I blink. Breathers?
She passes me a handful of fliers. “If anyone ever asks, please direct them to our website. There’s a lot of myths out there but be careful who you tell. There’re folks who’d like to make things difficult for us.”
I’m about to ask her how to find real information when Adam comes over and takes my arm. “Jen, can we go?”
“Uh, sure.”
Just then, Rosie gasps and rushes over to the table. “Never mind, Chris, we’ll just stitch it back on again. It’s perfectly normal.”
I try not to stare as Chris mournfully fishes out what looks like an ear from the bowl on the table. I’m really glad I didn’t try any of the snacks.
Adam tugs my arm. “Come on.”
As we head back up the stairs, he whispers. “I’m not like them, right?”
I hesitate. “What do you mean?”
His expression looks hurt. “Do you really think I’m like them?”
I pull away as we head back toward the subway station. “I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to.” He shoves his hands in his pockets, and he’s silent all the way home.
I’m torn. My instinct is to comfort him. I hate seeing anyone so sad. But I’m trying to get rid of him. He can’t keep relying on me to cheer him up. I can’t be nice to him or he’ll never leave!
Then I get a message from Luca right as we get to the front door.
Luca: can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I’ve got a booking in my name.
I open the front door and Adam walks past me and slumps onto the sofa. I want to reply to Luca, but Adam looks so mournful it’s kind of killing the vibe. His hair is rumpled, and I know he’s been running his hand through it. The dark circles under his eyes are even darker.
I sigh. “At least we have some answers, right? And you know you’re not the only one going through this.”
“Ugh, did you see those other poor bastards? Do I look like them?”
Sitting on the sofa beside him, I tuck my phone away. “I mean, that one guy Chris? His ear fell off.”
We look at each other for a moment and then both burst out laughing.
Finally Adam wipes a tear from his eye and leans back, collecting himself. “Thanks, Jen. You always know what to say. I guess it is good knowing I’m not crazy.”
I wish I wasn’t feeling sorry for him right now, but I have to be honest, I wouldn’t want this to happen to me. So I do.
And then, in typical fashion, he has to go and ruin it. “Hey, Jen?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think I could sleep with you tonight?”
I roll my eyes, getting to my feet immediately. “No, but you’re welcome to go home any time you like if my sofa isn’t good enough for you.”
God, why is he like this? Just when I think we might be moving past old animosity.
I go into my bedroom and close the door, messaging Molly.
Jen: Ugh, I can’t believe I let him back into my life
A moment later she responds:Still no luck getting rid of him then?
