“It’s murder, Evan, and you know it,” James says as I face the door to leave. Not bothering to acknowledge him in the least.

Yes, it’s murder. And it’s not the first time something’s happened under my watch. But it’s the last. I’m done with this shit and this life.

I didn’t lace a damn thing. If that stash was messed with, it wasn’t me and I’m not going down for a crime I didn’t commit. I’ll own up to everything else.

I want to pay for my sins and chase what truly matters to me.

A love I took for granted. A love I don’t know if I can salvage.

Kat

Pulled in every direction,

Too dizzy to stay still.

My feet stumble beneath me,

My body frozen from the chill.

No more of being numb and weak,

No more of waiting, left in vain.

I’ve had enough of lies,

I’ve had enough of pain.

The buzz from the townhouse speaker rouses me from my seat in the dining room. Buzz. Buzz. It’s an annoying high-pitched sound that I can’t stand.

My head’s already throbbing. It’s been like this for hours, ever since I got home and took the test. I can’t go back and look at it. It’s hard enough to wrap my head around everything that’s happening.

And the guilt …

As I walk to the front of the townhouse, hustling down the stairs so I don’t have to hear that damn noise again, I realize it’s nearly nine and I’m still in my pajamas. At least I have pants on, but the matching light gray cotton shirt has a large spot of coffee on the front and I’m sure my hair’s a mess.

“Who is it?” I ask in a voice that sounds more together than I feel as I push the button down and then release it. The only person I can think of is Henry, Evan’s father.

“Sorry to bother you, I was just hoping for a quick meeting,” a voice says on the other side and it takes me a moment to recognize it.

“Jacob?” I say into the intercom.

“I hope you don’t mind. I was in the area and wanted to stop by,” he replies and his voice breaks up over the speaker.

I know it’s rude to make him wait, it’s unkind not to answer him immediately, but this is so unexpected. I don’t know how to react or respond.

“I’m not quite dressed for company,” I tell him and then close my eyes from embarrassment. He still hasn’t signed with the agency and I haven’t spoken to him since running into him on the street.