Chapter 18

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I pull my eyes away from my computer screen to glare towards the kitchen. The sound of the pipe dripping is driving me insane. It only started this morning, but it's the first thing I heard when my eyes sprang open. I fell asleep on the sofa again while I was working.

I put my laptop down next to me and go to the kitchen sink. I lean down and see the pan I put under it hasn't filled up much. It isn't that big of a deal and it will hold until the contractor gets here, but it's the sound that's driving me crazy.

My old kitchen didn't have this problem and I still don't see why it needed an update to begin with. I look around the kitchen my cousin redesigned for me. It's a starter project for her since she just graduated from design school. She's looking to fill her portfolio and I let her redo my kitchen. After that it all escalated rather quickly.

The kitchen is done but now she's moved to my office. Which is why I'm working in my living room. I'm going to have the fanciest apartment in this whole building when she's done. I don't care where I live, I just work and play on my computer. Where I do that has no impact on me unless there's an annoying sound driving me crazy.

The kitchen is pretty, though, and she did an amazing job. I've never given the space much thought and I never use it except for washing a random dish from my takeout food. Nellie did, though, because whenever she came over she wouldn't let us order in. She cooks for the both of us, saying it's the only way I get a home-cooked meal. Another reason I'm okay with her redoing it. She uses it more than me and I enjoy the food she makes for us in it.

To be honest, I just enjoy having her over here since I'm not prone to going out. She's my main source of social interaction and she's not only my cousin but more of a sister to me. We grew up together since our moms were thick as thieves. Both of them were single moms and the four of us always stuck together. We even all lived together at one point. I was the oddball of the four of us since I always had my nose pressed to a screen of some kind. It was either a computer or some kind of e-reader. I've always found technology fascinating.

Our moms both own a hair salon together and Nellie went into design. They all have an eye for making things look pretty when I can't put an outfit together to save my life. If it wasn't for my mom and aunt I'd probably look like a hot mess, but I wouldn't know it if I did. I enjoy our monthly salon dates even if it isn't my thing. They never make me feel like I'm anything less than fabulous. They dote on me while they do what they call upkeep. I never care what they do to me while I'm there, I just enjoy being together. We can all get busy with work and we make sure we hold our dates with each other.

I pick up my cell phone from the counter and hit the call button. "The contractor will be there tomorrow," Nellie says when she answers the phone. "It must be driving you nuts if you're calling and not texting."

That's the truth, because who calls people anymore? Okay, our moms call, but over forty is the exception to the rule; also, moms can do whatever they want.

"I can't get anything done." I motion to my laptop sitting on the sofa as if she can see me do it.

"I'm sorry! This contractor is usually so good, but he just can't get there today because it's Sunday," she reminds me, and I know her tone. Without saying it, she's telling me I shouldn't be working anyway.

It doesn't count though because I really enjoy this project. A new company contracted me to try and hack their system. For the first time in a long time it's a challenge. It's both annoying and fascinating and I should be locked into finding a way into their system and accounts but the sink is driving me bananas. I'm going to blame the sink on the fact that I haven't cracked their system yet. I'm not used to giving a report that says "your online security is perfect." Mom would tell me I couldn't win them all if she were here.

"Fine. I'll wait," I sigh. The contractor did a good job on the rest of the kitchen and it's pretty. My office is coming together, too, but I'm just impatient.

"Liar," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "You stay away from that sink unless you're emptying the pan under it."

My eyes go back to the dripping pipe. How did she know I was thinking about trying to tighten it myself? I read online it could be a simple fix. All you have to do is tighten it a little and I'm sure I have the tool I saw online. There has to be one in my office, which is more like a construction site right now. I saw tools all over in there when I peeked inside.

"Whatever," I mumble, not confirming or denying that I might try and fix it myself. I should be able to fix it. I'm a smart capable woman and I can do this.

"You're computer smart," Nellie chirps into my ear, reading my mind. "You have no idea how to fix a pipe or pump gas." Okay, maybe she's right, but I don't have to admit it.

"I can pump gas." My face warms as she bursts into laughter. "It looks easy." I don't own a car, but I think I can put the pump thing in the car-hole-thing easy enough.

"I'm sure you could, but I'm also sure you'd end up doing something to make things go terribly wrong. Like the time you tried to fix my flat iron."

"Why do you always bring that up?" I was thirteen and was sure I could figure out why it wasn't working. I was wrong, and not only was I wrong but I got the shock of my life after I took it apart and put it back together. It shocked the hell out of me and took out the power to the whole building we lived in. To this day no one else knows I was the one to cause that outage. Nellie and I are taking that one to the grave, but it doesn't stop her from bringing it up when it's just us.

"I'm keeping it fresh in that mind of yours. That way you remember you can't do everything just because you read how to on the internet."

She's wrong, because why else would everyone post how to do things on the internet?

"Fine. Tomorrow." I pretend to give in.

"Harlow," she warns.

"See you then." I end the call quickly before she can try and stop me; I'm not that hopeless.

I can fix a stupid pipe and I decide that's exactly what I'm going to do. I go to my office and grab the wrench. It's only a little turn, I think I can manage it. My phone rings and Nellie's number lights up on the screen. I'll call her back after I fix the leak. I'll be extra smug about it, too.

Leaning down, I lock the wrench around the pipe but nothing happens. I turn it just a bit but I can't get it to move. It feels stuck and I'm sure if I just twist it a little it will be totally fine.

Wrapping both hands around the handle this time, I pull with all my might.

I scream as water explodes out from the pipe and drenches me. My phone keeps ringing as water pours out of the pipe, but it's not Nellie"s ringtone anymore. There's no way I'm telling her about this because I'll never live it down.

I do the only other thing I can think of and I call the building manager. There's no way this new leak can wait until tomorrow. Well, it's not really a leak anymore. I need it fixed before Nellie finds out or the contractor shows up tomorrow to see what I've done.

How do I always do this to myself?

Find out what happens next….