Page 84 of Beneath Cherry Blossom Memories

I’ll tell the police.

I know it was you.

ELIJAH!!!!!

I’ve ignored her texts for days, but I know I need to do something about her. If I follow through with my plan, if I actually do it, she needs to get out of my house. I can’t keep letting her control me. She can’t prove I was the one who burned down her trailer. There’s literally no evidence other than it was intentional, and considering where she lived and the people who hang out around there, it could’ve been anyone.

That doesn’t help my fear, though.

She could tell them it was me, but where would that leave her? She’s used my house as some twisted staycation while she works her dead-end job and drowns herself in booze. There’s got to be a way to remove her…legally.

Sheissquatting, after all.

I suck in a breath and text back.

I’m getting you removed from my house. I’ll file all the papers. So, if you don’t want to be dragged through a court process you can’t afford, I suggest you pack up. I’m not paying any of the utilities.

There is also a suspicious amount of drugs within the home. All it would take is one phone call to the police. An arrest for possession with the intent to distribute isn’t taken lightly.

So get the fuck out.

I turn off my phone because I don’t want to see her response yet.

All of Phoenix’s friends linger in Kelly’s apartment, chatting casually while we wait for him to get back. It’s fucking late, and he’s made no show of coming yet. Will he? He doesn’t know we are all here. If I know anything about him, he won’t want to stay at his parents’ overnight. They might be close to an extent, but he’s mentioned before how he feels neglected a lot.

Like he doesn’t matter.

I wince, hating that I am in this spot. The desire to say fuck it all and leave is strong. It’s easier to be a coward and run. My chest tightens, and I remember the look on Phoenix’s face earlier. God, it was the same one he’d made when I told him we were over. I swear there was an audible crack in his being, the fracturing of his heart. I don’t want to keep doing this to him. But at the same time, I also can’t seem to stop.

Swiping my sweaty palms on my pants, I sink further into the couch, dreading his arrival.

It’s going to be bad. I know it. Not only are we ambushing him, but he’s going to have all his pain on full display in front of all his friends. I’d like to think they’ve seen him vulnerable before, but Phoenix hatesthiskind of attention where he feels like he’s being picked apart. It’s funny because I’ve always hated that kind of shit, which is why I never speak my mind. We are so alike it’s ridiculous.

“He’ll show up,” Jorge says reassuringly.

“Eventually,” I mutter, nervous as fuck.

Jorge has been cuddling with Helios and stuffing his face with pizza. I think he put down an entire pie already. Smells like cheese in here. “You’re doing the right thing. I know it won’t be easy, but trust. You’re doing good, bro.”

“Doesn’t feel like it.”

Kelly pipes in, sipping a Caprisun like a child. “He loves you. We all know that. I think this will make him happy.”

Devon fiddles with his mohawk but nods.

“But after what I said… It’s the truth. No one likes the truth.”

Jorge physically jerks at my words. His olive skin pales like he’s seen a ghost.Weird.Clearing his throat, he says loudly, “He’ll get over it.” We all stare at him because he’s removing Helios and picking his nails. “What?” he barks.

“You’re acting sketchy as fuck,” Michael says to him with a finger pointed.

“Am not,” he huffs. “Stop changing the subject. This is good. Everything isfine. Phoenix will accept it. He’s got to,” he whispers the last sentence, eyes glazing over, then shakes it away like a dazed dog. “Anyway, what are you going to do about that aunt of yours?”

I swallow and shrug. “Told her to pack her shit, or I’ll take her to court.”

He nods along, seemingly back to normal. “Good. Good. You can probably ask Damien for advice. He is a realtor.”

Yeah, I’m not asking Phoenix’s older brother for a damn thing. Just because he sells houses doesn’t mean he knows how to get rid of a squatter. I doubt that’s in the job description. And besides, his whole family most definitely hates me now. After seeing him run there crying his eyes out. Fuck. I rub my face aggressively, feeling nauseous.

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