Page 42 of Love Me Not

But I didn’t say anything.I didn’t know what to say.I wanted to move out with the money, but every other place in the area or close to Lucas was far too expensive for me to go it alone, especially if I wanted it to last.

Since leaving my aunt’s place at the ripe age of seventeen and a half, I had never lived alone.Never had the money to.

Even with money now, I was still panicking.

The money is for Lucas.To pay our debt.Not for something like this.

“Can’t your daughter wait?”I asked.“I mean, at least thirty days so we all have enough time to find a place?That’s the least you can do, right?Most laws state you have to give us thirty days.”

“I didn’t know you were all lawyers,” she said with a sneer.“You’re lucky I’m even giving you a week.There’s no more discussion on this.Geez!To think I was nice enough to give you a heads-up.I could have just walked in here and demanded you move right away.”

“This is totally illegal,” April muttered.“But we don’t have enough money to hire a lawyer.”

“That’s what she’s banking on,” Harmony said, her voice dripping with disdain.“That we’re too poor to fight back.Or too scared to try.”

Patricia huffed and turned to leave.

“One week, ladies!Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to prepare for!”

She left the house, slamming the door as she did.We were left in tense silence for a moment as we all tried to come up with our own version of a plan.

“Who gives their daughter a fuckinghouseas a wedding present?”Harmony muttered, kicking the dining room table we were all gathered around.

My mind was already hazy from all the stuff I shouldn’t have done with Lux, and I couldn’t even begin to think of what I would do next.

“Well, I’m fucked.”Erin pulled out her phone.“My job barely pays enough for this place.Though maybe this is my sign to move back in with my parents and save a bit to buy my own.”

“In this economy?”Harmony scoffed.“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to buy my own.”

“A girl should havesomegoals, Harmony,” Erin said pointedly.

I stood, sending the group a sheepish smile when they looked at me.I had nothing to say, nor did I really have the brain space for it right now.

My Lux-induced buzz had come to a screeching halt, giving me whiplash with just how fast it all turned.All I wanted was to go to bed and think about this tomorrow.

So that’s what I would do.There was no use pushing myself to come up with something when I couldn’t get my brain to work.And honestly, I’d probably do more harm than good right now.

“Sorry, guys, I’m beat.And I need some time to consider my options.”

None of them said anything, all obviously in their own world, desperate to figure out where they would be next week.

“Right, that’s fine,” Harmony finally said, perking up.Her hand came to rest on my back.“Go get some rest.”

“Sleep well, Julie,” April added in a low voice.She wasn't looking at me but instead looking at her hands on her lap as she messed with her nails.

“Don’t forget, it’s Waffle Wednesday tomorrow,” Erin reminded.There is a small but forced smile on her face.

“How could I forget?”I gasped.“But I have to be at work early to send off my kid.So could y’all maybe get up at like…sixish?”

“Oh, absolutely not,” Erin said with a frown.“We’ll just save some for you.”

“I can get up,” April offered, sending me a look.We both knew I wouldn't subject her to the hell of early mornings.

I actually like the early mornings.The quiet when no one was awake and no one could bother me.It was just me, myself, and whatever I had to do, when stress from the world hadn’t sunk in yet and I was left to daydream about everything that could be.

“You’d be the only one,” Harmony said.“I haven’t gotten up that early in years.”

I gave them a smile.I knew what their answer would be.“Then after work.Save me some, and maybe we can talk about everyone’s plans.”

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