Page 111 of Between the Lines

Punching my finger into the tablet, I clock myself out, throwing my name tag under the counter for tomorrow. “It was fine. It’s time to go home though.”

A dull ache radiates from my temples, from faking a smile all day. I pull her in for a quick goodbye hug, and Halle stumbles back when I let go of her.

“Oh, uhm—”

“Okay, see you tomorrow, Hal!” I cut her off, grab my purse, and walk straight out the front door.

I exhale once I’m in my car and cautiously look at my phone. I suck in a gasp when I see Caden’s name.

Caden: You asked for space, and I want to respect that . . . but I need to talk to you, Fia. Please.

My fingers hover over the keyboard, but everything I type feels wrong. I’m moving out in two days, I have to start packing, and I’m running on little sleep.

All I want is a time machine, to go back a week, when everything was perfect. But right now I need to keep it together for Daisy, I have fences to mend with my family, and if Caden truly cares, he will wait. He will give me more time, more space.

I don’t reply and set my phone down, but another text pings through, and I fumble for my phone, heart racing.

Jesse: Penny has been blasting show tunes the entire day. Please for the sake of my sanity, and Tank’s, talk to your sister.

“Ugh.” I rest my head on the hot steering wheel that’s been baking all day in the sun. Penny only listens to show tunes when she is distraught.

Fia: I promise I will soon. Give me a little more time. I’ll fix this.

It’s not a lie, it’s a hope.

44

Caden

At thirty two years old, I thought I’d know myself better. But all I know is I bulldoze relationships.

I stare at the message typed out on my phone.

Caden: I need to come into the shop but will wait until Saturday. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.

Fia reads it immediately but doesn’t reply.

She’s moving out today—according to Eddie. Fia didn’t tell me, but he did. It’s a slap in the face, one I might deserve.

It’s beautiful outside, a breeze breaking up the humid air, and I’m growing irrationally annoyed at myself. There are only so many days you can spend sulking inside, avoiding lingering eyes, or the girl whose heart you broke. Broken nose, black eye and all, I need to talk to her. Face-to-face.

“Fuck it,” I mutter, shoving the kitchen barstool back, and head towards the sliding doors. Her little gold car sits in the driveway; she hasn’t left yet.

Sunglasses hurt to wear on my nose, so I shield my eyes with my hand, squinting against the sun that I haven’t seen in days to no fault but my own. The sky is almost too blue, the sun too happy. Like it’s mocking me. Maybe I should be embarrassed by the level of stubble on my face, but I trudge on.

A car I don’t recognize pulls into the driveway, and I stop halfway across the stone path.

The same guy I’ve seen before—her sister's boyfriend, Jesse—steps out.

“Hey.” He lifts his head, coming around the flowering bushes to greet me. My body is blocking the path to the guesthouse, so it’s not like he has a choice. I can see the current state of my face gives him pause, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Assuming you’re here to see Fia,” I state, pissed at my poor timing.

“Yep, here to move her out.”

This is all wrong. I should be the one helping her move.

“Right.” I finally break the awkward silence as his gaze lingers over my shoulder towards the guesthouse.