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“I’ll be fine,” I lie.
The lie rolls off my tongue, and I hope she believes it. Her brows snap together, and I make a mental note to ask Itch about me getting a license when he does return. I don’t want Reese to have to drive me around, and I also don’t want her to think she has to worry about me all of the time or take care of me.
“It’s no trouble at all. I know what it’s like to be alone. It can be scary sometimes. So, if you want me to hang out, I have no problem with that.”
Her offer is sweet, but I also know that she’s worked her ass off today. She’s been on her feet all day long, for hours on end, and the last thing she probably wants to do is babysit me, although I think she would without issue.
Giving her my fakest smile, I clear my throat as I reach for the handle of the car door. “I’m good, Reese. I promise. See you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here,” she says with a wink. “Open the door and wave so I know you’re inside.”
Shit.
I forgot that I don’t have a key. I could have asked Itch about it earlier, but that bitch had me so upset, I didn’t even think about it.
Hurrying around to the back of the house, I slip in through the patio door and lock it before I rush toward the front door. Opening it, I thrust my hand out and wave at Reese. She honks her horn in a shortbeepand takes off.
I close the front door and lock it behind me before resting my back against it with a heavy sigh. Shutting my eyes, I sink down to the floor and bring my legs up, my knees close to my face, and I rest my cheek on them.
I stay on the floor until my ass starts to hurt and my stomach begins to growl. Only then do I force myself to stand and walk into the kitchen. I don’t know what I’m going to eat. I can’t cook. Everything in the fridge looks intimidating, except for two things.
I grab some lunch meat and cheese and decide to eat that along with some chips. I can handle lunch meat and cheese. Chips are easy, too. A whole meal right here, except I know I can’t do this every night. I’m going to have to learn to cook at some point.
Taking my food to the sofa, I grab the remote control off the armrest and touch the power button. The television turns on, but I don’t change the channel immediately. Instead, I stare at the screen and realize that this is the first time in as long as I can remember that I’ve ever been able to pick whatever I wanted on television and watch it.
So, I touch the Netflix button knowing that Itch set up an account, and I find a show about teenage fairies at a special school and binge the entire thing. It’s amazing. I don’t move from my place on the sofa, not even an inch, until it’s over.
When it’s finished, I look around the room, unsure of what to do next. I am blown away by the show, and I don’t know why. It was a good show, for sure, but I think what was the most exhilarating was that I did it alone and had full control.
For the first time in my life, I felt true freedom.
And I liked it—a lot.
Reaching for my phone, I decide to check and see if Itch has texted me. I’m not surprised to find no new notifications from him or anyone else. Pressing my lips together, I roll them a few times and think about texting him first.
Then I toss my phone down on the cushion next to me in annoyance. It’s well after two in the morning. I should be taking myself to bed. I have to sleep for at least a few hours, because I have to work tomorrow, but it’s been such a nerve-shattering day, I just cannot relax.
Reaching for my phone again, I decide to send him a text message. Not only can I not stand it, I also just need him to know that I care. Kiplyn was right. I need to make it so that he doesn’t want any part of that woman.
I hope you made it wherever you went safely.
The text shows delivered for what feels like the longest minute of my life. Then he reads it, and almost immediately, I see those three little dots that indicate he’s texting me back and stupidly hold my breath.
ITCH: YOU SHOULD BE IN BED, BABY. BUT I MADE IT, AND WE’RE GETTING SHIT DONE.
Smiling, I know I shouldn’t be so quick to believe him, but I want to. I want to believe everything. I want a perfect life. I want it all, even if it is nothing but a dream.
I’m going to bed. I just wanted to check in with you.
ITCH: I’LL BE HOME SOON.
I walk to the bathroom, take a quick shower, then place my phone on the charger and sink between the sheets, resting my head on the soft pillow. Letting out a heavy sigh, I close my eyes and try to think positive thoughts about this new world of mine. I try as much as I can to push that woman out of my mind.
It doesn’t work.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ITCH
