Better If He Goes (Always You #1) - Allie Everhart Page 0,83

anyway, I'll see ya soon."

I get in my car and drive across town to the restaurant. When I go inside, I find Riley and Brad in a booth near the back.

"Hey." I slide in next to Riley.

She leans over and hugs me. "Sorry it didn't work out."

"It's okay. It wouldn't have worked anyway. We'll both be moving soon for jobs."

"You heard back from the interview?" Riley asks, sounding excited. I know she's just being supportive, but part of me was hoping she'd show at least a little sadness over the thought of me moving away.

"Yeah, but I don't have the job. I still have to do the in-person interview."

"When's that?"

"Not sure yet. Might be next Friday. If so, I'm thinking I'll stay the weekend and check out the city."

"That's great," Brad says. "Sounds like you might be moving to Dallas."

"Yeah, maybe."

Last week I had a phone interview with a company in Dallas. If the in-person interview goes well and I get the job, I could start as early as August. I don't feel ready to leave yet, but there's really nothing keeping me here other than Riley. She's the main reason I don't want to leave. I keep thinking she'll change her mind about me, but I know she won't. Accepting that is harder than I thought it would be.

I turn to face her. "So what happened tonight? You kept saying how tired you were and how you wanted to sleep. I thought you'd be in bed by now."

"That was the plan, but then my mom brought her new boyfriend over. I called Brad to come rescue me."

"You could've called me."

"You were on a date."

"Riley, you know you can always call me if you need help."

"I didn't need help. I just needed to get out of the trailer for a couple hours. They should be done by the time I get back."

"Is this the new guy? What's his name?"

"Lou." She rolls her eyes. "The drunk butcher."

"He really drinks at work?"

"Yeah, but he owns the place so he can."

Brad laughs. "I can't believe the guy's still alive. Drinking while working with knives? That's insane."

"I can't stand him," Riley says. "He doesn't treat my mom well and he stinks like rotten meat. The other day he came over still wearing his bloody apron. I got home from work, saw him, and left. I went to April's place until he was gone."

"Any news about the salon?" I ask her.

"Not yet. We're supposed to hear this week. The paperwork is being signed today and then they'll announce the new owners. I don't even care anymore. I just want it to be over. I don't know why it took so long."

"Financing. Legal stuff," Brad says. "It all takes time."

I put my arm around Riley. "I'm sure they'll keep you around. You're one of their best employees."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure I'll stay."

"Where would you go?"

She shrugs. "Maybe Texas. Or Florida." She glances at Brad. "Someplace warm and close to the ocean."

"You're moving?" I ask, shocked she didn't tell me this.

"Maybe. I haven't decided yet."

"You always said you'd never leave here."

"Because I didn't think I could. But now I think I can." She smiles at Brad and he smiles back. What's that about? Have they talked about this?

"What about your mom?" I ask.

"I can't take care of her forever. I don't want to be forty and still living with her and paying her bills."

"Riley, I've told you to get your own place a million times and you've never agreed with me. Why now?"

"I'm tired of supporting her. I work two jobs and extra shifts to make money and then she goes and spends it all on shoes and alcohol and her boyfriend. We never get ahead. She's going to have to figure out how to get by without me. I don't want to live in that trailer forever. I want my own place."

My jaw drops, shocked that she's saying this, or even considering it.

"Nate, you know I can't keep doing this," she says, noticing my shock. "We've talked about this."

"Yeah, for years, but you never listened."

"I'm older now. I'm realizing I can't keep taking care of her." She glances at Brad again. Why does she keep doing that? And why does he keep giving her that subtle smile, like he's trying not to, but can't help it? Is there something going on with those two?

What am I thinking? They wouldn't do that, especially behind my back.

"I think moving would be good," I say to Riley. "Better