Page 189 of Built to Fall
Around dinner time, I take the elevator up to the fourth floor, bags of sushi and a box of birthday cake in hand. Originally, I was planning on going straight to the girls’ apartment, but Irealized in the car on the way here that I left the candles at my place.
I kick on the door of my apartment because I know Braxton’s home. I don’t feel like rearranging the hold I have on all this food in order to dig my keys out of my pocket.
He opens the door, rubbing his face and looking like he just woke up.
“I hate you so much right now,” I say, setting my armload of stuff down on the island countertop. “I’ve been running around all goddamn day, and you’ve been heresleeping?It’s almost six.”
“Mer was on the phone with her mom late last night and then spent the next three hours on the brink of a panic attack,” he deadpans. “I didn’t get much sleep.”
“What’s her mom’s problem?”
“She’s a doctor, and her daughter has an eating disorder. You do the math. And on top of that, she’s trying to cut me out, so I’ve also been trying to avoid that.”
I look away from him, feeling the usual punch of guilt anytime Meredith has come up lately. It’s a tough situation, obviously, and I know Braxton’s been doing what he can for her, but it’s no doubt taking a toll. Especially when she’s trying to act like she no longer wants him involved.
“Oh, also.” Braxton pulls out his phone. “I got this text from a random phone number today.” He holds it out to me. “Should I be concerned?”
I take the phone from him, eyes narrowing as I read:
ANON
If you care about Lina, you should ask Grant what he’s been doing when she’s not around.
ANON
I have a secret that could ruin everything.
My stomach fucking knots as I let out an agitated sigh.Why the fuck would they be texting Braxton?
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him, handing him his phone back.
“Is this what I think it’s about?”
“I said don’t worry about it.”
He still looks at me suspiciously. “You’re taking care of it?”
I nod. He knows what it means. I’m paying them off, even though it makes me feel like a complete and utter jackass.
Busying myself with rummaging through the other bags all over the counter, I try to find the candles I originally came back here for.
“Listen.” Braxton looks like he’s debating saying something else before he adds, “I’ve only heard the rumors, and I try to stay out of it, but if this has anything to do with my sister—if it hurts her in any way—you need to get it figured out. Because I will do worse things to you than any campus news site ever could. She and Lina have become attached at the hip, and anything affecting their friendship would kill her.”
“It doesn’t affect her.”At least it shouldn’t.
“I’m serious, Grant,” he says, voice low, like we’re not the only ones in the apartment. “If she finds out something ugly from someone else before she hears it from you…”
“She won’t.”
That’s when I find the candles tucked in a smaller bag by the napkins and the overpriced pack of paper straws Savannah insisted on. I hold them up like some kind of peace offering, like they’re proof I’m handling things. But even I know how hollow that is.
Braxton leans against the counter, arms crossed, staring me down. “You better be damn sure.”
I don’t respond. I shove the candles in my jacket pocket and head for the door.
Because what am I supposed to say? I already know I might not be handling this the right way, but it’s the only way I know how.
But I’m not trying to think about it right now. Lina’s birthday and her party are what matter most today.
