“ I am _ sorry, Mrs. Castillo.” Brady Kane’s lawyer apologizes for the second time today, although he does little to ease the burning in my throat.
This can not be happening. I reach for the kitchen counter to steady my wobbly legs.
Leo clears his throat, crackling the speaker next to my ear. “I understand this must all come as a big shock, but I’m sure Brady had his best intentions at heart. He spoke fondly of you during all our conversations.”
The pressure building behind my temples intensifies even though I rub my temples. “It doesn’t feel that way.”
“If it’s any consolation, Callahan expressed similar frustration during our previous conversation.”
“Did you also mention how you want to sell the house?” “He did.”
My fingers gripping the counter turn white from the pressure. “What if I don’t want to sell it?”
“All decisions regarding property must be made by mutual agreement. The only way Callahan can sell the property is if you agree and vice versa.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Finally, some good news.”
Leo pauses for a moment before speaking. “Having said that…”
Oh no.
“If you insist on keeping the house despite Callahan’s interest in selling the property, then you will have to buy him out of the house.”
Son of a bitch .
 |
After my phone call with the lawyer, I sent a message to Delilah and Violet requesting an emergency girls’ night out. They both arrive at my house that night armed with snacks and skincare items, because a little food and self-care can solve all my problems. Violet even went out of her way to buy some Bon Bon Bums, my dentist’s arch nemesis and my favorite candy.
I run upstairs to check on Cami and make sure she’s asleep. My heart clenches to see her sleeping soundly, her favorite stuffed lamb crushed under both of her arms. I still remember the social worker who gave it to him. Cami was just a baby, so she doesn’t remember, but I do. It was the same day I returned to Michigan with a baby in my arms and a new purpose in my life.
Before I turn off Cami’s light, I brush her hair out of her eyes and kiss her forehead. “ Good night honey.”
I return to the living room and find Violet and Delilah already settled on their usual sides of the huge sectional.
Violet takes my favorite lollipop out of the bag and throws it to me. “Here. To take the edge off.”
I tear off the wrapper and put it in my mouth. “Thank you. I needed this.” “Are you sure you don’t want any alcohol? I can run a liquor store and be back in ten minutes. Violet examines the bag of Bon Bons looking for her favorite flavor.
Delilah throws a pillow directly at Violet’s face, messing up her blonde curls. “You know she doesn’t drink.”
I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over ten years, since Cal went to rehab right before I turned eighteen. At first, it was to support him and his promise to stay sober. I never worried about drinking, and if not drinking helped, I was all for it.
When he left six years ago, I tried to drink. I even went out and bought a bottle of the most expensive white wine I could find with every intention of breaking my promise. Betray him like he did me. The plan seemed
solid at that moment, given the state of my emotions. Turns out, I was so distraught that I didn’t even think about buying a corkscrew. My one attempt at drinking was quickly squashed, and I vowed to never try it again.
Violet snorts. “She was joking!”
Delilah’s brown eyes roll. “No wonder your career as a comedian collapsed.”
“It’s not my fault that no one in this town appreciated my style of humor. The Middle Ages around here date back to the Jurassic period.
Delilah and I burst out laughing. Wisteria Lake might lean more toward an older crowd, but there are plenty of young people living here now that the city has gained popularity among Chicagoans looking for an easier pace of life.
Delilah tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “So,
What is the emergency meeting about?”
I give Delilah and Violet a basic rundown of the situation. They remain silent, though there are different moments when Violet’s hazel eyes widen or Delilah’s scowl becomes more pronounced on her face.
Violet takes the lollipop out of her mouth to say, “Shit.” “I know.”
“What are you going to do?” Delilah tucks her long tanned legs under her.
“Isn’t that the million dollar question?”
Or two million, given the probable value of this house. Violet gestures around the room with her half-eaten lollipop.
“Are you really thinking about selling it?” Delilah’s dark eyebrows raise.
I fall onto the couch with a deep sigh. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”
Violet snorts. “Why? Because Malibu Ken said so?”
I shoot him a look. He owns half the house whether I like it or not. “But you too”.
“That’s true, but Brady’s lawyer told me that if I don’t want to sell, then I have to buy Cal’s share.”
“That’s it…” Delilah’s tanned face pales.
“One million dollars?” My shoulders slump. “Even if I got a second job as a waiter or something, I would never be able to afford it.”
Violet snaps her fingers. “I’m sure Mitchell at the bank would be willing to give him a loan.”
“After I turned him down for a date? No way.” “What if the city helped…”
I stop her with a wave of my hand. “Absolutely not.”
The skin between Delilah’s eyebrows wrinkles. There has to be another way. Maybe some loophole that allows you to keep the place regardless of who owns it.
My chest hurts. “There isn’t one. I checked with the attorney and whether I like it or not, Cal has the right to sell the property.” No matter how much I love the house and the memories I’ve made here, there’s nothing I can do to stop it from being put up for sale.
A hint of a smile crosses Violet’s lips. “What if-” “Oh boy. Here we go.” Delilah makes a face.
Violet is known for her crazy plans and for being the mastermind behind plans that ended with us in handcuffs once or twice. Sheriff Hank was never able to arrest us because he felt the justice system was a slap on the wrist compared to our angry parents.
Violet clears her throat as she casts a piercing glance in Delilah’s direction. “What happens if you don’t end up selling the house?”
My eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”
“You could set the list price so unreasonably high that no one in their right mind would be willing to buy it.” Violet’s hazel eyes shine, shining brightly from the countless plans bouncing around her head. With her dirty blonde curls and her rounded, angelic features, no one would think twice about the little demon hiding beneath her porcelain skin.
“That’s it…” Delilah’s voice trails off. “Actually genius,” I finish for her.
Violet perks up.
Delilah looks at me. “You know, Violet’s plan might work.”
Could it really? Part of me is afraid to hope so, in case Cal ruins my chance of keeping the house.
It is better to try and fail than not try at all .
I throw my hands in the air in defeat. “Screw it. It’s not like I have much more to lose.
