“No,” I cut him off, “you didn’t.”
The preschoolers finally get on stage and start singing “You are my Sunshine,” off-key. And I’m too pissed to enjoy it. Next, Maria and her class come out and read a poem the whole class wrote about family. She’s the loudest and still has her princess hair bun she got from the trip. It’s seen better days.
The next group of kids makes me sit through a speech about the environment, caring and the power of friendship. Finally, Drew and Ian walk on and do their stage fight reenacting their classic hit from the first time, and it’s actually pretty cute. Once they’re offstage, I stand, push past the Four Families and walk out of the auditorium.
Why aren’t you with him? He didn’t want me. It was really bad last time. He’s a client. A celebrity—and high profile equals dangerous. He comes with his own issues. And if Lance still hates him, then Grae must be a really shitty guy. Oh, and he has a habit of fucking my friends, so that’s a big red flag.
Once in my car, I un-silence my phone and find it exploding with messages. Twenty-five missed calls. And so many text messages.
Lena: Apa
Missed call
Lena: Apa
Missed call
Lena: Apa
Missed call
Lena: Apa
Missed call
Lena: FLYING BUFFALO
Lena: Answer your phone.
Missed call
Missed call
Missed call
Lena: Grae… you’re back with GRAE
Missed call.
Lance: Are you insane?
Missed call
Lance: He’s going to destroy the life you built.
Lance: So was this your plan the whole time, marry me off so you could go suck his dick and I won’t notice?
Lance: Really fucking selfish to ruin our honeymoon.
Adrenaline surges through my muscles, and I need a release. I scream in my car until the windows rattle and punch the dashboard until my arms quiver. My two rocks, my Person and my best friend… I knew this was going to happen. They were going to overreact and make me feel like shit for doing one thing for myself.
The phone buzzes again.
Izzy: I’m so pissed.
Yeah, I’m not surprised, it still hurts though.
Izzy: At Lance… sorry hit send too soon.
