Page 59 of Stuck With You
“Am I?” he retorts.
“Yep. If I weren’t, you would’ve sunk your ship twice already.” She skips to the raised car, and I hear snickers in the background.
Slade’s shoulders slump as he hands me my card. “You should be good to go.”
He holds out my key ring, pinched between his thumb and forefinger.
I extend my hand, and his eyes scan over the thin scab across my palm before he lets the fob fall into it.
“Thank you,” I say. “Hopefully, no more issues.” I really need that prayer to come true.
His eyes flick between mine. “You sure you’re ok?” The gentleness in his tone presses against my vocal cords.
Not even a little bit.
I only nod because saying it out loud would lead to the kind of meltdown I’m not sure either of us is game for.
He holds my gaze like he wants to be sure, but if I’ve gotten to know this man at all over the past few weeks, he won’t pry.
“I guess. . .I’ll see you around, neighbor.” I step away from the counter, feeling a bit strange that I won’t see him in the morning.
The room feels quiet again as I turn, but I stop at the door. “Thanks again.” I wave my key, and it’s possible I see the slightest indentation of a dimple lying underneath that short, dark beard.
I push out the door into the cold evening air, hoping it will cool my skin and temporarily numb my mind.
I climb into my car, so happy to have my freedom back. I dig in my purse to call Roxie, needing her sass and humor to take away this shitty day before I go home. I tap my phone and stop.
MILES: Sunday morning anchor on The Morning Show to start.
MILES: I’ll be flying out in a few weeks and will stop by on my return. This is a big move, Sarah. I suggest you reconsider things. You decide how this goes.
I breathe in and out, my stomach rolling into my throat. I rest my head on the steering wheel and close my eyes. Even though I knew this was coming, it’s not what I needed today or ever.
I hear the threat in his words. He’s right. I will have to decide how this goes.
I exhale slowly. It feels like every single thing is shifting rapidly around me. I don’t know when the next collision will occur or what the aftermath will be. The unpredictability and uncertainty are terrifying, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do about any of it.
I start my car and pull out of the lot. The only thing I know is that I need to get it together so that my kids aren’t the oneswho lose again.
Chapter 13
SLADE
“Do you have your own tools?”
His leg bounces, continuing to avoid all direct eye contact.
“Nah, man. Aren’t those provided?”
I rest back in my chair. “How would you go about changing a timing belt?”
The kid’s eyes flick to mine and then dart away as he twitches. There’s silence except for the sound of the compressor.
I cross my arms over my chest. “You able to pass a drug test?”
That has him popping out of the chair. “I don’t need this.” He charges out of my office door.
I stand, following him out. He swipes an arm across the counter, sending the cup of pens flying. He rips the door open, and it slams shut.
