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It’s up to me to get this conversation off the ground. Which would start with us getting access to her apartment so we can do this in private. Won’t do us any good if Nate and I confess our deep love for her out in the hallway where other people can hear. It’s already such a profound and strange thing, the ideas we’ve been having.
I swallow and meet Laney’s eyes. Beautiful ocean blue I’ve loved for so many years. If I just lean into that… “Lane, we just want five minutes. To talk. You know we won’t hurt you. Youknowwe won’t disrespect you.”
Laney’s frigid expression softens. “It’s not about that, it’s–”
“You owe me this,” I say. Firm. Resolved. “I don’t want to use the past against you, but after what happened, youoweme your complete honesty.”
Her mouth parts, but no words come out.
I lift my brow at her “Right?”
I spent years as an abused martyr in my own story, wondering why the woman I loved had abandoned me, thinking I had betrayed our love. Only to find out she knew for so long that itwasn’t true.
I don’t believe in being owed emotions, but I am owedhonesty.
Laney swallows. “I suppose you’re right.”
I want to say that was easier than expected, but no, the past couple of minutes have been hell.
Laney steps away from the door, deeper into her apartment. I follow first; when I don’t hear Nate’s footsteps following me, I turn back around and give him an encouraging smile. “Come on, man. This is our one chance.”
Our one and only.
Nate perks up at this, nods far more than he needs to, and follows me into Laney’s apartment.
The apartment isn’t very big.
While Laney makes good money in the medical field, it’s still fucking New York.
She’s opted for a widespread studio which means everything is right here for us to see, including her suitcases that are in the process of being stuffed and packed on her bed at the opposite end of the room.
Laney positions herself at the foot of the bed, then faces us. She gestures toward the living area at the front of the studio. “Want to sit?”
“Why are you doing this?” I ignore the question. I can’t say I’m in a sitting mood.
Laney crosses her arms over her chest. “Nate’s in good shape. It’s time for me to move on.”
“That’s not what our contract said,” Nate replies.
“There’s a professional responsibility clause. If I believe, in my medical opinion, you have fully recovered and that I would be taking advantage of my placement by continuing further, I can bow out.” Laney shrugs. “It’s written by hospital lawyers. I wouldn’t take them to task. They’re the most vicious.”
“But why?” Nate’s voice is raw.
Laney heaves a sigh of frustration. “Because I have to move on with my career and my life.”
“But you know you could have stayed as long as you wanted,” Nate replies.
She shakes her head. “You wanted me to stay as long asyouwanted. As long as yourdadwanted. And that’s not fair to me. Not when things have gotten so…” She looks between us. “When things have gotten so fucked up.”
“Is that how you’d describe it?” I tip my head back and raise my chin.
I want her to say it with her full chest. That it’s fucked up. That we’reallfucked up.
Laney flinches. “You know what I mean, Mason.”
“No, I don’t.” I cross closer to her. “Tell me what that means.”
Laney’s lips twist.
