Page 27 of Hollywood

“Isn’t there?” Knight challenged. “I just saw you look like you wanted to rip Joyride’s head off for visiting Hollywood’splace.”

I huffed. “I was just surprised. I didn’t think you two were close.”

“I dropped off diapers last night,” Joy said. “Remember?”

Oh, shit. I’d been the one to tell him to pick some up. Heat raced up my neck and crawled toward my face.

I changed the subject. “Let’s focus on what’s important. You’re saying Holly will have Ruby for weeks, if not longer.”

“Yeah, pretty likely.”

“He’s going to need a bigger place,” I said. “The bed is crammed into the living room, and he’s got half the contents of his house stacked on the counters to keep her out of it.”

Child locks would help with some of it, but not all. The man had no practical storage in that tiny apartment. There was no space for Ruby to play with toys, either. It was fine for a day or three, but long-term, it was going to get old real fast.

“We could talk to Nina,” Ghost said. “There might be an available trailer out at the park.”

“Not a bad idea,” Knight said. “Hollywood would be close to us. We could help out more easily.”

“I’ll ask as soon as I get back,” he said.

“Nothing tiny like your place,” Knight warned. “He needs room for two beds and space for Ruby to play.”

“Got it. No sardine cans.”

As they worked out the details of Hollywood’s living arrangements, a pit opened in my stomach. He had a whole support system ready to go to work for him.

Soon, Knight or Ghost—or cute, fresh-faced Joyride—would help him instead of me. I’d be off in Hayworth, digging in the mud while my dad tried to drag me into some bad business plan, and Hollywood and Ruby would be here…on their own.

I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“Can he afford it, though?” Joyride asked, pulling me back to the conversation. “You needed a roommate, Knight. And Holly has a lot of restitution he pays too, doesn’t he?”

“A shit ton,” I agreed.

“Well, damn,” Knight said. “We could all pitch in a little, right? Maybe we could talk Nina into some more work around the park in exchange for a discount?”

Ghost shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“That’s before you take into account the cost of childcare,” Joyride added. “He’ll need someone to watch Ruby while he’s at work.”

Knight cursed, but I perked up.

“Maybe I could do it.”

They all stared at me. “Do what? Watch Ruby?”

“Yeah. And be his roommate,” I said, warming up to the idea. “I could help him cover the rent and take care of Ruby.”

“That’s generous,” Ghost said mildly, but I could sense the question in his words.

“Look, my sister is okay now, thanks to Knight scaring the shit out of her ex.”

Joyride laughed. “That was awesome!”

“And I’ve been working with my dad, so I’ve got a little money in the bank and another job this weekend. I can get enough together for half of the deposit and first month’s rent.”

“What about your dad?” Knight asked.