Page 76 of Formula Freedom
My phone’s already in hand when I drop into the kitchen chair, fingers pulling up my airline app. I scroll through flights to Japan, weighing my options. I could give Lance one more day and then fly out. I’d make it in time for the practice sessions and Reid would be surprised but thrilled. It would mean walking away from this half-finished chapter with Lance, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Maybe he doesn’t deserve closure.
My thumb hovers over a direct flight option when the sharp knock hits the door.
Once.
Twice.
Then three more times in quick, impatient succession. Too firm to be friendly. Too early for delivery.
Somehow, before I even reach the front door my stomach twists into a hard knot. I know who it is before I open it, but I confirm by looking through the peephole first.
As anticipated, it’s Lance and he looks like hell.
His eyes are bloodshot, his jaw unshaven, and the clothes he’s wearing are wrinkled and rumpled, like he hasn’t slept in them so much as existed in them. His hair is flattened on one side and wild on the other.
I’d hoped we’d talk later today—over at his parents’ house, maybe with someone around to help keep things civil. I had not envisioned he would seek me out. Not like this. Not on my parents’ porch while they’re both gone.
My heart thuds against my ribs and I embrace the fear. I hate that I even have it, but yeah… I’m afraid of him. He looked unhinged in Zurich, and I realize I don’t trust him at all.
The wisest thing to do would be to ignore him and hope he goes away. I can catch up with him later over at the Hemsworths’ home.
But I think about Reid, without me in Suzuka, and my pressing need to close this chapter of my life pulls forth a reserve of courage.
And it may be stupidity, but I open the main door while holding the screen shut with one hand. “Lance,” I say carefully and his eyes lock onto mine through the mesh. “I wasn’t expecting you here.”
“Yeah, well… I wasn’t expecting a lot of things.” His voice is rough, like gravel. “But here we are.”
I flush with guilt but swallow it down.You’ve done nothing wrong, Lara.
Unless you count moving on with your ex-fiancé’s brother mere days after you broke off the engagement.
I should make him leave and set up a time we can talk. But he’s here right now, and this can all end. I can fly to Japan and be with Reid.
I glance past Lance, scanning the street. No car. He must’ve walked. He shifts on the step and my stomach flutters with nerves. He’s twitchy. Jumpy.
“Can I come in?” he asks.
I don’t want to do this alone but he’s already here. And as much as I don’t feel threatened exactly… there’s a tightness under my ribs that hasn’t been there since the night I left him.
Maybe against my better judgment, I unhook the latch and push the door open. “Just to talk.”
He stares at me and I wonder what’s so difficult about the boundary I’ve set… just to talk. But he eventually nods and brushes past me, into the living room like he owns it. Like nothing’s changed. I leave the door slightly ajar—just in case.
Lance stands in the middle of the room, glancing around like he half expects someone else to be here. His shoulders are rigid, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
He turns on me with a sharp pivot, his eyes wild and bloodshot. “So… you and Reid?”
The air between us tightens, like the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. I don’t flinch. I lift my chin slightly, keeping my voice even. “Yes.”
Something flickers across his face—shock at my refusal to be ashamed, then betrayal, and finally the simmering rage I recognize all too well. A muscle jumps in his jaw, taut as a wire. His hands fist at his sides, and I can see the whites of his knuckles standing out stark against the ruddy tone of his skin.
“When did it start?” he grinds out, each word bitten off through clenched teeth.
I draw in a breath, cool and steady, even though my heart’s banging like a drum. “After I left you.”
He scoffs—sharp and ugly. “Bullshit.”
