Page 49 of Make You Love Me

Me:Let me know when you’re ready to talk.

“I love you more than all the waves in the ocean Lottie Richmond,” I whisper as I walk away, closing the bedroom door behind me.

Chapter Fifteen

Corbin:You know skipping out proves I'm right!

Me:Right about what?

Corbin:That you couldn’t handle my class… it's okay to admit it. You wouldn’t be the first.

Me:I will do no such thing. I killed it in your class on Wednesday, and you know it. To be honest, I thought you were a little soft.

Corbin:Soft… me? I'm the furthest thing from soft. But you know who is, the girl who drank so much last night I had to take her home instead of to class.

Me:Please don’t remind me of the amount of liquor I drank. My head just stopped hurting.

Corbin:It’s 7:00pm… lightweight!

Me:Ugh… Struggling… send help in the form of a massive cheeseburger, fries, and a coke :)

Corbin:Have you eaten today? I'm with Lucian. I can swing by with some food if you need it.

Me:No, but don’t you worry, Grubhub is coming to the rescue!

Corbin:Okay, enjoy that! See you Monday, Trouble.

Me:See you then! Sorry again about this morning.

Ireallydofeellike complete garbage. Who did I think I was drinking like that? Several seltzers, a fifth of liquor, and several tequila shots later, and I had totally forgotten about my plans today. I felt like such an asshole this morning when Frankie woke me up because Corbin was there to drive me to kickboxing. Once he saw the condition I was in, he was more than fine with dropping my ass at home on his way to class. There was no way in hell I was doing any sort of physical activity today.

Regardless, I had a fun night, from what I remember anyway. It gets a little blurry after that hot-as-hell shot-gun Greyson gave me, then the game of Circle of Death.The one thing I know for certain is that although I woke up with a massive hangover, I was enveloped in Greyson’s scent. When did he give me his shirt and, most importantly, why?

Not going to lie, I haven’t taken it off all day. I know it must make me some sort of masochist, but I can’t help it. Having his scent around me makes me feel safe and protected.

I still haven’t responded to his text. The fact that I'm even more confused after speaking with Frankie leaves me unsure as to what I'm going to say to him. If he wasn’t with Amber that night, then why the hell would she have answered his phone…maybe he did lose it.My heart does a little flutter at the hope creeping through.Don't be too quick to forget about that video.

My brain hurts too much to think about it. I need to rest, and I’ll text him tomorrow once my brain cells are functioning properly.Yes, that’s a good plan.

***

Sunday brunch with Ethel is calm. She’s busy talking my ear off about her upcoming fundraising gala for the Richmond Research Fund in November. It's a nonprofit she set up in memory of my mom. The RRF provides funds to doctors and scientists working on cutting-edge Leukemia research involving advanced treatments and maybe one day, a cure. It’s probably the only selfless thing Ethel has ever done in her entire life, but that’s beside the point. The gala is coming up in a few weeks and I need to start helping wherever I can.

Due to school scheduling conflicts in the past, this will be the first event I can attend in person. Supposedly, it’s a really big to-do around here. Important people from all over will be in attendance. It makes me smile to know this foundation helps so many in their fight with Leukemia. My heart squeezes at the ever-present feeling of loss.

I'm brought back to our conversation when I hear Ethel pipe up. “The Roberts will be there. I expect you to behave accordingly. Besides, you owe it to Jacob after that stunt you pulled last time.” I almost choke on my drink at her words. You have got to be kidding me.

“I don’t think I owe Jacob anything… he’s a friend, nothing more,” I argue, my palms becoming clammy at the memory of that night.

“Oh Charlotte, always one for the dramatics. He’s a fine boy and you could only be so lucky to catch the attention of a guy of his upbringing,” she replies while taking a sip of her mimosa.

“Ethel, you know that means absolutely nothing to me. I don’t want Jacob in that way. And, as of the last time we spoke, he was well aware of that fact,” I say through a calming breath.

“Well as the sole heir of the Richmond Steel fortune, there is a certain level of class you are expected to uphold,” she preaches with an iciness in her tone. I know she’s still bitter about her parents’ Will, but that had nothing to do with me. It was their decision and apparently, it was written a few years ago.

Besides, why doesmyinheritance even matter to her? Ethel is loaded. From what I’ve heard, husband number three left her with a hefty settlement after their divorce,andhe was the third ex-husband to do so. In fact, I don’t know if Ethel has ever worked a day in her life. She’s always lived a lavish lifestyle ever since I could remember. It's crazy to think she's the offspring of Gigi and Papa.

Money was never the center of our lives in Gigi and Papa’s house, it was love. Love is what we focused on daily, and you could feel it as soon as you walked through their front doors. I never wanted for anything growing up, they made sure of that. Gigi’s smiling face would always welcome you in and make you feel at home and Papa’s booming laugh could be heard from all corners of the house.I miss them so much.

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