“You just took off with all your shit. How was I supposed to know you’d be back?”
“You could have fucking called!”
“Uh, is this a problem?” Celia says.
“Yeah!” I say at the same time Crystal says no.
“What is your fucking problem?” I stalk toward Crystal.
Her eyes widen and she shrinks back as if I might hit her. Honestly, she’s right to be worried. I haven’t felt this unhinged in my entire life. “You’re a bitch!”
“Celia, call the cops!” Crystal shouts.
I roll my eyes, disgusted at her and myself a little. “Don’t fucking call the police.”
“Don’t listen to her.”
“Uh . . .” Celia holds her cell, her lips parted and eyes wide. Welcome to the shit show, honey.
“You’re a horrible person. You know that, right?” I say to Crystal. Much calmer now, I take out my keys and unwind the one for the apartment from the silver loop. “Here.” I toss it at Crystal’s feet. Turning on my heel, I stalk by Celia on my way out. I hope she enjoys a lying, stealing roommate. I’d warn her but it’s a waste of my breath.
My body shakes with the crash of adrenaline. What a horrible person! All of them. What the hell? What is wrong with people? I can’t believe they gave away my apartment. You’d think it’d be something Jenni would mention. Oh, God, I’m officially homeless. My breath quickens.
Rage rattles in my chest, and I all but run the rest of the way to Iron Maiden. What am I going to do? Where do I go? Tears fall before I lock myself inside. “Argh! Shit!” I let loose a scream and pound the steering wheel. “Fucking shit!” Sobs wreck my body and I give in to everything I’ve held back. The hurt. The betrayal. All of it. I don’t bother starting the engine. I want to move forward, but I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to do.
Inhaling a shaky breath, I dial the only person in the world who will understand.
“Jared?” I croak out my brother’s name on a sob, sniffling another back because I don’t want to scare him.
“Rae? What happened?”
I tell him everything. Not holding back. The good, the bad, and all the ugly flies from my lips. I don’t even apologize for the late hour; I’ve likely ruined his chance for a full night’s sleep, but I can’t hold this in. I can’t do this on my own. When I’ve unloaded all my troubles, and cried all my tears, a cathartic peace settles in my chest. Even though I have no clue what to do next, I no longer feel alone. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I called you. You’re like fifteen thousand miles away.”
“Hey. Pssh. Enough of that.” In my mind I can see him shaking his head. “We’re going to fix this. One problem at a time. I’m finding you a hotel right now and sending you money for it. Will one week be enough to find a new place? Or do you need two?”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Rae? Please. I’m your big brother. Let me take care of you.”
“Thanks.” I exhale a little of the worry in my chest. “One week is good.” I’ll put the word out at work and start looking tomorrow. Maybe I’ll catch a lucky break. The universe owes me.
“Good. Now, I can fly out tomorrow. Go with you to get your stuff out of this billionaire dude’s place. How tall is he exactly? And does he work out?”
I don’t know how he does it, but a laugh bursts from my lips at the idea of my brother—all five-foot-nine, lean and trim, never fought a day in his life—taking on Jude in my honor. It’s ridiculous, and I love him for bringing a smile to my lips after so many tears. That’s what big brothers are for. “As much as I’d love to see you, I think that’s a little overboard. I don’t want to see him, but I’m not afraid of Jude.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you going over there alone. Your ex-roommates are shit, but you must have someone who can go with you. For emotional support, and an extra hand.”
“The stylist from work, De’Shaun.”
“Good. Promise me you’ll ask. I know how you are, Rae. You despise asking for help. Like it’s a sign of weakness or something. But you know that’s bullshit, right? There are so many people who love you. Let them help. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” His words remind me of Jude—or the man he pretended to be—and as much as I want to deny the truth in them, I can’t.
“I’ll ask De’Shaun. Promise.”
“I just sent you the info on a hotel. Did you get it?” Jared waits as I pull up my email, book a reservation with my credit card, and then enter the address into my GPS. It’s only twenty minutes from here and close to the studio. Thank goodness. Exhaustion weighs heavy on my eyelids.
“Want me to stay on the line with you? We can have a virtual slumber party, like when we were kids, but with much better fashion sense.”
“I’ve got this,” I say with bolstered confidence. I may not have the strength for much, but I can handle driving to the hotel. Besides, I’ve kept him up late enough. My heart squeezes at my brother’s kindness. “I love you, Jared.” I fight the urge to cry again and turn the key in the ignition, easing onto the road with a steady breath.
“I love you, Rae. You’ll get through this. You’re the strongest woman I know. Besides Mom, who puts up with both our asses, but you know what I mean.”
I sniffle through a laugh. “Yeah, I do.”
“Okay, the hotel is expensive enough I don’t think it’s where they make adult movies, but one can never be too safe. Text
