AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He changed his fromin a relationshiptosingle.”
“Even last night?” Although I don’t shed a tear for Kevin, his speed kind of hurts me.
Philipp holds out his cell phone to me. “Do you want to log in here? Or should I boot up the computer downstairs after dinner?”
I’m at a loss. “What for?”
He shrugs. “Well, to adjust your status too?”
“No.” I shake my head. I have absolutely no desire for any social media complications right now.
“It might actually be better…” Philipp speaks while I imagine the shitstorm. Only the rest I pick up. “…if Kevin isn’t forewarned when we come for your stuff tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”What did he say?“No.”
Philipp sighs. “You need your shit. In case you forgot: You’re wearing right now the only clothes that fit you. Without shoes or stockings. Without a jacket or coat. Without ID, keys, wallet…”
I stare at him.
He raises his hands. “Take it easy, take it easy. You can stay here as long as you want.”
“You’re sure?”
“I promise.” Philipp pulls up the left corner of his mouth. “You don’t have to worry about me trying to kick you out. Or rip you off for room and board. Remember, you own three-quarters of all this.” With his hand, he makes a room-sweeping gesture.
“Really?” I sigh out my relief when he nods.
But he doesn’t leave me alone for long. “Still, you shouldn’t procrastinate about your clothes. You have to go to work dressed somehow—” He interrupts himself, looking at me. “That means you can’t show up at the office looking like that. But for a sick note, you need your insurance card and it’s also located—”
“I’m on vacation until New Year’s,” I cut in on him. “And for the very last time: I wouldn’t go to Kevin’s apartment for all the tequila in China!”
Philipp props his elbows on his knees and buries his head in his hands. His fingertips make a soft scraping sound as he strokes his stubble. “Tequila in China,” I hear him mumble. “Sure, all the tea in China might make it…” When he finally looks up and over at me, there’s a strange expression on his face. “You’re a fucking tough cookie! Hiding your pighead perfectly behind your sweetness.” He laughs, waving it off. “But alright. I can sympathize with you. We’ll find another solution.”
A melodic gong relieves me of an answer.
Philipp stands up. “Now let’s eat first. That’ll be the pizza.”
23. To Pull Somebody’sCanonsOut of the Fire
Philipp
Oh my fucking God!Once the sweetness has set something in her pretty little head, it’s almost hopeless to dissuade her.But why do I catch myself smirking because of these thoughts?
She consumes another slice of pizza. Full of concentration, she licks her fingertips after devouring the crispy crust in crashing bites. “Whew.” With a groan, she sinks into the back cushion of the sofa. “This one’s too yummy. Unfortunately, I can’t get another bite down.”
Since I already gave up on two-thirds of her portion, I refrain from commenting and sort the remaining eighths into a box. “Then some exercise comes just in time. Here, I found a pair of Crocs in the tech room that someone forgot. Size seven, pop them on.” With the three other cardboard boxes in hand, I motion for Celine to join me.
“To the garbage can?” Sighing, she heaves herself up. “Alright, I think I can just make it that far.”
I choose not to enlighten her about her fallacy. Instead, I put my short coat around her shoulders and turn out the apartment light after we step out into the hallway.
“You were right,” she says, stopping abruptly at the bottom of the stairs.
“Nine times out of ten, yes.” I pass her, then let her walk out the front door ahead of me. “What am I right about this time?”
Arms outstretched, she stops in the middle of the parking lot and looks up at the sky. “Walking feels good,” she says.
We sink the cardboards into the garbage can. “It’s stopped raining,” I note, deliberately casual. Then I pull the key out of my jacket pocket and press the Dodge’s remote. “How do you feel about a little joyride?”
