Page 93 of One Billion Reasons

I pour myself another finger of whiskey. The liquor is going down easily, and the thought of getting too drunk to know if Lane is downstairs from me sounds really fucking good right now.

“I fucked everything up with Lane. And I lost the property.”

“He’s lucky this hasn’t made it to the press. I told him it was a stupid idea,” Jonah interjects. He’s already given me some version of this speech twice, and I flick him a dirty look.

“That’s rich, coming from you.”

“Meaning?” Jason asks. He’s all too smug and happy and tan, and it makes me want to knock back the liquor even faster.

“Meaning he’s been obsessively tracking down the reporter writing unflattering gossip columns about him. Equally stupid.”

“That’s different,” Jonah replies shortly.

“Come talk to me when she writes something awful about you, then. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“So what did you do to fuck up with Lane?”

“I told her I was obsessed with her.”

Jason raises a brow. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Jonah snorts. “Wait for it.”

“Against my better judgment,” I add. “She told me she loved me and I apologized. Actually, the first word I said was no.”

Jason winces and leans back against the booth. “You’re an idiot.”

Jonah leans forward. “Told you. Your girlfriend once called me emotionally stunted, and even I know that was a dumb fucking thing to say.”

“Shut up,” I grumble. “You’re not helping.” I’d be angry if I could feel anything other than despair.

Jonah’s on a roll now, though. “Text Cynthia and see what she says.”

“Can we not?”

Jason ignores me. He unlocks his phone and taps out what seems to be a long message, then puts it face up on the table and waits. A second later, it lights up. Jason turns the phone around so we can see the message.

Cynthia

I thought Miles was supposed to be in touch with his emotions

I’m worried about you hanging out with him

Is his idiocy going to rub off?

“Very funny.”

“Ask her what he can do to get her back.” Jonah’s eyes are devilish in the lamplight, but Jason taps out another message.

It comes in a second later with one word.

Grovel.

Jason grins up at me. “It worked for me.”

“I’m not sure it’s an option, honestly. Liam said I broke her heart.” I shut my eyes and press my head back against the cool velvet of the seat. Lane’s eyes, filled with hurt, the way she shrank into herself. It all plays behind my lids. An endless and sickening loop in which I’m the villain and I can’t help but hurt the only woman I’ve ever loved.

Jason sucks in a breath, and when I open my eyes, his are filled with sympathy.

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