I had no idea what to do with myself. Checking the time I saw it was now seven thirty. Oh good. Killed an hour and a half. I ran down to make coffee and called Grant.
The phone rang three times with no answer. I waited for his voicemail to pick up. Then the phone clicked on and then disconnected. What the hell?
I dialed again and it went right into voicemail. Wait. How could that happen? It was just ringing. Someone picked up and hung up …
Chapter 39
It’s Time for the Web Conference
… Who the hell hung up on me? I ran upstairs to my computer and tried to get ahold of him there. Nothing. My prompt was never answered. Maybe I just missed him. He couldn’t be mad at me. I felt my stomach knot. There was that bad feeling again. I had to get this out of my head. He did nothing wrong. His plane was fine. He thwarted the advances of that bitch, and now another day of not answering me. Maybe they were preparing for the meeting. The lawyers had sent over all the new contracts this morning and I’d emailed him our notes. I’m sure her law team was mulling them over. I called Dane.
“Hey, Lanie. You did some amazing negotiating last night. The lawyers were really impressed with that and the press conference. You’re a rock star.”
“Yeah, thanks. What time is this webcast?” I asked.
“You know it’s at ten. You programmed it into your phone. It’s in your calendar.”
“Right.”
“What’s wrong with you? What happened last night? Are you going to tell me?” He sounded slightly panicked.
“No, it’s not important. Where should we do the call?”
“Your office. You have the biggest screen.”
“Fine, get your ass over here then.”
“Lanie, it’s not for another two hours. You can’t reach Grant again, can you?” Damn. I might be mad at Dane, but he knew me too well.
“No. I can’t.” I felt tired. I felt nervous.
“Damn, I can’t wait for Grant to get home so you’ll be normal again.”
“Normal?”
“Well, yeah, Lanie—you’ve been a wreck since he left.”
“I’m sorry. I just want him to come home.”
“It’s only a few more hours. Want me to check the airlines to see what time his flight is? Will that make you feel better so you can focus on work?”
“Yes, please.” I felt weird asking Dane for help, but I’d take whatever I could get.
“Fine. I’ll look it all up and then I’ll come over. Coffee?”
“Made. Just get over here.”
“Okay, Ms. Demanding. Be there in like ten.”
I stuck my tongue out at the phone and hung up. Then I called Grant again. It went right to voicemail. Damn it. I waited impatiently for Dane. Any distraction would be fantastic.
“Lanie?”
“I’m up in the office. Grab yourself coffee and come on up.”
I heard fumbling in the kitchen, more fumbling, and then footsteps coming up the stairs.
“Hey. That was some—”
“I don’t care. When is his flight? I want this over already.”
“His flight is at six tonight.”
“The meeting is at ten. Why isn’t his flight until evening? He should leave the meeting and come straight home. It’s a long flight.”
“Lanie, I didn’t make the reservation. He’ll be home by midnight or sooner.”
“Fine. What time is it now?”
“Jesus, Lanie. I’m not going to sit here and have you ask me the time every two seconds. Here.”
He took his watch off and handed it to me. I put it on and stared at it.
“Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea, either. Give it back.”
“No.”
“Give it to me.” Dane put his hand out and smiled. Not a happy smile, it was a placating smile.
“Absolutely not. It’s mine now. You can buy another one.”
“Lanie, you gave me that watch for my 20th birthday.”
“I’m a fucking Indian-giver. I want it back. I bought it.” I smiled back, shined the watch on my shirt and then admired it.
Dane rolled his eyes and started to set up things on the computer for our webcast.
“I have no idea why you want this set up now. The meetings not for another—”
“I don’t want to waste time. This is more efficient. All we’ll have to do is sign in.”
“You’re nuts. You know that? Lately you’re nutsssssss.” He didn’t look at me directly, but his facial expressions at the monitor showed he was kidding, and maybe just a little bit serious. He was right. I was acting certifiable lately. I had no idea why I was being so insecure. I mean really, why would Grant cheat on his brand new fiancé? I was being ridiculous.
“I’m hungry.”
“Didn’t have enough Crazios this morning?” Dane said, making a circular motion with his finger to the side of his head.
“Shut it, Dane. I need to do something to kill time.”
“Basketball?”
“Have you seen what I’m wearing? Does this look like a basketball outfit?” I was being a snotty bitch. Better to get it all out on Dane than to be all twisted inside for the web conference.
I actually couldn’t tell whether I had butterflies at seeing Grant or if I felt like ripping into Brianna Stone. I hadn’t seen her except for her attempted seduction of my man. However, she was my bitch right now. Maybe I was looking at this all wrong. Maybe it was pure adrenaline that had me so anxious about this webcast. Now she would finally get to see Grant and I interact; that alone could give anyone the perfect impression we were totally connected. Then I could intimidate her. That’s right. I’d put her right into her place just like before.
“How about we play war? You won’t mess your pretty self up and it’ll pass the time.”
“You want me to play war with you? Seriously? Yeah. No. Dork.”
“Did you just call me a dork? Really? Plainy Lanie?”
“You seriously did not just call me that. Daner the Wolf Trainer.”
“Lanie, that’s not funny. That was a serious thing. I wasn’t faking.”
“Right Dane, you saw giant wolves roaming around the woods. Uh huh. Sure you did. You were eight. I still say it was a German shepherd. Or maybe a coyote.”
“They were ginormous wolves. I know what I saw.” He truly did sound like he believed it. But he’d been telling us about it since we were little. I was sure by now he’d actually convinced himself it happened.
“Right. And it changed your life. I know. I’ve heard it. Repeatedly.” I rolled my eyes and sighed.
“Lanie, those wolves taught me what to be in life.”
“Right, cause you’re so successful at everything you do.” My sarcasm was dripping off the sentence. I rolled my eyes again.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I shook my head. The list was just way too long to rattle off. There wasn’t even enough time before the conference to get half way through it. So I told him so.
“Lanie, that’s just wrong. I’m leaving. I’ll be back later.”
“No. Don’t go. I was actually having fun abusing you.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“For what? Where did that come from?”
“I’m sorry for what I did to you and Grant. Especially you.”
I just stared at him. What was he saying? I didn’t know how to respond.
“I would never rape you, Lanie. Never. I’m so sorry you think that. That’s almost worse than having done it, because you think I actually could do that to you. To anyone.”
“Dane, what did you think?”
“I thought you wanted me. I guess I thought I could be your like, I don’t know, rebound guy. Fuck, Lanie. It hurt enough to find out you thought I was Grant. But then to know you both think I raped you? I don’t know what to do anymore to make it better. I want to have back what we had before, but you with Grant now. It’s where you belong. Together. I know that.
In the back of my mind, I always have.”
“What do you mean? You always have?”
“I’ve known he was in love with you since the pact, the second one. That’s why I made him make it. I had such a crush on you back then and knew he only ever had eyes for you the entire time. Our whole lives.”
“But why? Why wouldn’t you tell him it was okay? When you were with Callie; you didn’t love me. Why wouldn’t you want us to be happy?”
“You were my backup plan.” My mouth dropped open and I my eyes widened.
“I was your fucking what? Your fucking backup plan? You thought I’d just be waiting around for you?”
“Look, Lanie, I wanted to apologize, not get you even angrier at me. Please. I just want you to know how sorry I am. I was a complete ass about it. I had myself convinced you were the one.”
“Really? And dating Lori was what?”
“A time killer until you got home. But then she wouldn’t leave. And she was always eyeing Grant. So we came up with that stupid fucking plan. I’m so sorry. But I never meant for you to think I raped you. Never.”
“Dane. I don’t really know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I know you hate me. You both hate me. Grant will never be the same with me again. I’ve ruined everything. I’ve destroyed our family.”
And that’s what started the longest conversation I’d had with Dane in a very long time. He talked about how bad he felt and I told him how I felt about Grant. Really felt all these years. We talked and time passed and we basically used all the time I was trying to kill before the meeting.
“Lanie.”
“Dane, we’ve talked about so much my head is really spinning. No more.”
“Lanie.”
“No, Dane. I think we should take a break.”
“Lanie, it’s time for the web conference.”
I looked at Dane’s shiny watch on my wrist. Yep. It was time.
“Well, sign on already!” I had a huge grin across my face and I was pushing Dane towards the machine.
We sat in front of my computer side by side and started our end. Soon I heard a beep and I knew I’d see Grant’s beautiful face in seconds and I’d be aching for him in an instant. Then they were in view, and all I could see was Grant. Smiling at me, that perfect, sultry smile. Oh God. I couldn’t wait to kiss that mouth. I needed him.
“Lanie, stop fidgeting,” Dane said under his breath. But I wasn’t fidgeting. I was sliding on the wet spot that had formed instantaneously between my legs.
“Good morning, Lanie, Dane,” Grant said smoothly. I melted. He smiled wider.
“Good morning, Grant. Oh and Brianna. Good morning.” I was still having computer eye contact with Grant.
“Good morning, Lanie. Good morning, Dane,” Brianna said in the most sickeningly sweet tone. I felt like I’d throw up a little in my mouth.
“Pleasure to meet you face-to-face. Grant.” Dane nodded toward Grant, who in turn, nodded back.
We began discussing the details of the contract. My eyes were fixed on Grant. His, in turn, on mine. I could feel the heat between us through the monitor. It was intense.
“I sent you those files last night to your email, Grant. I tried to call you then and this morning, but all I got was voicemail. Why didn’t you answer?”
“Honestly, I can’t seem to locate my phone,” Grant said. He instinctively patted his pockets.
“Oh. I’m so sorry. Grant, I have your phone,” Brianna purred.
I immediately felt like my entire body was on fire. I tensed up and Dane turned to look at me. I gave Grant a what-the fuck look.
He looked at me, and then at Brianna, and then back to me.
“You have my phone?”
“You left it in my room last night.”
I felt myself breathe in and then hold my breath. My stomach knotted and I looked at Grant. He looked at her strangely. I couldn’t exactly get what the look meant. I crossed my arms and pursed my lips. Grant cleared his throat and Dane followed suit.
“Well, let’s continue. We don’t have all day,” Brianna sang.
Dane took control of the meeting and I just stared at Grant. He just stared back, and then at his feet. Brianna and Dane finished, and then it was time for them to sign. I said nothing. Grant hadn’t said much, either. Grant and Brianna stood side-by-side. She bumped his shoulder, turned, and giggled at him. Grant smiled and then handed the pen to Brianna. “Ladies first.”
She took the pen way too slowly out of his hand, her fingers brushing lightly over his. She kept eye contact with him with a small smirk on her face. I just glared at them. She signed her name, turned toward him and handed the pen back to him. He hesitated. What the hell was that? He took the pen and signed the contract.
“Great. Done deal. We’re all finished up here. Now we have a lunch date …”
“Appointment, a lunch appointment. Not a date,” he said, looking at me. I felt the very edges of my lips turn up. In that same instant, it flashed through my mind why he wasn’t flying home right after the meeting. He was staying to have lunch with her. That just burned me up.
“Brianna, it was a pleasure working with you and we’re extremely pleased to be entering into this venture with your company.” Dane was all business. He sensed my agitation and actually put on a very professional cool exterior with Ms. Stone. Was he showing some kind of protectiveness for me?
It didn’t matter. She’s the one who needed the protection. I was ready to destroy her. Her call was nothing but a lie. She was still making a play for Grant.
“Ms. Stone. Grant, what time can I expect you to be home?” I said in my sweetest voice. Emphasizing the word home.
Grant took a seat on the couch in front of the monitor. He looked at Brianna. “Was your assistant able to move my flight time up?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot about that. I just had her book lunch.” Brianna played stupid.
“Seriously? I was very specific that I wanted to leave right after the meeting.” Grant sounded slightly peeved.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Grant.” She reached out and touched my future husband.
“Lanie, I’m sorry. I won’t be home until around midnight.” Grant looked genuinely disappointed. I knew I was.
“Now don’t you worry, Lanie. I’ll make sure to put him on a plane home to you once I’m done with him,” she said.
“Excuse me?” I was ready to put that bitch back in her place.
“I think we can end this web conference and Lanie and Grant can pick this up privately,” Dane interrupted.
“I think that’s a great idea. Okay, signing off now. Goodbye.” Brianna hit a button, but they were still there.
“Grant?” He didn’t seem to hear or see me, but I could see and hear them.
“Brianna, what was that all about?” Grant said. She moved closer to him and around the back. She began to rub his shoulders. He turned to look at her.
“Grant, last night was just so sweet.” She cupped his cheek and turned his head toward her and kissed him. Her head was in the way, so I couldn’t see what Grant was doing, but he hadn’t moved. Was he kissing her? Was I actually seeing this? I turned to look at Dane, who was slack-jawed, staring at the screen. I looked back and started to hit buttons, saying “Grant” over and over again. Brianna turned around and touched something on the desk. Suddenly I could see Grant’s face turn toward the monitor and pale.
“Lanie,” was all he could get out.
“What the hell was that?”
“Lanie, how much did you see?”
“Everything I needed to.” I felt the tears begin to well up in my eyes. I was going to start bawling any second. Uncontrollably. I backed out of the room holding my breath, never taking my eyes off Grant.
I ran. I ran out of the house and just kept running until I was looking out over the cliff. My whole world was crashing in. I was right. This trip was something bad. After everything Grant and I had gone through
in such a short amount of time; it all crashed down in seconds.
I laid down on the edge and just looked at the rocks below, the waves crashing over them. I didn’t think. I just looked. I’m not sure how long I was there. I heard Dane walk up at some point, but he didn’t stay. He placed my cell phone down beside me and walked quietly away. I didn’t touch it. I didn’t look at it. I just continued to stare at the angry ocean.
The Cliff Page 34