Page 93 of Let Me Be the One

He just raises his eyebrow. “Do you know what Lainey’s new book is about?”

I scoff. “You mean the one she’s been working on for the past three months?”

“No. I mean the one she’s just started.”

“She hasn’t started anything.”

It’s Duncan’s turn to scoff. “Didn’t think so. You have no idea, do you? No idea what she’s writing about.”

Lainey and I have spent every spare moment together for the past three weeks, and she’s told me all about the book she’s editing, but I know nothing about a new project.

I don’t want to ask, don’t want to give Duncan the pleasure of seeing me so keen to know, but I have to ask. “What’s it about?”

“I’ll leave it up to her to tell you, if she even wants to after tonight.”

The thought that Lainey might not want to talk to me after seeing me with Sienna is something I refuse to dwell on. I told her I wouldn’t screw anyone else until we were done with each other and I’ve stayed true to my word. If I can explain I was messed up over seeing Lucas and Amber, she’ll cut me some slack. She has to, because I don’t want our friendship to end. I don’t know how we go back to being just friends, but I’m willing to work it out because Lainey’s friendship is worth it. I want her—I need her—in my life. I’m not stupid enough to think I don’t.

“I haven’t done anything wrong, Dunc. Lainey knew what we were all along, and now that the lines are blurring for both of us, I’m sure she’ll agree with me that it’s time to end things.”

“Don’t come crying to me when you realise you’ve lost her for good.” He starts to walk away from me but obviously changes his mind and turns back. “I know this advice will fall on deaf ears, but you should really think things through before you throw away the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You know I love Amber, she’s my sister, but she wasn’t good for you. Not in the way Lainey has been.”

“You want me to be with Lainey so Cass can feel less guilty about hanging out with Amber.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t know why I bother.”

“Just tell me where Lainey is.”

“Out in the backyard, being consoled by Lucas.”

The anger that pummels me is white, jagged, and hot. Spots appear in front of my eyes, a fucking technicoloured rainbow; white, red, yellow, and black. I’m doing my best to keep my fists by my sides, but the urge to punch a hole in the wall is growing with every second as I think about that prick consoling Lainey. I picked up the pieces after he broke her. Me, not him. Now he’s just going to waltz in and act like he’s her saviour?

With adrenaline rushing through me, I start moving in the direction of the door that will take me out the back of Cass’s place. I know I’ve just left Sienna standing by herself, but I’m too angry to explain myself. Besides, nothing is going to happen between us. Aside from the fact I haven’t wanted another woman since I first slept with Lainey, I’m going to have to dial back on my manwhoring ways until Lainey and I get our friendship back on track.

The moment I step outside, I see Lucas and Lainey sitting on a wooden bench in the far corner of the yard. The sight of Lainey in his arms makes me feel violently ill, as if I’ve drunk a slab tonight instead of just a few beers. I hold on to the railing of the veranda for a moment, steadying the dizzy feeling I’m experiencing along with the tight feeling in my chest, before walking down the stairs and over to where they’re sitting. Both of them are oblivious to my presence because of the way Lucas is holding Lainey.

When Lainey pulls away, Lucas asks, “What are you going to do?”

“It’s over. I just have to tell him.”

It can’t be anyone but me she’s talking about, and the meaning of those words feels like a crushing weight on my chest. She’s right. It is over between us, and I was planning on telling her so. Yet the feeling of devastation is absolute now that it’s been voiced.

And the devastation is only enhanced by a feeling of betrayal that Lucas is hearing it from her before I am.

“Don’t you think that’s something you should be talking to me about?” I ask icily.

My expression must match my tone perfectly, because Lainey visibly flinches when she breaks away from Lucas and sees me standing there.

Lucas stands up straight away, putting his hands up as if to show me he means no harm. Yeah, right.

“Take it easy, Ben.”

“Go fuck yourself, Lawson.”

I’m barely holding on to my temper as it is, and seeing Lucas standing there between Lainey and I, as though he has to protect her from me, when he’s the one who broke her heart in the first place, has me so close to punching him in his pretty boy face.

Lainey stands up and places her hand on Lucas’s arm. “Thanks, but I’ve got it from here.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Lucas asks.

---