Page 6 of Losing Ansley

"What, Lincoln? We had a moment of weakness. It won't happen again." I promise him and open my door. He steps toward me, causing me to back up into my door.

"Let it go." I'm two seconds from losing my shit, and I think he sees it. He steps away and sighs.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He promises, and I nod without responding. I scramble into my car and speed away. I'm tempted to call Liv and Caroline to see if they're still at the Mexican restaurant, but I need to shower. Lincoln's smell is all over me, and I need it off before I go crazy. And I can't go there with a cum stained shirt.

Walking up to my apartment door, I see the paper taped to the door. Groaning, I pull it off and swallow; I have three days. I can't catch a fucking break. I was always so responsible when it came to money because I knew there wouldn't be anyone to bail me out.

Then I had a moment of weakness, wanting something quickly and easily. Before I knew it, all my savings were gone, my credit cards had been maxed out, and my identity had been stolen.

I unlock the door and walk in, leaning against the door as I exhale. What am I going to do? Dylan keeps telling me to come live with him, but I can't. I can't live in that house for another day of my life. All of the memories bombard me. Even Lincoln sold his parent's house and bought another place across town.

Ansley: Five

Lincoln: Eleven

"Get out of my house!" Ms. Holloway seethes at me, and I stare at her wide-eyed. I look up at mama, not understanding, but she scowls at me, and I don't know why. I didn't do anything.

"Go on home, Ansley." My mouth pops open, and my chin begins to tremble. Daddy and Dylan aren't home.

"I'll be home by myself," I whisper. Mama gives Ms. Holloway an apologetic look and ushers me outside.

"Go home right now, Ansley! Stop being such a baby." I don't understand why she's acting like this. I used to follow her around everywhere, and she'd let me. Now she doesn't want me to be anywhere near her.

"Why don't you like me anymore?" I whisper. Mama doesn't respond; instead, she swats my butt.

"Don't be ridiculous. Go home. I'll be there soon." She walks back inside, and I stare at her. Glancing back at our house, I don't want to be alone in that big house. All I can see is Ivy face down in the water. I slowly walk down the steps toward my house but stop at the sight of Lincoln walking toward me.

"Want to climb up the terrace with me?" Lincoln asks. I look over my shoulder and back to him, nodding as I follow him around the side of the house. He shows me the terrace.

"You put your feet and hands in the holes and climb it like a ladder. You go first, and I'll be behind you to make sure you don't fall." I glance back and forth between him and the terrace and decide to do what he says. I climb up and crawl onto the roof. He comes up right behind me, and we sit together against the house, not talking.

"I miss Ivy," I confess, and he sighs.

"Me too." He replies. I pull my knees into my chest and rest my chin on them.

"I think your mom hates me," I whisper, and he wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side.

"She hates me too." He whispers back, and a tear treks down my cheek.

"You can come over here anytime you need to, Ans. I'll always open my window for you. Or sit out on the roof with you." Lincoln murmurs, and I wipe away my tears.

"Lincoln!" Ms. Holloway yells. He jumps up and glances down at me.

"I'll be right back." Before I can respond, he climbs into his room, and I hear him arguing with his mom. I crawl to the window and glance in just in time to see her slap him across his face.

"It's your fault!" She screams in his face. She storms out of his room and slams the door. As he returns to the roof, I scramble back to where I was sitting. He sits next to me without saying a word. I wrap my arm through his and lean my head on his shoulder.

"I'll always be here, Linc," I tell him.

I KICK MYheels off and walk to the bathroom turning on the shower to warm it up, shaking off the memories.

All of this is my fault. I wouldn't be where I'm at if I didn't believe in something too good to be true. I thought I was investing in a company that would help me break into the fashion industry. I got three months behind on rent, and the landlord has had enough of my promises. I have been trying, but I've been living paycheck to paycheck.

I should have just sold my Corvette. I couldn't bring myself to do it, though. Now another unwise decision has brought me here.

If it weren't for Lincoln, I'd be on the street. He gave me a job when I was desperate. He even pays for my Friday nights out with Liv and now Caroline. He's offered to provide me with a raise on multiple occasions to help me more, but I refuse.

I don't want a special favor just because he knows me. I don't have a college education, but he argues I've had on-the-job experience that equals a college education. I don't want him to do it for me if he wouldn't do it for everyone.

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