“Once I’ve been digested? And what then? I become a tiny, pathetic footnote in your life?”
“Honestly, Lana, you don’t want to be any more than that.”
“I’m not asking to be any more than that. I don’t want any of this shit. This is so … out of control.”
“I know this feels overwhelming, but we’re almost at mine. Hang in there.”
She reached for the seatbelt clip. “Should I hide?”
“We’re well beyond that. Everyone knows you’re with me. It’s not a bad idea to give people the message you’re under my protection.”
“Under yourprotection?”
“Meaning, I have paid security. I can’t protect you from internet shitposting, but I can keep you safe, physically.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes.”
A bigger crowd than usual was jostling outside his gates, including multiple paps. Two cop cars were parked up, lights flashing. The security guards were keeping people back, giving Griffin a clear run, but just as the gate opened, a cop walked in front of the car, gesturing at him to stop. In full view of the paps.
Griffin knocked his head back against the headrest. He stopped the car, and the cop walked to his window. The paps were going nuts, climbing over each other. Everyone else was filming on their phone. Griffin lowered his window, feeling his facial expression blank. Poor Lana.
“License and registration,” the cop said.
Griffin pulled his license from his wallet and held it out. “It’s a rental car,” he said, fighting to keep his voice steady. What if they arrested him? Dragged him back through the crowd, shoved him in the back of a cop car. What if they arrestedLana?
“Not sure you’re getting your deposit back,” the cop said, eyeing the front bumper. “I understand this car was used in an altercation at Beverly Grove Health Center.”
“An altercation?” The other cop started taking photos of the car.
“You drove forcefully through a crowd of people. Sounds like reckless driving. Damage to property. Possibly criminal negligence. Anything to say about that?”
“I’d have to talk to my lawyers before I could answer.”
The cop seemed to size up his options, but Griffin got the feeling he’d ticked the box he needed to tick. Got his power trip, if it was about that. The hospital surely wouldn’t press charges—and Griffin would pay for the damage. Sure enough, the cop stood back. “Be more careful in the future.”
Griffin nodded. Two paps stood in front of the car, snapping away. Kiki hustled them back, and he rolled on into his street. Both his and Lana’s phones were ringing, but they ignored them. They didn’t talk until he’d parked in the garage. His parents were evidently both out—he’d have to warn them about the gauntlet outside.
“Lana, I am so sorry,” he said.
Her eyes were glassy. She worked her jaw as if trying to control her emotions. For all that he was furious with the paps and the goons, he was mostly furious with himself. He’d put her in danger.
“No,” she said. “This is my fault. None of this would be happening if I hadn’t dragged you in. I put you in a vulnerable position at the hospital, and I know how much you hate that stuff. I should have gone in alone. Like you say, I’m invisible.” Her face fell, and his heart went with it. “Maybe not so invisible anymore.”
“You didn’t drag me in, Lana. I came willingly. I just… I could have handled this a million better ways.”
He got out, walked around to her side, and opened the door. As she stepped out, he folded her into a hug. She wrapped herself tightly into him. She was shaking. He swept her hair aside and kissed her forehead. This time, no one could steal the moment and plaster it over the internet.
“This will go away, I promise.” Like in Darnell’s poem, Griffin couldn’t fix this, but he could give her his time while she processed it.
She pulled away and looked up at him. “I’ve been going through all this alone. I hadn’t realized how badly it was affecting me until…” She looked straight up, trying to keep her tears contained, but one slipped out. “Until I came to you, and you held me up.” She fanned her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m a crier.”
“You’re authentic. Don’t ever apologize for that.”
He lowered his head and kissed the tear, then found his way to her mouth. She responded, her body liquid against his. The world outside might have flipped but with her he found an equilibrium he hadn’t known he could reach.
Chapter 18
