“Do you realize who you left me with last night at the bar?” Lainey squeals, before squeezing my arm. “Girl, I should thank you for ditching out early. Because that hottie that was up here at the bar? That was Eric Wayne. He is the shit. Didn’t you recognize him? He’s famous! It was so busy in here last night, that I didn’t even realize that you had an entire table of pro ball players. But, damn! He hung out here for a while.”

She nudges me, before pulling me closer and whispering in my ear. “And I think, he had a thing for you. He asked a lot of questions about you.”

Inwardly, I cringe.

I for one, am not star struck by Eric like maybe I should be. To me, he’s still the same guy that he used to be. The same guy who promised me the world, and then the second that I was gone, made a complete and utter fool of me.

Fuck him.

Eric Wayne cares about one thing and one thing only.

Himself. And no matter how rich, or how famous he has become, that is one thing that has certainly not changed.

He can ask questions about me until he is blue in the face for all that I care.

I’m not caving on that.

“Why are you not freaking out?” Lainey asks, stepping back and giving me an inquisitive look. “Girl. This is huge. I think that he liked you.”

“I really don’t care, Lainey. You know damn well that I am not looking for a man right now. I have the only man that I need in my life, and he is plenty.”

She rolls her eyes, before shaking her head. “Jackson doesn’t count, Ave’s. He’s a little boy, and you, are a beautiful woman in your prime. This is exactly the time that you should be sowing your wild oats. And who better to sow with than someone like him?”

“Pass,” I tell her, before stepping past her and shrugging off my jacket.

“Avery.” Linda sticks her head out of the office, before waving her hand at me to come in.

“Great. This day just keeps getting better and better.” I grumble to Lainey, before turning on one foot and heading into the office.

“Yes, Linda?” I ask her, before stepping into her office.

“Your landlord dropped this off for you today.” She pushes a pink envelope at me, making my heart drop to my feet.

“Said he kept trying to get in touch with you but hasn’t been able to.”

I nod slowly, staring at the envelope, knowing damn well what’s inside of it.

“Don’t be bringing your personal affairs into this establishment, ok?”

“Ok. Sorry, Linda.” I say, even though inside of my head, I’m saying something completely different to her.

“It’s a sad day when a landlord has to show up here, to evict someone. So low class.” Linda rolls her eyes, making my jaw drop. “It’s a shame, you know? You young women think that you’re just gonna get by on your looks alone. But looks aren’t gonna pay the bills. Obviously.” She raises her eyebrow in my direction before nodding her head towards the letter.

“How do you know it’s an eviction notice?” I glance down at it, my mouth turning to a flat line when I see that not only did Linda receive it, she also took it upon herself to open it.

“You know, opening someone else’s mail is against the law.” I cross my arms and glare at her.

“So? Sue me.” She snarls, before motioning angrily towards the already opened pink envelope.

“Get that vile thing off my desk, and from now on, handle your affairs outside of work please.”

Fuck you, Linda.

“Will do,” I say, before grabbing the envelope and managing to walk out of the office with my head still held high.

I shove it into my pocket, the feeling of dread completely taking over me.

Dammit. I’m not that far behind on rent. An eviction notice, really?

Shit.

I’ve always prided myself on being able to do everything on my own.

I’ve put myself through school, paid my own way through life, supported my son completely on my own... Obviously, I could do better. I mean, I do already have a bachelor’s degree. I could maybe get a better job...but without a master’s degree in social work, I can’t do the job that I went to school for... and if I’m being perfectly honest? After paying for daycare from whatever job I could get now with my degree, I may not be any better off.

But, I could do better. Hell, Jackson deserves better than I’m giving him right now.

It’s just that money is always so damn tight. I feel like I’m barely getting by, and since my landlord keeps upping my rent, just when I think that I’m finally caught up I’m kicked back down. College hasn’t been cheap, and, well. Since I dropped out of grad school I’ve been having to pay back my student loans. That payment alone is killing me.

Especially since I’m doing this all on my own with zero help from Jacksons worthless father.

I could go home to Michigan.

I totally could. But my dad has been so proud of me, bragging to everyone about how smart and hardworking I am, managing all on my own here in Chicago, juggling a child and work all while being in grad school.

Because like a chicken, I haven’t mentioned that I dropped out...

Fuck.

I inhale sharply, deciding that I will just wait until later to open the letter. No point in knowing the inevitable right now anyhow. I have a shift to get through, and, I struggle enough trying to be cordial to the patrons that frequent this place as it is.

Knowing that I’m about to be homeless on top of the everyday shit storm that is my life?

Well, that’s just more than I can bear right now

**