Page 24 of Light in the Dark (Heaven and Hell Duet 2)

Why does that worry me more than if she had stayed and argued with me some more?

I’ve never been so nervous before. First, I was nervous because I didn’t have a job and now I’m nervous because I do have a job. I’m actually grateful to come home to my own apartment and have some time to myself as well as some peace and quiet. But between worrying about my first day and stressing over Lila, I’m pretty damn close to a nervous breakdown.

Something needs to give and I would prefer if it was the situation with Lila considering I would like to keep my new job. As long as everything goes well tomorrow, that is. I toss and turn in bed. If I’m not wondering how my first day of work goes, then I’m trying to come up with a way to get Lila out of our lives. I’ve reached my limit when it comes to her. She’s toxic to our lives. It’s obvious that when something is toxic, you get rid of it. But I have to figure out how to do so with FC’s approval.

I may also feel a little guilty for not feeling guilty about keeping the news of my new job to myself. I’m just too nervous. I want to make sure everything goes well and that it looks like I won’t fuck up enough to lose it so soon.

Morning comes and I’m so tired from constantly waking up from an unruly slee

p. Putting on a pair of scrubs feels like putting on my favorite pair of pajamas that went missing for a long time. Who knew a simple uniform would feel more like armor than just a pair of scrubs. I actually feel a little like my old self again. Some of my anxiety fades away, but not all of it.

I’m driving to my new place of work when I get a call from FC.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hey. How are you doing this morning?”

“Good. I’m on my way to work.” I pause. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about that. I’ve had anxiety and I wanted to make sure it goes well first.”

“Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to check in on you and wish you a good first day. Call me when you get off, okay? Tell me how it goes.”

“I will.” Something feels off between us, but I don’t have time to think about it. We have to hang up because FC is nearly to work and so am I.

My first week is going to mostly involve me sticking to a co-worker to learn the ropes of the facility, how the people operate, and always have someone nearby in case I have a question. My boss meets with me as well. He seems super nice, even with his no-nonsense attitude. I’m paired with a guy named Teddy for the day and I have a feeling I’ll like him, too. He’s probably in his early thirties with a little bit of a beard, a fit body, and he’s on the shorter side.

We have lunch together, which goes well too.

“Where did you work before this?” Teddy asks me.

“At a nursing home back in South Carolina. I really enjoyed it.”

Teddy’s eyes widen. “So, what brought you here?” He smiles. “Let me guess. Some guy?” When I nod, he laughs. “Figures. I hope things go well. You should like it here. This is a good place. The management is fantastic, the patients are mostly good to work with, and who can complain about the pay or the benefits? I think they’ve put you on my schedule for the first week, but everyone who works here is good people. Just be careful around Colleen and Kathy. They can be a little touchy sometimes.”

Teddy fills me in on all the ins and outs of the place during the lunch, but he is back to business the moment it’s over. After work, I call FC immediately to update him on my great day. My nerves about work have completely disappeared now. Unfortunately, when I get to my apartment, I spot Lila hanging around my door.

Just what I need.

“What do you want?” I hold my phone up. “I’m calling the police.”

“To tell them what? There’s no restraining order between us.” She waits with a smirk.

“You’ve been asked to leave and you won’t. I’m pretty sure I can call the police for that.”

Lila rolls her eyes and then scrutinizes my outfit. “What are you anyway?”

“What do you want, Lila?” I text FC that Lila is here. Maybe he can call the cops for me and by the time they get here, Lila will still be here chatting it up with me.

“I would like for you to leave FC. I want to be a mom to Sawyer. I want to be a good girlfriend to FC. We deserve another chance, but FC won’t give me that as long as you’re in the picture. Please, Idaline. Woman to woman, let me put my family back together.”

Is she serious? She was vicious the last time I saw her and now she’s all serious and sweet and talking about Sawyer. She thinks she has a family to put back together? I don’t know what pisses me off more: the fact that she thinks she can be a good girlfriend to FC, or that she’s trying to bring Sawyer into this when she doesn’t care about him unless she can use him to her advantage like she’s trying to do now.

Before I can think about the ramifications of my actions, the palm of my hand hits Lila’s cheek. The slap catches her off guard. I relish in seeing her head snap to the side, her hand rising to cup her cheek, and the shock and rage on her face.

“Don’t you dare say you want to be a mother to that little boy when you weren’t a mother to him while you were in his life. I’m not going anywhere, Lila. I won’t leave FC and I won’t leave Sawyer.”

Lila drops her hand from her reddened cheek. “How dare you hit me!” She raises her hand, but FC is suddenly behind me, reaching around and grabbing her wrist.

“Don’t even think about it, Lila,” he grinds out.

---