Page 14 of Connor

I stood, shoving my chair back. "Gladly."

I turned, already making my way to the door, when his voice stopped me cold. "And you better start packing your shit at the apartment."

I froze. David’s voice was calm. Too calm. That was the worst part.

"I’m selling it this afternoon."

"You’re fucking joking."

His expression didn’t waver. "You wanna fuck around and find out?"

***

I barely remembered walking to my car.

One second, I was in that conference room, my father’s voice ringing in my ears, and the next, I was sitting in the driver’s seat, my hands clenched in my lap. My pulse roared, my blood fucking boiling, but the worst part? I didn’t even know where the fuck I was supposed to go.

Fired. Homeless. And all before noon. This had to be a personal best for fuck ups. I guess I could add it to the list alongwith ruining Quinn’s reputation, and fucking my best friend’s little sister.

I clenched my jaw, staring straight ahead through the windshield. The dealership’s parking lot blurred in my vision, the wordsMcIntyre Autostanding out like a fucking joke.

"You gonna drive, or you planning on breaking the wheel first?"

Aiden’s voice cut through the static in my head. I hadn’t even realized he’d followed me. He leaned against my passenger door, cane braced against the concrete, watching me with that same unreadable expression he always wore when he was trying to figure out how much damage had just been done.

I unlocked the door. "Get in."

He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t ask where we were going. He just sank into the seat, shifting to get comfortable with his leg, then let out a slow sigh. "Christ, that was worse than I thought it’d be."

I scoffed, shoving the car into reverse and peeling out of the lot. "Yeah, well, that makes two of us."

The drive was silent.

Or, at least, we didn’t talk.

My father’s words played on repeat in my head. He was selling my apartment. Where did that leave me then?

Mom’s apartment flashed behind my eyes. The smell of burning cigarettes. The way she’d smile like she hadn’t been crying just hours before. All the bruises I’d seen in different places, and the makeup that rubbed off onto my shirt or skin every time I accidentally brushed a spot she’d tried to cover up.

I swallowed hard. The thought of going back there made my stomach twist. Aiden didn’t say a word, but I knew he was watching me.

He didn’t speak until we pulled up to my building.

"You want me to come up?"

I stared at the complex like it was a tombstone. I’d never been this upset about losing any other place before. All the houses that Dad dragged us out of when the neighbors found out. "Do whatever you want."

Aiden sighed but didn’t argue. He grabbed his cane and stepped out, following me up the stairs as I unlocked the door to what used to be my home.

Everything looked the same.

Couch still messy. Kitchen still a wreck. Empty beer bottles lined the counter, the remnants of last night sitting exactly where I’d left them. The same stale air, the same low hum of the fridge, the same goddamn emptiness.

Except now, it wasn’t mine anymore.

The real estate agent will be here soon.

I let out a sharp breath, trying to smother the urge to punch a hole through the fucking wall.

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