Page 91 of Mr. Green

“Don’t you pull your Cupid shit on me, Lana.” She points at me.

“Why? You’re always content and happy after seeing him.”

“Let’s move on. Jason, who’s your latest flavor of the week?”

“I need a new one too.” He sulks, putting his hand under his chin while he leans on my island. “Why do you think I’m here with you, instead of out with a man?” He looks offended as he brushes over his chest with his hand.

“Let me get my purse and we’ll get out of here,” I tell them.

Jason and Paige pet Queenie and talk baby talk as we head out for the night. Looks like we all need a night out. I need to have fun, especially if I’m going to be single forever. I still have hope for Grant and I, but just in case I’m focusing on the music tonight. I need to get lost in a beat.

It doesn’t stop my mind hoping Grant will be there.

Chapter 59

Grant

I’m at Matt and Scarlett’s place. They just got back from their honeymoon. I may be crashing in on their lovey-dovey bullshit, but I don’t give a fuck. I need to get out of my place. I don’t want to be alone. All I can think about is Lana. Three weeks of wondering what she’s up to, what she’s doing, who she’s doing. It’s not fun. I’m driving myself mad. I need to be around people and Matt is my best friend, so...

“Grant, why do you smell?” Scarlett asks me with her hands pinching her nose, staring down at me on the couch. “How long has it been since you showered?”

I sip my bourbon. I can’t remember and I don’t want to answer.

“If you’re broken up about losing Lana, why don’t you get her back?” she asks, as if not being chosen over a douchebag wasn’t a big deal.

“She chose someone else.” I stare down at the floor while I swirl my drink in my hand.

Scarlett argues right away, “She’s not with anyone, Grant. For someone as smart as you, you’re so dumb. All she needed was closure. She got it. You acted like an irrational teenager and made her biggest fear of someone who loves her leaving, come true.”

“No, I didn’t.” I resist the urge to shatter the glass holding my golden syrup. “She chose to meet with some dude after I told her it was me or him.”

“What about her?” She has her hands on her hips. “What about what Lana wanted? What about what she needed? Do you know how long she was hung up onRyan?”

I shake my head. I never got the details of their relationship. I knew it wasn’t good, but I didn’t want to know about some other guy she had been fucking.

“She was trying to get over him for years because he drove her self-esteem into the fucking ground. She wasn’t even her when he was done with her. You knew that.”

She waits as I avoid her stare.

“She had some things she wanted to work on and figure out.” She puts her hands up in a stopping motion. “I’m not blaming you. We all pushed her, but her talking to Ryan was what she needed so she could get closure.”

I know that, but it felt like she chose him. I was only seeing the relationship from my side. I knew I wanted her to choose me, but choosing herself was the best thing she could have done. I sit up, proud of her decisions.

“Her marathon is this weekend. Paige, Matt, Jason, and I are all going to be at the finish line. Maybe you should be there too. Show her you support the decision she made. Shower first, though.” She walks away.

“Yeah, man.” Matt slaps my shoulder. “I’m scared you’re going to leave a fog of smelliness in my house. Go take a long shower. Then get a haircut and shave somewhere else because I’m about to fuck my wife and I don’t need witnesses.”

“Lucky son of a bitch,” I mutter.

“Hey.” He shrugs. “It could’ve been you if you didn’t have your head so far up your ass.”

“It took you six months to realize you lost something good with Scarlett.”

“It only took me three––which, I admit, was still too long. I couldn’t come back here until you agreed. You wouldn’t, so my plan took longer.” He pauses. “By the way, I figured it out on my own. Don’t be an idiot. We can all see you two were made for each other.”

I roll my eyes. I know they’re right. I can see the asshole I’m being. I need to get it together. I need to be the guy Lana deserves. I hope I’m not too late.

Chapter 60