My Ex's New Girlfriend (gxg)

Part 51

As April approached, Katie was able to secure some prom makeup gigs, mostly with the help of Kim. Leah's younger sister, who was a senior in high school, also asked Katie if she could do her and her friends makeup for their upcoming prom.

Katie had four weekends booked so far, and I could tell that it made her really happy, and she was looking forward to it.

She wanted to be out of her house as much as possible, considering her mom was full out abusing Xanax again. She would try and keep it a secret, or act like she was just tired, but it was obvious that she wasn't.

She was still keeping her job, but I could tell that Katie was at the point where she was just tired of it.

One night after we both worked, we went to a diner together and got pancakes. Katie started talking about her mom as she sat across from me.

"I'm not trying to sound like I'm giving up on her. But I'm just tired. Tired of the cycle of her getting clean and then using again. I've made it my problem my whole life, and I'm just fucking sick of it," she said.

"I don't blame you. I really don't. You've dealt with this your whole life basically. I'm sure you've had enough."

"She worries me sick, she always has. Living with her makes it worse. Seeing it all the time just fucks with me. I just don't want it to seem like I don't care."

"It doesn't seem that way, at all. You just can't have it weighing on you so much anymore. I know how much you care."

"I care too much," Katie sighed, "That's why getting an apartment has been on my mind a lot lately."

I looked at Katie, "I don't think that's a bad idea at all. In fact, I think it could be a really good thing."

"You think so? I've lived with my mom for the past 24 years, anyway. I have to move out at some point. I feel like I've had enough."

"I think you should start looking for a place. I'll help you."

Katie smiled at me, "I'd love that. I also don't want you to think that I'm like, making this big decision without you. It's just-"

"Too early for us to live together?" I smiled back at Katie.

She nodded, "I'm glad we're on the same page about that. I want to live with you, of course. One day. I want everything with you."

"We have time," I reassured Katie, "Don't worry about me. Just make sure there's an extra drawer and a toothbrush for me at your apartment."

"Of course," Katie chuckled, "You can have more than that."

I thought that it was a great idea for Katie to get her own place. I knew she could easily afford it as well with the tips she made at the restaurant.

Brandon was able to return back to work in April, about 6 weeks after the accident. His arm was healing. He was on light duty, but he seemed glad to be back at work.

"I never thought I'd be fucking thrilled to see this place," he said to me on our first day back together.

Devin placed his hand on Brandon's shoulder and said, "I'm glad you're back, Bran. We missed you."

"We did," Deshawn, who was standing with us, nodded, "This place felt different without you."

Daniel, who was also with us, said, "I have missed you, Bran. Glad you're back."

Brandon looked at Devin, "Hey! Your birthday is soon."

"April 15th," Devin nodded.

"I'm going to throw a party for you at my house," Brandon announced.