Page 2 of Forever Flirting

“So we made a change… and never expected any of this to happen so fast,” her mother said.

“What ‘change’…” Killian said flatly.

“Well, with everything going on – you in the Air Force and your sister looking to set up her practice? We want to set you both up for success.”

“What ‘change’ did you make then?” Everly asked, looking at Killian, who was still staring at their parents. “I mean, we appreciate the support you’ve always given us, but I wish you’d just say what is going on and quit worrying about us freaking out. We are all adults. The longer this takes, the more my anxiety is going through the roof.”

“Your mother and I are liquidating everything,” her father said – and she felt Killian grab her wrist, almost as if he needed to brace himself.

“…Including the house, the cabin, the furniture, and the Waverunner.”

“What?” she hissed in disbelief. “…The house? Here? This place?”

“We couldn’t believe how fast it sold either…”

“It’s sold – already?” Killian asked, looking almost as shocked as she was. Her brother’s face was exceedingly pale, his lips colorless, and she imagined her own looked the same. “How?Why? What about the Runt?”

“I still live here,” Everly whispered, stunned. “I have two months left until I graduate and…”

“We put a contingency on the house that the contract cannot be finalized until after your graduation,” her mother said softly, as if trying to cushion the blow. “And we have taken the entire lump sum, dividing it into thirds. There is an account for each of you, set aside, and waiting until you need it. Killian, when you get out of the Air Force - you can purchase a home anywhere you want… and when Everly graduates? She will be able to do the same.”

“I was going to stay here, in Highland Park…” she whispered, reeling, and could barely see her plate, her parents, or her brother’s terse expression as her whole world fell apart.

“Dallas is getting rough, and you should be somewhere away from this mess. The toll roads, the traffic, the break-ins… all of it. Highland Park used to be so nice, and Addison was the place to go - but that’s all changed. It’s not like we remember it, and having your father carjacked at a stoplight a few months ago really spurred this movement for us. We need a change and don’t want to buy another house, if we are going to travel eventually anyhow…”

“I can’t believe this,” she whispered, as her phone buzzed in her pocket.

“It’s done.”

“How much is in Everly’s account?” Killian asked bluntly. “She’s going to be alone and needs to land on her feet. Have you thought about that? If I’m overseas and you are off gallivanting somewhere – what about my sister? I am so angry right now that I’m trying not to yell or freak her out, but this is completelyinsaneandasinineof you both… andyouare supposed to be the adults here –not us!”

“Yelling doesn’t change anything.”

“How could you?” Killian snarled, slamming down his fist on the table, upset on her behalf, as she just sat there – numb.

“There is two hundred and fifty thousand in each of your accounts, so yes – she will be able to pay cash for a small house or condo wherever she wants to start her practice at.”

“That will get hernothinghere… and we both know it,” Killian said tightly. “How is she supposed to buy a house and start a practice if you’ve already…”

“Killian!” their father snapped angrily. “That’s enough.”

“No, I don’t think it is,” her brother retorted – and Everly needed to get away and breathe. “Yes, it’s a lot of money, but my little sister shouldn’t be abandoned the second she is leaving the nest. I can’t believe you are doing this…”

“It’s already done,” Everly whispered, getting to her feet. “They’ve sold the house, remember? Getting mad isn’t going to change anything. I need to think and figure out what I’m going to do.”

“Everly… Everly!” Killian hollered after her as she flew out the front door to the house, snatching her clutch and keys, before hopping in her car. Yes, she was running away, but that was only so nobody could give her some sugar-coated pep talk like she was an ignorant child.

This was done – and she would be moving, homeless, right after graduation. This meant that she needed to find a place to set up her practice right away, somewhere affordable, and start packing up things to take with her before it was sold off.

If they were selling the house to live in some Sprinter van – that meant everything was going to be gone, sold, liquidated, as her father had informed them.

Her phone buzzed again – and this time she answered it.

“’Bout time you picked up, Everly…” Mallory said laughing, and sounded like she was somewhere noisy. “You need to get here and come have some fun with us.”

“Where are you?”

“Lizard Lounge in Deep Ellum… and it’s dollar shots tonight.”

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