“Right.” I pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingers, trying to stop the oncoming headache. “Thank you, Martin.”
I don’t say it often enough. Or ever. But I’m feeling generous. And desperate.
“My pleasure, Mr. King. I’ll be monitoring everything as usual.”
“Yeah.” I’ve run out of my thanks.
“Oh, I’ve forwarded you the inspection report from the fire department. It’s in your mailbox.”
“What’s in there?”
“The cause of the fire has been determined.”A pause.“You might want to look into that.”
And I do. I look into that.
Fuck.
6
Maeve
It’s been four days since the fire. Three days since I was released from the hospital and snuck out of there without leaving my contact information. Also, it’s been three days since I’ve been living back on my friend’s couch.
“She has to fuckin’ go,” my friend’s boyfriend implores—just quiet enough he thinks I can’t overhear—in another room.
“She has nowhere to go,” Lulu tries fighting back on my behalf.
“It’s me or her. She’s been walking around with her bare ass here, trying to seduce me. If I cheat on you, it will be because of her!” the asshole keepsquietlyyelling at my friend.
Ew.I need to instantly vomit. I don’t have many clothes left, only the ones that were still stashed here in my beat-up suitcase. And I own nothing that would show a naked ass. All my underwear is that of a grandma, and I always wearoversized clothing when I’m here. The idea of me showing him my ass is ridiculous. Besides that, he’s gross.
My soon-to-be-not-friend Lulu comes out of the only bedroom in the apartment with a stern look on her face with arms crossed over her chest.
“It’s time for you to go, Maeve.”
“I got it.” I rise to my feet with a sigh. “But I haven’t been seducing your boyfriend. Just so you know.”
She looks to the side. “Just go, Maeve.”
Nodding, I grab my suitcase with a broken wheel and walk out of the apartment.
I have no money. No place to stay. A local rich boy is out for my blood. The cops will probably be looking for me soon if he presses charges. I don’t even have the money to buy any food for tonight.
Which brings me to not having any choice and doing what I said I never would: call my parents.
“Yes?”my mom replies with a slight surprise when I call her private phone from an unknown number.
“Mom?” My voice breaks hearing her.
“Maeve!”she squeaks.
“That’s me,” I chuckle like a dumbass. “Hi.”
“Are you coming home?”
“Yes,” I say, not sounding as enthusiastic as I should when I’m about to ask for help.
“Are you ready to embrace your family?”Mom asks with very present glee.
