Chapter 5
Back at the police station again.
That’s when I noticed the wall of commendations by the entrance-half of them had Blake’s name on them.
Of course. Good people always get rewarded by the universe.
He lost a fake and got himself a real gem.
I thought dropping charges would just be signing some paperwork.
Turns out the responding officer has to be present too.
Which meant Blake and I had to see each other one more time whether we wanted to or not.
And I really fucking didn’t.
I grabbed some officer on duty and asked hopefully, “Hey, what happens if I don’t drop the charges?”
“What are you doing here?”
That’s when Blake walked in, shaking snow off his coat.
“Blake! Perfect timing. Your complainant wants to drop charges-why didn’t you tell her to come when you’re actually here?”
His coworker complained in a joking tone.
Blake didn’t smile though. His face was stone cold, icier than the snow in his hair.
I turned away from his sharp stare and laughed it off. “Now I know for next time.”
Everyone else chuckled, but Blake’s expression got even darker.
The whole process was super quick.
Less than a minute-just sign here, thumbprint there, and it’s done.
I stared down at the form.
My name right next to Blake’s, our fingerprints stamped in red ink side by side.
Guess your names don’t just end up together on wedding certificates. Sometimes it’s police reports too.
You can leave.”
Blake yanked the paperwork away without even glancing at me, basically telling me to fuck off.
“Blake…”
I wanted to say something, but just saying his name made my throat close up.
Suddenly, cold air rushed in from behind me.
Someone came flying through the door and threw themselves into Blake’s arms.
She nuzzled against his chest like a puppy. “Blake, it’s New Year’s Eve! Come over to my place tonight?”
Sophia.
Blake wrapped his arm around her naturally, taking her freezing hands in his.
“What are you doing out in this weather?”
“It’s New Year’s and you guys are stuck working! I brought homemade dumplings for everyone.”
Seeing them all cozy together was like taking a knife to the chest.
I silently backed toward the door.
Jesus, that was close. Almost fucked up there.
I’d promised Blake we’d pretend to be strangers.
Strangers don’t do big dramatic goodbyes.
I walked out of the station into the howling wind, my feet sinking into the snow with each defeated step.
I stood there waiting for my ride.
After forever, no driver showed up-but Sophia did.
‘Stella, wait up.”
Today’s your birthday too, right? I talked to my mom about bringing you home. We could celebrate together.”
didn’t say anything.
he tried again, more carefully. “You and Mom lived together for twenty-two years. She feels bad about the misunderstanding. Maybe we could all just hang
ut?”
December 31st again.
looked past her shoulder at Blake standing in the distance, then shook my head.
Nah, my family’s waiting for me. I should get home.”
turned around and started walking away without looking back.
ehind me, Sophia’s confused voice called out:
But Stella, you don’t have any family left. Didn’t your parents both die?”
didn’t answer or stop walking.
now started falling again.
d been away from home for years, and the South never got cold like this. I’d really missed the snow.
ly ride finally showed up and I got in.
verything outside was covered in white. I breathed on the window and wiped it clean, then drew a little birthday cake in the fog.
appy birthday, Stella Parker.
ack at my shitty apartment, I made myself some ramen.
he steam was making my eyes all watery.
Here’s to you, Stella. Maybe next time around you’ll get a body that actually works.”
he doorbell rang.
iley stood outside holding two balloons.
Stella! Wanna hit up downtown for New Year’s? The whole city’s gonna be there!”
Hell yeah.”
At least in a crowd, I wouldn’t feel so alone.
