“I know exactly how you feel,” he replies. “More than you know, in fact.”
I don’t know how he could possibly understand how I feel.
Who else would this happen to?
“How?” I blurt before I can prevent myself from speaking.
“Johanna. I’ve been in love with her pretty much since I met her. I almost had her, too, until I didn’t. I just… I get it.”
So, Brandon Jackson, of all people, understands my pain. Something I never expected, but something that is definitely welcome.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. “Assuming you wouldn’t understand… I’m sorry.”
Brandon smiles sympathetically. Looking at him, it’s the first time I recognize how beautiful his smile is.
“It’s okay,” he replies. “You couldn’t have known.”
“Brandon!” Tony hollers urgently from downstairs. “Get down here!”
Brandon shrugs apologetically, giving my shoulder a good squeeze before he heads for the door. “We’ll talk, I promise.”
I nod and watch him go, the sea breeze whispering over the edge of the balcony as I try to steady the storm inside my chest.
Chapter eight
"Addicted" - Loveless
Grayson
I’m such afuckingidiot.
Kissing Mia Alexander was absolutely not part of the plan. Not that I really have a plan. But if I did have one, that kiss would not have been part of it.
Everything Mia said after the kiss was completely accurate. How, in a matter of days, has my life managed to become this fucked up?
Shortly after Mia leaves my room, Eric walks in unannounced, interrupting my inner monologue, the door slamming against the wall as he enters. He looks concerned about something. I don’t see that from him very often. I sit up from my reclined position on my bed and brace myself for whatever he has to say.
“You need to come downstairs,” Eric blurts. “Lily’s here, so you need to wipe that guilty-ass look off your face and get your shit together. Tony and Brandon are keeping her occupied so she doesn’t start wandering around looking for you and accidentally find Mia instead. That being said, get your ass downstairs.”
Oh,fuck.
So, not only is Lily here, but apparently, somehow, Eric knows what had transpired between me and Mia. Not to mention that the minute I walk downstairs and see Lily, she’ll know something is up, I’ll have to talk about it, and then the fighting I’ve been trying to keep away from everyone will start.
This is the absolutelastthing I need.
“Why is she here?” I ask dumbly.
“Dude, I have no idea. She’syourwife. Or ex-wife. Or whatever she is now. Obviously she’s back from tour and wanted to see you.”
“Doesn’t anyone know how to use a goddamn phone anymore?” I snap, pushing myself off the bed, past Eric, and towards the stairs.
Eric follows quickly behind me as I approach the living room. Sure enough, Brandon and Tony sit on the couch talking with Lily.
“Hey, Lil,” I say nervously. “What are you doing here?”
Her brown eyes catch mine as she turns away from the guys to face me, her golden curls shimmering in the sunlight coming through the window. Seeing her for the first time in so long on something other than a pixelated FaceTime call almost makes me forget why we’re doing this in the first place.
“I thought it was about time we fought in person,” she smirks.
