Page 98 of The Trade

“Lil, I, uh—” He glances up, and shame flickers in his eyes. “I came to surprise you.”

My laughter is bitter and mirthless. “Well, color me surprised,” I say, voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. “I told you not to mess with Shan, and you promised you wouldn’t.”

“I know, Lil,” he says, his voice quiet, filled with regret. “I’m sorry, it was a mistake.”

I cast a glance at Shannon. She’s cowering behind the doorway now, her eyes fixated on the floor, unwilling or perhaps unable to meet my gaze.

I turn back to Mica, seething. “You need to get the hell out of our apartment.”

“Can we talk about this like adults?”

“Get the fuck out!” I shout, my anger giving way to strength.

“Really, Lil?” He shakes his head, disappointment lacing his tone. “Because there are only two of us who pay rent here. And neither of them is you.”

The words strike me right in the center of my chest. If it’s possible for a heart to shatter into three distinct pieces, I swear that mine just did.

“Fuck you,” I manage to spit out.

“Wait ... shit.” He sighs, rubbing at his temples. “I’m sorry, that didn’t—”

“You know what? You’re right,” I cut in, my voice devoid of emotion. “I should leave so you two can fuck in peace.”

I push past Shannon’s doorway, my footsteps echoing through the otherwise silent apartment as I head in the direction of my bedroom.

“Jade, I’m so sorry,” Shannon calls after me, her voice filled with regret. “He’s right, it was just a careless mistake. It won’t happen again.”

They both follow me to my room, their apologies failing to make an impact as I kneel beside my dresser, haphazardly shoving my belongings into a duffel bag. There’s no way I can stay here tonight ... not after everything that’s happened.

“Look, sis, I’m sorry,” Mica insists again, desperation seeping in. “Just please stay.”

“I really can’t be here right now,” I choke out, clumsily making my way back to the living room.

“Where are you going, then?” Mica asks, running a ragged hand through his hair. “To West’s?”

“It’s none of your business where I’m going,” I snap back, my patience worn thin. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I shove past them one last time, my grip tightening around the handle of my duffel bag as I step out into the cool night air. The door slams shut behind me, effectively cutting off any further attempts at apologies.

I’m officially out of patience, out of shits to give.

Once I reach the edge of our parking lot, I pull out my phone to call a cab. As the screen lights up, illuminating the darkened street, I blink my bleary, tear-soaked eyes and scroll through my contact list.

Where the hell am I going to stay tonight?

I dial Maya’s number first. As soon as her laughter rings in my ear, competing against the loud bass of nightclub music, I know she’s not available. Despite her chirpy invitation for me to join the party, that’s not where I need to be at this moment.

Sophie, on the other hand, doesn’t even pick up. A few Instagram posts later, I find out she’s skipped town for the weekend, and a pang of loneliness echoes through me.

That only leaves me with a few other colleagues from the newspaper. Even as the thought crosses my mind, I wince. They aren’t really close friends, just coworkers. The last thing I want is to share this heartbreak, this disgrace, with them.

The cab driver’s voice interrupts my spiraling thoughts. “Do you have a destination?” he asks, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

I think for a moment, then blurt out the first place that comes to mind. “Can you take me on campus? To the Hayworth Building?”

It’s a little past midnight when I finally stumble into the newsroom, fumbling with my all-access pass as my hands tremble.

Inside, I’m greeted by a dark figure looming by the entrance. “God! You scared me,” I gasp, clutching my chest. “What are you even doing here so late?”

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