Page 144 of The Storm

“Right. Work. I have to…” He takes a glance at his watch. “It’s getting late.”

“Sure. Can’t keep Dylan waiting.”

He narrows his eyes. “Eavesdropping? Classy.”

“You were always loud.”

I don’t mean it as an innuendo, but Blue’s cheeks go red, so now I’m definitely thinking what he’s thinking. Remembering what he’s remembering.

And the idea of somebody else knowing just how loud he can be…

“We should go through the schedule day by day.”

He blinks. “What?”

“Just so there won’t be any confusion.” I tap my finger on the iPad screen. “That’s a whole new system for me.”

He frowns and takes another look at his watch. “You’ve never seen a calendar before?”

“Better safe than sorry.”

He rubs the tips of his fingers over his forehead. “Yup. Let’s get to it, then.”

“Unless there’s somewhere else you need to be.”

He’s starting to look both annoyed and tired by now. “Meaning?”

“Just sounded like you had plans before.”

He sits still for a moment, his lips slightly parted. “Is that what it was about just now?”

“Is that what what was about?”

He waves his hand in the air in front of me. “You not having seen a calendar before. Are you trying to keep me here? For what? You afraid I’ll accidentally enjoy life or something?” He lets out a humorless laugh and gets up from his seat, grabbing his phone and taking a step back. “You tossed me away years ago. You’ve moved on. But I guess that doesn’t matter, so sure, let’s just keep punishing me. I don’t want to play these mindgames. Take the job. Now you’re fired. No, wait, you’re hired again. I can’t do this, okay? I thought I could, but it turns out I can’t, so I guess you win.”

That’s a lot to process, so it takes me a moment.

I shake my head and stand up. “Wait, what?”

He turns around in the doorway and blows out a breath. “Forget it. I’m going home.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You were right!” he snaps. “Okay? Congrats. This isn’t working. It’s not happening. Just… tell Callum I’m sorry.”

Before I can say anything else, he’s gone.

I think it’s impossible to say I’m not the asshole here.

FORTY-SEVEN

INDY

I don’t go home straight away.Instead, I walk the streets for the longest time, trying to figure out my next move, but it’s not coming to me. Eventually I give up and just walk until I can’t feel my legs anymore, and only then do I make my way back to my place.

By the time I walk through the front door, the soles of my feet are on fire, and I’m cold and tired. The apartment is dark because it’s so late, but it’s a relief. For now, I don’t have to worry about what to say to Bridget about quitting my job. It’s not going to be a fun conversation. I really should have stayed fired.

I sit down on the bench by the door and pull my sneakers off. I lean back and drop my head against the wall before I blow out a breath. It’s been a long day, and I don’t have the energy to move anymore. Maybe I’ll just sleep here.