I head back to my room and begin rustling through my drawers and closet, looking for everything I’ll need for the next step of my mission when an unexpected knock sounds at my door.
Brandon sticks his head in cautiously.
“You signed the papers? Just like that?” he asks. “I just saw Lily leaving.”
“You can come in,” I reply sarcastically, intentionally not answering his question.
“Going somewhere?” he prods, not giving up on the inquisition, noticing my duffle bag on the bed. “Please, tell me you’re not actually going to see Mia.”
I look up, confused. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because Eric doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
I fight the urge to let anger and frustration get the best of me.
Why is he getting in my way?
“There’s obviously something on your mind,” I say, the irritation clear in my voice. “Can you just get on with it instead of playing games?”
“I’m not playing games,” Brandon says defensively, visibly getting heated. “But it sure as hell seems likeyouare. You’ve been divorced from Lily for literally, not figuratively, two minutes, and now you want to go and tell Mia that you want to be with her? Are you fucking stupid? She has a chance athappiness, and you’re over here pretending like you’re what’s best for her right now. Wake up, Grayson!”
“What the hell isthatsupposed to mean?” I demand.
“I want her, man!”
Suddenly, it’s like all of the air left the room. I can’t breathe. I stagger backwards onto the bed and attempt to pull myself together.
Thisisworse than the Johanna thing.
“You…what?” I ask sharply in an attempt to make sure I’m hearing him correctly.
“We talked this week, Mia and I. We made a connection. I didn’t want to bring it up to you until I knew it was something serious, but Grayson, I… you can’t fuck with her like this. I can make her happy. Think about what you can give her, and what you can’t.”
“Get the fuck out,” I growl.
“Grayson—”
“I saidget out!”
Chapter thirteen
"Power Over Me" - Dermot Kennedy
Mia
Brandon is arriving tomorrow. I keep telling myself that this is the distraction I need after everything that’s happened with Grayson.
The reality is, for the first time in weeks, it feels like things are finally settling.
Falling into place.
Maybe this is just what’s supposed to happen.
Rylee and I are relaxing on the terrace, wine glasses in hand, when my phone buzzes on the table beside us.
“It’s Brandon,” I announce.
“Well, see what he wants,” Rylee urges, motioning for me to put it on speaker.
