Page 8 of Love to Stay

I could get caught up on back rent or put my money into something else altogether. Not that it matters much. A few weeks ago, we received notice that the building would undergo demolition within a few months. Not sure why. If I had to guess, I would assume that it is being condemned. I guess the landlord is evicting tenants to ensure he collects every last dollar before the property is gone.

“You and your dad or alone?”

“Alone.”

“Where?” Mick’s hands come down on the desk; he leans in, studying me hard.

“I haven't figured that out yet.”

“I’m coming there. This person can show up at any second, Josie! I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think anyone will find it difficult to deal with your dad.”

“You have no idea,” I mutter.

“The hell does that mean?”

“Nothing. Maybe I’ll go stay in a hotel.” I'm quick to sidestep the whole subject of my father. I wasn't going to add that on right now. Mick might explode at this rate if I do.

“You’re hiding something from me. Not to mention, I know you’ll go to some hole in the wall hotel that isn’t any safer.”

“Hey, I don’t need your judgment about my money issues.” Mick runs a hand down his face. “I can also take care of myself.”

“It’s not about that, and you know it." He throws his hands up. "I’m coming there.”

“No!” I shout. “You have a life there. A dream.” There is no way I’ll allow him to give that up for me.

“The dream is shit if something happens to you, Josie.” I’m not sure what that means. How do I play a part in his dreams? God knows he's in my dreams every night.

“I’ll be okay.” My response is weak, and we both know it. My shoulders drop as everything weighs down on me. It's all too much. I'm not sure how much more I can take before I crack.

Mick lets out a breath and grabs his chair, pulling it back to take a seat. He is making an effort to cool down for my benefit.

“Josie,” he begins again, his tone softer this time. “Now that I know you might be in danger, I’m not going to be able to concentrate on anything. I might as well come back there.”

I hate how whiny I sound when I say "No."

“I’m serious, Josie. I did this, or at least played a part in it. I’m going to fix it.”

“Please don’t do this. I won’t be able to live with myself if you walk away from what you have there,” I try to plead with him. I don’t ever want him to resent me.

I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to do. For the past few days, I’ve been on edge. I haven’t been sleeping for shit. Any time I hear the smallest sound, I jolt up from my bed, which is often in an old building like this one. I'm so freaking exhausted. It is showing at work, too. I messed up three orders today and had to pay for two of them myself for the mistake.

"Jojo."

"Don't Jojo me," I huff.

"Come here."

"What?" Did he really suggest that?

"Come here," he repeats.

"What do you mean, come there?"

"To Vegas. I'll know you're safe here, and you'll be away from this psycho."

"I can't just come there." Could I? I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I mean there really is nothing holding me here.

"You come here or I go there." I know he's serious.

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