next job is done, I can take care of you, son. Don’t you worry. I’m always good for paying my debts.”

He really wasn’t. He never had been. But I hadn’t wanted to believe he’d treat me the way he treated random bill collectors.

“Dad, I’ve got bills to pay. I can’t just wait indefinitely.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you, Jed. I don’t have it on me right now.”

“So whenwillyou have it?”

“After my next job. You’ll have to wait until they pay the bill. Maybe three weeks or so?”

“That’s too late. My rent is coming due.”

“Well, you can always move back home. Your sister wouldwelcome you. I never understood why you ran off and bailed on your family.”

“I didn’t bail. Hollywood?—”

“Shit, I gotta go,” he interrupted. “Todd is fucking up the raised flowerbeds. Damn it. Just come home, and we’ll work everything out.”

“No, I?—”

“Gotta go.”

The call ended before I could say anything else. But what was the point? Dad wasn’t really listening. He was too caught up in the idea I’d come back and work for him.

Shit.

What now?

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, my brain doomscrolling through scenarios. Me, having to tell Hollywood I couldn’t pay and him kicking me out. Telling me he was wrong to ever believe in me. Or maybe, even worse, his face crumpling into worry, panic overtaking him because he couldn’t take care of his daughter and it wasmy fault.

“Didn’t go well, I take it?” Ghost said, jarring me from my internal spiral.

I looked up at him. My expression must have said it all.

“I’ll toss you some of my Nina work,” he said gruffly. “Talk to Knight. Maybe he can find you something, too.”

I shook my head. “No, I— You were right. I have to watch Ruby all day and work all night. When would I even do it?”

“Sundays and Mondays?” he suggested.

“That wouldn’t be enough work to make a dent in it. Not before the rent is due.”

He frowned, forehead creased. “Wish I knew what to tell you.”

I nodded. “Ignore me. I’ll figure something out.”

“Talkto Knight,” he repeated. “He’s better at this stuff. I don’t…uh, know…”

I quirked a smile. “The guys would be impressed by how hard you’re trying, though.”

He scowled. “Don’t tell them that.”

I laughed. “Maybe I can just blackmail you to get the money. How badly do you want everyone to think you’re a grumpy, stoic old coot?”

“Very funny,” he said dryly.

“Where’s Ruby?” I asked suddenly.