“What’s up, Sutton?” Aidan says, not even looking at the phone.
“Alright, love you, proud of you—” she moans mid-sentence. “Gotta go!”
“I bet. Love you too,” I say, hanging up. I got to charge my phone anyways. It’s on 5%.
My stomach growls. But first food. I haven’t eaten since last night’s PB&J.
The ‘fridge’ turns out to be a walk-in cooler. Of course. I open the next one—organic greens, chia seeds, bottled water. Rich people really are another species.
I grab my phone and open my delivery app. A few snacks, ingredients for Christmas cookies…
Total: $500.
Pulling out the folder, I smile at my new best friend—the black Amex.
“This holiday,” I say, typing in the numbers, “I’m living like a queen.”
Purchase confirmed.
2
MANGO-FLAVORED MIRACLE
10AM CHRISTMAS EVE
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry.” Lakelyn’s tears fall fast, but all I feel is disgust. “Baby, please don’t leave me.”
Christmas is tomorrow, and I just caught the love of my life in bed with her trainer. What’s funny? He bolted the second he saw me coming up the stairs to her apartment.
Now she’s begging me to stay.
“Lakelyn, get out of my face.” I try to step around her, but she blocks the door.
“Heaven, please. Let me explain.” Her hands tremble in front of me.
At five-foot ten, I tower over her petite frame. I could push her out of the way if I wanted. I’m giving her a chance to move before I do it for her.
I should’ve known something was off when she asked me to pick her up thirty minutes after ten, later than usual. She’s never late. Ever. We’ve been on so many trips where I showed up early just to help her pack. But tonight? She wanted me to wait.
I should’ve known.
This trip was supposed to be special. I finally planned to ask her parents for their blessing, to propose during the holidays. I thought I was doing something right for once. Turns out, I was just in time to see her tongue-deep kissing her trainer goodbye.
I feel like an idiot.
“Heaven, please look at me.” She’s crying harder now. “Baby, he didn’t mean anything. I was lonely.”
“Lonely? Ke, are you crazy?” I scoff. “When was the last time you checked a dictionary? You haven’t been alone since the day we met. How could you throw away two years like it’s nothing?”
She shakes her head. “You’ve been distant… disconnected.”
“So it’s my fault you can’t communicate your feelings?” I click my tongue.
“So what about our vacation to Bali next year?” she blurts out. “We already paid for everything. I don’t want that to go to waste.”
I laugh low. “You think I give a damn about a trip right now? Fuck you. I paid for that trip. You didn’t have a dime to your name when I met you, and you sure as hell won’t after this. You ruined this. You fucked up.”
I’m done talking. I push past her, heading for the door.
