Page 10 of Chasing Shelter

“I am not,” I huffed.

Amusement danced in his eyes. “At least I learned how to boil water for ramen in college.”

Because that was all he could afford. My brother had stood strong when our father cut him off. He’d gotten a scholarship and loans so he could go to the college ofhischoice. Not me. I’d toed the line, attending Columbia and living at home just likeDadwanted.

Anger surged. But not at my father, atmefor going along with it. I’d wanted to study painting at Savannah College of Art and Design, but it was far toohippiefor Philip Pierce’s tastes. And I’d caved, not wanting to rock the boat. But I hadn’t known I was kowtowing to a killer.

“Hey.” Linc gave my shoulder a soft squeeze. “You okay?”

I lifted my gaze and forced a smile. “Peachy. Just thinking about what culinary masterpiece I’m going to serve you to make you eat your words.”

Linc chuckled. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

I setthe final box in the living room and surveyed the space. As vibrant and quirky as the outside of the bungalow was, the interior was fairly…bland. Furniture in neutral tones with the occasional hint of color in the form of a throw pillow. It reminded me too much of my bedroom growing up, as well as the apartment I’d shared with Bradley and the aesthetic my design firm favored.

Rocking from my toes to my heels, I started envisioning what the spacecouldbe. The colors and textures I could use to bring it to life. The only problem? I wasn’t sure what I wanted my life to be. And I’d gone so long without color that I wasn’t sure what my favorites were anymore.

Color wasn’t the only thing I’d gone without. I’d missed out on so many things. But I could only change one thing at a time.

I slid my phone out of my jeans pocket and moved to one of the bags from the massive haul I’d gotten at a catchall store. Grabbing a portable speaker from the bag, I hooked up my cell and opened my music app. It only took a couple of minutes of scrolling before my lips tugged up.

Boy Band Bangers.

I hit play, and *NSYNC’sTearin’ Up My Heartfilled the room. My preteen heart soared.

Sayonara, silence.

I lost myself in unpacking everything I’d purchased for my rental over the past few days and the suitcases of personal items I’d brought from New York. I’d left behind a closetful of clothes Bradley was likely shredding out of spite.

It didn’t matter. That wardrobe was just as bland as the walls of my apartment. I’d get new clothes that fit the me I didn’t quite know yet.

By the time I finished getting the bulk of my new belongings settled, I was a starving, sweaty mess. But Backstreet Boys were keeping me going withEverybody. I swung my hips to the beat as I made my way to the kitchen.

Looking around the room, I tried to decide what the easiest thing to make would be. Definitely nothing that required steps and assembly. Maybe I could take a cooking class for that.

I crossed to the fridge, opened the freezer, and grinned. Arden knew me well. The compartment was filled to the brim with frozenlasagna, bags of veggie stir-fry, and an array of other meals. But moving required one thing and one thing only.

Pizza.

Grabbing a veggie lover’s from the top of the stack, I read the instructions. Seemed simple enough. I crossed to the oven that looked older than the Backstreet Boys bop currently playing from the speakers. I turned the knob to bake and set it to four hundred and twenty-five degrees. I quickly cut the pie out of the plastic wrapping and set it on the rack, which had certainly seen some use over the years.

After making sure the preheat light flashed on, I headed for the stairs. While the lot for my rental was large, the house was fairly small. It had two bedrooms and one and a half baths, with a tiny living room and office downstairs. But it was all I needed and more—because it was mine.

I snagged a fresh change of clothes from my room and headed for the shower. Turning on the water, I peeled off what I’d been wearing and left it in a pile on the floor. A smile that probably looked more than a little unhinged spread across my face.

I could leave my clothes in that pile all week if I wanted to. There’d be no arched eyebrows or wrinkled forehead and look of disgust from Bradley. No sharply barked command from my father that no daughter of his would be a slob. I could pick them up whenever I damn well pleased.

And as if *NSYNC could read my mind,Bye Bye Byecame on the second I stepped into the shower, seeping up through the floorboards. I belted out the lyrics as I shampooed my hair and washed my face. By the time I was ready to turn off the water, I felt better than I had in years, maybe ever.

Quickly toweling off and getting the excess water out of my hair, I reached for my underwear and grinned. They were totally ridiculous. An impulse purchase at one of the big-box stores I’d hit up in preparation for my move. I was pretty sure they were a kids’ design, but I didn’t give a damn.

The rainbows decorating them reminded me of what I’d wantedto be back when I wasn’t afraid to reach for it. I pulled them on and then reached for my bralette. The lace was a creamy white, but I’d find some brighter ones. There was a small boutique in town that might carry some things. If not, I’d order online.

Before I could dream up what colors to buy, an angry beeping blared so loud it resembled a tornado warning.

Do they get tornados in Oregon?

I didn’t have the first clue, but I was already racing out of the bathroom. And that’s when I smelled it.

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