Thinking 'bout a way to get you off my mind (yeah, you!)

 

Mona had no intention of saying any of this was her fault, but deep down she knew she used Hoyt. Of course, she knew she had to have it out with him. No way was she living with her parents. Three days was far too long. She loved being out of the house.

Of course, she couldn't say she was entirely on her own. After all, her parents had signed the lease at the apartment. At least she had that much.

So they said what they had to say, she and Hoyt. It was over in the most silent way. He was moving out.

"I don't want you to quit your job because of me," he said while packing. 

"Of course, I won't," she hugged herself as if he couldn't get out of her place soon enough. It was just a one bedroom with a bathroom and half. It was more than plenty for her. It just perturbed her that she would be alone again.

There was no way she'd ever get back with Hoyt. She never wanted to see his face again.

"Then why are you working for his mother?" Her Uncle Ari asked later when he stopped by with some food that he and Jade had left over.

"Well, it's a good paying job," Mona sighed as she forked through the rice, beans, ground meat, and cheese. She had to act as if she didn't have an appetite but she was starving. At least she wasn't thinking about Rico, but she was. She couldn't imagine she'd taken this leap with him. And then he drove her to her house on that very strange day they got together.

"Are you sure?"

"I can get my real estate license." After all, she was doing all the online listings data, already. She had a good eye for editing. Everyone said so. She was finally jelling with her colleagues even if she was the youngest one there.

It felt like a done deal. She could very well be on her own, even if she didn't really want that, but she could.

As soon as Ari left she devoured the casserole that was enough for three whole days. She couldn't believe it. What was wrong with her? Why would she want to be with Rico, anyway?

It was alarming, yet satisfying. The meal wasn't quite as gratifying as defying her own rules of life. Being with someone who was a good two years younger than her. What was she thinking? It was a lot like avoiding cheesecake and cheeseballs during the holidays.

She cringed at the thought as she wished she could throw up in the bathroom after gorging over the casserole, but she didn't. Instead, she cried like a bullied schoolgirl.

 She'd found her cheesecake and enjoyed every bite of it. Rico was her cheese, and it elated her yet horrified her in the same moment. How in the world could she be the breadwinner in this relationship?