“Hey, Annie. You still at work? I’m ready for you over here.”
“I’m not coming, Nick.” Kitty gripped my hand.
Nick went quiet, sensing that something was off. “What happened, baby?”
I drew a long breath. “I’m about to get fired. They know about us. Paxton Marshall snitched. And he didn’t sign with me.”
“What? What do you mean, he snitched? How would he know?”
Tears filled my eyes again as my greatest fear hit me. “You did something to screw up my deal, didn’t you?”
“Annie, I can explain.”
“Nick, you knew I needed money,” I said, getting fired up. “You said you’d do anything to get me paid!”
“Angel, I didn’t mean to screw it up. Please, let me explain.”
I pinched my eyes shut. “Tomorrow. I’m too mad to hear it right now.”
There was a long pause on the other end. “Okay. I respect that.”
“Are you free anytime tomorrow? My schedule’s apparently wide open. I’m suspended.”
“Shit,” he whispered. “I can pick you up after I have morningpractice. We can go get coffee.”
“That works. See you then.” I moved to hang up, but he spoke again.
“Whatever this is, Annie, I promise I’ll fix it.”
I clenched my jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. “You’ve done enough. Please let me handle my own life. Text me what time you’ll pick me up.”
His voice was soft when he spoke next. “Are you alone?”
“I’m at Kitty’s.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone.”
Tears filled my eyes again. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll see you then. Goodnight, angel. XO.”
Chapter 40
Nick
MARCH | Tarot: XIII. Death
It had been a long-ass night.
We had an emergency meeting of the minds at Mikey’s house, Greg tagging along. Guy showed up to weigh in, as did Sorrento after he helped put his kids to bed. Leroy had his kids, but offered to key anyone’s car or throw a brick through someone’s window if needed.
“It’s still my fault she’s losing her job,” I said for the millionth time.
“No, it’s that little shit’s fault,” Mikey said, shoving a fistful ofCheetos in his mouth. He was trying to be an accommodating host by providing breakup junk food. Not that we were broken up. Because were we even really together?
Either way, Greg was parked in front of him, glass eyes begging for a Cheeto.
The real problem was that Annie was mad at me for putting her job in jeopardy. And I didn’t blame her.
