Page 78 of Need You Now

She sits on the edge of her couch, bracing herself, weak-kneed. “I already work double hours, Prentiss, and you know that.”

“Well, of course you do.” He frowns like there’s no other option. “This job’s your life, Sutton. Your entire world. Your family. You live it and breathe it.”

The grim thought has her stalling out, freezing. God. He’s right. Prentiss is absolutely right. Who is she? Is this what she wants for the rest of her life? Stuck working for Prentiss at a soul-sucking job, stuck in this shitty apartment, missing her sister so much it hurts, when her family, her real family, is off living their life without her?

“Get your phone,” he commands.

Lacey blinks herself out of her daze. “What?”

“Get your phone, call Colin, and apologize. It’s the only way to remedy this situation.”

“Prentiss, I—”

“Prediction.” Seth’s deep rumble rings out, and she and Prentiss both turn to see him strolling out of the bedroom. His hands in the pockets of his jeans, plaid shirt unbuttoned, a lazy grin on his face. “Lacey ain’t apologizin’ for shit.”

Lacey hides a smile, watching as Seth casually leans up against the wall, his eyes tracking between the two of them. Giving her the space to handle this, yet backing her up if needed.

Prentiss sneers. “I thought you were sick.”

Her teeth clench. She crosses her arms, juts her chin. “Seth’s right. I’m not apologizing to Colin. And I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Prentiss stares daggers. “I want you back in the office today. You started this mess, you fix it.”

Lacey curls her fingers, her long nails digging into the heel of her hand. Anger crests over her in a warm wave. She’s never been one to speak up, always a perfectionist at work, an I can do anything, a yes sir girl. Going above and beyond. Always.

But for what?

Here she is busting her ass for some ingrate asshole who’ll never give her that promotion. It was just a carrot dangled to keep her in line. It’s all bullshit, is what it is.

“Do you hear me, Sutton?” Prentiss snaps. “Pick up the phone and move your ass.”

A sharp inhale of breath from Seth.

Lacey pushes herself to standing, her spine like a rose stem. Straight, ready to prick. “No.”

Prentiss frowns. “What?”

She exhales. Hard. “You heard me. No.”

Prentiss peacock-puffs up his chest. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

“Watch it,” Seth snarls.

How do you swim a wave if you’re drowning, Lacey? You break through it. You break it.

Lacey steps up. “I think I’m smart enough not to put up with your bullshit another minute. I think ...” She smiles, props hands on her hips. “I think I quit, Prentiss.”

He stands stunned for a long minute.

Then he chuckles, a smug sound that makes Lacey want to stick a nail file in his neck.

“Please. You and I both know you’ll come crawling back.”

“Oh, fuck you, Prentiss.” Lacey points at the door. “And get the hell out of my house.”

“You heard her.” Seth pushes off the wall, crossing his arms. A thread of warning in his voice to listen, or else. “Leave. Now.”

Red-faced, Prentiss turns on his heel and stiffly walks out, slamming the door shut behind him.

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