“All you had to do was tell me you didn’t want me here, I would have found a way to work around your schedule.” I shrugged my shoulders like my heart didn’t hurt. Like all of this wasn’t hurting me, but my throat felt thick and my eyes burned. I swiped the laptop off of the table and stormed from the building. I didn’t need his excuses or his wonderful scent. All I needed was the job and I could now do it without having to see him.
* * *
Tracey was reclining on my bed when I got home. I tried to not throw that laptop at her as I collapsed into the office chair in my room. “What a surprise.”
“We are going out tonight,” Tracey grinned and sat up from my bed.
I rolled my eyes. “I have work I need to do.”
“Rafe will let you get away with one night off, it’s Fridayyyyyy.” She dragged the word out while she flipped over on my bed. Her curly hair hung from the side and brushed the ground.
I groaned. The idea of going out did sound nice, but I didn’t want to go to a party. I would have to set ground rules or I wouldn’t feel comfortable. “What do you have in mind, because I am not going to any parties around here.”
Tracey smirked. “We are going downtown. No more house parties.”
“So clubbing instead?” I didn’t know if I liked that either but I did like the idea of getting out of the house.
All Tracey could do was wink as I disappeared into the bathroom. I looked at myself and sighed. I looked sad and worn out. There were fading bruises under my eyes from all the sleep I had lost and my cheeks were somewhat gaunt from not eating as much as I needed to.
I leaned against the counter before I splashed cold water on my face. It did nothing to help perk me up.
You should go. I think we both need it.
Nalia was right. We did need it. Even if it meant dancing till my feet hurt. I hoped it also meant lots of laughter. I didn’t want to worry about boys and wanted to spend time with my best friend. I yanked the door open and leaned in the doorframe. “Fine, but I don’t want to pick out my outfit. I want you to get me ready.”
Tracey jumped from the bed and squealed. “This is gonna be the best night ever!”
Tornado Tracey touched down in my room approximately five minutes after that. She left clothes, shoes, and makeup in her wake. When she grabbed my shoulders and shoved me back into my chair, I started to worry about the monster I had unleashed upon myself. There was a little black dress draped across the bed in front of me and some strappy red heels on the floor. Tracey yanked my hair this way and that way and I had zero say in what was happening to my body. What was wrong with me?
By the time she was finished with my hair, my scalp was sore and I could feel tears building behind my eyes. I had never been considered tender-headed but she had delivered pain I wasn’t expecting. When she turned me around to face the mirror behind my desk, I gasped. She hadn’t put much makeup on me but what she did put made my green eyes glow. My hair was curled around my head in loose waves. I didn’t even recognize myself. When was the last time I had actually fixed my hair and makeup? I couldn’t remember the last time. I felt like a new person.
I took a deep breath as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Maybe I was a new person now and this new person needed to grow a pair. My mom answered on the first ring.
“Hey! How’s Knox doing?”
I groaned. “I am not answering that question.”
“Good because I would rather talk about anything but the men in your life. At one point, you always promised I would be the only man in your life,” my father’s voice took over the phone.
“That sounds really lonely dad,” I didn’t mean for it to sound as harsh as it came out. “I have news though and I couldn’t wait to share it will you both.”
“If this is a preg-”
I pressed my palms into my eyes. “Don’t even finish the sentence.”
“Out with it!” Mom’s voice went excited really quick.
“I was offered a job with the Crimson family as an accountant.” My mom let out a squeal and my father let out some relief in a heavy sigh.
“What does this mean?” The seriousness has come back.
“Well, I figured it was time for me to start looking for a big girl job and possibly even getting my own place to live.”
My mom gasped and my dad remained quiet. “Have we done something?”
“No, I just feel like it’s time I grow up. I’ll be graduating soon and I need some experience under my belt. I had originally only been looking for internships but Alice Crimson saw something in me.”
Something like pride rang through my father’s voice. “I like the Crimson’s and I think this will be a good opportunity for you. I am so proud of you.”
