Page 89 of Make You Love Me

“Okay, then please take me to Frankie's house. I'm going to stay there for now.” He eyes me for a long moment. “I'm not running away, Greyson. I just need time to digest today and get my head straight.”

“I understand,” he says in almost a whisper. Our ride to Frankie’s is quiet, but I don’t mind as I stare mindlessly out of the truck window at the changing colors of the leaves.

He helps me get my luggage into Frankie's house but doesn’t linger too long. Frankie gives me a look and I just shake my head. I don’t know if I want her to know. Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t think I want anyone to know.

She doesn’t press me for more, which is also why I decided to come here. She respects people's privacy and right now, I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Thanks again for letting me crash here. I had a huge blowout with Ethel and couldn’t stay there any longer.” At least that’s somewhat the truth.

“I get it, and please, it's not a problem at all. You’re welcome here anytime.” I smile at her as we walk down the hall towards the room I’ll be staying in.

“Throw your stuff in there and come find me on the couch when you're done. My plan was to smoke a joint, veg-out, and watch movies all day. I hope you're game,” she says. I wrap my arms around her, thankful for her kindness. She tenses at first then wraps her arms around me. No words are exchanged, there's no need for them. She knows I appreciate her.

We spend the rest of the afternoon and evening eating take-out and binge-watching movies on Netflix. We don’t discuss what happened today, just laugh and enjoy each other's company. By the time Gunnar arrives home, we’re both passed out on the couch. I briefly hear him talking to someone, but I'm too knocked out to care. I feel a warm blanket being draped over me as I settle in for a well-deserved night's rest.

I'm awakened by the smell of fresh coffee brewing. I sit up surveying the mess we made of the living room. Wrappers and empty containers litter the coffee table, along with drink cups and gossip magazines. Frankie is still passed out on the other end of the couch, her wild hair hiding her face. I look to the bright front windows and see Gunnar outside on the front porch in deep conversation with somebody. I peek around to see Greyson sitting in a chair sipping on a cup of coffee.What is he doing here?

I open the front door with the blanket wrapped around me and both men stop and turn in my direction. Who knows what I look like after yesterday, but regardless Greyson smiles as he takes in my disheveled self. He on the other hand, looks like complete shit as if he hasn’t slept at all.Was he out here all night?

“What are you doing here, and so fricken early too?” I ask as I settle into one of the outdoor chairs, pulling the blanket tighter around me. Gunnar excuses himself and goes back inside, leaving just Greyson and me.

Greyson looks at me with concern in his eyes. Does he not understand I'm not running away? He doesn’t have to guard the door for fucks sake.

He gathers a stack of papers he had next to him and hands them to me. I look at the stack in my hand and then back up to him for any explanation.

“James snuck these into my coat before we left yesterday. I read through them all, several times. You need to read them, then we’re going to meet up with him in a little while.” Is this what kept him up all night? How important could it possibly be?

I look at him a bit confused, still shaking off my sleepiness. “What is all this?” My eyes barely registering what I'm reading.

“It’s our chance at revenge.”

***

To say the ride to meet James is a confusing one would be an understatement. I shuffle through the stack of papers for what feels like the hundredth time. All the statements, notes, and money transfers. Then there’s the note from Papa. I can't wrap my head around it.

“I know, it was a hell of a lot for me to take in, too. Shit, it kept me up all night,” Greyson says while placing his hand tenderly on my thigh. Not sexually, but to comfort me.

“I just can't believe it. How could she do this? How did she get away with this for so long?”

“Honestly, I have no clue. I'm hoping James can help shed some light on all of this,” he says as we pull into the parking lot of a diner on the outskirts of town.

Staring through the windshield, lost in a daze, I hear Greyson’s body shift in the driver's seat. I look over to see him staring at me intently.

“Listen, Lottie, I know things are fucked up between us right now, but I want you to know I'm here for you throughout this whole thing. I will be by your side.” I reach over and grab his hand in mine and squeeze it lightly.

“Thank you.” It’s all I can really say at this point. He’s right, things are a mess between us right now, but I still need him. Still want him by my side for this.

We walk towards a booth in the far back corner. James is already there sipping a cup of coffee. He stands and gives me a big, very un-James-like hug. A little stunned by his affection, he motions with his hand for us to sit.

“I'm so glad you could meet me on such short notice. I had my morning schedule blocked out for errands, and this worked out perfectly,” he says.

Placing the stack of papers on the table, my eyes go to James. “Please, help me understand, and most importantly… how did you get all of this?”

“Ah yes, well as you know, I’ve worked for your grandmother for many years now. But what you don’t know is that your great-grandfather is who actually hired me for the job. Unfortunately, he and your grandmother never really got along. I believe he saw who she was deep down and never truly trusted her. I can't say I blame him.”

My eyes go wide at the mention of Papa. He knew all along what a witch Ethel was. It would explain why she never came to visit for the holidays and why with my mother's passing, I was left in their custody and not hers.

“As you see, your grandmother is completely broke and has been for some time now. She can no longer afford the upkeep on her house, the salaries at the clubhouse, or her lavish lifestyle. But I know a woman like Ethel does not go down without a fight. So, a few years ago, when I started to see her life returning somewhat back to normal, I was perplexed as to where the money was coming from. That’s when I began to take note.”

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