Page 20 of Shocking Sapphires
Ignoring his request, I said, “I’ll leave you two to it, then,” before scurrying out the door and closing it behind me.
I’d been coming to this rehab facility to visit Grant for weeks, so I knew nearly everyone that worked here. I struggled to keep my tears at bay as I walked toward the exit door, so the employees wouldn’t see me break down.
Just before I made it to the sliding glass double doors, I heard her calling out. I knew her voice well because I’d watched her in so many movies––even a couple where she starred opposite Grant. The name she yelled was ‘Maggy,’ but I sensed that she was talking to me.
Biting back the impending tears, I turned to face her.Geesh, she is impossibly beautiful––as close to flawless as one could get.
She practically glowed with radiance as she slowly approached me. Despite the fact that she had called out for me, she was in absolutely no hurry to get to where I was standing with Scout’s stroller.
Once she finally reached us, she plastered on a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I just wanted to personally thank you for taking such great care of Grant’s baby, Maggy.”
“It’s Molly,” I said flatly, but she ignored me.
“I’m here now, and I’ll be hiring the best professionals to care for Grant and this little guy.”
She reached out to pluck Scout’s nose, which made him rear back.
Struggling to take in air as I processed her words, I asked in a croaky voice, “What do you mean?”
“Grant is a huge celebrity, dear. Only the best nurses and nannies will do for him and his son, but we do appreciate the work you’ve done so far. I’ll be sure to arrange for a generous bonus to tide you over until you can secure another job.”
The world began swirling before me as I realized that this must be what it felt like to pass out. I focused my entire being on stringing words together to ask her, “Grant doesn’t want me to watch Scout anymore?”
“They don’t need you anymore, darling. Besides, we’ll be getting Grant situated in L.A. right away. You weren’t planning to come home with him, were you?”
I ignored the mocking tone of her voice as I struggled to breathe. The thought of losing Grant was bad enough, but I couldn’t handle losing Scout. He was a son to me. I stared down at the little boy as his eyes grew heavy in his stroller.
Not seeming to sense that she had just set my entire world off-kilter, Eva leaned around me to look outside. “Oh good, they’re starting to arrive.”
My gaze followed hers to the news vans pulling in and setting up camp outside. When I turned back to Eva, she was reapplying her lipstick that Grant had smudged with his kisses, using her cell phone as a mirror.
“Grant doesn’t want anyone to know about his condition yet.” My voice was barely more than a whisper, but she evidently heard me.
“He has hidden out in this little hole long enough. It’s time for him to re-emerge into society, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.” Eva’s voice was overflowing with confidence that this was the right decision for him, but I knew it wasn’t.
Grant was gaining strength every day, but his ego was still fragile. Having the paparazzi hounding him day and night would no doubt send him spiraling backward with his progress.
“He’s not ready for this!” I half-shouted at the oblivious woman as she smacked her freshly glossed lips.
“He’d better be because it’s happening,” she answered as she headed toward the sliding glass doors. As an afterthought, she turned back and said, “You can keep watching the child until I get other arrangements made. I’ll send someone to fetch him soon.”
With that, she sauntered outside to schmooze with the news crews as my entire world imploded around me.
18
Molly
Somehow, I managed to drive my Jeep to my apartment, despite my shaking hands. Once inside, I called Avery. I hadn’t been a very good bestie to her lately, since I’d been so preoccupied with Grant and Scout, but she was the kind of lifelong friend who would understand.
“Molly!” she sounded chipper as she answered the line.
“I need you.” Those three simple, desperate words were all I could manage.
Avery proved herself to be exactly the kind of friend I thought she was by immediately responding, “I’ll be right there.”
In record time, she rapped on my apartment’s front door. As soon as I opened the door, she pulled me into a warm embrace. Once we broke apart, she walked into my apartment, closing the door behind her. After stooping to give Scout a warm greeting as he rocked back and forth in his automatic swing, she stood, turned to me, and asked “What is it?”
It was a wonder the woman could understand any of my words as I sobbed and unloaded on her the stress of losing Grant and Scout.
