“Who?”
He sighs. “Never mind. Just a friend who once told me the exact same thing. Great minds think alike, I guess. I was great, too. Once.”
“And you’restillgreat,” I tell him.
He doesn’t answer. I hear something that sounds like a sob from behind the door, and my heart goes out to him.
I want to push harder. Want to shove this door open and force him to look at me.
But I don’t. Because I’m not sure I’m ready to see what’s on the otherside either.
“Good night, Jess.” The door closes.
Not a slam. Just final.
I stand there like an idiot staring at wood grain.
Well that went well. Really nailed the whole ‘emotional support’ thing.
My phone rings. Elena.
I answer. “Hey.”
“Jess. Quick question. Your temporary live-in arrangement was supposed to end today. But given that Ben will be staying home from school indefinitely while Mr. Fiore recovers, we’d like to extend it. Would that work for you?”
Oh. I didn’t know it ended today. I guess I hadn’t really read the contract additions... everything had been such a blur at the time.
I close my eyes. Lean against the wall.
So now I have a choice.
I can stay.
Or go.
I should say no. Should tell Elena I need boundaries. Need space. Need to not live in a house where the man I love won’t even open a door to look at me.
“Yeah.” My voice sounds hollow. “I can do that.”
“Wonderful.” Her voice is far too cheery for me. “I’ll have the paperwork ready tomorrow.”
She hangs up.
I slide down the wall until I’m sitting on the floor outside Marco’s room.
From inside I hear nothing. No movement. No sound.
Just silence.
I can sense Jag lingering down the hall, watching, but not interfering. How long has he been there?
Doesn’t matter.
None of it matters.
This is my life now.
Living in the same house as someone who’s decided to disappear.
