“Okay, big guy, you take care of both you and Taylor and we will see you Sunday. I love you,” Mom offered.

“Love you, too, Mom.” After I ended the call, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I was procrastinating going into the living room to make coffee because I didn’t want to face Endgame. Not yet.

* * *

By the time I was dressed, and had a scarf around my neck, I felt like I either needed to have coffee or kill someone. I chose peace and opened my door. Taylor was still stretched in the same position, so I closed the door carefully.

The living room was a mess. Endgame was passed out on the couch, hand on the center of his chest.

Cigarette butts were scattered on the floor next to him. And that was a good night. The worst nights had drug paraphernalia and bottles.

He was broken. I knew he was broken. He could suck the life force out of any person he settled his laser focus on. I hated that he was still here. A testament to the fact I was still allowing him to dictate choices in my life.

I went to the hall closet and opened up a grocery bag. I needed to tidy this place before Taylor was up and about. I started gathering up the dishes and plates, then I moved to the plethora of rubbish around the couch. While standing over Endgame, I saw that he did indeed have a mark from our fight last night. A nice black eye on his left side.

His eyes opened, and he registered no surprise at my presence. He went from sleeping to perfectly awake.

“You the maid?” He scratched his chest.

“No.” I wasn’t getting into it right now. I had two meetings and a product placement ad to shoot. There was no time for a drag-out fight not even eight hours after our last one.

“Where’s your new girlfriend?”

He knew where she was. I didn’t answer; instead, I resumed placing the empty pizza box into the bag.

As I turned my back, I felt his hand on my hip. I stilled while he stood behind me. “You’re just not going to talk about it? That’s cool. You do you.”

Endgame stepped around me but only removed his hand when he ran out of arm’s reach. He didn’t help put the dishes away. He didn’t offer to run the vacuum. Just went back to his bedroom and closed the door.

I sat on the couch he just vacated. It was still warm from him.