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The hopeful expression on Luka’s face fell instantly and he let out a choked sound when she turned and basically ran from the event hall. I stood there, frozen, unsure who to go to next. Julie looked really upset, but so did Luka. I reached for him, but the minute my hand settled on his shoulder, he shrugged me off, stepping away.
“Don’t.”
My gut tightened, and I moved around him to look him in the face. “Luka, I think–”
He jerked his head to the side, shutting me out. “This was a stupid fucking idea. I shouldn’t have–” He gritted his teeth, the pain heavy in the air. “I need to get ready for my speech.”
He stormed off, leaving me standing there watching him. It stung after everything we’d been through. I tried to be understanding, Julie’s reaction wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but it hurt all the same.
Turning on my heel, I went looking for her. Something was up with her. In all the scenarios I’d run through my head, I hadn’t ever expected her to shut down like that. She looked upset before he even talked to her, so I wasn’t entirely sure it was even about us. I jogged toward the door, looking around the crowded entryway, but she was nowhere in sight.
I saw a flash of red getting into a cab right as I stepped outside, but it was gone before I had a chance to get a good look at her. Running my fingers through my hair, I let out a frustrated groan. Everything was turning to shit so fast it made my head spin. Julie was upset. Luka was crushed. I had no idea what was happening with Grayson, but I got the feeling he was involved since I knew he wouldn’t want Julie to leave alone tonight.
A familiar helplessness settled over my shoulders. I had no idea what to do to fix it. It felt like I was being pulled in several directions, none of which had a happy ending. I stood outside, staring at the line of taxis, until it started to rain and I had to head back in. I never expected tonight to end like this.
* * *
I tried calling Julie a few times that night. Her phone went straight to voicemail. I got worried at one point and thought about going to her place, but I second guessed myself. The last time I tried to help, I ended up screwing over Luka’s happiness in the process. I shouldn’t have gotten involved. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten involved in any of it. This all felt a little bit like my fault. I was the one who found Julie. I was the one who volunteered to share her. I was the one who started fooling around with Luka. I was messing with my friends’ happiness all because I was selfish and wanted them to stick around.
I spent the rest of the weekend at home, trying to figure out how to fix this. I tried calling all three of them, but no one picked up the phone. Not even Grayson. By the time Monday rolled around, I was so tense, all my muscles were screaming at me, and I hadn’t slept more than a few hours. I didn’t like things being like this. I didn't know what I’d have to do to make it right, but I needed to try. I couldn’t lose my friends.
I went to Grayson’s office first. I figured he’d be there. Whenever he didn’t pick up his phone, it was because he was working. I assumed Julie would be at her desk and I could check in with her too, but when I got there, her desk was empty. Only her assistant was there, and she flashed me an apologetic smile when I arrived.
“Good morning, Mr Reid. I’m afraid Mr Andrews is busy at the moment, but if you want, I can leave a message letting him know you were here.”
I frowned. I knew he was busy. Grayson was always busy, but he never turned me away before. He’d let me sit in his office while he worked until he had a minute to talk to me. Julie would always smile and send me in, even if Grayson was on the phone.
“Where’s Julie?”
Her expression faltered, and her smile looked more like a grimace. “I’m not sure. She didn’t show up this morning.”
Unease settled in my stomach and I marched into Grayson’s office, ignoring the assistant’s protests.
Grayson sat behind his desk, glaring at paperwork and rubbing his temples. He looked like shit, which only made me more worried. If Julie was here, he’d be taken care of and not bogged down with work. Something wasn’t right.
“Where’s Julie?”
He barely glanced up at me. “What?”
“Julie. Your girlfriend. Our girlfriend. Where the hell is he?”
He made an irritated noise, sitting up. “I don’t know, Bennett. She’s probably working. I–”
“Her assistant said she didn’t show up this morning. You’re really so self-centered that you didn’t notice she wasn’t here?”
That caught his attention, and his head whipped up. “What the hell, Ben?”
Growling, I stomped over to his desk, grabbing the phone and dialing Luka’s office. He might be ignoring my phone calls, but he wouldn’t ignore a work call from Grayson.
“What?” he snapped.
“Get up here. Now,” I demanded, hanging up before he could argue. Marching back to the open doorway, I barked at the assistant. “When Luka comes up, send him through.”
She jumped, startled, but I pushed the guilt away, shutting the door roughly behind me. Grayson was staring at me now, a mix of irritation and confusion on his face.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you can’t treat our employees like that. What the hell is going on with you?”
“Me?” I snapped. “You’re the one who’s ignoring what’s right in front of you. Julie isn’t here! She hasn’t missed a day since that douchebag humiliated her, but she’s not here! Why don’t you care?”
