"Kitty!" Nova shrieks.
"Good job, Dusty." My sister sidles up to me and smirks. "Really."
"Thanks, I guess." I run a hand through my messy hair.
"Keep her this time."
"I will."
My phone vibrates a frantic beat against the nightstand the next morning, rousing me from sleep and making Brooke grumble. Picking it up, my heart nearly stops. It's the office.
"Brooke, it's work," I whisper urgently.
She snaps her eyes open instantly and looks at me with panic. "Oh, shit. Answer it! I'll be silent!"
Nodding, I swipe to answer it. "Dustin speaking."
"Hello, Mr. Sanders. This is Kelsey with the People Team. Are you available to speak currently?"
"Yes. How may I help you?"
"Thank you. I'd like to inform you that the investigation has concluded, and Atmosphere has come to a decision in regards to your employment."
I quickly put the phone on speaker so Brooke can hear. "Oh, uh, thank you. And what, um, what's the decision?"
"Effective immediately, your employment with Atmosphere has been terminated. We thank you for your years of service and wish you the best on your future endeavors. An email with your separation terms will be sent to your personal email shortly. We will also send a box to your home address, postage paid, for you to return any outstanding equipment you may have. Do you have any questions for me at this time?"
Brooke's eyes are like dinnerplates as she stares at me, mouth agape. My heart thuds in my chest. It's the only part of me that's capable of movement. I can't say anything. I can't make words come out of my mouth.
"Mr. Sanders?" Kelsey's voice echoes around my bedroom. "Mr. Sanders, are you still there?"
Blinking rapidly, I force myself to answer. "Uh, yes. Um. What about Brooke?"
"The other party? Well, as you are no longer employed, you may resume contact at your leisure unless instructed otherwise by an attorney. I can't speak to that, unfortunately,as I am neither an attorney nor qualified to provide legal advice. Do you have any other questions?"
"No," I mumble. "Um, thanks."
"Thank you. Have a pleasant day."Click.
What. The fuck. Just happened. I stare into space, still blinking rapidly, heart still pounding against my ribs. Terminated. Fired. I'm fired?
"Oh, Dustin," Brooke breathes. "Babe, I promise everything is going to be okay. I know it doesn't feel like it right now. I know it feels horrendous, but you are so smart and capable. You're a dedicated worker, and I'm going to help you find another job—when you're ready, I mean."
"Yeah." The word comes out half-strangled. I don't have the brainpower to speak. My mind is running calculations and algebra at light speed. With my current savings, I have enough runway to live at the same standard as I do now for two years. More, if I cut down on unnecessary expenses. But two years is more than enough time for me to find another role. "Move in with me."
"What?" Brooke gasps.
Did I say that out loud? I guess I did. "Uh, I mean. If you'd like to. Down the line."
"Babe, I would love to live with you, but is right now the best time to discuss this? You're—" she cuts herself off as her phone rings on the other nightstand. "Who is that?"
I look at the screen. "That's Atmosphere. Answer it."
She scrambles for her phone and answers breathlessly, "Hello?"
A familiar voice comes out of the speaker, but I can't hear what they're saying. Brooke's eyes flick over to me, and she quickly puts the call on speaker.
"—available to speak with me?" It's Kelsey?
