BAD REPUTATION

I talk to you and tell you that it's not

ly against the hardwood. "Not about me? Seriously? All I want is for you to just show up," she said, spinning ba

show

it sui

s not

edges. "This is how I feel, Jack and I'm trying to communic

she was someone he d

alks, but you've never complai

sation than a full blown argument like this one. She figured he'd listen if she talked slower, calmer, just

uld have." s

hing raw had surfaced. He spoke more care

th her? "Yes. And the night bef

d slowly. "You'r

I?" she demanded. "Because I'm starting to wonder

hat's ridiculous. Wha

as the last time you did something for me that I didn't ask for? When was the last time

s not

t

ilence thickened, and finally, he said q

so exhausting, but it did and Olivia

ression flickered - guilt? frustration? - then sett

aking me fee

watch. He actually looked at hi

where to be,"

ve got an early

urse y

r bag from the

ivi

nother promise. I don't need reassurance. I need action,

d toward

on't st

rming out. I

ened t

ally creeping into his voice

know," she said honestly. "But

e hallway, the door closing behi

___

ne when she walked into her

by the door, kicked off her heels with less grace than

ls. No apology text. No 'how was w

d walked out of Jack's apartment. Twenty-four hours since she'd said

roat and finally pulled her phone from her coat pocke

Her stoma

nce, he'd cancelled meetings to take her away for a spontaneous weekend. Once, he'd looked at her like she was the only thing in the room. But for the past

ng a hand over her face. Maybe she'd over

o

her chest pressed harder. Thinking about it wasn't helping. If anyt

ding your personal life wasn't unraveling thread by thread. She needed noise. Laughter. Distrac

ered, bright and immediate. "I was

, caught off g

up with Tess. I wa

uth. "That's slightly terrify

have bought Bitcoin in 2012," Is

d her, "I'm... fine," she lied, staring at the bl

hum that said she didn't believe that for a

r w

nks. Obv

tched despite her

act, I know, I know - but apparently it's actually decent. It's called The Velv

ut of her. "Questionable l

we need. Tess

eiling. A bar. Music. Her girls. No thoughts. No Jack. N