Page 80 of Open for Negotiation
“Hi.” He holds up the box. “This is all of your stuff from the office. I didn’t think you’d want to come back for it, so a couple of us packed it up for you.”
“God.” I place my hand on my forehead. “I hadn’t even thought about going to get my stuff. Thank you so much for doing this.” I step aside and wave him in. “Come on in. I can make us some coffee, if you’d like.”
Seeing him, or any connection to Fortress, hurts but Garrett is my friend and was always nice to me. He deserves a proper goodbye at least.
“I’d love a cup.” He follows me down the hall and into the kitchen.
“You can just put that box anywhere and take a seat on the couch. I’ll just pop a K-cup in. Should only take a sec.”
He’s silent the entire time I make his coffee, doing something on his phone until I get his attention to take the warm mug from me.
“Are you going home for a few days?” he asks, blowing the steam from his cup.
“How did you know I was going anywhere?” He nods toward my open laptop that shows my ticket confirmation. “Oh, duh.” I curl my legs under me and hold my coffee with both hands. “Not just a few days, actually. I’m moving back home. I leave this weekend.”
“Wait, what? Why are you leaving?” He sits up straighter, much more upset than I thought he’d be.
“What do you mean? You saw what happened. You were there, Garrett. I can’t show my face around here anymore.”
“That’s no reason to leave. You can fight this. Stand up to whoever did this…. Lean on your friends. On me. Let me help you.”
“It’s not just the video or what people are saying. I can’t be here because of Max. I can’t be this close to him and not be with him. It’s too hard.” I swallow hard as the tears I’ve been able to keep at bay all day long threaten to appear again. “I love him, you know? It’s stupid, but it’s true.”
“Scar, he’s, was, your boss. That’s so…”
“Inappropriate? Yes, I know, but it’s not like these things can be helped. You love who you love, no matter what the situation is.” The real tears start to fall now. “I never expected any of this to happen, and now I’m heartbroken, unemployed, embarrassed, and in need of comfort. I’m breaking my lease here and going home. I just have to now.”
He stares down into his still full, untouched coffee and asks me a question that I never expected. “You really love him? Like love him, love him? Together forever type of shit?”
I don’t even have to think, I just nod.
“Then why are you leaving?” he asks.
“Because I won’t risk my mental health, my progress, and my happiness to be with someone whose past is going to be a constant risk to any future we could have together.”
He regards me carefully for a moment and I swear, a million thoughts run through his head. His eyes shift back and forth between mine and the little spot between his brows wrinkles in worry.
“Scarlett.” He stands as he says my name. “I’m really sorry.”
He catches me off guard when he bends at the waist and places a kiss to my forehead and walks out the door.
What in the hell was that about?
