She sneers as I stiffen.
“Watch your mouth, Lily,” I tell her. “Don’t talk about things that you have no understanding of.To be clear, we have nochance. This has been over long before our separation, so stop playing like you don’t know that.”
I open the envelope and take out the contents, thumbing through the papers I requested. Sure enough, there’s Lily’s signature in thick, black ink on the last page.
Somehow they feel heavier than I thought they would, now that I’m holding them.
All I have to do is sign.
“I’m going back on tour, to Europe, in three days,” she says, no emotion in her voice anymore. “I’ll stay in one of the guest rooms, but I’d like to have an answer by the time I leave.”
“Won’t be a problem,” I reply quietly.
It’s strange—how final it feels. I wanted this. I’d replayed the conversation in my head a thousand times, trying to imagine what this moment would be like, but this feeling is nothing like what I pictured in my mind. I thought that seeing those papers would come with a sense of relief, maybe even some kind of twisted sense of freedom. But right now? I just feel hollow. Finally, I think I’ve gotten her to accept that it’s done.
Chapter eleven
"Let Me Down Easy (Lie)" - Why Don't We
Mia
Rylee and I make it back to our apartment in the early evening. After ordering Chinese takeout, throwing our luggage in our rooms, and stretching out on our cream colored sectional in the comfort of our own home, we begin to do a debrief of our trip over a bottle of wine.
“So,” Rylee starts. “How are you feeling about everything?”
I honestly can’t tell her. Between kissing Brandon before boarding our plane and now with Grayson texting me to see if I’ve made it home, my head is spinning more than ever.
God.When did this become my life?
“Just trying to figure out what to do next,” I say, sending Grayson a quick reply. “Clearly, all of this isn’t just going to go away.”
“Is it Grayson or my brother texting you?” Rylee asks hesitantly, as if bringing up Grayson will hit a nerve.
“It’s Gray,” I sigh, then pause. “Hey, how did he get my number anyway?”
“I might’ve given it to him,” she admits as her cheeks redden. “There was a lot of groveling—I mostly did it to get him to shut the hell up. He didn’t give me much of a choice.”
I roll my eyes.
Of course.
“He cares about you. I can see it. The way he looks at you, Mia—I’ve told you before, I’veneverseen him look at anyone like that. Not even Lily. But Brandon? Brandon would be perfect for you. He’s sweet, stable, loving, and most importantly, not still technically married.” She stops, giving me a pointed look. “I know I’m biased, but you two would be great together. You’ve got options.”
“I don’t even want options,” I huff. “I want someone who wants me and, ideally, someone who’s not married!”
“Then it’s my brother,” Rylee laughs. “With him, there’s no choices to make, no secrets to keep. He just wants you. At least, that’s my interpretation of it.”
“Maybe I should invite him here, see how things are between us without all the Grayson drama?” I ask.
“That sounds like a great idea,” she smiles as she picks up her phone to send me his contact card.
I sigh and start typing.
Mia Alexander
Hey. What’s your schedule like in the next couple weeks?
Brandon Jackson
