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“Goodnight, Gracie, I’ll be dreaming of you.”
He disappears from my screen, and I kick my legs under the sheets and screech. This is happiness, and it’s everything I never dreamed of.
Saturday morning, I am startled awake by the sound of someone breaking into my apartment. Before I have the opportunity to even hop out of bed,my bedroom door swings open and Tessa walks through, red in the face and angry as hell. Holding up her phone, she reads from the screen, “I always had my suspicions, but I trusted my wife implicitly. It looks like that trust was misplaced as I’ve come to find out that she’s been sleeping with Jonathan Hanson since we met. Is this guy fucking for real?”
Well, I guess the media really ran with the story. Too bad my damn husband is better at this game than I am. It shouldn’t surprise me since he’s a narcissistic asshole.
I grab the pillow next to me and throw it over my face, screaming into it as I do. Why did I marry him? And why is he trying to destroy me? He wanted out. I gave him an out. Why won’t he just take it?
“Jonathan and Grace dated in college, but he’s always been a player and I never worried that my Gracie would be interested in someone like him for long. She had me completely fooled. Turns out my money wasn’t enough for her.”
I hold up my hand. “Stop reading. I’ve heard enough.”
“Oh, no. It gets better. While we couldn’t reach Mrs. Kensington or Mr. Hanson for comment we were able to speak with her mother.”
I pull the pillow off my face and sit up. “They spoke to my mother?” My stomach sinks, already knowing what she’ll say.
“My daughter has always been selfish, but this is low even for her. I have always loved Steven like a son, and I only hope he knows that I’ll always be there for him. My daughter did the same thing to me when she was a child. She left me to live with my best friend who had more money and a beautiful apartment in the city. That’s all Grace has ever cared about. Now she’s latched onto Mr. Hanson. He’d be smart to send her back where she came from before she takes all his money and leaves him too.”
Tessa turns to me with eyes blazing, fury emanating off her. The phone buzzes next to me and I don’t even glance at it. There are so many people it could be.
Cash, Marion, the fucking media. I don’t want to talk to any of them.
My own mother. My own mother turned on me.
The phone stops and then starts again. Without thinking, I take it and fling it across the room. My hands shake and my heart pounds. I feel like I’m crawling out of my own skin. A shrill scream tears through my throat. My best friend stares at me with understanding and absolutely no judgment. “Tell me what I can do? Tequila? Cash? Fuck, you want me to go down on you?” She laughs in desperation. “Seriously, Grace, how can I make this better?”
I love her devotion. Lord knows I haven’t had it from the people you’d expect. But I have people who really care which is more than most and I’d rather have that than a bunch of fake relationships with people who so easily toss me aside when it benefits them. A sob escapes and I feel myself spiraling. “Tequila and movies.”
“Name it and you got it, babe. Anything.” She pulls a bottle of Patrón from her purse and a baggie filled with cut up limes. Without effort, I laugh. And then because it hurts too much, I cry as my best friend climbs into the bed, pulls me to her chest, and holds me until there are no tears left.
Chapter 36
Cash
There was a moment where I wasn’t surprised by the result of the media circus. I expected her husband to lash out. I suspected he’d try to turn it all on Grace. What I didn’t consider, and I can’t even fathom, is how her mother would not only not stand by her but actively dump liquid fire over her head and prance with joy over the charring remains of Grace’s reputation.
“If you don’t get her on the fucking phone, I am going to lose my goddamn mind,” I grit out, dialing her for the sixtieth time today.
Frank looks at me helplessly. “She’s not picking up. Her office is closed. I don’t know what you want me to do.”
“Take me to her. Get me a fucking helicopter so I can be with her now.” The idea of driving on a Saturday into Boston is insanity. The ride without traffic will take too long, let alone if we get stuck on the highway. I need to be with her now.
“Cash, the last thing she needs is you storming into her apartment. The media is probably camped out there.”
I bang my fist on the table. I’ve never loved being a James, but I’ve never despised it as much as I do in this moment. The woman I’m in love with is probably spiraling out of control, and I can’t be there for her. I can’t even get in touch with her. It’s enraging.
Carter paces in the other room. He’s speaking with our attorney to see what can be done with Grace. I finally spilled everything to him. Had no choice after I broke every glass in the house I could find when I read her mother’s statements. Add into that the pictures of Grace dancing with Jonathan and I pinched a bottle so tight it sliced through my hand.
Frank stands up. “That’s it. I’ll go to Grace’s apartment. If she’s there I’ll get her on the phone to talk to you. At least you can hear her voice and know she’s okay.”
“That will take hours!” I say, frustrated.
Frank throws his hands up. “It’s the best I can do. Just try to stay calm. Grace is going to need you to be the calm one. Remember, it’sher life that is falling apart. Not yours.”
“Don’t I know it. The entire world thinks she’s with Hanson. I’m nobody in the equation.”
He glares at me. “You’re somebody to her. You’re the only one to her. Don’t be a fucking idiot. Calm down, get yourself cleaned up, and I’ll call you as soon as I have her. Okay?”
