CHAPTER 9

GRIFFON

Okay, maybe suggesting that Mia should stay with me wasn’t one of my brightest ideas. But what other choice did I really have? I promised her everything was fixed, and now her apartment is fucking flooded.

After last night, the last thing I expected to hear through my walls was the sound of water pouring down. At first, I thought it might be rain, but I knew that was impossible—it’s the middle of July. Then I figured Mia was just taking a shower, but after a while, I knew something was up.

The cherry on top, though, was the loud thud that came from her apartment, sending a vibration through my walls. That’s all I needed to drop everything and bolt for Mia's place. Luckily, I was already heading out to meet Lauren and Monica, so at least I was fully dressed.

But that was the last thing on my mind as I reached her door. Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to knock, but I figured I should at least say something before barging into her home. That respect flew out the window when I didn’t hear any response.

As I knocked one final time, my mind raced through everything that could’ve happened:

Did she fall?

Did she break something?

Is she even conscious?

One question was quickly answered when I finally heard Mia’s voice echoing through her apartment: "No, I’m okay, thanks!"—but I wasn’t convinced. Her voice sounded shaky, almost panicked; something wasn’t right. I pulled out my keys and announced I was coming in without thinking.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Mia’s apartment was a complete wreck.

“Wreck” didn’t even feel like the right word. The amount of water rushing toward me was staggering, and I froze, trying to piece it all together. As my eyes scanned for Mia, I heard her bedroom door slam shut.

Well, at least she’s okay enough to run. Now, onto my second issue: the water.

I knew only one possible source existed, but I didn’t want to believe it. As I carefully waded through her soaked carpet toward the bathroom, I kept thinking, “There’s no way this is happening.”

But when I finally reached the doorway, my breath caught at the sight before me. It looked like the damn Trevi Fountain.

“Holy SHIT!”

Thinking fast, I reached behind the toilet to shut off the water line, but it was stuck. No matter how hard I pulled, nothing happened. My eyes darted around the room, searching for anything I could use.

Of course, now I was kicking myself for not bringing my tool kit, but honestly, Mia’s safety was all I could think about.

I could already feel my shirt was completely soaked, but I ignored it and started digging under her sink. There had to be something down there. My hunch was right when my hand finally landed on a mini, hot pink wrench.

“Yes!” I muttered under my breath.

Quickly, I was back behind the toilet, using the tiny tool to grip and pull the lever to the left. Within seconds, the rush of water came to a complete stop.

I’m frozen in silence for a moment, eyes still wide as I take in the scene, still not understanding what could’ve happened. But as I glance at the work I did on Tuesday—still perfectly intact—I know something else must’ve gone wrong.

When I heard my name called from the hallway, I dropped the tool and sighed deeply before saying, “In here!” preparing myself for the hell about to break loose.

But when Mia finally comes into view, and our eyes meet, my thoughts vanish. And of course, it’s the worst possible timing, but everything from last night comes flooding back to me.

Fuck. Mia.

I’d convinced myself I was imagining things when I came home last night and heard noises from my bedroom. But the moment I put my ear against the wall, I wished I hadn’t.

I don’t know how long I stood there, one knee up on the edge of my bed, my body practically pinned to the wall, frozen. I couldn’t move—not even after I heard her. I stood there, eyes, fists, and jaw clenched, wishing I could tear through the wall to see for myself. Whatever I was imagining at that point felt like pure torture.

Just like right now, her thin silk robe barely covers anything, leaving little to imagine but much to desire. I know I really shouldn’t be doing this. I’m the last person who probably deserves to see her like this but fuck.

All I can do is drop my head back and sigh.

For the sake of my own sanity, I almost black out when I tell her what I think happened to her toilet. Even though the blows I know I deserve, my mind is completely focused on the solutions I could offer.

But as soon as she says, “Stay in your apartment?” I know what I have to do. Mia stood before me, looking at me like I’d lost my mind. I’m not sure inviting her to stay at my place was the right thing to do.

“Are you serious right now?!” Mia half-jokes.

I don’t know how I do it, but the words start flowing out of me.

"Look, I know this is all fucked, but you don’t really have many options right now. You will be without water for at least two days, and you work right downstairs. We both know this is the best place for you to stay for now."

Mia’s quiet now, probably surprised that my reasoning actually makes sense. Her eyebrows are tight as if she wants to find something negative to say, but she can’t.

“I’ll stay on the couch, ONLY because I know Ben isn’t going to find another place for me to stay, and I sure as hell can’t afford anything else right now,” Mia finally says.

There’s no way I’m letting her sleep on my couch, but I’m too relieved she agreed to argue. I can only offer her a soft smile and nod in agreement.