“I’m so sorry, Rachel. You didn’t deserve any of this.”
“None of us did.” I stand up because sitting here any longer feels impossible. “Thanks for telling me in person. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I did.” He stands too. “You take care of yourself. And that boy of yours.”
“I will.”
I make it to my car before the first tear falls.
Then I’m gripping the steering wheel and crying so hard I can’t breathe. Big, ugly sobs that make my whole body shake. Tears that won’t stop, no matter how many times I wipe my face.
Three months. I lasted three months before everything fell apart again.
I came back to Millbrook Falls to start over. To prove I could build a life for Tommy and myself. To show Derek and everyone else who doubted me that I was more than just someone’s ex-girlfriend, someone’s disappointment.
And now I’m unemployed, living in my brother’s house, with an ex threatening to take my son because I can’t get my life together.
I cry until my throat hurts, and my eyes are swollen, and I’ve used up all the napkins from the glove compartment.
Then I sit there staring at nothing.
My phone buzzes—text from Cole.
How’d the meeting go?
I stare at the message. He remembered.
I type:Not great. Lost the job.
Three dots appear immediately.I’m sorry. You want company?
I’m fine. Thanks, though.
You’re not fine. Nobody’s fine after getting fired.
Laid off. There’s a difference.
Not really. Still sucks.
I almost smile despite everything.Yeah. It really does.
The offer stands if you change your mind. I’m off shift at 6.
I don’t respond. I pocket my phone and start the car.
I need to go home. Need to figure out how to tell Jake. Need to start applying for more jobs, even though the thought of another rejection makes me want to scream.
But first, I sit in this parking lot and let myself fall apart where nobody can see me.
Derek calls at four in the afternoon.
I’m on the couch with my laptop, scrolling through job listings that all require experience I don’t have or qualifications I can’t prove. Tommy’s at Sophie’s house for the afternoon, and I need a few hours to process without having to smile and pretend everything’s fine.
I almost don’t answer when his name pops up on my screen.
But ignoring Derek never makes anything better. It just means he calls back five more times until I give in.
“What do you want?” I answer without greeting.
