Page 52 of Falling for Fury

I spent the next two days burying myself in their work, trying to drum up as many proposals and market approximations for their future growth as possible, to encourage them to get a move on. It wasn’t until the cleaners were coming around that I realize it was dark outside, and I was still hunched over my desk. I reach for my phone to check what I’ve missed.

My heart squeezes as I read the text. Dying to ask more.

How are you?

Are you still dating losers?

When can I see you again?

I miss you.

I take back everything I said, I can do relationships. But only if it’s with you.

She doesn’t respond, and it is all I can do to not turn around and head straight for her apartment.

Actions.

I’m about as frustrated as they come. Between Addison ghosting me—I suppose karma for the way I bailed at the lodge—and all this bullshit with EcoX, I have a newfound energy that funnels through my veins. Unable to spend any more time in my office, and needing a break mentally to expel all the excess energy, I spent Saturday morning at the gym. The workout was especially intense, but I hit a new level trying to burn through the excess stress to exhaust myself enough to sleep.

Walking back to my house after the gym, my phone buzzes and see my sister’s name pop up.

“Evie, is everything ok?”

“Why does something have to be wrong to call my big brother?” My heart pinches, and guilt settles in my stomach. “We don’t hear from you. I was making sure you’re still alive.”

“Alive and well, Evelyn. I spoke to mom like a week ago. How are you doing? How are classes?” My sister is twenty-three, currently completing her degree at UChicago, following her dream of teaching the kids of America literature.

“Fine. Boring. Wish I was finishing soon. How’s boss-man life in the big city? Any plans to come home and see your family soon?” I sense the usual tilt in her tone.

“What’s happened?”

She releases a long-suffering sigh. “It’s mom. She’s fine, before you panic. She is just… well, she seems sad, reminiscing a lot, about the days with baba and when you were home. I think she misses you. Even though she pretends not to.” Another pang of guilt spears me in the stomach; the desperation to get this deal over the line continues to grow as the need to be closer to mom and Evie continues to grip my chest.

“I will come home for a visit soon. I’m trying to sort things out here so that I can be home permanently, you know that. You know what it’s like here. I have just been—”

“Busy. We know.” And if that doesn’t land the final sucker punch.

“I… I was planning a trip already. As a surprise,” I lie.

“Mmhmm. I believe that.” The sarcasm drips from her tone.

“No, really, I was. At the end of June it is the soonest I could get away. I have a few big client proposals at the beginning of the month, and I can’t leave right now because I only just came back from time off.”

“Time off? Where did you go?”

“Just to Maplewood with some friends.”

“Okay… well, if you can come sooner, please. Otherwise, I am sure mom will be ecstatic to see you in June. I suppose me, too.” The usual way between the two of us—pretend we have no feelings.

“I miss you, too, Evie.”

“Ugh, whatever. Gross. Love you, bye.” She rushes out the last part before the call disconnects.

I can’t help but feel the guilt settle low in my belly. When was the last time I went out to see my family?

I immediately select a few dates on the calendar of my phone for the last week of June and send off a request for Emery to block it out and send out a notification of my leave dates. While I’m at it, I flick a message off to Rosie.

She wastes no time.

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