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I take off and when I get outside, I see Swain leaning against her truck, all decked out in her usual goth garb: black holey sweater, black jeans, black knee boots, and black knitted toboggan that hides her cropped haircut. She’s pulling on a cigarette and … is she glaring at me? Hmm. I don’t know why she’s down here and not up there helping Devin get her things.
Unfortunately, I have to walk right past her to get to my car. She holds out a key as I walk by and I can only assume that in the length of time it’s taken me to get down here, Devin has texted her from upstairs and told her what happened.
I gladly take the key from her grip. “I guess you hate me too.”
“Nah. I don’t hate ya. I just think you had no business staying with her as long as you did.”
“I really did love her. I don’t know why she’s so angry.”
Swain rubs her face and looks at me with skepticism. “Maybe you did. Maybe you didn’t. Dev always said you were a pillow princess. I thought she was exaggerating but now? I think she’s right. You really just want the dick.”
Swain throws her cigarette down at my feet and stubs it out with the toe of her boot. And anger erupts inside of me as she walks off toward the entrance to my building.
A pillow princess? Whatever. I went down on Devin plenty of times. Maybe not so much lately. But she’s been cold to me too. And right now, I’m super not happy about the fact that those two will be all alone in my condo. But there’s no way I’ll subject myself to more of their hostility by playing chaperone. She just better not even think about destroying any of my things.
I pull into Total Drip right before 10:00 and order a matcha latte, feeling my blood pressure finally drop back to normal. The marketing I do for Nilssen takes priority, which means logging into a bunch of social media accounts and touching base with suppliers and a few investors.
I start with Instagram, and it defaults to my personal account. Before I can switch to the Nilssen account, Devin’s latest post pops up at the top. It’s from thirty minutes ago and my insides freeze when I see a picture of her nuzzled uncomfortably tight with Swain in the parking lot of my condo building. Behind them is Swain’s giant truck and Devin’s mouth is turned up on one side in a twisted pout. The caption reads, “Be grateful for those who help you move on with your life, knowing you deserve better and toxic people have no place in your world.”
My brows tighten. So now she’s calling me toxic? I mean, I’m no angel. But toxic? Really?
My phone buzzes. I’m too annoyed to answer but it’s my father and he’s usually quick. Plus, it might be about work.
I swipe the screen. “Hello, Daddy.”
“Hello, kitten.” He sounds relaxed so he must be taking the morning off.
“What are you up to?”
“Enjoying this spectacular weather today. Going for a hike then to meet a client for a late lunch.”
“Sounds wonderful. Where you hiking?”
“South Mountain. Haven’t been there in a while. Listen, what would you say about joining me and Greer for dinner this evening? I’d really love for you two to finally meet.”
Greer. My dad’s latest love interest. It took him five years to start dating after my mom died. But once he did, he really took it to the extreme, going through two or three girlfriends a year. He told me not long ago he thinks this is the one. He’s tired of playing the field and wants to settle down so he recently asked Greer to move in with him. At 52, heshouldbe settling down again.
“Sure. What time?”
“Come by at seven. We’ll try to sit down at eight. And of course Devin is invited if she’s not working.”
My lips pinch into a sour smile. “I don’t know if she’s working. She dumped me last night.”
“Oh my. I’m so sorry, kitten. That’s rather out of the blue, is it not?”
I sigh. “Not really. We were having problems.”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“I want to hear what happened if you’d like to tell me. But right now I’m being dragged to the trails. We’ll talk tonight. And feel free to bring another friend if you like, my darling.”
“Thank you, Daddy. See you at seven.”
I set my phone down and turn on the tablet, touching the screen over the new app. I’m already logged into my profile,CuteNfragile. I’ve had three follows and I immediately think about blocking them all since I’m not here to be sociable with a bunch of kids or have a large following. I only need to find Benjamin or King. But then I realize it will look strange if I’m not following at least a few people. Within seconds of me logging in, a message bubble pops up fromBigDev.
Welcome to KidSafePact, CuteNfragile! As the developer, I’m here if you need any assistance. Remember to chat safely but above all, have fun!
Oh, he wants me to put having fun above chatting safely. With an exclamation point!
