30. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER TWENTY-NIN E
brADY
A few hours later, we’re sitting on Gretchen’s couch. She looks exhausted and I know I should probably give her the chance to take a shower before I lay this on her, but I can’t hold it in anymore.
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’m going to just say it,” I begin. “I got the job.”
Her eyes go wide. “Seriously? That’s amazing!” She hugs me tight. “I’m so happy for you! Finally, a piece of good news!”
I squeeze her hard, then release. “There’s a catch.”
Her eyebrows knit together. “What is it?”
“It’s in New York. Well, three days a week, anyway.”
“I thought it was remote?” she asks.
“I did, too. Apparently not.”
“Oh.” She looks down at her hands and begins to pick at the edge of a throw pillow.
“They need to know by Monday,” I continue.
“So what are you thinking?” she asks, her voice hollow.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I wanted to talk to you about it. I’m sorry for dropping it on you like this when you’ve got so much on your plate – ”
“No,” she replies. “It’s fine, Brady. This is a good thing. I mean, right?”
“Hey,” I say. I place my hands on her upper arms. “Look at me.” She looks up, her lashes covering about half of her gaze. “Your father said –”
“I don’t care what he said,” she shoots back. “He doesn’t get to decide my future.”
“I know. I just think this might be for the best.”
“How do you figure that ?” she asks.
“He wants us to have some space. This would give me a chance to establish myself somewhere. It doesn’t have to be forever.”
“Hang on. Are you saying you want to move to New York?”
“God, no. But I could commute.”
“From where, Brady?”
“I don’t know. Boston, maybe?”
“So you want to move to Boston?” she replies.
“No – I’m not saying that. I don’t know,” I mumble. “I just wanted to discuss it with you. I need to find a new place to live at the end of summer anyway.”
“Okay. Slow down. I’m hearing you say that you’re tossing around a bunch of ideas in your head that would all move you away from me, and that this would be a good thing because it’s what my dad wants. Correct me – am I wrong? Is that not what you’re saying right now?”
“Jeez, Gretch. I’m just trying to figure this out. I’m sorry. They gave me a deadline of Monday.”
“I have my arraignment on Monday.”
“I know, babe. I’m sorry. Bad timing.”
“No, it’s fine. I just – I need to think.”
“Should I –”
“Go? Maybe. Just let me shower. I’ll come by in a bit.”
I don’t want to leave, but if she needs some space, I guess I should. I stand up and head for the door. “Hey,” I say, turning to face her. “I love you. You know that, right?”
She nods. “I love you, too.”
“Okay.” I offer her a weak smile.
After I close the door behind me, I stand there for a second, wondering if I’m doing everything wrong. I begin to walk back to my place, which is when I hear it.
The sound of her bawling pierces through the otherwise quiet hallway.
I let myself into Luis’ condo, sink my head into my hands and take a deep breath.
Somehow, I will fix this, I decide.
I open my laptop, power it on, and get started.