Page 12 of Risk It All
“I should get back.”
He tipped his head toward the table where Wes and Gabe were sitting. The two of them couldn’t have been more different, but I loved that they got along. It made Lily happy, too.
“I’ll see you around, Trouble.” Leo got off the stool and grabbed the three glasses before he made his way back to the booth.
Well after Leo sat down, I realized he’d called me Trouble.
Trouble?
One of us was trouble, and it sure wasn’t me.
4
LEO
Trouble.
I was in so much fucking trouble.
I didn’t know—until last night—how intertwined my days would be with Eliza’s.
It would be fine, though. It had to be.
I tried not to think about how easy it was to be around her last night, how we picked up the conversation like no time had passed. It’d always been that way with Eliza. The more I got to know her, the more confident I was that she was too good for my brother. I didn’t know what led to their breakup—I never asked, and he never told me—but I had to imagine part of it was her coming to the same realization.
But that was on the list of topics I wasn’t touching, including anything about Eliza’s sex life and her “curse,” although I stood by what I said last night. There was no way in hell that guy would’ve broken hersex curse. No way. Also, a curse? What the hell did that even mean?
You know what. Never mind. I didn’t want to—and shouldn’t—know.
I turned my attention back to my final stackof boxes to unpack, which was mostly clothes, records, and books, when my mom called. I answered and used my shoulder to keep the phone against my ear while I continued unpacking.
“Hey, Mom. How’s it going?”
“Hey, hon.” My mom’s warm voice filled the line. “I’m good. Just wanted to see how you’re doing. Are you getting settled in? Are you excited? When’s your first day?”
“Mom.” I laughed as she fired off questions. “Breathe.”
“I know,” she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “I’m just happy for you. I mean, I know it isn’t what you wanted—but I think this will be better. I think it might be exactly what you need.”
I doubted that, but if thinking that made her happy, I wasn’t going to burst her bubble.
“I wish things had worked out differently,” I admitted, “but I think this will work out in its own way.” For now, at least.
“It’ll definitely work out,” she said confidently. “You have life back in your voice. Your old job…” She trailed off.
I furrowed my brows, setting the books back in the box and grabbing the phone in my hand. “What about my old job?” And what about thelifeback in my voice? I’d never heard her say that before.
She sighed. “I don’t think you were happy, Leo.”
I parted my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it.
“I know you loved that job and saw your career heading that way, but it was…chipping away at other aspects of your life. I never said anything, because I knew how much you loved it, but I’m so glad you’re trying something different.”
“That’s just part of the job, Mom.” I ran a hand through my hair, my body tensing. “The hours are long and irregular. There’s nothing I can do about that. I know what I signed up for. I was happy—Iamhappy.”
Silence filled the line before she spoke up again. “I’m glad you’re happy. There’s nothing I want more.”
“Anyways,” I sighed. “Now that I’m closer, what do you think about having some help getting the house fixed up so you can sell it? I can help with some of the repairs or get contractors hired?” I offered. I wanted to go up there first to see what we were working with. I imagined there would be a few things I could help with—minor repairs, lawn care, and cleaning—but for bigger projects, we’d need to hire someone.
