The Roommate - Kiersten Modglin (elon musk reading list txt) 📗

an old ballroom downstairs that used to be used for events, but now I’m pretty sure it’s just used for storage. How many people will you need space for?”

I was still processing the fact that Garth, the quiet, immature gamer owned a building that was worth several million dollars. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said, yawning again. “I mean, you could fit a couple hundred in there probably. It’s the entire bottom floor of the building, but it’s going to need a major scrub down. I’m sure he’ll cut you a deal, especially since you’d have to hire the cleaners yourself. But if you need space for more than a couple hundred, I’m not sure…”

“That’s perfect, Elias. Perfect. Oh my God, you’d be saving my career. Can you call him?”

He snorted. “Well, he’s not going to be happy about being woken up before noon, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you. God, thank you. You have no idea how big of a bind I was in.”

“Hey, no problem. Helping two of my friends at once here.”

“Yes, and tell him we’ll pay him whatever he charges, and as soon as he can let us in, I’ll have a cleaning crew there.”

Elias nodded, clicking his tongue. “Let me get a pot of coffee started, and I’ll see what I can get lined up.”

“I’ll get the coffee,” I said, hurrying past him, still dressed in only my boxers. I didn’t care. Couldn’t. I needed him to dial the number and answer my prayers. He looked at me oddly, and I didn’t want to rush him, but I desperately needed him to rush. “It’s going to be harder and harder the more time passes. If you can get his permission as soon as possible, I would owe you a huge favor.”

“If I keep doing you favors, Wes, you’re going to owe me more than you can repay.” He winked, walking out of the room and back into his bedroom, leaving me with his words repeating in my head.

Elias had been my saving grace so many times recently, it was true. How would I ever repay him? Better question… What would he want?

Chapter Twenty

By noon, Garth had finally shown up to unlock the doors to the bottom floor. I was learning that he was the son of real estate developers who had given him the building for his eighteenth birthday.

Apparently, it was supposed to be the start of his career following in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he’d become a YouTuber who rated video games. According to Elias, the pay was comparable.

The large room was dusty and smelled stale, but I spied the antique tile on the floor and the detailed frames of the windows. It was like a time capsule down there. As if, after the last party, they’d just closed the doors and forgotten the room existed entirely. The tables were still set out, some of them rotten, but most of them still in good shape.

Dust flew in the air whenever anything moved, but that was an easy fix.

Garth walked across the room and flipped on six light switches, making the room buzz with fluorescent lighting, which began competing with the natural light from the oversized windows.

“It’s not great,” Garth said from across the room, his voice reverberating around us. “But it can be something. It used to be something special to see, in its day. I let it go to shit to piss off my dad more than anything.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll get it cleaned up enough to make me consider renting it out again.”

“You should definitely rent it out, Garth. This place is magnificent. You could host weddings here, parties… It could be an excellent extra source of income.”

He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a scowl. “Eh, I don’t really need the money. It’s always been more of a headache than anything. Finding someone to deal with everything, deposits…” He waved his hand through the air. “It’s a whole thing. Anyway, there’s a giant storage closet in the back corner.” He pointed in the general direction. “With extra tables and chairs, or space for you to store the tables if you don’t need them. I’m not sure what else is in there but help yourself to whatever. Mi ballroom es su ballroom.” His thin mustache curled as his lips upturned into a grin.

“Well, this is great. How much will I owe you? I’ll have a check cut by the end of the day.”

“Eh, I don’t know.” He inhaled sharply. “Does three thousand sound fair? Being such short notice and all.” For someone who didn’t need the money, he was certainly fine with asking for quite a bit. Still, it wasn’t more than anywhere else would’ve charged, especially on this short of notice, and it was my only option.

“I’ll have the check for you this afternoon after I get to the office. Do you want me to bring it by your place, or—”

“Just give it to Elias,” he said. “He’ll get it to me.”

“Awesome. Thanks, man. You’re really saving me here.”

“No problem,” he said, placing the cigarette between his lips and inhaling deeply. I watched the black end burn orange, ash falling off the end onto the floor. He ran the toe of his tennis shoe over it, creating a dark, black smudge across the white and gold tile. “Anyway, everything should still work. Just let me know if you have any issues.” He looked around again. “She’s gonna need a good clean. Hope you brought your bleach.”

“I’ve already got a cleaning crew scheduled to be here in an hour. It’s a company we’ve used before, and they’ll have it all cleaned in no time. And the caterers will be here to set up at seven.”

He nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t really listening. “Sounds good, man. Enjoy it.” He inhaled the last of the cigarette, tossing it down onto the tile and stamping it out. “Do you need anything else