Page 26 of Breaking Hollywood

“What?” Gabe jerks his gaze up at Tate.

“It would be a big help, Gabe. I can’t be there all the time to help you out. You know what my shifts are like. I’ll only be worried about you being there on your own. Having Ava take care of you would ease my mind.”

“I’m a fucking grown-ass man. I don’t need you to worry about me, and I definitely don’t need a goddamn babysitter.” He looks at me when he says that last part.

Babysitter? Asshole.

Also, I’m trying not to feel too insulted that Gabe’s first response to my offer was, “No way.”

Sure, I know we argue, but I’m not a bad person. I’m actually a good person to have around. And I kind of got the impression that he liked arguing with me. Clearly, I was wrong.

“I’m not suggesting I babysit you.” I frown down at him. “I’m just offering to help you out when you need it. I’ve got some free time at the moment”—thanks to being fired—“so it’s not a problem.”

“Sounds perfect,” Tate says.

The elevator reaches the first floor. The doors open.

“Sounds like hell,” Gabe mutters as Tate starts to push him out of the elevator.

I rear back at his words. “What did you just say?” My body is bristling, as I know full well what he said, but I want to hear him say it again, so I can tell him that he can go fuck himself and that my offer is officially rescinded.

That was mean and uncalled for. I was trying to do something nice, but then he had to go and say that. I’m actually hurt.

I wait for Gabe to respond, but Tate speaks before Gabe does, “He said it sounds like heaven. Didn’t you, Gabe?”

Gabe swivels his head to look at Tate. I see Tate frown at him and then flick his eyes in my direction.

“You know what? Forget it. I heard what he said.”

I get Gabe’s car keys from my bag and toss them at him. He catches them.

“Sorry that I broke your foot, and I’ll pay for the parking ticket. It was really nice to meet you, Tate. Wish I could say the same thing about you, Gabe, but it wasn’t.”

I turn on my heel and head for the stairs. The last thing I want to do is get back in that damn elevator again.

And, now my eyes are stinging with tears, which is stupid. I don’t even know why I’m upset.

I guess it’s just been a butthole of a day, and it’s only going to be worse tomorrow when I have no home.

God, my life sucks monkey balls.

I always try to stay positive, but life is really testing my positivity at the moment.

I push open the door to the stairwell.

“Speedy.”

The sound of Gabe’s deep voice stops me.

I glance at him over my shoulder. Whatever he sees on my face makes him wince.

He’s alone. Tate’s not with him. He must have wheeled himself over here.

“What do you want?” I let go of the door and turn to face him.

“That was an asshole thing to say. I don’t know why I said it…except that I’m an asshole.”

“Yeah, you are.”