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My sobs grow stronger.
I fought for that baby.
At least, in the short time he was with us, he had people fighting for his life, for his safety, for his happiness.
The hard part was that we failed him.
His mother failed him.
The system failed him.
And those are the cases that are the hardest to fight at work.
I wash my hair while releasing all my frustrations and scrub my skin harsher than necessary when cleaning it. I shiver as I dry off and throw on my pajamas.
Gage is sitting on the perfectly made, untouched bed when I get out, and a glass of water is sitting on the nightstand next to it.
“You haven’t slept in the bed yet?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I crash on the couch.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “The memories. The sheets still smell like you.”
“Do me a favor and make them smell like you, so I have something to look forward to when I move back in.”
“What? You said the place was for rent.”
I had been right. He never intended to rent it out. Gage loved this place, loved his space, and would never let anyone take it over. Even when he moved. Neither would his father.
Amos had numerous offers to rent it when Gage left and turned them all down, hoping his son would one day return.
“My dad was thinking about it but changed his mind. You’re more than welcome to stay until you find a place though. He enjoys my company in the house.”
I narrow my eyes his way. “I don’t understand. Why would you give it up and let me stay here?”
“It’s late. You’ve had a hard day.” He kisses my forehead. “Catch some sleep. Let me know if the shower gives you any more problems, if you need someone to talk to, anything, okay?”
Fourteen
Gage
I grabmy phone from the nightstand when it beeps.
Unknown: You up?
I start to text back,Who’s this?, when another text comes through.
Unknown: It’s Lauren.
Fuck.I was afraid of having her number.
Me: Wide awake. What’s up?
Lauren: Care to give a girl some company?
Me: Can’t sleep?
