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"Ethan, what does that even mean? You are the bad guy. This is the last place on earth I want to be right now." He doesn't bother answering, just pulls me through the double doors and into the grand ballroom.
The space is elegantly decorated. A bar is stationed across the room adjacent to the doors that runs the length of the room. There are at least one hundred tables draped in black cloths with huge red floral centerpieces. The white walls are lit up in deep shades of red, and towards the front of the room, there is a stage with a pedestal flanked by the Missouri State flag and the United States flag. We must be at a political fundraiser.
That's when it dawns on me that the only political figure, I can think of that would be close to Ethan is August's dad. We are at a political fundraiser for Augustus Barron Branson. The Branson family has been involved in politics for years, they are long-time donors to the Missouri Republican Association, but recently Augustus decided to throw his hat in the race for a senate seat. Figures he can reach middle-class Americans with his blue-collar manufacturing roots. Then it hits me, that means August will be here. Earlier I was all gung-ho for this plan because I thought being seen with Ethan meant, mingling with friends and word filtering back to August that we were together. I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for the actual act of seeing him.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, I spot him at the bar, and my heart sinks. He's standing at the bar with a beautiful blonde, the same blonde that showed up at the club. His hand is placed on her lower back as she leans into him to say something. They look perfect together, the epitome of upper class with their flawless outfits and perfectly manicured hair and makeup. They were high school sweethearts, and I was foolish to ever think I could compete.
We made promises to each other, delicate vows in moments that I thought were filled with heart-wrenching, passionate honesty. But standing here now I know that they were empty. Promises are supposed to mean something, but sometimes they are just words.
Ethan follows my line of sight, and I try to look away quickly so that he doesn't see the hurt in my eyes. "Princess, remember that tough skin I warned you about."
"Why did you bring me here? Why do you want to hurt me?" He narrows his eyes at me in question.
"Am I the one hurting you?" As soon as the words leave his mouth, I know he's right. He technically isn't hurting me, but he knew where he was taking me tonight, he knew August would be here, and I know he knew he'd be here with her.
"Don't act as if you didn't know he would be here with her."
"I haven't pretended anything with you, and if you must know..." He's cut off mid-sentence when Augustus Barron Branson comes over to hug him.
"Ethan Grand! How are you doing, son, and who is this lovely woman you have on your arm tonight?" I smile, taking in his handsome features. Augustus is an older version of August. His hair is starting to grey around the edges, and his kind eyes are beginning to wrinkle, but you can tell he keeps himself fit for his age. I met him a few times over the years when I was young, and my mother was his father’s personal assistant. My mother would bring me to work on occasion when she couldn’t find a babysitter. I’m sure he doesn’t remember me, but he was always so nice, and he would even pay me for helping out which was a big deal for me. I can’t help but smile at the memory.
"This is Gianna Moretti. We met through August, actually." He smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.
"Young lady, you have grown into a lovely woman." Then he turns to Ethan and says, "Son, you'd be a damn fool to let her go," and walks away.
Ethan smirks, "Let's get a drink, shall we." I take his arm and say, "Yes, but at the other end of the bar, please." He smiles, "Your wish is my command."
August
Twenty
It'sbeenalittleover a week since I last spoke to Gianna. I haven't slept, I barely eat, and the only thing I'm running on is protein powder and whiskey. Work sucks because she's not there. When I leave the office, I head to the gym and work out until I physically can't anymore, letting out all my frustration.
When I found out where she was and why, I knew she wouldn't want me to stay. Hell, she probably didn't want me there period, but I had to see her, consequences be damned. I know Croft is important to her, but I don't believe that she doesn't feel anything for me. The night before we practically made love as crazy as that sounds.
When I walked into that hospital and found her looking broken as hell, I pulled her into my arms and held her. I know she was happy to see me, I could feel it in the way her body relaxed into mine, but I also know my girl is stubborn. For this reason, I was prepared to stop by, check on her and offer her support in whatever way she would let me. Of course, in the back of my mind, I was hoping she would want me to stay, but I was prepared to leave.
Then she almost passed out on me. It took everything I had to not take her home with me once she ate. She was sacrificing her own health to stay by his bedside, and I'm not going to lie and say that didn't tear me up inside. I would give anything for her to care about me that way.
What I wasn't expecting was for her to ask me to leave because she didn't want me there. After the night we shared, I thought we were past pretending we didn't want or care about each other. But, when I looked into her eyes, they were laced with regret, hurt, and sadness like I was the source, and I couldn't bear to be the reason for her pain, so I did as she asked and left.
I wasn't expecting her to completely cut me out of her life. No texts, no calls, nothing, I was nothing.
So, you could imagine how livid I am to see her at the end of the bar on the arm of EthanfuckingGrand, my alleged best friend. He has his hand on her waist while he leans into her ear, saying something that makes her laugh out loud. If every guy at the bar wasn't already staring at her, they are now. She is the most beautiful woman in the room. Her long dark blonde hair is pulled over one shoulder in soft curls, and her dress leaves enough skin on show to make you salivate without being too risky. Tonight, she is elegance personified, and I'm furious.
This isn't happening. There is no way he showed up here with her like she is his to flaunt.
I make my way to the end of the bar in no time flat and stand right in front of them just as the bartender sets down two shots and two martinis.
Ethan spies me first and gives me an arrogant half-grin before Gianna notices my presence. When she does, she just looks at me, void of any emotion. What the fuck is that about?
"Gianna, why are you here?" I know Croft hasn’t woken up yet and she hasn’t left his side. So, the site before me doesn’t make any sense.
Before she can answer, Ethan cuts in. "Well, isn't that obvious, August? She is my date."
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and I cross my arms to keep myself from punching him square in the jaw right there on the spot.
"Date? You have some nerve bringing my girl here on your arm—"
