I offer him a timid smile. “I’d like that.”
His smile grows ten sizes.
“I’ll see you soon, Kingston.” He gets back into his car and speeds out of the parking lot while I rush inside the building to meet Jay. We’re not officially back together just yet, but I’ve made up my mind.
I’m done convincing myself that this guy hasn’t been the best thing that’s ever happened to me, too.
HAZE
When I unlock the door to Vic’s apartment and push it open, I can honestly say I’ve never been happier to see the dump on the other side. Because I’m seeing it for the last time. I’m going home.
Passed out on the couch is one of Vic’s new friends, Greg. He’s one of the douchebag frat guys Vic’s been hanging out with lately. I walk into the guest room, only to see Vic snoring in my bed. I try not to wake him while I pack my shit, but he’s a light sleeper.
“Haze.” He wipes his eyes and blinks repeatedly.
“Sorry. I’m just getting my things.” I can’t hide my gigantic smile.
“Wait, I know that smile. She took you back, didn’t she?”
Damn right she did.
“She didn’t say that exactly, but she’s letting me move back.” I shove my clothes into the black bag I brought with me. “Want to tell me why you’re sleeping in here?”
He groans. “Kelly puked all over my bed.”
I can’t hold back a laugh.
“Fuck you.” He throws a pillow at me, and I catch it, tossing it back to him.
“I told you friends with benefits are bad news.”
He gives me the finger, half-smiling.
“I’ll see you later, man,” I say and exit the apartment complex. For the first time in a while, I don’t feel like I have the weight of a building on my shoulders. Wow, this has been a decent day, so far. Is this a glitch?
I sprint back to my car, and my stomach drops to my asshole at the sight of a piece of paper on my windshield.
A ticket?
So much for this being a decent day, huh?
I come to a short stop next to my car and literally freeze—surprisingly not because of the cold weather—when I realize that this is everything but a parking ticket.
A note.
You told. Good old dad paid the price.
I turn it over.
She’s next.
22
One Last Fight
WINTER
Is there anything creepier than a hospital? Anything sadder than a place where