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Chapter 18
Istared at my brother, half in horror and half in confusion. "What are you doing here?" I blurted the question out, unable to stopmyself.
"I came to escort Ms. Vandersen," he said. "And I came to see you. Teddi got into contact with me a little while ago. She's been keeping me apprised of what you're upto."
"You could've called me," I snapped. "I've tried callingyou."
"Yes, well, I wasn't worried until Teddi started corresponding withme."
"Worried?" I parroted. "Aboutwhat?"
Grayson growled low in his throat, disrupting my conversation as I turned towards him. He glared at his mother. "This is low, even for you," hesneered.
Teddi laughed lightly, waving her hand as though she hadn't just brought my estranged brother all the way from New York just to torment me. Oh, she was good. She was very good. I had to give herthat.
"I don't think this conversation needs to happen here," Knix joinedin.
Teddi's eyes shot to him. "Oh, no?" she said. "I think this is the perfect time to have a conversation,Knixon."
Knix stiffened and glared at the offensive woman. How any mother could be so calculating and cold-hearted, I would never know. This woman wasn't a fucking mother to me though—there was absolutely no way I saw her as anything more than a problem. Poor Grayson, having to put up with her for so long. I let my gaze drift tohim.
Grayson looked ready to tear Teddi apart. Marv’s and Texas' hands on his arms might have been the only thing stoppinghim.
"We're drawing attention," Bellamywarned.
Teddi heard him and hummed pleasantly. "Are we?" she asked. "So, itseems."
"What do you fucking want, Teddi?" Isnapped.
"Harlow." Michael's voice was chastising. I didn't look at him. I knew he and I would have to have a discussion later, and I knew that I needed to calm down before I spoke to him rationally. Because, in that moment, I was as close to the edge as Grayson seemed to be. I wanted to slap him, punch him, kick him, hit him—I wanted him to realize that this was not okay. He could not just show up in my life after I had tried and tried to get him to come back all because some stranger—this woman—convinced himto.
"Oh, do calm down, dear," Teddi said with another wave of her hand. "Making a scene is soelementary."
I grit my teeth andglared.
“I can’t believe you would pull something like this,” Grayson said. “No, I’m wrong. Actually, I can believe you would,” he corrected himself. “I fully understand now why Dad dumped your ass. You’re a vile, manipulative bitch,Mother.”
Teddi rolled her eyes. “Oh please, Grayson. What did I say about making ascene?”
“That’s no way to talk to your mother,” Michael said sharply, glaring atGrayson.
I scoffed, drawing his attention. “Really?” I said. “You’re really going to pull that? Let me ask you a question, have you even seen Mom since youleft?”
“I’m not talking about this with you here, Harlow. We will speaklater.”
“Maybe,” I said, turning. “If I feel like fucking talking to you, which—by the way, in case you’re not getting the hint—is highly unlikely.” I grabbed Grayson’s hand and then Knix’s. “We’re leaving,” Idecided.
None of the guys stopped me. None of them tried to convince me. By the time we were out of eyesight of Michael and Teddi and I could no longer feel Michael’s gaze on my shoulders, I felt defeated. I felt like we had shown up to prove a point and Teddi had been ready—she’d been one step ahead of us. Bellamy caught my eye and nodded as he moved towards the front hall leading towards the exit with Texas and Marv on his heels. Knix leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to mycheek.
“I’m going with the others,” he said. “You might want to stay here for a moment and calm him down.” He tipped his head towards Grayson, who had my hand in a death-grip.
“I think you’re right,” I whispered back. “We’ll be outsidesoon.”
Knix nodded, departing with long strides as he followed the others. I slowed my steps and finally came to a stop in the empty hallway, pulling Grayson close tome.
“I’m so sorry, Harlow,” he said, his voice rough anddry.
“You couldn’t have known what she was going to pull,” Ireplied.
