Jake and Jack had work tomorrow, so Dillon planned to stay at his new place and just unpack. That meant… I would have Dillon's old apartment all to myself… Dillon kept up the conversation light, but I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"So yeah, the binder is now the laptop stand, I took mine with me, let see. I left the original sheets and comforter for the bed, oh, that towel I stole from a hotel last year, if you don't tell I won't. Hmm… anything else before I boogie?" Dillon asked glancing around the much emptier apartment.
I looked at my pitiful belongings, all stuffed into three bags. "Uh, I don't think so… but I have your number…" I glanced around the room… was I… really going to get to stay… for free? Dillon was putting a lot of trust in a stranger. What if I trashed the place… Dillon was still on the lease.
Dillon patted me on the shoulder, "Call if ya need me mate, or text. I'll probably be up late, then the day after tomorrow you still up to help me unpack some?"
I nodded, "Yeah, sure, after the gym right? Tenish?"
Dillon winked as he headed for the door, "Sounds like a plan mate, anything left in the fridge is up for grabs, I'll text if I think of anything I left behind."
"Okay, uh, thanks… for letting me stay." I added as Dillon was already at the door, slipping his shoes on. While they'd been at the diner Dillon had paid us all cash… I still had the burrito from lunch… if this was a scam… no. I still until tomorrow to decide. Tonight I'd spend the night, tomorrow we'd sign the temporary lease. Then I'd have almost two weeks before I had to take or leave it.
Dillon grinned, "Life if ruff mate, you got this." Then he was gone. I waited a moment before walking over to lock the deadbolt from the inside. Dillon still had a key until I signed the lease, but the bolt could only be unlocked from the inside.
I walked around… kind of unpacking, but… I wasn't really sure what to do first… At least until I raised my arm and smelled myself. Laundry. First laundry… just then my phone went off. Pulling it out of my back pocket I saw the text from Robby.
Hey, Max, dropped by your place, Arianna said you two broke up? Where you at?
I sighed… of course Robby found out first. I was a little annoyed Robby couldn't just give me some space. I started typing out a message, then retracted it several times. Eventually I sent a short message.
New apartment, just need some space. TTYL.
The response was immediate.
Luv ya Scrub, we're just worried, chat Friday?
I rolled my eyes, Jesus Christ, I just said I needed space. Fine. I responded knowing Robby could hear my irritation. Then I threw my phone on the bed then went to go start a load of laundry. This whole air drying was going to take some time to get used to.
I shook myself from the memory. I still had to message Robby. Decisions, decisions. Eventually Robby would know where I lived. I glanced at Pride and Lust… I couldn't even keep my own pillow…
"Max, I've never met your brothers. But, if you know A will lead to B, then why not cut out A all together?" Lust asked watching me stare at the chat with Robby. I sighed. This really was a no win situation.
Wednesday came way too soon. I stared at the chat with Robby for the hundredth time. Pride and Lust were sitting with me at the counter. After rewording my text several times I sent it.
There's a café we can meet for coffee before we head back. Pin location. I'd swung by the café twice now, once to bring Auntie Mellie her promised Caramel macchiato, the second time because I just wanted coffee.
Of course, Greed kept harping about budgets, but… sometimes a man just needs a freaking coffee. I'd been hoping Robby would see the message later… but like the cyborg he was he replied almost instantly.
I'll pick you up and we can grab coffee on the way. Not exactly sure of arrival time with traffic. I'll leave around 8 a.m. Shoot me your address.
I groaned… that… actually made some sense. But… I wasn't ready to throw the towel in yet. Not with how Pride was staring into my soul.
"Stand your ground Max. Boundaries." Lust reminded smacking Pride's arm.
Pride nodded, "You are the only one who can stand up for yourself right now. Be assertive."
I hesitated, "I could… ask for when he gets close?"
Lust frowned, "That might not work, texting and driving is never a good combination."
"You could ask for when he leaves, that way you can leave half way through." Pride offered.
"Or share location. Actually scratch that. Ask him to share his location." Lust added when Pride raised a brow at her.
"Oh, those are great ideas." I agreed.
"Wait! Negotiate! Ask for the leaving time first, then let him negotiate into sharing his location." Greed jumped in.
Dang… I felt like I was being coached through a hostage situation. It wasn't bad though.
No worries, I'll chill at the café and reed a book. Just message me when you're leaving.
That sounded assertive… I also had wiggle room to ask for his location.
Scrub, just shoot me your address. Why waste money or time when I'm going to get it anyway?
Well… that was demoralizing. It was always like this, Robby just bulldozed through conversations. I sighed… I knew I'd eventually have to give him my address.
Lust crossed her arms, "Not exactly the listening type is he? Are most conversations like this?" She asked looking up at me.
Another text came in before I could respond.
Scrub, just give in. Or we can start a call, we both know I'm getting your address.
I sighed, "Yeah, most conversations are like this."
Pride pinched the bridge of his nose. "How do phone calls usually go?"
"Worse."
Robby, just share your location and I'll be at the café when you arrive.
My cracked screen lit up as Robby started a video call. I rested my head on the counter.
"Boundaries aren't easy to establish, especially with family. Honestly, this is a conversation that should be had in person." Lust sighed.
I groaned in assent. I agreed… but I couldn't even tell Sloth to leave me half the pillow. If talking to Sloth was a beginner village mission… Robby was the ultimate boss. We just… didn't communicate. Most of the time it took Stevie saying something for Robby to kind of hear what I was saying.
"Well, negotiations broke down. I say, we leave the pin, and just wait at the café. He's the stubborn kind. He'll show up in a huff, but… we just have to leave it at that." Pride stated matter of factly. I glanced at him.
"He'll just keep calling. He's… persistent." I said watching the call end… only for another come in.
Greed's eye twitched, "It's like talking to Wrath."
"Hey! I can hear you!" Wrath bellowed as he stomped over. "At least I listen. Besides, when am I ever stubborn?"
Greed pushed his glasses back into place. "You would need an opinion to be stubborn. I just meant it was like talking to a brick wall. You do as you will, regardless of plans."
I almost burst out laughing at how Wrath held up a hand to say something, then scratched his chin. I didn't manage to hide the snort, but Wrath just rolled his eyes before leaving. I watched as a third call came in.
"He's not going to stop."
Lust pursed her lips, "You know, persistence can be such a turn off sometimes. Can't he take a hint?"
I completely agreed. "So… either I accept the call… or give him the address."
Pride narrowed his eyes, "We need to meet, over the phone isn't going to give us enough information to effectively help you."
Lust gave my phone a disgusted look, "Give him the address. I agree, somethings need to be seen. I'm just saying right now, it's probably a good thing you moved far enough away for every day visits to not be realistic."
I started to send the message but Greed placed his hand over the phone with narrowed eyes. "Tell him you'll send the address Friday morning. No need for him to get the idea of arriving the night prior."
Lust clapped her hands, "Good idea, we can send it when we leave to meet Jake and Jack at the gym."
"You're devious and narrowminded Greed! But that's what's great about you!" Wrath called from the bedroom. I burst out laughing as Greed scowled.
Fine, I'll send the address Friday morning. Night
Pride grinned as he shook his head, "No, it's a good power move. Very assertive. Now, we just need to see if he keeps calling." A fourth call did not come in. A text did.
Scrub, why hold out? I want to leave by 8, you gonna be up that early?
Pride grinned, "Keep it short and to the point."
Yep, morning plans so I'll be up. Night Robby
"No need to send anything else. Now! I do believe there are dishes to be done." Pride reminded looking over his shoulder. I sighed… then started the dishes. I didn't bother looking at the barrage of incoming texts. A problem for tomorrow's me.