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I nodded, blinking back the tears threatening to spill over my lashes. The buzzer sounded again, a harsh reminder that visitation was short-lived. I stood and let go of Lincoln's hand. A slither of hope rested in his eyes, and it hurt like hell to see it because I had no idea how I was going to get him out of jail.
I walked back to my Jeep and made my way home. Stonebridge was a small city nestled about three hours outside of Chicago. It was the best of both worlds with a bustling downtown and quaint main street vibes. But like everywhere else, it had its nice parts and its less than desirable parts.
My apartment fell into the latter category. I parked behind a building with eroding brick walls and barred windows. Climbing out of the Jeep, I slammed the door shut as I ignored the sirens in the distance. Hoping to make it to my front door without a hiccup, I heard a whistle, and against my better judgment, I looked back over my shoulder and eyed a couple of men leaning against the side of the building.
"Hey there, kitty cat," one of them called.
"How much for a ride, baby?" the other one chimed in.
I ignored their advances and hurried inside. Powering up the two flights of rickety stairs, I pulled open the door and sauntered down the hallway to my apartment. Fumbling with the keys, they dropped out of my hands, and I squeezed my eyes shut as tears forced their way through the corners. The weight on my shoulders was enough to crush me. Yet even if it did, I still wouldn't get a break.
I made my way to the kitchen, popping a cup of ramen in the microwave before grabbing the one wine glass I owned and filled it with wine from the box on the counter. My entire life was ironic, really. My wine costs more than my dinner. Priorities.
Playing catchup with the cast of Bridgerton, I twirled my fork into my noodles and shoved them into my mouth. Ready to repeat my actions once more, the chime of my phone stole my attention, and my screen lit up. A notification from the latest dating app my best friend Mallory signed me up for slid across my screen, and I rolled my eyes, but still, I couldn't look away. I begrudgingly swiped my thumb across the screen, and my eyes locked on a man who looked to be in his thirties with dark hair and brown eyes. I mean, he wasn't not attractive…
I clicked on the message he sent. "Nice headshot. Love the red hair. Does the carpet match the drapes?"
Shaking my head, I tossed my phone aside and sank into the torn cushions of the couch.
