Page 34 of Zac

“Good choice,” she mumbles, sitting down on the couch beside me. “I can see it now. You’ll slip and the tray of food will go flying, a fork to some guy’s eye, and knife in another leg and it keeps trickling down the line from here. I’m talkingFinalDestinationdomino effect. I think it’s better if we both lock ourselves away and ride out the storm. It’s safer for not only ourselves but for everyone else too.”

This time I do smile.

“We may be acting a little dramatic.” Looking over at her she closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Did I mention that I fell face-first in lab today? Right in front of the entire class, my books went flying and everything. Oh and look at my shoes.”

I look down at her feet and instantly I lose it.

“So I could see if I had on one black shoe and maybe one brown one. But seriously how in the hell did I accomplish one boot and one tennis shoe? Honestly who does that?”

I can’t control my laughter, in fact at this point I have tears streaming down my face.

“I’m such a hot mess,” she confesses.

“You and me both,” I agree, taking a calming breath attempting to regain my composure. “You are right.” I wipe the tears from my cheeks. “I agree one hundred percent you and I are much safer tucked safely inside behind closed doors.”

“Maybe we should put away all sharp objects.” Lauren looks around like she is truly considering following through with her suggestion. “You know, baby-proof this place, or adult proof, whatever.”

“I’m thinking we just lounge, order in and veg out on the couch.”

“That sounds great.” She sighs. “Then tomorrow we’ll just hit reset and hope for a much better outcome.”

* * *

“What can I get for you?” I ask and am met with silence.

Looking up I am met with someone I hoped I’d never see again. “You won’t answer your phone.” Grant offers a shrug as he leans back in the booth, placing one hand onto the table before him.

“Did you ever think that maybe that’s because I have nothing to say?”

“Now come on.” He offers me a smug grin. “You don’t have to be like that.”

My day had been going well. But him being here could only mean one thing, he needs something.

“Hadn’t seen the boy in a while.” I tense at the mention of my son. “Figured I wait for you to get off work, go hang out for a bit.”

“No.” I don’t even have to think it over.

“Just no?” He leans up placing his elbows on the table. “That’s seems unfair, after all he is my son.”

“No, Grant, he is my son.” Now isn’t the time to come at me. I am hormonal and it doesn’t take much lately to shift my mood. It’s like a light switch. “You have seen him a handful of times since his birth. Most of those times you ignored him because well, you don’t give a shit. So your first mistake is showing up here acting like you are father of the year and have any rights.”

“I have rights,” he challenges me.

“Okay.” For a second he seems pleased. “If you have rights, then take me to court. We can discuss with attorneys in front of a judge just how much back child support you owe me. Not to mention the unpaid debt you left me with when you ran out too.”

Grant stares at me, his jaw working overtime as he continues to flex it. I can tell he’s pissed, but he knows he has nothing on me. The guy is a worthless piece of shit.

“I need some money,” he finally admits and I can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t we all,” I say, holding my hands out to my sides and laughing in the process. “Welcome to real life Grant, get a job.”

“I’m being serious, Presley.” He looks around his voice a little lower than before. “I’m in deep with Hendricks and if I don’t pay him things aren’t going to end well.”

“Well coming to me for help is just time wasted.”

“Help me out and then I promise I’ll pay you back.” I’ve seen this level of desperation in him once before.

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