Page 156 of Even Ground

Judith takes in a deep breath. But I’ve heard more than enough out of her for one lifetime.

“So I’m just going to pack my shit and go. You can shove it up your arse.”

I grab my bag and poke the few items that belong to me inside. There are a few gasps around the room, and someone over the other side actually starts clapping.

Giving Sam a quick hug, I walk out and don’t look back.

Life’s way too short for this shit.

* * *

I can’t stop fidgeting. After leaving class, I came straight home where I paced the living room, trying not to second guess what I’d done. But there’s only one conclusion I can come to.

The time for putting up with crap in my life is over when there’s so much more waiting for me.

I don’t want a long-distance relationship—I want to share a home with Reece and be near my best friend. And I don’t need to finish the course to have a career doing what I love.

Pulling out my phone, I dial Delaney.

“Yo,” she answers.

“I need some help.”

“Anything. Tell me what you need.” I could cry at the concern in her tone. She knows it’s not like me to reach out like this.

“Do you remember when the signs were there for you to join Josh?”

Delaney laughs. “You mean when I nearly set fire to the diner kitchen? Uh huh.”

I bite my bottom lip to stop laughing. “Yeah. Then. I think I just had a moment.”

She gasps. “What did you do?”

I draw in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I just told my tutor to stick it.”

There’s silence for a moment, but then Delaney gurgles.

She snorts.

She lets out a choked laugh.

And from the other side of the world, my best friend dissolves into laughter that she seems to have given up fighting.

“What’s so funny?” I huff.

“I’m only surprised it’s taken this long.”

“What do you mean? I thought you told me I should follow my dream.”

Delaney sighs. “You did. You are.” She’s silent for a moment. “Reece told me you were having a hard time. It’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Your tutor clearly has a thing about you designing things for me. And she can shove it right where—”

I laugh. “That’s fair.”

“Anyway, you were there for me for years. From studying cooking when it wasn’t really your first love, to going into business with me, and being by my side the whole way through Melly being born …”

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