Page 87 of Make You Love Me

“Fuck her. Let her call the cops,” I say, trying to reign my anger in, but I want to punch a hole right in her foyer wall. My fists flexing, feeling the need to let my anger out on something.

“If you end up in custody, how are you going to find Lottie?” he says, still standing with the front door open.

Considering his point, my phone begins ringing in my pocket.

It’s her.

I walk out the open door without another word as I pull my phone from my pocket. Disappointment floods me when I see Ford’s name flash across the screen.

Maybe she called him back.

“Did she call you?”

I hear the thud of fists pounding the punching bag in the background as he says, “What? Oh, no she didn’t. I was just calling to check on you. We’re up at the gym and wanted to make sure you made it to her safely.”

“She’s fucking gone!” I roar.

“Gone… where?”

“I don’t know but far away from me apparently.” My words come out with a growl. I’m not mad at Ford, I'm just fucking pissed at the world right now.

“Damn Brother. You okay… need us to come get you?” There’s concern etched in his voice.

“No.” Not sure which question I’m answering as everything runs through my mind.

She really left me. I must be missing something. Lottie wouldn’t do this to me.

Hanging up on Ford, I continue to try her number my whole ride home. Every call going right to her voicemail. Her sweet voice killing me each time.

Pieces of our perfect summer together burrow themselves into my bones with every minute she doesn’t answer.

How did we get here

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“PleaseLottie,letmeexplain,” he begs.

“Oh yes, do explain Greyson,” Ethel croons from behind him, the sound of her voice sending an icy shiver down my spine. How could she do this to me? We’re family. I should have known better. Should have known that she always has an ulterior motive… but what do I have to do with any of it?

I step into Ethel's view with so much fury I feel like I might combust.

“I don’t want to hear a word from your mouth right now!” I yell at her, causing her to flinch at my outburst. She had to have known this would catch up to her. Secrets can't stay hidden forever.

“Better yet, leave Ethel. I can't stand to even look at your face right now.”

“This is my house, young lady. You cannot speak to me with that tone,” Ethel practically snarls back.

“Fine, I'm leaving. I can’t stand the thought of being around someone as miserable as you.”

Ethel just scoffs, acting unaffected by the current situation. Greyson’s head ping-ponging between the two of us.

“I always knew you had a black heart, but do you even care about me at all?” I question her bluntly.

With that, Ethel walks away. Just fricken walks away without another word.

“Shit.” The curse is almost a whisper out of Greyson's mouth.

I whirl to where he's standing there like a lost soul whose world is shattering around him. His pleading eyes beg me not to run from him. We’ve been down this road before, and we promised to listen to one another.But then why not tell me when he had the chance to come clean?

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