Sutton: I’m sorry too. You know where to find me if you need to get away for a few days. You can even hide out at the island house.
Me: I think I’ll pass on a ferry ride in February in Maine, but thanks.
Josie: It’s taking everything in me to remain at my desk. I love you. And for the record, I’m going to castrate Camden when I see him.
Me: Don’t. He’s not worth it.
A man who could walk away without even a glance back after promising the world truly isn’t worth the energy it takes to even hate him. Or at least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself.
I drop my phone and groan. Rent is due in two days, and I don’t have near enough to cover it after my mom disappeared with that envelope of cash.
Stupidly, I spent too much on Christmas gifts and decorations for Camden’s house. I wanted to make it homey. Add my own little touch to the place. He said I should make myself at home. He also gave me his credit card. Not that I used it. That’s not who I am.
Maybe it’s who I should have been.
Then maybe I’d have the fifteen hundred dollars I owe my landlord on Friday. I asked if I could pay by credit card. That was a no. Not that mine have enough credit left on them anyway.
The next few months are gonna be tight. But I’ll find a way. I always do. I just need a quick influx of cash now. Then I’ll pinch pennies until things level out.
When my phone buzzes again, I drop my head back and whine. “Why can’t they just leave me alone?”
With a huff, I pick it up. But the message on the screen isn’t from the girls. Or at least not frommygirls.
Kacie: Hey, babe. We still need that rain check. What are you up to this weekend?
Kacie.Nerves swirl in my belly, but a little bit of hope blossoms in my chest. This is exactly what I need. The perfect way to make some quick cash.
Without letting myself overthink it, I tap out a reply.
Me: Hi! I’m free, but I could actually use your help. Is your boss still hiring new dancers?
FORTY-FIVE
CAMDEN
I takein the old brownstone with weary eyes. My arraignment was this morning, but my lawyer says with a well-intentioned donation to the airport and an in-person apology to the bartender, along with the merch the team is getting together for me, we can get this ordeal cleaned up quickly.
The legal aspect of it, that is. None of those things can help me put out the blaze I created when I set fire to my life. I know well enough that no amount of money will fix the biggest issues.
No, it’ll take some damn good groveling and a whole lot of promises to show Savannah how sorry I am. I fucked up. Badly. I haven’t tried to call her because I don’t know what to say.
But it’s Friday. It’s been almost a week since I destroyed everything.
And I can’t go any longer without seeing her.
I’m halfway up the porch steps when a little voice stops me.
“Go away, you meanie!”
The angry expression plastered on Piper’s face as she hangs out the first-floor window is more adorable than fearsome, but I can appreciate the effort.
“Can’t do that, Pip. I need to apologize.”
The front door opens and John steps out, immediately giving his daughter a stern look. “It’s freezing. Close the window and go help your mother set the table.”
“But dad, he?—”
He sighs. “I know what he did. But this is grown-up stuff. Go do what you’re told.”
