Disclaimer: I own nothing...
Chapter 5
Staying away from Paul Lahote turned out to be harder than expected. Especially since it was his black truck pulling up to the house. Especailly since he was the guy Dad knew about finding a place. Especially since I was supposed to be spending all afternoon with him touring homes.
It actually shouldn't take too long. Looking at houses in LA takes weeks where as in La Push, it'll take three hours - tops.
"Hmm, Paul's here," Seth called from the refrigerator, making a sandwich with the door open.
"Thanks Seth," I laughed pulling on my shoes.
"Hey where's Billy?" Paul walked in, giving me a nod and turning to Seth.
"Reading," Seth mumbled and I had to bite back a laugh. Reading – I guess that was a code word for Dad using the bathroom. Although to be fair, I guess he was reading in there or doing crosswords or something.
"Ready to go then?" Paul looked at me with no emotion. No anger, no annoyance, just blank.
"Remember Billy said to be nice," Seth called. I had expected him to be looking at me because it was definitely something Dad would have said to me, but he was looking at Paul.
"Alright!" Paul grumbled shaking his head and shutting the door behind us.
"We don't have to do this, if you don't want to. I mean I know you don't want to but -"
"No Rachel, it's okay. I don't mind at all."
I closed my eyes for a quick second and shook my head. It was the first time he said my name and it strangely made me shiver. I climbed in his truck in silence trying to remember why I was supposed to be staying away from him. Right – I hate him because he's frustrating and arrogant.
"So there are four that I want to show you - there are more but I've narrowed it down to the ones I'd think would suit you," Paul suggested calmly.
"Okay," I nodded thankful we only had four houses to look at.
The first house was about five minutes away, near a part of La Push that I didn't usually frequent when I was younger. It was a little out of the way and hidden by a bunch of trees, but when I first saw it my jaw dropped. I'd never seen a house like this in La Push. Cottage was the first word that popped into my mind. It was a small two story house with a large porch and giant windows and a beautiful wood staining.
"Do you want to take a look inside?" Paul reminded me he was there.
"Can we?"
"Yeah I've got the keys."
I was out of the truck before he could turn the ignition off.
The inside of the house was clean with white walls and comfortable furniture and seemed spacious enough. It was homey and perfect.
"How soon can they move their furniture out?" I chewed on my lip. I was practically drooling and digging for my checkbook in my purse.
"It comes with the house…"
"Oh," I blinked surprised.
"But it can be moved out if -"
"No no, that's perfect. Do you know by chance how much the owners want for it?"
"Are you thinking of renting or buying?"
"Buying." The word was out of my mouth before I could even realize what I was saying.
I dropped my purse at the low number that came out of his mouth.
"What? Really? Who do I make the check out too?" I was dumbfounded. This exact house would cost at least two million dollars in LA.
"Paul Lahote," he answered quietly.
"Seriously?" I whipped my head at him. "You own this house?"
"I own a lot of real estate around La Push," he mumbled keeping his head down.
"Hey, you're not just giving me a good deal because you feel sorry for me or because of my dad or because -"
"No, I buy houses at a decent price and fix them up and rent them cheap to people who can't afford much…"
"How do you make any money off of that?"
"Very little," he answered shortly. I stayed silent deciding not to ask any more questions. "I'll just go get the paperwork in the truck."
I realized then as I watched him walk out the door why Paul had been totally different today – why he seemed to be so nice – why we hadn't snapped at each other. It was because he was wearing a shirt. Just a loose fitting, blue t-shirt…
…
I was officially a homeowner. I'd never own a house before; I'd been making payments on a mortgage but not actually own a house. I should have been shaking in my boots, but I was eerily calm. I was never one with splurges or big purchases or spontaneity – at least not since college. It took me six months to officially decide on my jeep, and I won't buy a piece of clothing until I'd had a week to think about it. I was being safe and responsible with my money, and I'd just spent most of my savings on a house. I didn't even think about not buying it and I wasn't even worried about it. I was worried about not being worried about it. I was going through major changes of my life, and I didn't think I was responding appropriately.
I found my life-partner cheating on me; I left him; I moved out of our house; I put in my two weeks notice at work; I moved back in with my estranged father; I moved to a different state; I bought a house… My life was going in Direction A and now I've flipped it all around so it's Direction G.
"You okay?" Paul's voice sounded behind me.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm just tired," I shrugged, looking around the living room – my living room – with content. I was officially moved in and it had only been four days since I signed the paperwork. I didn't even have to make monthly payments or anything. I'd had enough money in my savings. I actually owned my house.
"Leavin' soon." was all I caught from his mumbling.
"Thanks again, for everything." He had spent the last few days checking over the house and making sure everything was in good shape.
"No trouble," he shook his head. Always two worded answers. Paul Lahote never said much and I felt like I was a burden to him. I saw the way his shoulders would tense and the way he tried to rub away a headache. I hated that I felt so little and it was worse because he wouldn't deny it or anything when I brought it up. He never talked at all.
"So how'd you get into real estate?" I decided that if I was going to be annoying might as well go all out.
"Won the lottery."
"You what?" Was he trying to be funny? Was he telling a joke?
"Won – the – lottery," he looked up at me, speaking slowly.
"H-how?" I gaped.
"I know a psychic," he shrugged. He was serious – holy shiznit.
"Isn't that cheating?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
He looked at me strangely for a long moment before smirking, "That was supposed to be a joke."
"Oh… funny… So how'd you really get into real estate?"
"Oh no, I did win the lottery. The psychic part was supposed to be a joke," he explained, wincing. "Plus, I don't think it would be cheating because anybody can go to a psychic. So it would be… kinda fair."
"Yeah," I nodded, amused.
"What?" His smile fell from his face.
"What?" I tried not to laugh.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh I didn't know I was. It's just that you don't talk much… to me."
"Hey I talk! I've talked to you for - for forever!" It seemed that I had struck a nerve or something as his mood quickly shifted from jovial to fuming.
"No it just seems like forever because I agitate the hell out of you. Besides the other day when I filled out all of those papers, we've never had a real, civil conversation… unless you count those times you yelled at me."
"I've never yelled at you!"
"Oh, what do you call this? Whispering?" I shouted back.
"I have to leave. Goodbye," he gritted through his teeth, hurrying out the back door.
I was frozen as he left through the back door and I tried to think why he had to leave so quickly. Was I so horrible? I guess his clothes weren't enough today to keep us civil. My body moved as I found my words. "Hey you can't just leave whi-"
I stopped, turning my head left to right and right to left. I whirled around and ran through the house to look out front to see his black truck still in the drive way.
Where the hell did he go?
AN: once I finish writing out the story - chapters will be longer. I hate these short chapters. :/
Also I found out some awesome news today! I got into the program I wanted at my school so I don't have to transfer or change my major! Yay! so happy! Good luck to anyone taking finals in these upcoming weeks. :)
Thanks for Reading!