Page 88 of Force of Nature

Chapter Twenty-nine

––––––––

“I’m so sorry, Lake.” Whit runs her hand along my back.

She’s been lying in bed next to me for the better part of an hour after telling me that Thad and Chris left. Apparently they decided not to stay which somehow hurt even more. Knowing they were going to be here for the night there was a chance I could see him one more time. Try to change his mind. Not that I could have. But having that ripped away only further drove the dagger into my heart.

She’s let me scream, cry, get angry, and then cry some more. To this point she’s let me say what I need to without a word but I have a feeling that’s about to change.

“I know you’re really upset right now.” Her words cause me to lift my face from where it’s buried in the pillow and peer to the side. “But in a way what he did was brave. He’s trying to spare you from a life he knows you’d be unhappy in.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re on his side now.” I roll to my back before sitting up against the headboard, hugging my knees to my chest.

“I’m on your side. Always.” She gives me a gentle smile as she shifts and turns so that we’re facing each other. “All I know is that the man that came down to the bar an hour ago was not a man who was unaffected by this. One look at him and it was clear to see he was devastated. I know I don’t know him and we only just met today, but I knew the instant I saw him look at you I knew he loved you. There was just something about the way his eyes locked on you. The way everyone else seemed to fade into the background. I’ve never had anyone look at me like that.”

“And yet look at where it’s gotten me.”

“I know this is still fresh but I think once you take the time to really think about it–once the anger and sadness fades–I think you’ll see that maybe he was right.” She pauses, waiting for me to speak. When I don’t, she continues, “You are the most talented, driven person I’ve ever met. Take a look around, Lake. It’s all finally happening for you. The girl I met four years ago wouldn’t have let anyone stop her from achieving her dreams, especially not some guy.”

“But he isn’t just some guy,” I argue, fresh tears brewing behind my eyes.

“I know you feel that way now but give it time. Another man will come along. Someone more suited for the life you’ve chosen. Someone who can handle the lights and the noise of L.A. and this crazy world we choose to be a part of. Thad isn’t equipped to deal with all this. An addiction like that will follow him for the rest of his life. Do you really think, knowing what you know about this industry and this lifestyle, that he would be able to resist the temptation? It would be like throwing a starving lion into a pen full of sheep and expecting it not to eat.”

“I never thought of it that way,” I admit, having not once considered this.

“That’s why I’m here.” She pats my leg. “To see the stuff you’re too hurt to see.”

“I don’t know how he did it. How he made me fall so completely for him in only a few short weeks.”

“Because sometimes it’s instant and we have no control over it. That’s how love works.” She shrugs.

“Love sucks.” I huff.

“Yes, honey, it really does. But life, life is beautiful and when you find therightman to love, it won’t suck so much anymore.”

“When did you become so well versed in love?” I cock a brow at her.

“I’ve been through enough breakups to know that eventually the pain will heal and what you’re left with will be memories to carry with you forever. Things you will learn and grow from. I feel like those experiences have made me more ready for when my dream man comes along.”

“Speaking of dream men, you and my brother seemed awfully chummy.” I turn the attention to her, desperate to talk about something else for at least a little while.

“What can I say? When you know, you know.” She gives me a brilliant smile as my eyes go wide.

“Shut up.” I smack playfully at her.

“I’m messing.” She giggles. “But for real, he is smoking hot. How in the hell do you have a brother that hot and you never told me?”

“Because hot and brother do not go together in my vocabulary.”

“Well they should because that man is fine.” She fans herself dramatically.

“What exactly happened while you two were alone?” I question.

“Come on now. I may be easy but I’m notthateasy,” she jokes. “We just talked and laughed... A lot.”

“And?”

“And before he left with Thad we may have exchanged numbers.” She bites her bottom lip to suppress her smile.

---