Chapter 16
Theo
2 weeks later (last week of June)
There’ssomethingtobesaid about losing a job at a gas station. Mostly that it’s embarrassing. It’s so embarrassing, in fact, that you don’t tell anyone, least of all your friends.
Is that what the little group of people I’ve cobbled together in my life from Silverpine are? My friends? I don’t even know anymore.
Hunter has his life together in a way I don’t. Which is fucking ridiculous when you think about the fact that I’m seven years older than he is. Luca is in love, writing a book, and healing in ways that feel impossible to me. Austin is a firefighter. He fucking saves people’s lives, for God’s sake.
Meanwhile, here I am, unable to keep my job at a fucking gas station.
And worse, I can’t even force myself to find something else. I applied for one place, and when they called and asked me why I left my previous job, I hung up.
It wasn’t the best thing to do. I know that, but I couldn’t think of anything to say. How do you tell a potential employer that you’re unable to do basic tasks—like even showing up to work?
Maybe it won’t matter. Maybe my body will finally give up like my brain has, and I won’t wake up. Won’t need a job then. Won’t need to explain to Hunter why I’m being so spotty about answering him. Won’t need to tell anyone that I’ve gotten fired. Won’t need to tell anyone my chances of finally catching up on my rent are all but gone.
My bladder is screaming at me thanks to Hunter forcing me to drink two glasses of water last night while we were FaceTiming.
He’s worried about me; I can tell.
Dragging myself out of bed, I stumble to the bathroom on legs weighed down with sandbags, and when I’m standing in front of the toilet, I decide I’d rather sit down.
Sitting down isn’t the problem. Trying to stand back up is. My legs barely work, and I have to brace myself on the counter to get leverage.
After rinsing my hands under cold water, I dry them on my dirty sweats and slowly make my way back into my bedroom.
My eyes fall to my bed.
It doesn’t even look appealing. I don’twantto be there. I don’t want to lose the battle against sleep. I don’t want to bethis.
I also don’t have a choice. My feet carry me there, and I lie in the center on my back. My eyes well up and spill over, wetting my hair at my temples.
Maybe everythingwouldbe better if I didn’t wake up. It can’t be any worse than this.
Chapter 17
Hunter
2 days later (same week of June)
Icheckmyphonefor the third time in an hour. I could send another text, but I don’t want to push Theo, so I don’t. He missed our phone call last night, and I tried not to let it worry me too much, but now? I’m really starting to worry.
As I walk into the kitchen, Mom greets me with a steaming cup of coffee and a smile.
“Good morning, Hunter.”
“Hey, Mom.” Sliding my phone into my pocket, I take the mug from her.
“I made breakfast. Sit.”
“I’m not really hungry.” The truth is, I’ve been too worried to eat much.
Mom glares at me, pointing at the chair. “Sit, Hunter.”
My ass is in the seat before I even think about it. “Yes, ma’am.”
