It’s so early when he places me on my steps that the sun isn’t even properly out yet. I fumble to unlock my door, still a bit dick drunk and pleasantly exhausted by the evening we shared. I pause at the threshold to watch Ant’s silhouette flit up into the sky. We’re meeting later for dinner, and more sex, if I’m lucky. Gosh, he’s amazing. Having him in my life again feels so right.
When I step into my entry Mercutio yells at me from the top of the steps.
“Hello, baby boy!” I call. He doesn’t move from his comfort crouch at the top of the steps. I start to drop my things beside the door but pause. Something is wrong. Something feels off.
There’s a noise in the kitchen. I nearly leap out of my skin. Someone is here? Who the fuck is in my house? I ball my keys in my fist so the prongs are between my fingers like Wolverine’s claws. It’s probably just my landlord. He’s supposed to notify me before he comes in though.??1 Except it’s so early that seemshighly unlikely. Is something wrong with my apartment? Maybe there was a gas leak, or a plumbing emergency or a?—
Colin appears in the kitchen. Crap.
“How did you get in here?” I call down the hallway.
“I have a key.” He grins like he’s proud of himself.
“Get out of my house.”
“It’s our house, Piper.” His voice soaked with mock concern. “Don’t I have every right to be here?”
“Your name isn’t on the lease anymore. Get out.”
“Where have you been this morning?” He takes a step forward and stumbles into the kitchen door frame.
“Are you drunk?” I ask, finally noticing the mostly empty bottle of rum in his fist. He’s still on a bender from last night.
“I called your mom yesterday. She says you’re fucking the guy who bought your company.” His words wobble when his body does. Mom definitely didn’t know that for sure, but she also definitely didn’t use those exact words.
“It’s none of your business.” I realize I should not be engaging him and step out of his path to the door. “I need you to leave.”
Colin stumbles a few feet toward me, stopping to steady himself on the staircase banister. At the movement Mercutio abandons his spot at the top of the stairs to flee into my bedroom. His favorite hiding spot is under my bed.
“You are just trying to bang your way to the top.” Colin points an angry finger at me. I flinch even though he’s several feet away.
“Then I guess I’ll be getting a raise any day now.” I know I shouldn’t be taking the bait, but I can’t help myself. “Get out.”
“You were with him, weren’t you?”
“Fine, I’ll be the one who leaves.” I reach for the doorknob and pause, thinking of Mercutio. I can’t leave him here at Colin’s mercy.
I turn back around, finding Colin right in front of me. So close that I can smell the booze on his breath. I used to think he was cute. Tall, trim, sandy blond hair. It’s strange what love can do to you, because now all I see is how ugly anger has made his features.
“Just tell me where you’ve been. Admit, out loud, that you’ve been fucking someone else.” Colin repeats.
“Yes. I was fucking someone else!” I throw my hands into the air. I know it isn’t going to help.
“You’re a whore.” There’s venom in his voice.
“Yeah, but I’m not your whore.” I roll my eyes and realize it was the wrong thing to say because Colin’s face starts to turn a dark splotchy red.
Crap. I am such an idiot.
I duck around him, bounding up the stairs to my bedroom to grab Mercutio’s carrier, my laptop, and a couple changes of clothing.
“What are you doing?” Colin follows me into the bedroom. His figure fills the doorway. Crap. He is blocking the only exit.
“I’m leaving. I’m taking my cat and my work. If you want the apartment so bad, you can have it.” I bend down to check under the bed for Mercutio. He is huddled in the dark corner and makes a plaintive meow when he sees my face. Poor baby.
A shadow covers my bedroom window. I look to it and wince.
Ant is on the other side of the glass. Hovering in front of my second story window. The flap of his wings occasionally blocking out the early morning light. Watching me and Colin, together, in my bedroom.
