“So… that was his way of bowing out so that you could possibly take me home.”
“Yes.” He looks after his friend. “But I do need to sleep. And I believe I should set the record straight, as you say on Earth.”
“And I have some things I need to take care of at Phantom’s.”
He hesitates. “I have enjoyed our time together, very much,” he smiles down at me. “But I cannot afford exclusivity, and I would never tell my friend he could not enjoy your company in any way you wish to give it to him.”
Exclusivitydoesn’t sound like dating… I’m going to have to talk to Phantom about that.
“I hope to see you around the station more often, Jade.” He kisses my cheek again and I keep my eyes closed a moment longer, lingering in the feeling.
“Until next time.” Mooralan leaves in the same direction as Ferrok and I imagine he’ll hurry to catch up with his friend.
I’m tired too, but I wander the corridors a little while longer—digesting.
Pausing to talk to Cherry and her beautiful tentacled best friend, I start to feel like… I could abandon Earth. There’s a peace in this chaos.
When I get back to the club, Phantom is in their office, seemingly waiting for me.
I sit across from them. “I would like to go to sleep right now, but tomorrow… I want to know the logistics of moving here and living here before I make any decision.
They don’t have lips or teeth, and yet… I get the feeling they’re smiling at me.
Probably because they know Ihavealready made my decision.
CHAPTER 1
Ishouldn’t have let Phantom forward my Earth phone to the version of a cell phone they gave me.
I don’t understand how they did it, and I already regret it, butleavingwithout any way for her to contact me felt wrong.
Not that the voice mails my mother has been leaving me feelright.
“Why are you making that face?” Coral asks as she flops into the seat beside me, half laying across me. “Did the move not go well?”
“No, the move went great. My place is still trashed or I would invite you over.”
“Zero worries. I have to jet back to Earth as soon as I’m done with thisspecial assignment.” She taps her finger to her lips like it’s a secret.
“Next time you’re here, let me know and I’ll have you over for a sleepover.”
Her smile is incandescent. “I amsogoing to take you up on that.”
Someone has programmed their booth notification with a phone icon and ringer and I flinch when it trills to let her know it’s her turn.
“Wow, that bad?” Coral asks under her breath. “Is your phone buzzing non stop in you locker room right now?”
“No, she’s dropped back to calling once an hour.”
“Oof.” That smile is officially gone.
“I’m deciding how to make my mother understand the… gravity of what she did without making her lose her home.” I have fifteen days left to pay the new mortgage to save her from the hit to her credit.
“Ouch.” She winces as she sits up and it’s the loudest expression I’ve ever seen. “That doesn’t sound fun.”
I told her all about the debacle, so she doesn’t even need the cliff notes version. She can commiserate with me in real time.
“I wish you could buy the house out from under them, evict them, let themfeelit and then give it back.”
