Page 104 of I Saw You First

I am done with this bullshit. I can quit, right here, right now. I’ve got enough in my savings to hold me for a while, and I could get a smaller apartment. And I’ll figure out what I’m supposed to do next. What’s going to make me happy.

I twist the Ridgehill store keys off my keychain and drop them on the desk in front of Dino.

“Are you fucking serious?” he blurts, loud enough that everyone at customer service can hear.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” As I say it, I know it’s not true. The one thing that I’m more serious about is Abbey. I’m in love with Abbey Rhodes, and I need to do whatever it takes to get her back.

I’m not even halfway across the parking lot when my cell phone rings.

“Well, this is a surprise.” My words are laced with a thick layer of sarcasm.

“Wil!” Dad barks. “Dino called me.”

“I’m sure he did.”

“He said you left the store keys and walked out. I told him he must be mistaken, because there’s no way you’d throw your career away like that.”

“Consider it thrown,” I say.

“It’s true?” he yells.

“I’m sure that most of what Dino told you isn’t true, but yes, I left my keys.”

“What were you thinking?”

“Oh, I’ll tell you. First, that you should take a good, hard look at some of your key players. Someone’s been blocking Abbey’s promotions, but to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that you’re behind it, and that you found someone desperate enough for your approval to do your dirty work. Or maybe you threatened that person like you threatened me. My money’s on Felix. And you’ve got Dino trained, it seems, because he threatened me, too.”

Dad huffs but I plow on. “I’m also thinking that I’m tired of your bullshit, and honestly, the BS from everyone else in this company, too. It’s time for me to figure out what I’m really supposed to be doing with my life.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” he blusters. “You’re throwing away a great career.”

“That’s your opinion,” I say calmly, “and for what may be the first time in my life, your opinion doesn’t matter.”

He huffs. “Is that right? And what about our deal? You’ll owe me for four years of tuition.”

“Send me the bill.” I end the call.

I’m halfway home when Andre calls.

“Hell, yeah, dude! Jeff just called. You really stepped in it, didn’t you? I’m so stoked, man!”

I laugh. “Glad somebody is. Did he ask you to convince me not to quit?

“Yeah, but fuck that. I’ll tell Austin to expect your application. Obviously, it comes down to a board vote, but it’s looking good, my friend.”

“I don’t know, Andre. I’m not sure about the nonprofit.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” he says. “Kelsey says congratulations, by the way.”

“Kelsey knows already? Word travels fast.”

“She’s right here. Just had another ultrasound.”

“Everything good?” Even though I’m still pissed at Kels—and probably will be for a long time—I’m not a monster. She’s still my sister and I want her and my niece to be healthy.

“Everything’s cool. I can already tell this kid is a genius.”

I feel lighter than I did when I walked out of Ridge, but still, my heart’s heavy. I’ve fucked up a lot of things lately—things with Abbey, things with Mom. I glance at my watch and calculate what time it is in Angola. Late evening. This is going to be an expensive call, but sometimes, you need your mom. I take a beer out of the fridge, pop the cap off, and sit down on the cloud couch.