Page 24 of The Pursuit of Happiness

Because of your greed

I’m afraid you can not save

I can no longer be brave

This world makes us its slaves

I read it again and again until I start to get an understanding or at least an idea of what I want the guitar to sound like with these words.

Taz takes a deep breath in his sleep from where he rests on my pillow and Kiko sleeps at the foot of my bed, most likely dreaming about endless hordes of catnip and a far less mentally damaged owner. I lay on my stomach, sprawled out in themiddle of my bed, still clutching the notepad close to my chest when my phone starts vibrating like crazy from my nightstand.

I immediately feel a strange feeling in my gut. One with darkness and foreboding. I just got that phone and the new number. Who could be texting me so rapidly at this time? I worry right away that something else has happened and I’m being ostracized all over the media for some other bullshit scandal and I panic, leaping out of bed and startling Kiko and Taz. I unplug my phone and stare at my lock screen while holding my breath.

My stomach sinks when I see the name blowing up my phone. It isn’t Selene and for that I’m grateful. I can’t handle any more of her anger and disappointment in me. It also isn’t Brody who is most likely sound asleep in bed with Harvey. It also isn’t Ivory who’s most likely asleep with some ridiculously pink sleeping mask on. No, it’s none of them. It’s Duncan.

UNKNOWN NUMBER

Unknown Number

You are such a fucking whore

Unknown Number

This is Duncan. I want you to know

Unknown Number

I know what you did. I saw the pictures and the videos

Unknown Number

Are you proud of yourself?

Oh my God. This can not be happening. Not after we broke up five years ago.

UNKNOWN NUMBER

Me

What do you want?

Me

How did you get this number?

Unknown Number

I asked your mom. She always liked me more

Me

What do you want??

Unknown Number

I want you to tell me if it was worth it

Me

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