Between sniffles and high-pitched squeaks he says, “She was Pen Girl the whole time.”
“I don’t know what that means.” Lena slams the door, there’s a deep sigh on her end as she softly says, “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Does this mean I have to start being nice to Amanda?” Not this shit again.
“I gave Grae two weeks, then I’m gone. There's not much damage he can do in two weeks.” There’s a long silence before she laughs.
“Wow, I almost believed you.” She hangs up, and my phone buzzes one more time.
Izzy: So Lance told me his side of the story. When you’re ready, I’d like to hear your side. And then I’m asking Grae.
Izzy: Nothing about Lance’s story makes sense.
No shit. I've been trying to unravel this mystery for years.
CHAPTER 18
Grae
Day 4
Alana hasn’t answered my texts this afternoon, but she probably has a ton of work to catch up on. I should do some work too. But my agent hasn’t sent me any clients.
So instead, I’m heading over to Amanda’s place for our weekly dinner with her, Craig and CJ. Should I tell them about Alana? It’s been twelve years. I don’t even know if they would remember her.
Amanda’s place in the city is a private, old brown stone with six floors, nestled in a block of equally historical houses. Two million dollars a floor. She prefers to stay at her place in the Hamptons, but since she's starting rehearsals for next summer's tour, the city is just easier. Tickets go on sale next week, right around when my 14 days run out. So, I’ll either be the happiest guy in the world or down bad and crying in my shower.
As soon as I open the door, I’m attacked by a green ball of yarn. This time I think it’s a frog? Oh, and it has a hat. She’s been making little yarn animals for about a year now. She gives them to Forever Wish Kids. But if she’s trying out a new design, I’m normally assaulted with it until it meets her standards.
“Nice one! I like the accessories.” I wave the frog up at her. She stands at the top of the stairs, hair in a ponytail, pajama pants and a cotton white shirt.
“I think his eyes are lopsided.” She frowns because it’s a work in progress, and she’s only happy with 95% perfection.
“Maybe, but it gives him character. He’s had a life and seen some unholy shit.” I bounce up the stairs to give her a hug.
Craig calls in from the kitchen, “Bro, you’re late.”
“I got sucked down a rabbit hole about Iceland and it’s mythology.”
“Why?” he asks as he lifts up a bottle of wine.
Because the love of my life is super cute and into it so I’m trying to learn about the things she likes. And I’m beginning to suspect she’s had a really shitty experience with men besides me, and her bar is so low it's basically in a grave. That’s why. But instead, I say, “It looked cool.”
I don’t normally drink. The champagne was the first time anything other than water, tea or coffee has touched my lips in years, which is why I fell asleep so quickly on the plane.
I notice CJ and join him on the couch. I haven’t seen him in a few weeks, and I like to keep tabs on him. He’s worked so hard to stay on the right path, I’d hate to see him stray… again.
“Hey.”
He doesn’t take his attention away from his phone. Typical, classic CJ. He’s the center of the world, and the rest of us are just stars.
“Are you guys ready?” Amanda puts plates on the table.
“Coming,” CJ says, sliding his phone into his pocket and giving me a shoulder nudge. “Hi.” He blinks at me. “You’re all glowy. New skin care?”
“I switched over to a Korean rice cleanser.” But that’s not why I’m glowy.
