Chapter 176 MOVERS

Chapter 176 MOVERS
Bohdi’s POV

It was dark when I landed. I flew back to school with my mind spinning, the noise in my head loud. I had already decided I wasn’t going to stop seeing my boyfriend, but now I needed to figure out how to actually do it without my father finding out again.
I wouldn't be so lucky next time.
Maverick was already at the door when I got there, like he’d been waiting. He probably was. He smiled when I walked past him to get inside, and the words I was about to say to him withered in my throat when I saw two man stacking my things into boxes.
My father worked fast.
“Bohdi,” he asked. “What’s going on? They've been packing your stuff. They said they’re from you?”
I stepped to the side as the man brushed past me carrying a box of my books. I watched him carefully, eyes tracking the corners of the box, the way he gripped it, making sure nothing would bend.
“Okay,” I said, hoping it sounded causal, “I, uh… I have to move.”
“Move,” he repeated, “Move where?”
“To another room,” I replied, trying to communicate just enough before we could talk as we needed to.
“Is…” he glanced around us, his voice dropping slightly, like he was aware that this wasn’t private. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I said instead, too quickly. Not now, Maverick. “Why wouldn’t it be? My dad just found me a new space.”
“A new… space?” he repeated, slower this time, like he was testing the words, turning them over. “You’re moving out?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I shrugged.
“So you're leaving?”
I heard what he was really asking underneath so I shook my head.“No,” I chuckled, “You say it like I'm moving countries. I won't be far away.”
I saw Maverick take my words and roll them around, as the other man back, doubling the number of eyes I felt on me. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were wearing a wire or something.
“You should be happy,” I said, bumping my shoulder against his. “You were getting the whole room now. You always complain that I'm too—” I shouldn't say anal, “much of a neat-freak.”
“Yeah,” he said after a second, rubbing his neck. “You are.”
The men were packing the last of my stuff into boxes and I had the feeling they would dally around until I left, which couldn't be too long. So I smiled. “Anyway, I've got to go set up my room.”
Maverick nodded, attempting a smile. “So I'll see you around.”
I smiled back and didn't respond. I could feel his gaze on my back as I left, following behind the two men.
My new building wasn’t far. It was about two minutes away, maybe less and I was in 1B.
One of the men opened the door, and let me in, handing me the key after they'd dropped off their boxes.
Then I was alone.
The room itself was almost identical to ours; same layout, same furniture, same colour even. The only difference was the absence. Half the space already felt empty without Maverick's things.
He called before I even sat down. “So, what the hell?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “I'm not sure if he believed me completely but my punishment is a new room.”
“I see.”
“And I’ve been told not to speak to you anymore,” I replied, my voice amused. “But obviously, I'm not listening, baby,” I added quickly, glancing around to make sure there were no blinking red dots.
He sighed in relief, the sound deep. “Okay good. But did you tell him that?”
“I….didn't, but that doesn't matter.”
I had a feeling Maverick didn't approve. And a moment later he said quietly, “He’ll keep doing this if you don't put your foot down.”
My teeth clenched. Maybe it was just the nerves of the day and maybe I was just tired from somewhat keeping my secret but I didn't appreciate Maverick saying it like it was that easy. Him of all people should know that it wasn't, going against my father for him even in this way.
“Yeah, but I don't want to end up like—”
Fuck.
I skidded to a stop because even I could hear my tone. That sounded harsh, and his father had just fucking died.
“Like me, yeah?” He added, quietly.
“I didn't mean…”
“Yeah, you did,” he sighed, sounding tired all of a sudden. “I understand. I get it.”
“Maverick—” I started, trying to gauge the impact my words had inflicted. Had I hurt him? How much? “I was just—”
“Let’s just drop it, you're right.”
Okay, now I knew it wasn't. I opened my mouth to apologize when he cut in again. “Let's talk tomorrow okay? I'm tired. I'm glad you're back.”
Another cowardly move but I agreed. “Yeah, tomorrow, baby. We'll sit somewhere and just really talk, right?”
“Sure. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I exhaled loudly at the sound of the call’s end tone. I didn’t like that but I felt like I might do more harm than good anyway. Tomorrow. I’d be better tomorrow.
But for now I was back to living on my own.
Just like the good old days, I guess.