Page 217 of Always: A Legacy Novel

She wouldn’t leave.

She wouldn’t let him go.

Zeke was right.

“Maybe we can meet up in a couple of days, Andino. Okay?”

Cross waited until Catherine hung up her phone call, and then made his presence known by clearing his throat loudly. It seemed it didn’t matter. Catherine barely reacted to his action, as though she already knew he was there.

“You need to stop dealing,” Cross said.

Catherine didn’t turn around. “Why?”

“Because you can’t handle it. None of it. You’ve proven that, haven’t you? Or do you think you need another round of the last two weeks to get a clearer picture?”

“Fuck off, Cross.”

“That can’t be your go-to phrase every time I piss you off, babe.”

“It works.”

“Obviously not. I’m still standing here.”

“It wasn’t the dealing that did this.”

“No,” he agreed, “maybe not. But it puts you in situations that could make you spiral into another round of depression. It puts you front row and center to drugs and alcohol. That’s shit you don’t need. You can’t do it, Catty.”

“I can. I can just choose not to.”

“Then that’s what you need to do.”

Catherine gave him a look over her shoulder, then headed for the front door, and grabbed her messenger bag as she went. “I’m already late for class, Cross. Let’s do this later.”

She would keep pushing later off.

He already knew it.

“I got an interesting call,” Calisto said.

Cross looked up from the Guns and Ammo magazine. “What for?”

“You.”

“What did I fuck up now?”

Calisto chuckled. “Nothing, son. It was from Theo, actually. He says you’re … making him a lot of money.”

Cross shrugged. “Guess so.”

“He said you could make a lot more if you headed to Chicago full-time.”

“Likely.”

“Then why haven’t you jumped at that chance yet?”

Catherine.

“Not ready to make a choice yet,” Cross said, “between running guns or staying here.”