Diamond (Rare Gems #2)(30)
Going to the living room, he sat in front of the television and started surfing the channels. When he found a game on, he stopped to watch it. But before he could figure it out, like what the announcer was saying, his phone went off.
His greeting was cut short by an automated woman. She informed him in her nasal monotone voice that if payment were not made to pay the bill in full, there was a good possibility of him having his service disconnected. Ward shouted in the phone before she finished.
“Don’t you know who I am,” he asked his phone. “I’m Ward Galloway, brother to Thad Galloway. I’m the richest man in the world.”
When he put the phone back to his ear, she was still droning on about bills and obligations. He ended the call and tossed the phone on the dirty table in front of him. Ward couldn’t even remember the last time he’d paid his bill, or any bills for that matter. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even know whose account his phone was on.
Picking it up again, he listened to the messages he had and found one that told him to call a three digit number. Dialing it, he was asked to wait. An hour later, nearly asleep in the chair, someone finally came on. And no matter how pissed he got with her, the woman would not give up the name on the account.
“But who do I have to call to get them to pay this?” She huffed at him. He’d asked her the same question five times already. “Someone had to be paying it before now.”
“They dropped you from their plan. Eleven months ago, as a matter of fact, and unfortunately for us, we’ve only just caught it.” Before he could ask her how the hell that was his fault, she started talking again. “We’re going to need for you to pay the past due balance of three thousand four hundred eighty-three dollars and one cent. Once that is paid in full, we’ll turn your service back on. Would you like to pay that with a credit card or a virtual check from your bank?”
“How about I pay that with a go f*ck yourself!” Ward said and hung up. What the f*ck? Where the hell was he supposed to get that much money? Thad’s list of shit that Ward was going to demand he fix was mounting up. And that one cent bothered him more than the entire balance for some reason.
“One cent. Like that f*cking makes a big difference.” He went to the kitchen to start a list. There was no time like the present to get started on things for his big brother to take care of. “Fucking one cent.”
Chapter 10
Thad wasn’t sure what was going on, but the bank manager was taking a great deal longer than he thought necessary to call his bank back home and get back to him. He glanced over at Blair, who seemed to be talking to someone but without a phone. He realized that he was more than likely talking to Sapphire, and thought about Diamond.
The connection between them was stronger than it had been before. He’d been able to talk to her, of course, but now he could almost see her standing in front of him. When he reached for her in his mind, he felt her arousal. His entire body hardened at the thought of her. She must have felt it as well.
What do you think you’re doing? I’m in the middle of the grocery store. Behave yourself. He smiled at her tone. What are you doing? I thought you were going to look at that site for the new building?
I am or I was. Actually, right now I’m sitting in the bank waiting for the manager to get back here and tell me that I own it. There was a house attached to it as well. What do you think about owning a house about five minutes from your family?
She didn’t answer him right away, but he wasn’t worried. She was in the store, perhaps she was speaking to someone. Thad watched the manager come toward him and could see the look of relief on his face. No doubt having this property off their books was going to help a great many people.
I have a job now. I’m going to be starting it in three weeks. They have to make up a contract for me. I’m head nurse for the entire staffing at the hospital. I’ll be working through the weekday and have my weekends off. Thad waited knowing that she was working up to something. I’ll be able to help you make payments on something but only if it’s not too big. I have some student loans I’m still paying off, and I will need a more reliable car. Thad asked her to wait a moment as the banker was speaking to him.
“Mr. Galloway, I’m sorry I took so long, but I only realized at the moment your lender started talking who you were. I’m terribly sorry to have made you wait.” Thad shook his head at him. “The land you asked to purchase is yours if you wish. The house, as a part of the settlement, is also available. Though it has been sitting mostly empty all this time, we have maintained it to the minimum standards.”
Thad had a feeling that minimum standards would have an entirely different meaning between the two of them. “I’d very much like to see it before I make an offer on the house. My…future wife will also want to make sure it’s what we want.”
Thad tried hard not to look at Blair as he laughed. He had a feeling that as soon as Diamond found out how he’d referred to her she wouldn’t think it was so funny.
“Of course, of course. I can have someone go over with you as soon as you’d like. There are just a few things I’d like to point out about the property and house. Minor things that you should be made aware of. They aren’t things that will—”
“Just tell me.” The bank manager nodded, making the fat under his several chins wobble. When he flushed brightly, Thad was ready to tell him that the entire deal was off. Nothing that took this long could be good.