Meeting The Unpredictable by Riann C. Miller Read Free Book Online

hear your firm landed the George Donald case. Will you be working on it?”
    Jodi shakes her head. “No. I wish. That case would set me up for life, and everyone was desperate to be chosen. They went with seasoned lawyers.”
    “Their loss, then. You would’ve been wonderful.”
    I continue to stare at my plate of food, trying my hardest to remember the last time any of them complimented me for anything, and I come up empty.
    “Did you hear me?” Dad snaps, bringing me out of my thoughts.
    “What?”
    “I asked if you were ready to go back to school and earn a degree. You need to stop horsing around from one city to the next, living off your bank account.”
    I take a deep breath and swallow, willing my anger down. “Dinner was wonderful, Mom, but I need to go. I have to be up early in the morning.”
    Mom frowns. “So soon? I haven’t even served dessert yet.”
    “What do you have planned in the morning?” Dad questions.
    “I planned to stop in a tattoo shop and talk about my next tat on my way to work.” I smirk at his awful reaction. “I’m thinking a full sleeve will look awesome. What do you think?”
    “Lennie,” Jodi says under her breath.
    “You’re bound and determined to be nothing more than a screw-up, aren’t you?”
    I pushed for this reaction, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel the hurt from his words. I’ll never be good enough. I’ll never be Jodi, and even though I know that, the reminder feels like a slap in the face.
    “Goodnight. Thanks for inviting me.” I stand up and walk to the front door with Jodi right behind me.
    “You just had to push his buttons, didn’t you?”
    “Me?”
    “Yes, you.”
    We were both baiting each other. My father, however, masked his intentions by acting like he gave a damn, but he doesn’t. I learned that a long time ago.
    “Whatever, I’m out of here.” I fling the door open.
    “Wait, will I see you back at my place later?”
    I wish I could tell her no, but for now, I’m stuck.
    “Yeah, but don’t wait up for me.” I dart out to my car before she can say anything else.
    God, I hate this town, but I came back for a reason, and it’s time I do what it takes to leave this hellhole.
    ***
    I GRAB MY CELL PHONE and dial the number I dread the most. My stomach starts to twist with every ring until I end the call and toss the phone on my bed. “Deep breaths, Lennie,” I say to myself.
    I can’t do it. I can’t put myself through that again. If they had answered, I would have been stuck. I’d be forced to do the very last thing I want, and I’m not ready. I may never be ready.
    The urge to get the hell out of Jodi’s apartment hits me hard. I toss on the only clean clothing I have left and walk out her door. When my eyes spot Tyler’s door, I stop. He’s beyond fun to mess with. He’s not picture perfect like Jodi, but he definitely doesn’t like his world messed with, which is exactly what I’m doing.
    I knock twice before I open the door and walk in. Tyler has his back to me, his headphones on, but this time he must have heard me come in.
    “Yes, please come in and interrupt my day,” he dryly says with a stare.
    “I was planning on going out to get some lunch. What are you in the mood for?”
    “Silence,” he promptly answers, causing me to laugh.
    “What do you listen to on your headphones?”
    His eyes narrow, which sends heat straight to my core. “I’ll take a burger or a sandwich. I really don’t care.”
    “Rushing me out the door already? I think you just broke a record.” Tyler appears to be fighting a smile. “I’d ask if you want to come with me, but I guess I already know the answer to that.”
    “I thought you had a job,” he says instead of responding to my comment.
    “Carla doesn’t need me until later today.” I find my eyes scanning his apartment: a black leather couch, white walls, a glass coffee table. It’s too stuffy.
    “What?” Tyler questions, causing me to look at him. “Why are you