Page 88 of Make You Love Me

“Why didn’t you tell me? We laid everything out there and yet you still didn’t come clean.”

Greyson winces slightly as he takes in my words, my voice void of emotion. I don’t know if it's because of shock, or if it's because I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I always knew Ethel wasn’t to be trusted, but to think her manipulation and games went this far and that Greyson fell for it.

“I fucked up and I’m so sorry, Lottie. I was going to tell you.. I was just waiting for the right moment. But you have to believe me. I made that agreement before I knew who you were. I didn’t put two and two together until that day at The Shack when you came in for lunch,” he says, his hands running through his already tousled hair.

"You could imagine my surprise when you showed up. The girl who had me entranced from the moment I saw her on that dance floor. I knew right then and there that I needed to return the money to Ethel, but by that point, I had already put the money down towards the CNC machine for the shop. So, I decided I would work my ass off the rest of the summer and pay Ethel back every cent. The day after I saw you with Jacob, I went to your house. After she told me you were gone, Ethel had the nerve to try and pay me the second half I was owed from our original deal. When she tried to give it to me, I basically spat at her. I went there intending to pay her back and then I was going to tell you everything. I knew it had gone on too long. Instead of accepting the money, Ethel refused. She told me I now had to live with what I did and let you go, or she would tell you about our deal before I got the chance to.” Greyson paces the length of the hall.

All I can do is stand there and listen as he continues. “Clearly once we got back together, I was scared as shit to say anything to you. I just got you back and was not ready to face this when our relationship was just on the mend. There was still the issue with the money as well. I didn’t want to tell you until I had returned the funds back in some way. So, last night I made a hefty donation on behalf of me and the guys at the Gala. Knowing at least in doing so it was going to a good cause. I know none of this excuses me from what happened, I just hope you can understand. It doesn’t change anything that happened between us, everything was real…isreal. I love you, Lottie, with all that I am,” he finishes and storms up to me, waiting for my reaction or some sort of response.

I let out a long breath. That’s certainly a lot to take in. I don’t know what to think anymore. I mean, I believe him and am grateful he donated it to the RRF, but I'm still furious. All I can think about is why he would have ever agreed to something like that in the first place.

“What kind of person agrees to be paid to date someone? Did you think it was funny, a game? Was it some sort of challenge to you? ‘Let’s see if I can get the lonely rich girl to fall in love with me?’” I can feel my tears streaking down my cheeks. Finally… some sort of reaction instead of the numbness I felt moments ago.

“It was never like that. I was just supposed to show you a good time in Nori Beach. Try and get your mind off the asshole you were dating. Ethel convinced me he wasn’t good for you and that she wanted you to be happy.”

“Oh, so you thought you were a better match for me than him? You deserved to be with me?” Thinking back to Jonathan, I didn’t even like him that much. I played up our relationship to Ethel because I could tell it pissed her off, but I never thought she would pay someone to get me away from him. And all so I could get in with the Roberts family.Nothing she does surprises me anymore.

“Fuck Lottie, no—I mean yes! I do deserve you. Jonathan is an asshole. From the first moment you mentioned him, and then again at the boardwalk, I knew that he wasn’t good enough for you. When I met you and Ethel at lunch, I realized he was the guy I was supposed to get you away from and to be honest, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea.”

“But you are? You’re good enough?” I question him, staring into his loving eyes. I can see the anguish in them, the fear that he may have lost me yet again.

“I am, and I told you I would prove it to you every day if you’d let me. I know I fucked up, and I am so, so fucking sorry.”

I run my hands over my face. Where the hell do we go from here? To think the man I love was originally paid to date me.Geez when you put it that way, it's pretty fucked up.

But I believe him when he says we met before he knew who I was, and I know damn well our love is not something that was fabricated. I just need to figure out if I can get past all of this.

Looking at Greyson’s tense form in front of me I reach out my hand to grip his, which currently has a small tremor to it. “I believe you, all of it.” He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close.

“Thank fuck. I'm so sorry Babygirl,” he whispers to the top of my head.

Pulling out of his arms I look him square in the face. “But that does not mean I'm ready to forgive you. The fact that you kept this from me for so long hurts. Hurts really fricken bad… I don’t know what to do right now, all I know is I need to get out of this house.”

“Okay, I get it. Let’s get some of your stuff, then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

He makes like he's going to follow me upstairs, but I stop him. “Wait here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He looks disappointed but nods his understanding.

Pulling out two large suitcases from my closet, I start to throw the contents of my room in them. I try calling Ashley to see if she’s still in town. I need my bestie. She mentioned they had to catch an early flight, but I don’t even know what time it is. To my disappointment, the call goes right to voicemail. I send her a quick text to call me when she lands.

Where am I supposed to go? I can't go back to Greyson’s. I need to get my thoughts in order without him clouding my judgment. Ugh! I wish I had a fricken car, then I could go wherever the hell I want to. Maybe I’ll try Frankie, unless she knew about the deal all along? Would she have told me if she did? Well, I guess there's only one way to find out.

Me:Hey, are you home?

Frankie:Yeah Girl, what's up?

Me:Do you mind if I crash there for a little…

Frankie:Not a problem, whatever you need.

Me:You’re amazing. I’ll be over soon.

When I approach the stairs, suitcases in tow, I peer down at the foyer below. James is there with Greyson, handing him his suit jacket from last night. They exchange a few words, then peer up at me. Greyson smiles and then meets me to carry down my heavy-ass bags.

James gives me a solemn look when I reach him. He gives me a quick hug and says, “I’ll check in soon, Ms. Lottie.” I give him a quick smile and a nod as we head out of the door.

When we reach the front steps, I turn and ask the one question that’s been bugging me. “Do any of your friends or family know about the deal with Ethel?”

“Fuck no. Like I told you, this wasn’t a game or a contest. No one knows about any of it, not the boys… not even Trent.” I let out a long breath I wasn’t aware I was holding. Him not telling anyone helps me relax just a little.

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