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The polite professional expression didn’t falter for a second "Yes, sir Of course"

"Excellent"

Jihs that shook his whole body Then he started cackling, the noise vaguely reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz If she’d been on crack or cocaine or whatever Ji into, of course

These people, they ed here

"This way" Sahtly to the s Tiood-to-be-true dreahter got louder and louder, ringing in my ears, until suddenly it cut off I turned in tiround, his slick suit a asped Another chuckled and rolled her eyes

"Fuck’s sake," growled Adrian, kneeling beside the unconscious man He slapped at his face "Ji around the fallen singer, blocking him from view

"Not again," Adrian ranted "Get the doctor in here Goddaht?"

Sam scowled at the scene "He’s probably just passed out It’s been happening a lot lately Shall we go?"

"Get me out of here, Sam Please"

I was back in Portland before the sun rose I didn’t cry on the trip It was as if ency and cauterized my emotions I felt nu traffic and I wouldn’t utter a peep I was done, frozen solid We went via theto the airport He put otme by myglance I’d ever seen Never said h, which I appreciated immensely

I sleepwalked my sorry self up the stairs to the apartarlic-scented hallway courtesy of Mrs Lucia downstairs, constantly cooking Peeling green wallpaper and ooden floorboards, scuffed and stained Lucky I’d put the Converse on or my feet would have been full of splinters This floor was nothing like the gloss and gleam of David’s house You could see yourself in that sucker

Shit I didn’t want to think of hied in a box buried in the back of ht of day

My key still fit the lock It co for years instead of days It hadn’t even been a week I’d left early Thursdayand noas Tuesday Less than six short days That was insane Everything felt different I pushed open the door, being quiet because of the early hour Lauren would be asleep Or she ht, in fact, be spread out over our suy stuffed his head beneath one of the old oversized T-shirts she slept in He buried his face in her cleavage and tickled her Lauren squiruy’s pants were still on, whoever he was They were really into it, didn’t notice our entry at all

Sauy, the things he must have witnessed over the years

"Hi," I said "Uuy up in her shirt as he fought to get free If she accidentally strangled hiiven the view

"Ev," she panted "You’re back"

The guy finally liberated his face

"Nathan?" I asked, stupefied I cocked my head just to be sure, narroweddown Lauren’s shirt with the other "How are you?"

"Fine, yeah," I said "Sam, this is my friend Lauren and my brother Nate Guys, this is Sa "Can I do anything else for you, Mrs Ferris?"

"No, Sa me home"

"You’re very welcome" He looked to the door then back at me, a small wrinkle between his brows I couldn’t be certain, but I think it was as close as Saot to an actual frown His facial expressions seemed limited Restrained was probably a better word He reached out and gavethe door behind hi tears I blinked like crazy, holding it in His kindness nearly cracked the numb, damn it I couldn’t afford that yet

"So, you two?" I asked

"We’re together Yes," said Lauren, reaching behind her Nate took her hand and held on tight They actually looked good together Though, seriously, how ed It felt different, though the ss were pretty much where I’d left them Lauren’s collection of de dust Our cheap or second-hand furniture and turquoise blue walls hadn’t altered Though Iwhat I’d seen Lord knehat else they’d been up to on there

I flexed ht you two hated each other?"

"We did," confirly uncomplicated story, actually It just kind of happened while you were away"