Page 23 of Til Death Do Us Part

“Are you really because you just called me and have been crying into the phone for the last two minutes? It felt like a damn eternity, Everly.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. My day has been shit since I left you. I wish we were still in Vegas,” I confessed with a hiccup. Leaning my forehead on my knees, I took some calming breaths until I was under control.

“What happened?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but you were the first person I wanted to talk to.”

“I’m glad you called. Now, why don’t you tell me what went wrong.”

“Everything,” I let out a humorless laugh. Lifting my head, I caught sight of my room and nearly lost it again. Closing my eyes, I rested my head on the wall. “When I got to my apartment building, the elevator was out of order, but that’s nothing compared to what I found when I reached my apartment.” I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the heel of my hand.

“What happened, Everly? Are you sure you’re okay? I’m worried about you.”

“My place was broken into while I was gone, and everything is…” I swallowed the lump in my throat as flashes of the destruction flickered before my eyes. “It’s a mess. Someone tore my place to shreds and I don’t know why. Why would someone break in? I have nothing.” I thought back to the TV in the living room and didn’t remember seeing it. Was all of this for a lonely television?

“Is it safe to stay there?” he asked, worry in his tone.

“I think so. I didn’t even think to look to check the lock. I was too worried about someone still being inside. It doesn’t matter though. I don’t want to be here,” I cried. “But I have nowhere else to go. My mother would tell me it wasn’t safe for me to live alone and that I should move in with her and then she’d never let me leave the house.”

Standing up, I went to check to see if the door could be closed only to find my lock was broken. How had I missed that when I came inside?

Leo chuckled down the line. “Sounds like she cares, but maybe a little overprotective.”

“She does care. She’s never liked my apartment building, saying it’s unsafe, but it’s what I can afford. Rent in Oasis is just as bad as anywhere else in California.”

“I know,” he agreed. “When I was first offered the job here, I looked at places and couldn’t believe how much they wanted for such small accommodations. I was lucky a house and a car came with the job otherwise I’d be lucky to have enough money to eat.”

We were silent for a few moments. I listened to the way he breathed into the phone and let it calm me. After talking to Leo, the world didn’t seem like such a bad place to live in.

“Why don’t you come stay with me? My place is plenty big, and I promise to let you leave the house,” he joked. “If you’re not…I have furniture for two bedrooms if you need your own room, or we could…”

It was endearing that Leo was willing to give me my own room if I was uncomfortable sharing a bed with him. There was no way in hell I’d be able to sleep in another bed knowing he was in bed alone.

“I wouldn’t need my own room, but it’s sweet of you to offer.”

“So…” He drew the word out and left it hanging.

“I don’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be an imposition. I’d put you straight to work unpacking my things,” he chuckled.

“Are you sure?” When I called, it was only to hear his voice. Never in a million years did I think he’d offer to let me to stay with him.

“One hundred percent. In the short amount of time we’ve been apart, I was already missing you.”

I wasn’t sure if he was only saying that to make me feel better or if he really meant it. Either way, I didn’t care; I wanted to stay with him until I could get the mess cleaned up. I didn’t want to do it, but I’d call in to work tomorrow and explain to Trixie what had happened, and I knew she’d give me the day off if I could rearrange all of my appointments.

“If you’re sure.” I tried to play off how excited I was to see him again, even if it had only been a little over an hour ago since my eyes last landed on him.

“Positive, why don’t you give me your address and I’ll come pick you up.”

“You don’t need to do that. I know you’re busy. I can drive.”

“I don’t want to be worrying about you until you get here. If I come get you, then I can make sure your place is secured when you leave.”

“That’s probably a good idea because I’m not handy in the least and I checked to see and my lock is broken.” I pouted, knowing he couldn’t see me. “Why would someone break into my place?”

“Because the world can be a shitty place. If it makes you feel better, my place has an alarm. I don’t know how to work it yet, but we’ll get it set up and going for tonight.”

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