Page 17 of Trailer Trash

“I can?”

“Yes. And you would be doing me a great favor. Killian hasn’t been home for months. His mother is right. His friends are lowlifes.”

I fidget, feeling like I have no escape.

Killian nods. “Yeah, I’ll come home then — if Harlow agrees.”

I swear this man knows how to push my buttons. Worse, everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room.

“To be clear, if I were to do this, Killian needs to understand nothing will happen between us. I won’t agree otherwise.”

Clark blinks, apparently baffled. “I thought that was obvious. You are a healthcare professional. He’s your patient.”

I add hastily, “I know that, but he’s obviously... interested.” My voice is small on that last word.

“I’m not that fucking bad,” Killian says coldly. “Who says I want trailer trash like you, anyway?”

Trailer trash.

The insult lands on every dollar I saved and every form I signed. For one humiliating second, the home I was proud of this morning feels like nothing.

“Honey! Don’t speak like that,” Christine scolds.

She eyes me for a moment, then fawns over her baby boy, kissing the top of his head.

“You’re not bad, honey. She wants what’s best for you.”

Oh great. Now she’s putting words in my mouth.

Just then, I freeze as an epiphany hits: What if he really has to stay sober?

He won’t do that.

They never do that.

I don’t have to save him. I just have to outlast him.

Plus, this is not Evan. I will not love him, lend him money, cover for him, or let him into my life. I will clock in, collect a check, and leave when he fails.

A smile grows on my lips and slowly, I nod.

“I’ll do it if Killian stays sober.”

Clark’s brow lifts. “That’s the whole point. If he’s home safe, people can’t force him to do drugs.”

Force him. I try not to scoff.

At least the big boss thinks I am a team player, and I won’t have to do anything.

Killian will relapse, and I’ll look like I tried my best.

“Now that we have a deal,” Clark announces, “let’s get him home. I’ll get his doctor to sign the paperwork.”

He leaves the room, and Christine fusses over Killian while I retreat to my book. After a while, she leaves to find Clark, and goosebumps rise on my arms.

I’m alone with him.

Killian is staring at me.