Chapter 7- Never say never

Remy

I blinked, as I tried to process his words while simultaneously trying not to choke on a piece of honey-glazed chicken.

“You…want to move into my building?” I asked, once I’d finally swallowed. I set the container on the floor before turning my attention to him fully.

“Cory, if I’m not mistaken, you own a penthouse in the city, and a perfectly stunning family mansion. Why on earth would you want to move into my, admittedly nice, but much smaller apartment complex?”

He shrugged, though I could see a slight flush creeping up his neck.

“It’s quieter, closer to work. And honestly?” He paused, eyes dropping to his food, instead of me. “I’m tired of the commute.

Then his voice softened.

“Plus… I know you’re going through a lot, Rem. I just wanted to be nearby. Not to hover, just to be available.

My heart fluttered at the sound of my name.

Rem.

It had been a long time since he called me that, years even. It was a little pet name August despised. I hated how much I still loved the way it sounded coming from him.

“If it’s something for you to think over, then that’s ok. I’ll be waiting.” He concluded, then grabbed his container and continued eating like he didn’t just drop a bomb into my lap.

I wasn’t going to lie. The gesture was sweet. Almost too sweet. It felt like a safety net, but it also felt dangerously close to replacing one brother with another.

I looked at him, really looked at him. Cory had always been the softer, more empathetic counterpart to August’s intensity. But this felt like a massive blurring of professional and personal lines.

“Cory,” I said softly, setting my chopsticks down. “That is… incredibly thoughtful, really, but I think I need to do this alone.

He stilled.

“If I have you right there,” I continued, forcing a small laugh, “I might just crawl into your apartment and hide there for at least six months.”

He gave a small understanding nod, though I saw the disappointment flicker in his eyes. “I get it, totally, just … the offer is still on the table. Take your time and think about it okay?”

“Okay” I whispered.

I checked my watch and realized our hour was almost up. I stood up, smoothing down my skirt. “Well. I need to head back to the lion's den. Thanks for lunch Cory. And for not judging my floor-eating habits.”

He chuckled, a vibrant bubble of laughter, standing as well and brushed invincible lint off his suit pants. “Anytime, Rem.”

I smiled, gave him a knowing look, before I grabbed my purse, I felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety. I had faked being ok for an hour, but now, I had to return to reality.

I opened the door and stepped out, ready to face whatever Freya or anybody had planned for me.

************

Later that evening…

“So. I’ve been thinking about our conversation earlier, and I’ve decided to support you.” I announced, as I lifted and laid my bare feet on Cory’s dashboard.

I leaned my head back against the leather headrest, the cool air from the vents hit my face as the city lights blurred past the window.

Cory glanced at my foot, then back at the road, a half smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Support me? That’s a very professional way of saying you’re letting me move upstairs.”

“Don’t get cocky,” I teased, though the weight in my chest felt a fraction lighter. “Its a trial run, and there are ground rules.”

He hummed, amused.

“Rule number one: No ‘accidental run-ins' when I’m taking out the trash in my pajamas. Rule number two: You are not my bodyguard, and rule number three…”

“Let me guess”, Cory interrupted, his voice dropped an octave, and it made him sound more like a Wilmer than usual. “August can never find out.”

The name hung in the air like smoke.

Thick. Heavy. Suffocating.

The reality of what I was doing hit me. By letting Cory move into my private space, I was inviting the very ghost I was trying to outrun to sit at my dinner table.

“Actually, no.” I said sharply. Too sharply. “He doesn’t have a right to know anything about my life anymore.”

Cory didn’t argue, just nodded once.

“Ok then, so what’s rule number three?”

I stared at the passing streetlights.

“Remember when I said I wanted to get rid of everything that reminded me of him?”

Cory slowed the car as we approached a red light, hands tight on the steering wheel.

“Yeah.”

“Well, the last thing that kinda stands in my way is the gift he gave me for graduation. I have to get rid of it.” I finished with a deep sigh.

“You wanna sell your car?” His eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.

“I have to,” I insisted, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to sound firm. “I’ve given it a lot of thought. Every time I sit in that driver's seat, I remember the way he handed me the keys. I remember the look on his face, how he told me I deserved the best.”

I swallowed hard and stared at the dark pavement ahead.

“It’s a beautiful car, Cory. It’s perfect. But it’s a tether. And I can’t fly if I’m still tied to the ground by his generosity.”

Cory let out a long, slow breath. He didn’t try to talk me out of it. He didn’t tell me I was being dramatic or that it was a waste of high end vehicle. He just nodded.

“I totally understand.” He said softly. “When do you want it gone?”

“Soon.” I whispered.

Then I forced myself to brighten up, because the heaviness threatened to swallow me whole.

“So, basically what I want is for it to be sold. Since you’re moving in, you can be like my personal chauffeur, that is, if you’ll have me.” I leaned towards him with my hands joined together, mouth drawn in a pout, trying my best to pull the puppy dog look.

Cory stared at me for a beat, his expression a mix of amusement and something a bit more profound– like he was seeing a version of me he hadn’t seen in years. The puppy dog look was a relic of our past, a bit of the old Remy peeking through the cracks of the heart break.

He let out a short, breathy laugh and leaned back. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Personal Chauffeur, huh?” He mused, his eyes dancing with playful glint. “I don’t know Rem, my rates are pretty high. I usually require payment in the form of home made espresso, or at least a decent playlist for the morning commute.”

“Deal.” I said, a genuine smile tugged at my lips. I dropped the pout, but kept my feet planted on the dash.

The lights turned green and he eased the car forward. The silence that followed was heavy this time, it felt like a shared secret.

I looked out the window as we pulled up to the entrance of my house, at least soon to be ex house. Literally counting down the days till I was out.

My eyes trailed to the silver SUV parked in front.

I inhaled slowly, then looked away.

“Thanks for the ride Cory.” I said, as I pulled my leg down from the dashboard.

“You’re welcome, Rem.” He hesitated. “Same time tomorrow?”

“You know it.”