Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Lola

“What is it supposed to be?” I ask, tilting my head to the side, narrowing my focus, trying to figure out what I’m looking at.

“Stunning, isn’t it?” Piper appears by my side.

“I honestly have no fucking clue. What is it?” I point to the painting on the wall that Piper’s art gallery, Spectrum, is currently exhibiting.

“It’s inspired by the smell of freshly cut grass on a summer's day.”

“It’s blue.” That makes no sense.

“It’s art, darling.” Piper loops her arm into mine, which is what she does all the time.

“It’s shit is what it is,” I mutter through the side of my mouth.

“To you perhaps, but to me, it’s worth a cool quarter of a million dollars in commission.”

I raise my voice. “This is spectacular. It would look perfect in my library.” I look around, a few amblers spy what I’m referring to, and they walk over to the painting as Piper and I tiptoe away from it.

“I prefer obvious art where I can make out what it is.” I’m just being honest.

“Your preference is so banal,” she drawls.

“I like what I like.” I love Jordy’s paintings. It’s as if they speak to me on a deeper level I can’t quite make sense of.

“How many times today have you been asked how you’re doing?” Piper asks.

“I wish everyone would stop.” We mosey down the largest exhibition room in the gallery, admiring paintings as we head toward the main entrance.

“Awful, huh?”

“But you’re going to ask anyway?”

“I’m not. I already know the answer because you’ll cover up how broken you are initially then finally tell me later via text how much you think all of this is your fault.”

I sigh. “I’m so predictable."

“You are and that’s why I love you.”

I love her too. “I invited myself to your place on Christmas Day.” She was supposed to spend Christmas with me and Graham, which I knew she only suffered through for my benefit. She’ll be happy she never has to spend another minute around him.

“Figured as much. I’m already lining up episodes of The Vampire Diaries to torture you with.”

“Great, I can’t wait,” I reply deadpan.

She grabs her long woolen forest green winter coat from her assistant who is standing by the entrance and puts it on, covering her black wiggle dress that fits her like a second skin. Purse next, her assistant passes that to her as well as a chic pair of black oversized glasses.

“Thank you, Lauren,” Piper says.

“We will see you tomorrow,” Lauren replies, standing like a toy soldier waiting for Piper to leave.

“You know me so well, sweetie.” Piper finger waves goodbye, giving me a knowing look that says our lunches always stretch into dinner.

A mix of Graham not liking Piper and vice versa, combined with Graham doing his best to turn me against my best friend, I haven’t had a lot of lunch dates with Piper since I started dating Graham.

“I've been a terrible friend, Piper.”

She removes her fire engine red hair from inside the collar of her coat and stares at me with her piercing green eyes. “No, you haven’t. Do you remember when I dated Nigel and didn’t see you for a year?”

“I remember him. I hated that guy.”

“Well, now we’re even.”

I wish every relationship I had was as easy and dependable as the one I have with Piper.

Lauren pulls open the oversized glass door for us to exit, me first then Piper. She doesn’t give Lauren a backward glance, as we both thank her at the same time.

“So where are we going for lunch?” she asks, hooking the handle of her Prada purse into the crook of her arm.

“Firepit.”

“That’s my favorite place. How did you know?” she asks, faking shock.

“Because I just so happen to know the owner.” Spoiler alert: it’s me.

We step out onto the sidewalk to walk the two minutes to my restaurant, the first one my father ever opened in partnership with Wade’s father.

Our mother really liked to play with fire. Having an affair with my father’s business partner split my mom and dad up, as well as the business partnership. When my father discovered Wade wasn’t his, Wade and I were separated too.

It’s a mess.

But I can’t think about that now.

“Wade gave me the afternoon off, but I’m doing movie night tonight with him and Kali so I’m not having any cocktails.”

“While I on the other hand, plan on having lots. I sold the most expensive painting in the gallery last week. I’m going to celebrate the new penthouse apartment I purchased yesterday.”

“You bought it?” I exclaim and throw my hands in the air then wrap them around her. I’m so happy for her. Piper has been on a mission to buy a penthouse in the city. “We do have so much to celebrate. But I’ll still only have coffee.”

“I’ll drink for the both of us. I’m so happy Shitty McShithead is no longer part of your life. You were too good for Graham.”

“Lola.”

I unwrap myself from Piper and spin around when I hear my name being called, my spine instantly on edge at the sound of the familiar male voice.

“Speaking of the shithead,” Piper mutters.

I school my emotions, put my shield up, and pull a fake smile. “Hi, Graham, or should I call you James?” It’s odd how much nothingness I feel toward him since learning about his misdemeanors.

“James?” Piper asks, sounding as confused as I was when I found out.

“Graham is his middle name.”

“I want to give him the middle finger.” Piper spits venom his way.

“Fuck off, Piper,” he retorts.

“I certainly will not.” She pulls me into her side, and we lock arms, putting on a united front.

“Don’t speak to her like that.” I stare him down.

“I’m sorry.” His shoulders sag. “I can explain.” His one step closer has me taking a step back.

“Stay where you are.” I look around. “Are you stalking me? How did you know I was here?”

He ignores me, which means he must have followed me when I left Wade’s compound. Wade’s right, staying there is protecting me.

I need to be a little more careful when I am visiting Jordy though. That could be a problem.

I thought I knew Graham, but in truth, I don’t trust him or know him at all, so I’m unsure what he is capable of.

“I love you, Lola. Please, you’ve got to believe me.” He’s very good at sounding convincing.

I scoff. “Love must mean something different to you because the last I heard love doesn’t make you take money that isn’t rightfully yours, and it certainly doesn’t make you cheat, or lie, or manipulate people into getting what you want. You saw me as an opportunity, and you took it.”

“I promise, I can explain,” he insists, but there’s a nasty undertone of impatience there.

Looking at him now, I don’t know what I ever saw him. My rose-tinted glasses are finally clear and the future looks much sunnier without him in it.

“I don’t want an explanation. I want my money back.” I can live in hope.

Wide eyed, sweat beads across his top lip. “I invested it and lost it all.”

I don’t believe a word of it.

Piper jumps in. “So, you’re admitting you took the money?”

“I don’t need to explain myself to you, Piper,” he snaps back.

I need to end this conversation quickly. “You’re only here because you thought you could sweet-talk me into getting back with you. News just in, dumbass, that’s never going to happen.”

“Please come home,” he begs. He looks tired, as if he’s had zero sleep.

“Home?” I question angrily. “That apartment never felt like home, Graham. You talked me into selling my family home. I should have seen what you were doing to me.”

“I never intended to hurt you, Lola. I promise, I’m telling the truth.”

“You deserve an Oscar,” Piper mutters.

“Best supporting asshole. Sorry, I mean actor.” Strength comes to me from an unknown place. I feel myself growing stronger with every word. “How is Nicole?”

“She meant nothing to me. It was a mistake.”

“That you probably made over and over and over again, right?” I tuck my hair behind my ear.

Shifting on his feet, looking uncomfortable, he avoids eye contact with me.

“How long were you sleeping with her behind my back?” I ask.

“Lola, don’t do this.” With his fists clenched by his sides, I can tell he’s spiraling.

“You know what? You’re right. Let’s not.” I straighten my spine, pushing my shoulders back. “I don’t care because we’re done here.”

“We were great together, Lola.” His voice panicked, it goes up a few octaves.

“No, we weren’t.” Now that I’ve experienced a certain sexy hockey player’s tongue that felt like he was painting one of his masterpieces over my entire body, sex will never be the same again.

Like a gift from the gods, Jordy makes me feel incredible and sexy, which I plan on letting him continue to do repeatedly.

Instead of crumbling like Graham thinks I will, I will rise.

I jut my chin out. “I’ve moved on. You should too.”

“It’s only been a few days. Don’t say that,” he says, his voice becoming louder and harsher.

“It’s given me plenty of time to shed the pain you caused in my heart, grow a thicker skin, and come back fighting.” It’s the truth. He might have tried to weaken me, but I will rise again like a phoenix from the ashes and refill my bank account with or without him returning the money. “Now leave me alone before I take out a restraining order on your pathetic ass. And stop calling me from random phone numbers.”

“Stop the investigation.” He glares at me.

I’ll give him ten out of ten for persistence.

“No.” I’m firm.

“Lola.” The way he says my short name sounds like a threat.

“I’m not changing my mind.” He has no power over me anymore. “We’re done here.” The way he’s looking at me tells me he wants to wrap his hands around my neck and kill me; it’s murderous.

I thought about checking with the police this morning about the consequences of stopping the investigation, because if he is charged then it could mean we have to go to court. Forgetting the whole thing might be the simpler option. Especially if it keeps my name out of the press because attracting the wrong type of attention outside of the work I’m doing with the Eagles might not be the smartest move right now.

“Have a great day, Graham. We have a reservation.” I thumb over my shoulder.

“Lola.” He grits out my name between his teeth.

“Do as the lady says, and shove off, Graham. I mean James.” Piper points at his chest.

“I fucking hate you.” Veins pop out of his neck and red flushes his skin, showing his true colors: mean and nasty. He’s speaking to Piper, but I think he’s referring to both of us.

“With every cell in my body, Graham, I hate you more for what you’ve done to me.” Hate his stupid teeth that look like luminous white tombstones.

“Don’t say that. We’re supposed to be getting married. You said you loved me. Please, marry me,” he pathetically pleads.

Has he lost his mind?

“The wedding is canceled.” Elizabeth made good on her promise and got ninety percent of my deposits back. I must remember to give her an extra Christmas bonus.

I want to tell him I can’t find it within myself to love him anymore, but I remain as calm as a monk in meditation and deliver him the truth in a more sympathetic way. “There’s a thin line between love and hate. It’s a line you pushed me over into hatred so intense it almost feels good hating you, Graham.” I don’t need him. I never have. For a moment, I thought I did.

He may have tried to demagnetize the needle on my emotional compass and had me drifting aimlessly, but luckily for me, it’s back in full swing and it’s pointing to a brighter future without his sorry ass in it.

Pacing, Graham pushes his hands into his hair, pulling at the ends in distress. “I might go to prison if you take this any further.”

“Not my problem.” I turn to leave, and Piper joins me.

“You’ll regret this, Lola,” Graham shouts from behind me.

“No, I won’t.” I might if he reveals my identity to Wade.

“What the hell did he do to his teeth?” Piper asks, breaking the anxious thoughts fizzing in my brain.

“They’re hideous.” I cackle loudly, over-exaggerating, purely to wind him up. “I bet you can see him from space, they are that bright.”

“I wish he’d fuck off to Uranus. He’s an asshole.” Piper sounds pleased with herself at her joke as she hooks her arm into mine, linking us together.

Shame that’s not possible because something tells me he’s going to keep harassing me.

“I have so much to tell you.” I groan. It’s going to be a long afternoon.