Last Chance - L. P. Dover Page 0,12
together. Forgive me, if it didn’t settle well.”
“Nothing happened with her, Lara. Besides, I never promised you anything. This is the one thing I wanted to avoid. But I—”
Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I pushed him away. “Duly noted. I was just an idiot who thought you could change.”
“Would you let me finish?” he snapped, pulling me into his arms. “Damn, you’re stubborn. How can I make this right?”
“You can’t,” I growled low. “Whatever this is between us is done. Now I know you can’t be trusted. So do me a favor and leave me the hell alone. I gave you a chance and you screwed up. There will be no next time. It was a mistake I knew I shouldn’t have made, and I sure as hell don’t plan on making it again.”
“Lara, please. We can’t end things like this.”
My eyes burned, but I refused to shed a tear in front of him. “Maybe you should’ve thought about that sooner. Now let me go.” The back door slammed open.
“Lara, what’s going on?” Grayson demanded.
Luke’s grasp loosened and I jerked away. “Nothing. Luke was just leaving.”
He glared at Grayson and then to me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Grayson pulled me behind him, his body tense and ready to fight. “Yes, you are.”
They equaled in size, but Grayson’s brother was an MMA fighter and they used to train together before he was killed. Luke was just as volatile, but the last thing I wanted to see was them fighting over me.
“Stop!” I screamed, unable to hide my tears. I was equal parts embarrassed and angry.
Luke flinched when he saw my face but I couldn’t hold back anymore. I rushed inside and slammed the door. It wasn’t long before Grayson barreled through and locked the door behind him. He pulled me into his warm arms, his hand against the back of my head as I laid it on his chest. I held him tight and sobbed, my tears soaking through his shirt.
“Dammit, Lara, why would you get involved with him?”
“Because I’m stupid,” I cried.
Releasing a heavy sigh, he kissed the top of my head. “No, you’re not. But you know how Collins is. You can never trust a guy like that.”
I buried my face in his chest. “I know. I thought he would change for me.” I felt ridiculous thinking it, but I had believed he would.
Grayson stepped back and wiped away my tears, yet more kept flowing. “You’re a beautiful woman, Lara. You need someone who’ll treat you like the most important being in the world.”
I snorted. “I’m not lucky enough to find one.”
“Yes, you are. All you have to do is look at what’s right in front of you.”
I stared up at him, never once realizing that he harbored feelings of any kind for me. Thinking back on our recent encounters, it seemed so obvious now. How could I have not seen it before?
Taking my hand, Grayson shut off the lights and we walked outside to the parking lot. “Let me take you home and you can cry on my shoulder, all night if need be. I’ll stay as long as you want.” He opened the door to his car and I slid in. “But if you want my advice, don’t let him see your pain. Pretend that nothing ever happened and let it go.”
“Easier said than done,” I whispered regretfully.
He bent down and squeezed my hand. “You’re Lara Jacobs, strong and as stubborn as a mule. You can do this. The next time he comes in to see you, put on a smile. I’ll be right there with you. Trust me, it’ll screw with his head. Karma can be a bitch.”
A laugh escaped my lips and it felt good. “Thanks, Grayson. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I had no clue if I could pull it off, but I was going to try. Luke wasn’t going to see me heartbroken anymore.
Three Months Later
I felt like I was in the twilight zone. One day, Lara was crying, and the next, she was walking around as if nothing had happened. It’d been three months since our night together, and I’d even brought different girls into her bar to get a rise out of her, yet still, nothing.
Pulling out my phone, I texted her.
Me: Congratulations on the magazine article. Will you please come out and talk to me? I’m in the parking lot.
Me: Please, Lara. I’m so sorry for everything I did. I want to work this out.
Heart racing,