“You’re not coming with me?”

His eyebrows pulled together. “I have a job to do, Ellie. You have to go home.”

My eyes filled with tears. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single key, the light glinting off the silver. “Lone Tree Village in Estes. 111 F. We’re never there, so it’s mostly storage. I’m not even sure if there are sheets on my bed. It’s not a penthouse, but it’s a place to stay. My bedroom is the last door on the left.”

I took the key, sniffing. “Tyler…”

“Just … take it,” he said. “I’ll be home in a couple of weeks. We can figure it out then.” He stepped back, waving to me before turning for the elevator.

“I thought you were supposed to make sure I get in the car?” I asked.

He stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn around. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can watch you leave.”

My bottom lip trembled, and I held the key to the sensor, hearing the lock click before I pressed down on the handle and pushed through. My clothes were still laid out, ready to go, but I would be lucky to ever get to go on a call again.

The wall felt cold against my back as I slid down the scuffed white paint to the aged orange and brown carpet. My phone buzzed, and I held it to my ear.

“Ellie?” Jojo said.

I covered my face with my hand. “I fucked up, Jojo,” I said, pressing my lips together to stifle a sob.

“You’re right. You did. Now you need to pack your things and get right back on the wagon. Do you hear me?”

“Do I still have a job?”

“You know you do. I’m not saying what you did is okay, but it’s an uphill battle. You lost this one. Come home, and let’s start preparing for the next one.”

My face crumbled, and I took in a deep breath. “I don’t deserve it, but thank you,” I whispered.

“Hang up, pack, and get downstairs. The car will be there soon. When you get home, go straight to bed and I’ll pick you up for work first thing in the morning. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Stand up. Clean slate starts now.”

I took a deep breath, simultaneously standing and pressing END. It didn’t take long to pack the few things I’d laid out, and then I was out the door, taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Darby dropped the marker she was using for her newest doodle masterpiece, and stood up. “Ellie? Are you okay?”

I paused at her desk, placing my key card in front of her. “Yeah. I have to leave.”

“You have to? Why?”

“I screwed up. I’m being sent home.”