Love Conquers All by E. L. Todd

up. I already put in my notice to leave the apartment, and now I have nowhere to go.”
    “He fucked you over like that?” he asked incredulously. “That doesn’t sound like him.”
    “Well, he did. So…can I stay with you?” If he said no I was homeless.
    “Of course you can,” he said immediately. “But what happened?”
    “It’s a long story…”
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    “Aren’t you at work?”
    He hung up.
    I put my phone on the ground and leaned against the wall, my knees to my chest. I didn’t even have a couch to sit on. My head fell back against the wall and more tears fell. I was scared to get hurt by Flynn and that’s exactly what happened.
    I knew I shouldn’t have had Kyle at my apartment, and I completely understood why Flynn was upset, but I thought breaking up with me was harsh. I didn’t cheat on him. I never would. All Kyle and I did was talk. And when he asked me to be with him again, I told him Flynn was a million times better. I wish I recorded the conversation.
    Cortland opened the door then spotted me on the ground, tears stained on my face. He gave me a sad look before he sat beside me. His arm automatically moved around my shoulders and he pulled me close to him. I buried my face in his shoulder, grateful to be held by someone.
    “What happened?” he whispered.
    “Kyle came over a few nights ago. He wanted to apologize and then he asked me to be with him. I told him it was never going to happen and we talked about his break up with his fiancé. Flynn came over and saw. Automatically, he assumed the worst. And he’s pissed at me for letting my ex into my apartment.”
    “Did you explain what happened?”
    “Yeah…”
    “He didn’t listen?”
    I shook my head. “He was still pissed. He said we shouldn’t move in together and he left.”
    “I don’t think that necessarily means he wants to break up.”
    “I’m pretty sure it does,” I said sadly. “You didn’t hear everything else he said to me.”
    “Has he called?”
    “No…”
    “And he knows you have nowhere to live?”
    I nodded.
    Cortland held me tightly. “That just doesn’t sound like Flynn.”
    “Well, I never thought he would get mad like that but he did. He’s never been so mean to me. It was a side I’ve never seen before.”
    “I’m sure it’s because he cares about you so much—that’s all.”
    I closed my eyes and leaned into his chest. “I knew he would hurt me…”
    Cortland said nothing. I’m sure he didn’t know how to respond.
    “Maybe this was all a mistake.” I wiped my tears away. “I can’t keep a relationship. I’m so—”
    “Stop.” Cortland looked down at me. “Don’t do that. There’s nothing wrong with you. Every relationship has its hard times. We all make mistakes and we do stupid things. It’s trial and error. It’s never just a single person who’s responsible.”
    “ It’s pretty clear Monnique was responsible for your break up,” I jabbed. Immediately after I said it, I wished I hadn’t. I knew Cortland was still sensitive about the topic.
    “But we were st ill in odd situations,” he whispered. “And I think she learned from her mistakes.”
    “What does that mean?” I asked.
    “I’m just…explaining.”
    “No, you’re defending her.”
    He was quiet for a long time. “I guess I’ll always defend her.”
    He held me against the wall, protecting me with his arms. It was nice to feel loved by someone, that someone would always be there for me no matter what. Cortland was the family I was missing, the support I never had.
    “I’ll help you move every thing after work,” he said. “I’ll get off early.”
    “You’re going to leave…?” I couldn’t keep the sadness out of my voice.
    “I won’t be gone long. And I’ll be yours afterwards.”
    “Okay.” I didn’t want to let him go but I had to.
    He kissed me on the forehead. “It’ll be alright. I promise.”
    “Okay.” I believed him.
    He left my