“No, but if you make a pass at me in front of your girlfriend one more time, I’m going to beat the snot out of you.” She said it with a pleasant smile on her face. Mandy threw back her head and laughed. Anita and Denise joined in. “That may not sound like much of a threat since it’s coming from little old me, but I dealt with a lot of bullying and abuse when I was younger. I learned how to defend myself. I still carry a lot of pent-up anger and frustration, and I would love an excuse to let it out.”
Grant cocked his head, looking at her questioningly. “Okay, so you’re asking me to help you out and offering me nothing in return, and also threatening me.”
“That about sums it up, yes.”
“Here’s a little newsflash. I’m a selfish, self-centered asshole. Ask Mandy if you don’t believe me.”
Mandy nodded. “He does not lie.”
“So why in hell would I do anything to help you when there’s nothing in it for me?”
She marched right up to him until she was almost pressing up against him, and boldly met his gaze. “Because there’s a woman who’s living in terror every minute of every day because she’s married to an abusive sociopath who delights in causing her pain. She might not survive past the trials; who knows what Jerrold will do to her at the end of the day if he’s lost a trial and needs a punching bag? And you may be the only person in the pack who can figure out a way to save her. So you’re going to do it because that’s what a decent person would do, and somewhere underneath that slick, fake exterior, I know there’s a decent human being lurking.”
She knew it because of the picture. Whoever he’d been in love with once, she was likely the only woman Grant had ever loved. Once upon a time, Grant had opened himself up enough to be hurt. He had a heart; he just guarded it really, really well these days.
“Well, that’s just terrible. You actually called me decent? I don’t think anyone’s ever insulted me like that before.” Grant tried to look offended.
“Don’t worry. You hide it really, really well. And Mandy, you’re coming with us.”
“What? Me? You want me to go with you?” Mandy looked utterly shocked.
“Yep. We’re going shopping. We’re going to enjoy some girl time. You need to be in a dickhead-free zone for a while.”
Mandy laughed and walked over to join them.
Grant shook his head. “Seriously. Okay, you offer me nothing, you threaten to beat my ass, you insult me by calling me – excuse me while I puke –decent, when in fact I am nothing but a platinum-plated asshole, and now you’re stealing my date? And you actually think I’m going to help you out with Leota?”
“I know you are,” Taylor said with satisfaction.
Grant shook his head and stalked off without so much as a backward glance.
Taylor’s smile faded and she felt worry twist deep inside.He’ll do it. He has to. He will do it. Won’t he?
Chapter Seventeen
“Omigod, so, like, we’re going shopping?” Mandy said.
“Mandy. You don’t have to act like a ditz around us, because I know you aren’t,” Taylor said.
“Oh, thank God. It’s been giving me such a headache.” Mandy massaged her temples with her index fingers.
They headed over to a sandwich shop and ate lunch, while Anita and Denise filled Taylor in on local pack gossip and pack life. Then they went to a clothing store, which, to Taylor’s surprise, had the latest fashions and plenty of brand names.
As Taylor browsed through the racks, Mandy came over to her, holding a pretty red dress that was perfect for Taylor. She handed it to her. “I just bought it for you,” she said.
“For me? Why?”
“Because you were nice enough to include me. You should see how everyone else here looks at me.” Mandy smiled ruefully.
Taylor sighed. “Mandy, here’s the problem. When people see you letting a guy treat you as if you’re worthless, some of them will believe that you actually are. It’s unfortunate, but true. You deserve better. You should ditch him and find a quality guy.”
Mandy shrugged. “Okay.”
“No, seriously.”
“Yes, seriously. It had to end sometime. Might as well be today.” Mandy pulled her cell phone out of her purse and started texting.
Taylor looked after Mandy. Something was off there. Grant, she understood. He’d had his heart ripped in two by someone, and now he was drowning his sorrows in women who were her complete opposite – women who would never remind him of her. Women he considered disposable. But what did Mandy get out of the deal? Why had she worked so hard to pretend to be what Grant wanted? Could it really just be for the money and sex?
