FATE

63. Down The Toilet Drain

BROOKE

"What do you mean you're here to get me?", my gaze flickers between my mother and Blake.

"Brooke, calm down", Blake walks towards me and motions to place his hand on my shoulder.

"No", I move away from him and a painful expression crosses his face, "what's going on?"

"You can't stay in Boston anymore Brooke", my mom says.

"What does that even mean?"

"Didn't Blake tell you?"

"Tell me what?", I turn to stare at Blake, "tell me what?"

Mom's eyes open wide and she looks away from us, gazing at the wall.

"What is she talking about Blake?", I ask.

He sighs and guilt flickers in his eyes, "I can't take care of you anymore"

"What do you mean you can't take care of me anymore?", I ask, "does this have anything to do with the party because- "

"What party?", mom turns and asks.

Blake glares at her, "stay out of this", he says sternly, "I told you to give me more time"

"I gave you enough time"

I run my fingers through my hair, "enough time to do what?!"

"To tell you that he lost his job and you have to come stay in Seattle with me", she says.

Blake hangs his neck backwards and sighs deeply, "fuck"

I glance between them. Blake lost his job? That's not possible. He's been going to work for months now.

"What are you talking about?", I ask mom, "Blake has a job"

Blake laces his fingers around my wrist and pulls me towards the couch, "come here, let's sit", he sits and pulls me next to me, "I'm going to explain"

"She's lying right?", I eye my mother.

She rolls her eyes at me, "I'm going to make some tea", she says, "you do have tea, right?"

"Yes, now go!", Blake gestures harshly towards the kitchen.

My gaze follows her as she walks towards the kitchen and disappears through the door. Then I turn to face Blake.

"Brooke...", he trails, rubbing his palm around his face.

"What happened?"

"I lost the job", he shrugs slowly, "they were having issues and needed to let a couple of people go"

I gasp softly, "why didn't you tell me?"

He shakes his head, "I know how happy you are here", his eyes soften, "I thought I could get a new job quick and fix everything but- "

"How long?"

He looks away from me, at the ground.

"How long Blake?", I repeat.

"It's been a couple of months"

I sigh deeply and he squeezes his grip around my hand.

"I'm so sorry Brooke", he presses his lips together, "I thought I could fix it but we're running out of money and that's why I called her"

"No", I say quickly, "I'm not going to Seattle with her. I'll get a job in this city if I have to"

"You know she won't let you do that. I can't let you do that"