Chapter 179

KING This is a mistake. I know it is, but I pull up his number anyway. I still have some good contacts in New York, but apparently none of them are connected enough to get me a ground-floor two-bedroom apartment in three days. This is my last resort. Despite how dangerous it might be given the potential Pandora’s box I could open, if I don’t do this, then I let my Grampa down—not to mention his sweet nurse who, as of today, is out of a job. I press call, hoping he hasn’t changed his number since he moved back to New York. He answers after a few rings. “King? You’re a blast from the past, buddy.” I smile at the sound of his voice. It feels like a little slice of Chicago is right here with me. “Hey, Drake. It’s been a long time.” “Sure has. What can I do for you?” I screw my eyes closed and summon all my courage. It pains me to ask for help, having been entirely self-sufficient since the age of eighteen and left to fend for myself from way younger than that. “I need an apartment, and fas