“Speedy.”
“Yeah, well. Let’s get this over with.” Sliding from Jude’s SUV, I shut the door with more force than necessary and march forward. Maybe to another altercation. Dear God, I hope not.
I trek up the path with more bravado than I feel. The truth is, I’ve been dreading this encounter all day. I’m still angry at my roommates, Crystal in particular. But over the course of the day, that indignation has bloomed into something darker, and sadder. I’m hurt. I am hurt that the people I live with don’t respect me or my things. It’s lonely being in this city, and even though I moved here of my own choice, the idea of how I expected it to be and the reality are so starkly different that part of me wants to give up. Quit. Move home.
Those thoughts only make me angrier. Because I’m not a quitter. I swore to myself that I wouldn’t give up on my dreams. Damn it. Today was the biggest, best day of my career and I should be celebrating.
Maybe that’s why I’m crazy enough to accept Jude’s offer.
Moving in with him is probably not the smartest decision, but I can’t imagine sleeping in this apartment tonight.
A light is on, shining through the cracks in the blinds, but that doesn’t mean much. No one turns lights off, and people come and go at all hours. I cautiously ease my key into the lock and twist.
“We doing this sometime today or what?”
I shoot him a glare over one shoulder, then push open the door. My footsteps falter at the sound of Kari Ann’s voice from down the hall. My stomach turns with apprehension, and a little hunger. As soon as this is over, I’m stuffing my face with the closest fast food burger.
“Hey, I’m right here,” Jude says. His words bolster my confidence and settle my nerves. “Whatever you need.”
I nod, then lead the way, thankful to find the other two bedroom doors open with the lights off. Everyone else must be out. “Just rip off the Band-Aid,” I mutter under my breath and then push open the door to the bedroom I share with Kari Ann.
Her gaze snaps up from where she’s sprawled on her bed. “Um, I’m going to need to call you back,” she says into the phone, her gaze wary.
Ignoring her, or at the very least attempting to, I drop to my knees at the foot of my bed and pull out my suitcase and duffel.
Kari Ann’s eyes widen as Jude braces himself in the open door frame. He looks entirely delicious, his suit looking impossibly better on him in the evening than this morning. Must be the loosened tie. His hair a little out of place and falling forward in his face. The scruffy jaw. It’s a lethal combination.
“What do you need?” His tone is full of take charge, We aren’t here to fuck around, which I appreciate. Petty as it is, satisfaction and pride bloom in my chest when he ignores Kari Ann’s presence completely.
I point at the stack of cases holding my beauty supplies. “Can you load those up?” It will only take me a few minutes to pack everything else. Besides, as much as I love how he’s rendered my roommate speechless, I’m not scared to be alone with Kari Ann. I’d rather get out of here as soon as possible. By the way she’s fiercely tapping at her phone, I wouldn’t be surprised if the other roommates show up soon.Now, that I’d like to avoid.I flip open my bags on the bed and get to work.
Her eyes burn at my back from her spot opposite in the room. She watches silently, waiting for Jude to roll out my cart of makeup and the front door to slam shut. “So what, are you like, moving?”
I ignore her. With an open duffel in hand, I walk over to the dresser and transfer my undergarments into the bag.
“Not cool, skipping on a lease. Rent’s due in a week, and you need to pay it.”
“You’ll get your damn money.” The retort flies past my lips before I can bite it back.
“I’m serious, Rae. You still have six months left. Don’t think I won’t take you to small claims for that.”
She’s threatening me? After her friend stole from me. I grind my jaw down so I don’t say anything. Do not engage.Do not engage.
I shove the rest of my pants into the duffel and zip it shut. Moving to the closet, I don’t even bother folding my clothes, instead taking the hangers right with them. I heave them inside my suitcase and manage to close it.
“Look.” Her tone is defensive. “I don’t care about whatever bullshit went on with you and Crystal. You signed a contract with me and you need to honor it.”
Something inside me snaps, and even as I hear the front door open and shut I can’t rein in my utter irritation. “Rent is still due on the first, yeah?” I don’t wait for her to finish as I toss my shoes into a bag. “You’ll have your money.”
“What, I’m just supposed to trust you? Where are you even going?”
“None of your business,” Jude says. He glares at her once before turning his back. His gaze waits for mine, and in it I find concern.For me.My heart flutters at his kindness. I melt a little at his protectiveness. “These ready?” He gestures to the bags.
I nod. “Yeah.” I hike one of the duffels onto my shoulder and he takes the rest. My gaze scans my side of the room, empty now but for the bed. Everything I own fits into three large suitcases. I don’t know whether that’s something I should be proud of or if it’s plain sad. Regardless, it makes for quick packing. “Let’s go.”
I don’t say good-bye to Kari Ann. I don’t tell her where I’m staying, or how long I’ll be gone. Partly because I hope it pisses her off enough to realize what Crystal did was wrong, and partly because I don’t know myself.
22
