Page 300 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

Then by Thursday, 12:03 p.m.,

it’s:

Andrew

Need you now

Already here.

// DEC 19, 3:47 AM - PENTHOUSE - UPPER EAST SIDE, NYC //

It’s the middle of the night, 3:47 AM, and I’m leaving my writing studio right as Andrew comes in from the Clover.

I turn to punch the code to lock the room up again.

“What’re you hidin’ in there?” he asks.

I freeze, staring at the keypad.

I’ve never let anyone in this room before.

It stays locked. Always.

But here I am,

hand on the knob,

loathing the way I’m debating

letting him in.

Once he sets foot inside,

he’ll leave imprints behind.

Then, once he leaves my life,

those imprints become scars.

Memories I can’t erase.

Because he will one day leave.

The contract will one day end.

It always ends.

It’s the only certain thing.

And now he’s already everywhere.

In this penthouse. In my room.

Under my sheets. Under my skin.

Too many places to clean up after him.

But I’m opening the door anyway.