“Yup.”
I waved awkwardly and left the apartment that felt more like home to me than my room at my parents’ or the small one-bedroom that smelled bad all the time. With one quick glance at Brigham’s door, I made my way to the elevator without shedding a single tear.
“Ah, it is time to finally get rid of you.” Fernie pressed his lips flat together, but his eyes gave him away. He looked sad. “Those cookies are for me, yes?”
“I spat in them.”
“Good. More protein.”
“I’m gonna miss you, Fern.”
“Ah, gross.” He shook his head, but a hint of amusement crossed his face. “I will absolutely not tell my daughter about your business. I’ll tell her you are the worst.”
“Good. I need honest reviews.”
He huffed and reached out to pat my shoulder. “Stay out of trouble, you wild child.”
“You too, Fernie.” I smiled, and before I second-guessed it, I hugged him tight and let go before he screamed. “Keep being grumpy.”
He coughed and held his head higher, but we both knew he’d miss me. Megan honked, and a deep feeling of homesickness took root. This building would hold a special place in my heart forever.
I walked out, wincing at the heat, and searched for Megan’s car, but I couldn’t find it. Instead, it was my mom leaning on the passenger-side door. Cold seeped into my bones. “Why are you here?”
“To apologize.”
“Forgive me for not believing you.” I squinted to try and see Megan, but my mom clicked her tongue.
“Megan isn’t here. It’s me.”
“I’d rather spend today with someone who brings me joy.” I stiffened when she reached out and put a hand on my forearm. “What is happening?”
“I hate not talking to you or getting to hear about your…dreams. Your dad gets updates from you and I don’t. It hurts.”
“Well, tough shit. You’re cruel and judgmental and you make me feel bad about myself.”Might as well go down sinking if we’re hashing this out.“Today is hard, okay? I wanted someone I like to help me.”
She flinched, like I’d meant her to, and she paled. “Is it because of him?”
“It’s a lot of things. Just… I’ll get in the car. You are taking me to my new place, right? This isn’t a plot for you to drag me back home?”
“No. It’s not.” She helped me put my bags in the trunk and I got into the passenger-side door just as Brigham turned the corner, wearing just athletic shorts and headphones, and my mouth dried up quicker than raindrops on the cement. His gaze found mine through my mom’s windshield, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t a half-smile. I shook my head. “Let’s go.”
My mom took off and I ducked my head out of view so I wouldn’t have to see him all hot and sweaty and gorgeous. My mom slid me a questioning gaze. “You know the charges were dropped. All of them.”
“I read.”
“He even made a video explaining what happened. He mentions you in it, I think.”
“I saw.”
Yes, I was thrilled for him that he wouldn’t go to jail. Thrilled. And the video of him explaining how he refused to let the fear of losing it all prevent him from fighting back. He would go to trial, but he’d name-dropped witnesses who were there and had seen everything. The biggest thing was the video tape from the owner of the place, who had footage of the event that showed a different story. It was daring and bold and it’d worked. No more charges. Brigham could play his heart out and make all the money.
“He said the biggest reason he started to fight was because he fell in love.”
“I prefer not to talk about this, Mom.” I hugged my purse tighter against my stomach. “Things were said and done that I’m not able to get over.”Like he used me and only tried calling me twice. Twice. Two times. If he loves me…no.“I think the video and the love thing is to make him seem more likeable. The former-playboy angle.”
“I’m not so sure. Look, I need to apologize for a lot of things. A lot. But I am so very sorry for bad-mouthing your decision to start your own business and for butting my opinions into your love life. You’re a grown woman.”
“Thanks?” I said, unsure where this was going.
