Breaking Down

Chapter 16

16

Gabi

I could feel the tension and pain radiating from Tyler’s body all afternoon. Right after lunch, we met with a real estate agent who specialized in rentals, and we went around town, looking at the apartments I had pre-selected and some I hadn’t seen.

Agent Lucy Bowman took us first to some luxurious apartments in downtown—only one of those were on my list. The others I had selected were less expensive. Tyler cringed the entire time we looked at those. Soon, I was cutting most of the list and sticking to the lower end on pricing. It wouldn’t hurt me to live in a smaller, simpler apartment, but apparently, it would hurt Tyler’s ego if I chose something out of his price range.

Besides the price, Tyler’s only request was an apartment with three bedrooms, which didn’t really make sense since we only needed two—one for him and one for me, but I didn’t ask about it, since he looked like he would bite my face off if I spoke to him. In the end, I didn’t mind. If my parents did come to visit us at some point and wanted to stay with us instead of at Gui’s, then we would have plenty of space.

So, by early evening, we had narrowed the list down to four possibilities. They all looked nice and were a good distance from the vet clinic and my brother’s apartment. And the most important point, according to Tyler, was that they weren’t too expensive.

I had gotten that money was a sensitive subject, but I didn’t get why he turned so sour when I mentioned paying the rent. Didn’t it defeat the purpose of me giving him money to pay off his debt if he used it to pay his rent instead?

He was driving me back to Gui’s apartment when my phone dinged.

Hil: We’re leaving for Malcolm’s party. You’re coming, right?

Droga, I had forgotten about Malcolm’s party. I was supposed to be in Brazil, not apartment hunting in Santa Barbara.

“Hm,” I started, not sure how to phrase it. Since we were a couple now, we had to go to these parties together, right? “Hilary just reminded me of a party tonight. It’s the birthday of a guy from polo, Malcolm. Want to come with me?”

His brows narrowed. Tyler glanced at me, then returned his eyes to the road. “I can’t. I already have something scheduled tonight.”

My gut twisted. I opened my mouth to say and ask so many things.

We’re a couple now. You have to come with me.

Already tired of me?

Do you have a date? With someone else? What if anyone sees you? What if the immigration officer finds out?

Please, please, don’t put our deal at risk.

But the afternoon had already been tense and I was tired. What I wanted was a nice hot shower and my pajamas. No more talking, no more walking.

So, I swallowed all my worries, and sent a quick reply to Hilary.

Me: I had forgotten. Tyler and I already made other plans. Send a happy birthday to Malcolm for me.

Hil: Oh, okay. Will do. Have fun!

Me: You too.

A minute later, Tyler pulled over in front of my brother’s building.

I turned to him. “Hm, so, if you can, take a look at the apartments online again, and let me know which one you like the most. If we can, we should make a decision by Monday.”

He looked out to the street. “Will do.”

“All right.” I opened the door, feeling like something was off, like many things were off. “Thanks.”

“Bye,” was all he said.

I hopped out of his truck and walked to the entrance of the building. He didn’t even wait for me to reach the front door before he peeled away.

I frowned, watching as his truck turned onto the next street and disappeared from my sight. I really, really wanted a shower and to eat some pizza while watching The Bachelor, but that would have to wait a few more minutes.

Hilary had mentioned they were leaving for the party, which meant they could still be here—getting ready to leave or leaving at this second. If they saw me, I would have to lie more, and I was so freaking tired of lying today.

Determined, I turned away from the building and jogged to the nearest coffee shop, where I bought a caramel latte and waited the next thirty minutes. Meanwhile, I texted Priscila, since she was going nuts over the fact I had stayed here and I hadn’t told her anything yet.

But now I would have to lie to her—something I had never done before.

Me: So, I have something to tell you …

Then, I spilled the same lie I told my family. I was lying to everyone, and that just wasn't right.