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While Mateo is on the phone, I let his words sink in. Maybe he is right. Aden saw the sleazy bar and how the patrons hit on me and on him, yet he accepted that I worked there. He also accepted that I work in a nightclub. If it were a dealbreaker for him, he would have already run.

My own phone startles me by vibrating. Without thinking twice, I take it, opening my messages just to see…

My phone drops onto the table. “No way!” I exclaim. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

In one moment, all my rational thoughts have left me, everything except my heart beating so fast I am scared it will jump out of my chest. I try to pick up my phone again, my hands shaking so much, it takes a while for me to succeed.

Why did you block me?! Is this a way to treat your own mother, after I gave birth to you, you ungrateful little brat?

Another message.

Where is my money? How am I supposed to live?

And another one.

Come back, Noel, I promise I will be better. Please help me.

And:

You are reading my messages. Answer! I should have never had you, you—

A hand moves over the screen, covering it. I startle, as if I had been caught in a nightmare. When I look up, it’s Sterling standing next to me. “Ster?”

He looks at me through those deep, thoughtful eyes of his. “Don’t allow yourself to go there, Noel. Anywhere else but that mental space.”

Mateo returns from the small balcony, putting his phone in his pocket. “What’s wrong?” he asks.

Sterling just shakes his head.

I swallow thickly. “I thought you were drawing.”

“I am drawing, but I am not that much out of the world that I wouldn’t notice this type of emergency. Come, give me your phone, Noel.”

I swallow thickly. “It’s…” Tears fill my eyes. “Fuck! I had her blocked everywhere, but she always finds a way.”

I hand Sterling my phone while he looks at me thoughtfully. “Say the word. I would never do it without your okay.”

“Block her, please.”

I always let Mateo or Sterling do it. It makes it so much easier for me, and keeps the distance I need to maintain. When Sterling hands me back my phone, the messages are gone. Just my rapid heartbeat remains.

Sterling pats my head gently. “You are strong. Fuck anyone who says something else.”

eleven

*ADEN*

As promised, I pick Noel up before I head to the exhibition. It’s a smaller one, so I let Lynn and Cedric handle most of it. Lynn was skeptical at first, pestering me with questions as to why myworkaholic asssuddenly decides to forget about itsperfectionismand wants to delegate parts of the work instead of doing everything on its own.

She pestered me until I told her about having a date. She would have found out anyway. The shift in her mood, however, was mind-boggling. She even squealed!

Lynn never squeals.

I park the car in front of the apartment complex that Noel lives in, waiting for him to come out. I don’t have to wait for long, because he is on time, something I truly appreciate.

“Hey!” Noel opens the car door, almost breathless.

I chuckle. “You didn’t have to run.”