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I try to keep my mind off the coming dates and focus more on the possibility that I may have to switch rooms. It’s not like I’d argue. If Kincaid says we’re moving, then so be it. But at the rate people are moving out, the new extension seems to be a waste of time.
We have three new guys coming in soon, but since Bishop moved out to live with Sunshine and her son, there’s more than enough room in the older part of the clubhouse.
People are dropping like flies around here. Well, they’re finding their happily ever afters and building houses on Cerberus property.
I shudder as I head outside to the gym. The thought of finding true love makes my skin crawl. Marriage and kids are just as bad. It’s something I thought I’d end up with when I was younger, although I never made any real plans for it. That’s just what people do, right? They grow up and get married. They buy a house and have a few kids.
But sometimes the people they love die. Sometimes the wife and kids get abducted and sold into sexual slavery. I’d much rather live a life of solitude than have to suffer something like that.
I climb on the treadmill, using all my energy to focus on my feet pounding on the belt. I’m able to clear my mind for half an hour before the memories slip back in.
Chapter 5
Devyn
“It looks like that thing weighs a hundred pounds,” Quincy says as I struggle to lift the suitcase into the back seat of her car.
“Don’t offer to help or anything,” I snap, irritated at the world right now.
Before she can open the driver’s side door and climb out to help, I get the stupid thing situated.
I drop into the passenger seat, my heart racing as if I’m doing something illegal.
“I still don’t know why you don’t take your car.”
“I wouldn’t put it past my parents to report it as stolen,” I mutter as she pulls away from the curb.
“They gave you the ultimatum. Go to college or leave. They can’t really be upset you chose to leave.”
“Correction,” I say, holding up a finger. “I tried the school thing.”
“For two months,” Quincy clarifies.
“And that was long enough for me to know I’m not the type of person who goes to a traditional college. They aren’t for everyone, you know.”
“You sound like a technical school ad,” she says.
I might have read a lot of research on different types of learning environments, but it didn’t change what I had to do.
“The car is in my parents’ names,” I remind her, wanting to get off the subject of my less-than-stellar recent choices. “Plus, I don’t want anything they gave me. I need to make it on my own.”
She looks over her shoulder at the suitcase. “So you paid for everything in that suitcase? It sounded like you packed everything in there.”
“I brought my sewing machine and my favorite clothes.”
When we coast to a red light, she turns her full attention to me.
“You’re leaving home for good, and you pack a sewing machine instead of necessities?”
I glare at her. “Have you not been paying attention? The sewing machine is a necessity. Besides, I worked my ass off to earn the money to buy it. I couldn’t leave it behind.”
“And how much money do you have for this adventure?”
“Enough.”
She rolls her eyes. She was with me six months ago when I bought that sewing machine. She knows it depleted most of my savings.
“I want to go on record,” she begins as she refocuses her attention back on the road when the light turns green. “I think this is a horrible idea.”
“I appreciate your support.”
“I’m your best friend, Devyn. I’m allowed to speak up when I think you’re doing something dangerous.”
I shift in my seat, my arms folding together defensively. “Did you tell your moms?”
She shakes her head. “I haven’t, but I think I should. I know they’d let you stay there until—”
“Until what, Quince? Until I find a better paying job? Until I can afford to live on my own? Until I hate myself enough to go back to college so my parents will let me come back home?”
“That’s not fair. I’m only concerned because I love you.”
“I know.” My words are a grumble.
I’m well aware that what I’ve chosen to do is dangerous. These aren’t the best times for a young woman to travel halfway across the continent on her own. I watch the news. I know dangers lurk everywhere.
“What did they say when you left?” she asks, willing to change the subject once again.
I shake my head.
“Oh, Devyn. Please tell me you told them your plans?”
“It’s not like they care. They gave me the choice. I know they fully expected me to choose college, and I tried it.”
