Page 37 of Total Shutdown

“So, what are you going to do?”

I laugh without humor. “She doesn’t feel the same way. It’s likely she’ll leave town in the next few months, maybe even weeks. If I carry on down this line, then I’m on a one-way ticket to getting hurt. Still, it didn’t stop me from asking her to come home with me on Wednesday. I’d even posed as her boyfriend to deter the lecherous asshole from moving in on her.”

Archer makes an agreeable noise, and it guts me.

He pauses briefly before speaking. “Total transparency. From what you’re saying, I think your feelings are already at risk.”

“So, what’s your advice?”

He smirks in response. “Well, hopefully, mine is better than the gem you gave me about Kassie and Shane.”

I roll my eyes and wait for him to have his moment.

“Tell her how you feel.”

I shake my head, nausea rolling through me again. After Sophie, I made a deal with myself that it was just Ezra and me—a team. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

Archer lifts a brow, unconvinced I have a realistic alternative. “You think you get anywhere in life without taking risks? Of course you fucking don’t.”

He has a point, and ordinarily, I’d agree. But this doesn’t feel like a risk, more like emotional suicide. Especially after Wednesday night’s failure.

“I think you need to tell her,” he reaffirms. “If she tells you to take a fucking leap, then, yeah, it will suck, but at least you’ll have an answer.” He pauses and eyes me carefully. “But I care about you, man, and this is cutting you up in some way. Also,” he tags on, “I value shutouts, and that was a fucking shit show out there tonight. So, let’s just say we’re both fully invested in you getting your shit together.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

COLLINS

Cameron

Can you cover an extra shift this Tuesday? Simon wants to take an extended leave.

Me

For his vacation in Mexico?

Cameron

Yes. He’s put a lot of extra overtime in recently, and I think he could use the break.

With a raised brow, I type out a response to Head Dickface—the name I’d love to use for his contact, but unfortunately, it’s too high risk that he might see it and fire my ass.

Simon has worked multiple double shifts, but so have I, though I don’t see Cameron offering out extended leave to me. Maybe if I was still blowing him, it would be different.

I’d rather never vacation again in my life.

Besides, I could use the additional pay since the inheritance from my grandparents is almost gone and my savings is looking depleted.

Me

All right.

Cameron

Cool. Will need to be a seven a.m. start since we’re stacked the entire day.

Finger poised over my phone,I’m about to tell him I’ll be there at eight and no earlier when my intercom buzzes, and I set my phone down and head for the door.

“Sorry, you likely have the wrong apartment,” I immediately say. I’m not expecting any packages, and I rarely have visitors, aside from Kendra or Jenna.

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