Page 75 of Used

“You can’t keep going like this.”

“I know,” I repeat.

“Think of...”

I cut her off. “I said I fucking know, Zuri.”

Silence rings through the whole apartment as I try to catch my breath after snapping at my friend.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“I know.” She says with a small smirk. “Things are tense. I know you’re not okay, and that’s okay. But we have to do something to get out of your slump.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes. Okay.” I capitulate.

“Where’s your phone?” Zuri asks, glancing around.

“Dead.”

“That explains a lot.” She groans before refocusing. “Computer then. If I accomplish one thing while I’m here, it’s going to be responding to that man’s fucking emails.”

“It’s in the office.” I bemoan. “It’s probably dead too.”

“You haven’t been working?” Zuri asks, her dark eyebrows raised in surprise.

“No…” I admit.

“That’s...” She ponders for a moment. “Almost impressive? If the circumstances were different, I mean.”

I let out a chuckle, more like a huff, in agreement.

“I’m grabbing both, and whichever is charged enough first to send an email from is the one we’re using.” She says in an authoritative tone.

Turns out my computer wins the contest, and within seconds of the screen lighting up, Zuri is thrusting it in my direction to type in my password.

“Thank you.” She chimes when I give her back the computer.

I watch her as she clicks around to open my email inbox and find the emails from Marshall.

“Do you want me to read them to you?” She asks, her eyes wide, probably because of the sheer number of emails in my inbox from him.

I don’t even need to look to know he flooded it with messages. I just know.

“No. Just respond to the most recent one for me?” I ask her.

“Yeah. Sure. Secretary Zuri Valentine at your service.” She says with a genuine smile.

It takes me a while to choke out the words, but I do manage to dictate a reply for her, and she clicks send when she’s done.

June 5 — 22 Weeks 5 Days, Papaya

Marshall,

Yes, something happened. But I’m handling it. I don’t need you butting your way into my business. Let it go.

---