Page 20 of Back To You

So why is part of me hoping it isn’t good news?

Mr. Daniels continues, “It looks like the investigation is on track to finish by mid-August, but I noticed that you are due to renew your lease on September 1st.”

My feet move on their own, pacing back and forth across the living room as I wait for him to continue. He clears his throat. “Due to youruniquecircumstance,” he starts, alluding to the break-in thathiscomplex may be at fault for if the police’s findings prove the complex was negligent with the windows they installed, “I understand if you do not wish to renew your lease with us.”

“Um,” I start, my feet stopping me in the middle of the kitchen, “I haven’t decided yet.”

It’s technically true—I haven’t. But, before the break-in, it never would have been somethingtodecide. I would’ve renewed my lease without a second thought.

My mind has been so focused on just getting through this next month living with Luke, I haven’t thought about what I was going to do after the time was up.

Do I really want to go back to a place where all of this bullshit happened?

The break-in definitely spooked me, but I can’t deny that Iwaslucky. At the moment, it didn’t feel like it, but I can understand why Officer Collins said so.

I was lucky I wasn’t there, that the kid couldn’t take much, and that they caught him. The hassle of dealing with it all is what has been weighing more heavily on me than anything else.

“If you could let me know your decision by the time the investigation is over, I would appreciate it,” Mr. Daniels says, unaware of my inner spiraling.

“Yeah, definitely. I’ll think about it, and I’ll let you know. Thanks, Mr. Daniels,” I rush out.

He mumbles off a goodbye before we end the call, and I start pacing again.

Do I want to move back there?

It’s the easier option, and I did love the complex before this whole debacle put a sour taste in my mouth.

If I don’t go back there, where the hell am I going to go?

I can’t stay with Luke—not with our history and everything that resurfaces when we’re alone together—and my two closest friends have lives of their own; they aren’t at the point in their lives where they are looking for a roommate.

But I’m going to be 25 in a few weeks, and I’ve lived alone since I was 18. The thought of a roommate just doesn’t sit well with me, and I don’t have the kind of parents who would let me stay with them until I got back on my feet.

I don’t even hear the door open and shut behind me until I see Rosie jump off the couch where she has been watching me pace back and forth for who knows how long.

“Anxiously awaiting my arrival, Annie girl?” Luke quips, his signature smile on his face. His long blonde hair looks like he just ran his fingers through it, and his blue eyes have an amused sparkle as he takes me in.

My pajama set suddenly feels entirely too revealing, and, even though the shorts and tank top cover everything, I don’t need Luke, of all people, to see.

“You’re home early,” I say, putting my hands on my hips.

“I texted you,” he replies as he walks into the kitchen.

I glance at my phone, and sure enough, a text from Luke—I must have not heard the notification when I was on the phone.

“But it’s only 8 o’clock, who’s at the bar?” I know Emmett has been opening all week, wanting to make sure he gets as much of the administrative stuff for the month done before the baby is born.

“I figured Ava could finish the shift on her own.”

Ava

Another girl’s name on his lips makes my skin prickle.

“Who’s Ava?” I ask, wanting to slap my hand over my mouth the second the question leaves my lips.

Luke’s eyebrows raise as he sets his backpack down on the kitchen counter, and I feel the tips of my ears heat. I untuck my hair from behind my ears before crossing my arms. “Jealous?” he coos, and I want to kick him in the shin.

I take a few steps into the kitchen, coming to stand in front of him across the counter. “I just feel sorry for any girl who has to spend her nights with you,” I reply, hoping the confidence in my voice doesn’t sound as fake as it is.

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