Page 58 of Forget Me Not

“Excuse me?” How is that even possible?

“It’s his house. He would be our landlord. I’m thinking neither of us want that,” she rants on.

“What the hell? How? His name wasn’t on the lease, I would have recognized it.”

“No, you wouldn’t have. He doesn’t buy anything under his own name, he uses his investment company. I just assumed since it wasn’t listed, since we weren’t dealing with one of his agents...but it doesn’t matter. I should have read the lease, I would have seen it. It’s my fault, I was so excited and I knew I could trust your judgment, hell, you’re a freaking lawyer, most people would pay money to have you read a contract for them.” Frustration exits in the way of a loud hiss, blowing up my eardrum. “But that’s no excuse. I should have checked it myself. I’m sorry.”

I lean back against the wall behind me, closing my eyes and massaging my temple with my free hand. How is this happening? We were so close. “Fine. Well, I guess we’ll just stay put for now. The loft is plenty big for the both of us. We’ll just...redecorate or something. Update a few things, fix the closets, it’ll be like a new place.”

Silence.

“Cooper?”

“Gun owns the loft. Or, rather the building the loft is in.”

Fuck me, how did a foster kid with no money and no education wind up owning half of the city when I can barely afford to rent a decent house there?!

“Screw this shit,” I drop my fist to my side and swing it back, punching the wall. “I’ll ask my dad to lend me the money. I can pay him back as soon as my place in the city sells. We’ll buy a house. And Gun won’t have any part of it.”

“No way. I’m not living in a house your dad bought!” she yells, hysterical at the mere suggestion.

“It’s better than living in a place Gun bought,” I counter, shouting as well.

“Hardly. At least Gun has never tried to split us up. You may not remember, but let me assure you, the same cannot be said for your father. He hates me. Always has. Hell, he’s the reason we were in your truck that night taking off to elope in the first place!”

She’s right, I don’t remember. “You’re exaggerating. My dad may not be the warmest, most welcoming person, but he couldn’t possibly hate you. And Gun, are you fucking kidding me? How in the hell is trying to sabotage our moving in together not trying to separate us? Do you hear us right now? This fight happening right here? That’s compliments of your little friend Gun.”

She scoffs. “Ego problems much? Gun towers over you by at least five inches. I would hardly call him little. And frankly, it only makes you sound petty and insecure when you do.”

“Trust me, nothing about that dude makes me feel insecure.” I’m lying. Everything about that dude makes me feel insecure.

“I think we both know that’s not true.”

“Fine. Yes. He makes me insecure. How the hell would you feel if you were always face to face with my past. And not just any past, no, but a past that you can’t remember even being a part of? I get that he’s your friend. I do. But I don’t like feeling like he’s the one taking care of you. That’s supposed to be my job.”

“Actually, taking care of me, ismyjob. And yeah, Gun likes to forget that too, but you should take note of the fact, that I generallydon’tappreciate that.”

Then she hangs up. Just like that.

I barely have time to register it when I hear my father snap, “Care to tell me what was so important you thought it was appropriate to walk out in the middle of a meeting?”

I shake my head, I really don’t care to tell him anything. But I know he won’t accept that.

“The house Cooper and I were going to lease fell through and she’s upset. We both are.” I tuck the phone back into my pocket just to keep from having to meet his eyes. I love my dad, but he’s basically a master intimidator, it’s hard not to feel scrutinized by his glare.

“Jesus, Reed. I thought you were past this – this juvenile behavior. You can’t go running every time your girlfriend has a meltdown.”

“It’s not a meltdown. And she’s more than my girlfriend, I plan to marry her,” I remind him. “Now that I’ve found her, I’m not walking away from her again, Dad.” I take a wider stance in front of him and force myself to meet his eyes. “Is that going to be a problem?”

“Not one I haven’t solved before,” he mutters, turning away and beginning a heavy-footed march back to his office.

“What exactly doesthatmean?” I demand, catching up to his side in no time flat.

He stops and looks over his shoulder at me. “That friend of hers still around? That Gunnar?”

I slant my eyes. “How do you know Gun?”

“Ask him. And while you’re at it, remind him that I don’t respond well to being cheated out of a deal. If I end up having to handle things myself, I may come back expecting a refund.” Then he stomps off to his office, door slamming shut behind him as soon as he’s inside.

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