Page 65 of Chasing Wildflowers
White hot rage boils inside me, the paper crinkling in my clenched fists. Lane was left to suffer for years because a corrupt justice system failed her.
Vic sits back, his hands folded over his stomach. “How much have you told her?”
I toss the paper on the table, and rub a hand down my face. “Nothing yet.”
“She was too busy giving him the silent treatment,” Miles chimes in, snatching my coffee from in front of me. He takes a long gulp, smirking at me over the rim.
I glare at him. “Fuck you, asshole."
Vic chuckles, the sound breaking some of the tensing swirling around us. “Don’t worry, she will forgive you. She just needs time to cool off and realize you werejust trying to protect her. Even if you did go about it in a dumbass way.”
I groan, slumping back in my seat. “I’m already miserable enough. Can you both have some sympathy and lay off?”
Vic laughs, richer this time. “You think we are bad. Wait until your Mom gets home and finds out you met a woman and didn’t tell her.”
I groan again. Fuck. I’m about to piss off the other woman in my life.
Lane
I wake in an unfamiliar bed, my skin brushing against smooth satin sheets as I sit up. Panic creeps up my spine as I look around the equally unfamiliar room.
My eyes land on Kam, sitting on a chair in the corner of the room, and it all comes flooding back. Jameson’s confession and the pain that accompanied it. The trip here to his parents' house. Sobbing uncontrollably in Kam’s arms. She must have put me to bed after I had finally exhausted all my tears.
“Good evening, sleeping beauty,” Kam says, a blue blanket wrapped around her shoulders and her e-reader in hand.
My eyes sweep around theLavender Room. “How long did I sleep?”
“About ten hours, it’s just past nine.” She points at the bedside table. “Jameson brought up some dinner, water, and an iced coffee.”
I reach for the coffee, the ice cubes clinking faintly against the cup. I may be pissed at him, but I’ll gladly drink his coffee. I take a sip, the caffeine slowly jumpstarting my system. “I’m sorry I cried all over you and then passed out all day.”
Kam lowers her e-reader, eyes meeting mine. “First of all, don’t apologize to me. You just had the equivalent of an A Bomb dropped on you. You needed a good cry and rest. Besides, it's giving me a chance to get caught up on my TBR list. Now drink your coffee and eat your food,” she orders, before going back to her book.
I grab the bowl of delicious-looking stew. The savory aroma of slowly cooked beef, hints of thyme and rosemary mixed with the sweet smell of the carrots hit my nose, making my mouth water. A soft moan escapes my throat when the first flavor packed bite hits my taste buds.
Kam chuckles, the sound warm and familiar, from behind her e-reader. “Best damn stew you’ve ever had, right?”
I set the bowl aside, guilt eating at me. “I’m sorry you got dragged into all of this.” I murmur, looking down at my hands as they fidget in my lap.
She sets her e-reader aside and moves to the bed, perching on the edge with one knee tucked beneath her, facing me. “I’m glad I’m here. I would never want you to go through this alone. Besides, do you know how crazy I would have gone if I woke up and my best friend was just gone? I would have absolutely lost it.”
My best fucking friend.
I meet her eyes, offer a small smile, voice raw with emotion. “I’m glad you’re here too.” There’s no way I could get through this without her.
“So where are you mentally?” she asks.
She’s not being insensitive. She’s checking in, seeing how I’m handling everything.
I blow out a breath. “I’m dealing because I don't have any other option.” It’s the most honest answer I can give. I gave myself time to fall apart. Now it’s time to handle it. “I’m sorry I never told you,” I add softly.
“I understand why you didn’t tell me. I also understand why you shot him. I don’t judge you, Lane.” She grabs my hand, squeezing gently. “I’m proud of you. You escaped a truly horrific situation and made a whole new life for yourself. YouareLane Maddox. You became Lane Maddox the day you decided to take control of your life and leave. I don’t know Ceciley Knox, but I hurt for her.”
She jumps up from the bed. “I’m going to go see if I can find some snacks, maybe some alcohol, and we can hide out in here till morning. We can deal with everything then.”
I say again; My. Best. Fucking. Friend.
Twenty-eight
