“Hey,” I say with a smile. “Happy birthday, friend.”
“Oh my God! It’s about time you freaking called me. It’s beenforever, Lena Elizabeth. You can’t just fall off the face of the earth without giving me a heads-up, especially after you ran out of that gallery that night.”
“It’s been crazy,” I reply, and watch Gideon’s jaw clench. “Are you having a good birthday?”
“So far it’s been fine. Mom is sending me to that little spa we love so much for the day, so I’ll get buffed and polished, and then I’m going to dinner with a group of people. Hey, where are you, anyway?”
NotHow are you, friend?NotAre you okay?NotI miss you so much, tell me everything that’s happened.
“It changes daily,” I reply, keeping my voice chipper. “All over the place. I always did want to travel, I guess.”
“No, you didn’t,” she says with a scoff. “You’resucha homebody. Getting you to leave your apartment is like pulling teeth. Living in the city is wasted on you. Anyway, I’m glad you called, because I need a loan.”
“Chelsea—”
“I know, I know, but I swear this will be the last one.”
“You say that every time.”
Gideon’s shaking his head, his eyes full of rage, but I keep my gaze on the desk in front of me.
“But you always come through, don’t you, bestie? Youknowmy parents are stingy as fuck with their money, and the ten grand they give me every month isn’t enough to tide me over. I just need a few thousand.”
She sniffs, and Iknowthat sound.
I know her.
To anyone else it might sound like allergies, or a head cold, butI know this woman. And that’s not what that was.
“Chelsea.” My voice is hard, full of accusation.
“Don’t start.”
“You’re fucking using again, aren’t you?”
“Listen, you don’t get to judge me. You’ve beengonewithout a word to me. What was I supposed to do?”
“Don’t blame your drug habit on me.”Oh, hell no.No. Never again.
I’ve done this with her before. The endless worry, the late nights, the overdoses. It took me forever to convince her to go to rehab, and she was clean for two years.
Two years, down the goddamn drain.
I can’t do this with her again. I won’t put myself through it.
“Just send me the money.” Her voice turns whiny. “Please, Leens. You have all the money in the world, and you can share some more of it with me. I love you.”
I blow out a breath, feeling close to tears.
“No, you don’t. You haven’t even asked me if I’m okay. We’ve been on the phone for”—I check the time—“seven minutes, and it’s been all about you, Chelsea.”
“I mean, it’smybirthday, so—”
My laugh is humorless as I press my fingertips into my eyes.
“Two minutes,” Gideon says, keeping his voice low.
“Wait.” Chelsea’s voice is clipped. “Is thatGideon?”
