Page 32 of Quake

Lark

Friday, March 7, 2025

“Alright, boys,” I huff out, slouching over the side of the couch. “The last box is all sorted, and do you know what that means?” I ask, peering over at where Rex and Tiny are standing by the coffee table, staring at me with a slow blink. “We’re officially home!” I tell them, trying to sound as excited as possible, and my newfound energy has Tiny’s whole body wiggling.

As happy as I am to have this step over with, truthfully, I’m exhausted, and I just want to spend my weekend off in my new apartment, reading a good book and cuddling with Tiny and Rex. This is how I wound up moving all of my belongings into my new apartment on a Friday afternoon… alone.

Everyone that I know who could help me was working. My dad let it be known how annoying that was for him, but he eventually let it go after trying to hire a moving company for me. I know hewould pay for it, but I didn’t want him to, and why would I hire movers when I could do it myself?

But it’s all done now.

A smile lights my face as I take in the eight-hundred-square-foot apartment with its dark wooden fixtures and gray walls, now splattered in color from all of my belongings.

Photos of the dogs, my friends, and my dad line the walls with an array of memories, and my colorful boho throw rug brightens the whole place up.

I love it. And it’s allmine.

Unlike when I lived with Tyler. I hadn’t realized it quite to the extent that I do now, but he was so controlling about everything. Always reminded me that the lease was inhisname.

Nothing ever looked or felt like my own, and I think a part of me knew that, and it may have factored into why I was always working, covering extra shifts to avoid being there in the first place.

The more I’ve had time away from him to consider the details of our relationship, the more glad I am that we broke up.

He was honestly the freaking worst, and truthfully, if I’d cared more about our relationship, I probably would’ve noticed something was off while he was out cheating on me fortwo years.

I guess I was just comfortable being uncomfortable since he’s all I’ve ever known. He wasn’t my first kiss, but he was my first foreverythingelse.

This is a good thing—a positive change, and it’ll be a little scary, but I need this chance for self-discovery.I remind myself of this before swinging my legs over the side of the couch and heading out to take the dogs on their first walk around our new complex.

***

My phone buzzing beside me drags me out of my book. I rest it on my lap and grab for my cell, answering when I see who’s calling.

“Hey there, hot stuff. How’s the new apartment?” Kira asks, her voice projecting over the blow-dryers running in the background.

“Are you still at work?” I ask.

“I just got done here but figured I’d give you a call. I’m gonna get the Bluetooth set up as soon as I get in the car.”

I wait patiently as I listen to the heavy back door of her salon slam shut, followed by her car door. “Alrighty, I’m all set. Tell me about the place!” she says, her voice sounding high-pitched and bubbly.

I tell her all about it for the next couple of minutes, making sure she knows just how excited I am for this new change. I hope to settle the worry I know my three closest friends have been fighting with since finding out about the breakup.

“And what are you going to do as your first show of freedom?”

“What does that even mean?” I ask, my voice breaking into a laugh.

“You just got out of a six-year relationship and moved into your own apartment. You should celebrate. Do something for yourself to commemorate this moment,” she says, and I can hear the way her voice picks up speed with each word. “Your hair is too pretty to dye, and I don’t have the time to get a new tattoo with you, but you should do something foryourself.”.

I think on this for a moment, but my mind is drawing up blanks. “I don’t really think there’s anything I want to do that I couldn’t while I was with Tyler, so I’m not really sure.”

She releases a puff of air, sounding exasperated. “Babe, you haven’t had an orgasm inhow long?You should explore that!”

My cheeks turn ruddy as my mind is flooded with the images of Gianni that had brought me to my most recent, albeit self-induced, orgasm. “Kira, are you seriously suggesting I go out and have a bunch of one-night stands?”

“I saidorgasms,notsex, but you could totally do that too if you wanted. There’s literally nothing stopping you. Come on, isn’t there something you’ve wanted to do or try that you couldn’t with Tyler? Whateverthat is, do it!”

My shoulders tense with the memories of all the times I’d make a suggestion, only to be shot down by Tyler for it being “dirty, disgusting, depraved.” Though now I’ve come to realize that none of those things were true. There’s nothing wrong with exploration as long as everyone involved is consenting, but it comes as no surprise since Tyler was his own version of that triple D. Dishonest. Disloyal. Douchebag.

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