Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Ezra
My own place. It’s been a long time. Weeks. And it feels different. I realize I’m renting temporarily and for crazy cheap from the Linus’s, but this place already feels like home.
I’ve unpacked my things and turned the TV on—to what, I’m not even sure. I’m not looking at it, I’m staring at my phone.
Phil: Are you going to see your dad?
That’s a complicated question.
I met Phil during my first year at Pratt. He was the lucky sucker assigned to be my roommate. Lucky for me, Phil is a decent dude—and while I was a crazy mess, he became a friend rather than someone who talked about his loser roommate at parties.
The only person to know more about my problems than Phil and my therapist is Autumn.
Me : The jury is still out.
Phil : Dr. Appleby said you should. Right? Heal up those wounds .
Me : Wounds like Autumn Green?
Phil : Wait. As in AUTUMN?
Me : The one and only.
At least, the one and only in my life.
Phil : So, she is there. I can’t believe it.
Me : You and me both.
Phil : Sorry, man. I’m out of words. IDK what else to say to that. I thought she’d be long gone.
Me : That makes two of us.
Phil : How’s the job?
My friend thinks he’s making a U-turn. Subject change. Only—
Me : Autumn IS the job. The Linus’s hired me to build her a restaurant.
I can hear Phil cursing—to his credit, he doesn't write any of those four-letter words. Instead, he sends me a GIF of a man getting run over by a truck—back and forth it rolls over his legs while he just lies there, taking it all.
I’m not sure why it feels so accurate, but it does. I am simultaneously the man on the ground and the driver of the truck.
Phil : So… coming back to NY?
Me : To what? My lease was up weeks ago. Do you really want me on your couch again?
Phil : I don’t mind, but Jamie Lynn might be ready to have her living room back.
Me : Yeah. I don’t blame her. I’ve used up the rest of my savings for a storage unit for the next two months. I have no other choice.
Phil : Sure you do. Come work for me.
But I can’t do that. Phil chose to invest everything he had and start up his own company, while I was handpicked by Elevating Environments. I spent a year figuring out the place was shady. Successful, sure, but dishonest in all of their dealings. Then, I spent the next three trying to change things. I failed. And then, I quit. I’ve spent the last six months submitting resumes after meticulously combing through companies. I can’t make the same mistake again.
Phil spent four years struggling with a start-up business and is finally having success. I'm not going to ease in after choosing a different direction. He can handle his clientele. Maybe when his company grows and he's truly ready to hire someone, I'll be interested.
But right now, I fear I’d just be taking business away from him. And after dealing with Elevating Environments, I won’t do that.
Me : This is going to work out. And then, one of my resumes will pan out. We both know you don’t need me.
Phil : Of course I don’t. I am amazing all on my own, but I want you.
Me : Amazing and humble.
Phil : What are you going to do?
Me : My job.
My job. That’s it. I’m here for a job and I’m going to do it.
Phil : I meant about Autumn.
I know what he meant. I don’t have an answer for that, though. So, I’ll focus on work. Simple as that. And if I’m lucky, in the middle of work, I’ll squeeze a few answers out of her.
I step outside my little house and lean against the porch wall, looking right into the green bungalow next door.
The blinds are up and I can see inside clear as day. Autumn sits at a table, mug in hand, talking to Meg, who sits across from her. Her lips part into a grin. Lips that I remember the sweetness of all too well.
She grew up. I guess that happens after a decade.
She gives Meg a smile—though it’s sort of sad—then sips from her mug.
My heart jolts as if someone just hit me with a defibrillator.
Okay, so maybe it’s not as simple as I thought.
I watch as her fingers trace over her delicate earlobe, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
Nope. Not simple at all. I know Autumn has kept secrets from me. And now that I’m here, I’m not going anywhere until I’ve learned them all.