Page 75 of Hacking His Code

“You’re free to take them with you when you go,” I say, staring brazenly at her, hoping she’ll take the hint and leave.

Her eyes hone in on the paused movie I’m watching. “Oh, isn’t this one of Ernestine’s old films?”

“Yeah, it’s available on most streaming services, if you’re interested.”

“Hit play! I want to see what she was like.”

I exhale loudly, but she doesn’t seem to sense my annoyance.

“You know, I have a lot of stuff to do.” To emphasize how busy I am, I start throwing away old pizza boxes and paper plates.

Neon gives me a quizzical look. “But you were watching a movie?”

“Look, I’ve had a bad couple of days, and I need some time alone.”

“Whenever I have a bad day, I like to binge-watch TV and eat Chunky Monkey ice cream.”

“My mother is dying.”

Neon’s mouth falls open. “Shit, Hunter never told me that.”

“I was with Hunter when she needed me most.”

Neon’s face softens, but she doesn’t budge.

“I have to drop out of college. I have six figures’ worth of debt and nothing to show for it. Pretty soon, I won’t be able to afford this apartment.”

Neon still doesn’t move.

“Haven’t I depressed you enough?” I gesture wildly in the air. “Why aren’t you gone yet?”

She looks up slowly, locking gazes with me. “Because you need me.”

“Huh?”

“Look, Hunter paid me well to haul all your shit over here, so I might as well make a day of it. Let’s grab some ice cream, watch TV, and shoot the shit.”

“But you barely know me, and I have nothing to offer you.”

“A girl from a shit hole like this, who manages to bag Hunter Davies, dumps him, only to go back to said shit hole has got to be interesting.”

“I didn’t dump him,” I say truthfully.

“Well, he certainly didn’t dump you. I’ve never seen him so upset before.”

I arc a brow. “Really?”

“Girl, he’s a mess.” She rises from the couch. “Now, let’s go get some ice cream.”

“I have chocolate in the freezer. Wanna order pizza?”

“From Marios! Deep dish.”

We order pizza, and I settle in on the couch next to Neon.

It’s not often that I have guests over, and by not often, I mean never.

I try not to mull on Hunter being upset with my absence. It could very well be because I couldn’t find his aunt.