Page 100 of Through the Storms
“Whoa, back up. This doesn’t have anything to do with why I’m going on the interview.” Lana’s tone was measured. “I was explaining why I can’t join you at Two Trees. Besides, I still have to bring in the money.”
“The money’s gonna pick up. Suzette called earlier and said the phone’s been ringing nonstop at Two Trees since my Weather Channel interview.” Oakley took a deep breath. “I want to go back to why you felt like a fourth wheel.”
“They’re waiting for me,” Lana said. “We shouldn’t have started this conversation.”
“Fuck them.” Oakley finally let her anger surface. “Sorry, but this is too important to end the call now.”
“It’s just an interview. We have plenty of time to discuss this.”
“You’re my world, Lana.” Tears rolled down Oakley’s face. “So pardon me if I feel like my whole life has been turned upside down.”
“I just wanted you to know. I’ve never done anything behind your back. You don’t need to take it so hard.”
“I’ll sell my part of Two Trees and come with you.” Oakley knew she was coming off desperate, but she didn’t care. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Oak, please, stop. You’re over—“ Lana’s breath caught. “Sorry, your feelings are legit. I didn’t mean to discount them.”
“But why now, of all times? I finally did something to make you proud. To make me worthy of you.”
“What are you talking about?” There was genuine confusion in Lana’s voice.
“The Oakanator. I finally proved I was somebody. Somebody worthy of you. Maybe if I get it right next time, even my dad will see my value. That his fucking daughter is just as valuable as his son.” Oakley broke down in sobs and could no longer speak.
“Oh, god, Oak, is that really how you feel?”
CHAPTER 37
Lana lay her headon her desk and let her hair splay across her papers. Somehow, after her call with Oakley, she’d been able to pull it together and work with her team on the latest projections. Of course, she had. She was the responsible one. The reliable one. The practical one.
Ugh.Sometimes she wished she could throw caution to the wind. Her head pounded, so she massaged her temples.
A knock sounded on her door. When she looked up, Carol breezed in.
“What are you still doing here?”
“I told you I’d stay, didn’t I?”
Lana sat up. “You did. But I didn’t think you’d stay this late.”
“I was working on quarterly reports.”
Lana didn’t believe it, but she didn’t have the energy to probe.
“You told Oakley about the interview,” Carol said.
Lana raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but how did you know?”
Carol’s face reddened. “Fine, I didn’t stay until midnight to work on quarterly reports. I came to say good night earlier, and I heard you on the phone. By the tone, I assumed it was Oakley.”
Lana rubbed her temple harder. “It was.”
“Didn’t go well?”
“Not exactly.”
“Are you still going?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t make a commitment one way or another.”
