4. Now
4
NOW
Greer
“Tell me what you want!”
The crowd facing me yells back, “Justice!”
I nod and hold the megaphone to my mouth. “How are we going to get it?”
“Humans Yearning to Protect Earth!”
I repeat the chant with the crowd several times before handing over the megaphone to Felicity.
She winks at me as she starts a new chant. “Hey! Ho! Dirty Republicans have got to go!”
The crowd picks up on this one, chanting it while Felicity leads them. I exit the stage, waving at people who call out my name.
We’re in New York, protesting the GOP presidential candidate convention. The GOP is getting close to picking their official candidate, and it looks like it’s going to be either Walt Ryans or Grant freaking Carter. Both men will take this country back several decades, and Humans Yearning to Protect Earth, HYPE for short, isn’t going to stand by and watch it happen. Not while I still have a breath left in my body.
Justin, a fellow HYPE member, hands me a water bottle.
“You sure know how to get them going.”
I smile up at him. “Thanks. I’m just glad we had such a good showing.”
He moves a bit closer and says, “I never had a doubt.”
“Not even one?”
His shoulder bumps into mine. “Nope. Not when you’re in charge.”
A warm, fluttery feeling shoots through my body at his praise.
“Thank you, Justin.”
Someone calls my name, asking me to come over. I glance over to see who it is. It’s a reporter from the Times. Justin is looking, too, and has a grin on his face.
“Mind if I come with you?”
“Of course not.” I’m the one bumping his shoulder this time.
We make our way to the reporter, answering her questions about why we’re there. Justin surprises me with his ability to convey his thoughts clearly and passionately. By the time we’re finished, several other reporters have lined up to speak to us. My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I discreetly pull it out. It’s my doctor’s office. Crap. I think I missed another appointment. I’ll have to get back to them later. Sending the call to voicemail, I put my phone back in my pocket and turn back to the reporters.
I smile up at Justin. This is it. This is the moment HYPE finally gets through to the public, making them see just what is at stake.
Justin sighs as we enter the hotel. “Wow. That didn’t go as expected.”
I pull my dripping skirt away from my body as we walk, trying to ignore the stares of people in the lobby. I feel bad because the watered-down paint is probably going to stain the marbled floors. The man at the front desk stares at me in horror as I pass him, going to the elevator. Justin steps into the lift with me. I’m about to say something when someone else enters.
Are you freaking kidding?
Grant Carter smirks down at me. “Nice look, Blanc.”
Ignoring him, I press the button for my floor. When Grant doesn’t press a button, I bite back a groan. Is he really staying on the same floor?
Justin, who must be oblivious to the tension in the lift, says to me, “Thanks for inviting me up. I’m excited to see your notes for the next event.”
Before I can reply, Grant pops off. “Is that what you kids are calling it these days?”
Justin’s forehead crinkles. “I don’t understand.”
Sweet, na?ve Justin.
I say, “Ignore him. He’s just mad that we interrupted his speech.”
“Interrupted my speech? Is that what you call it? Why, I didn’t even know you were there until the paint started flying. Tell me, Blanc, did you throw it first?”
I debate if I should even reply, but find myself saying, “It wasn’t us.”
“I’m sure.”
“It wasn’t.”
“Then I suppose it also wasn’t you who threw paint at the royal wedding.”
“That was different.” I snap. “They used real fur on that cape!”
He snorts again and doesn’t answer. Instead, he scrolls on his phone.
What an asshole!
The door finally freaking opens and I push past Grant, not caring that I likely got some red paint on the sleeve of his tan jacket. Justin follows me and waits as I use my phone to unlock my door. When I glance over to see where Grant went, I’m horrified to find him going into the room next door to mine.
“Of course,” I mutter. Pushing the door open, I say to Justin, “I’ll get you a towel and then I’m going to change.”
“That would be great.”
I grab a towel, handing it to him before going back to the bathroom, closing the door. My reflection stares back at me, and I don’t know if I should laugh or cry.
The red paint is everywhere and my poor outfit, which I love so much, is ruined. Opening the bathroom door, I stroll out and find Justin with his shirt off. He’s wiping his chest and stops when he sees me.
“Everything okay?”
I gesture to my outfit. “I think I’m going to need more than a towel, so a shower it is. Thought I should grab a change of clothes before I get in there.”
“Ah. Good idea.” His gaze searches mine. “You know, we could?—”
A loud knock on the door interrupts whatever he was about to say.
“Let me grab that,” I say with a laugh.
Crossing the room, I open the door, assuming it’s Felicity. What I don’t expect is to find Grant Carter standing there. His gaze goes over my shoulder, landing on a shirtless Justin.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“What are you doing here, Mr. Carter?”
His gaze is still on Justin.
“Mr. Carter.”
He looks at me, smiling. “I just wanted to make sure you were fine after the incident at the rally.”
“As you can clearly see, I’m fine. I’d like to point out that you could also see that I was fine when we were in the elevator together…moments ago.”
“You really shouldn’t get that close to my supporters.”
“Because they’re unhinged rednecks? Got it.”
He snorts. “My, how vocal you are when there aren’t any microphones around.”
“I believe you yourself have called your supporters the same thing, egging them on.”
“True, but they love me. They hate you.”
“They only hate me because they don’t understand what I stand for.”
“I’ve heard your speeches, Blanc. I’m not sure you understand what you stand for.”
My hand goes to my hip. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Humans Yearning to Protect Earth, but not one person in the organization stands for the same thing. Political and social justice. Climate change. Endangered species. Human rights. Civil rights. Transportation and infrastructure. The list goes on and on.”
“Your point, Mr. Carter?”
“My point is that you’re never going to change the world if you can’t pick a fucking issue and solve it.”
“How wise, Mr. Carter. Thank you for your unwanted opinion.”
I start to close the door, but he stops me.
“Will I see you in Las Vegas?”
Dread spreads through me.
“What?”
“At Moretti’s baby shower. Will I see you there?”
I blink. Twice. This can’t be happening.
“Why on earth are you going to their baby shower?”
“Likely the same reason you are.”
I’m the one snorting this time. “Unlikely. I’m actually friends with Isa. Do you even know her?”
“Not well, but Moretti invited me.” He pauses. “Does your boyfriend know you’re going to your ex’s baby shower?”
“My boyfriend?” My eyebrows lift. “Why, Grant Carter. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were in here, trying to cockblock me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” He takes a step back. “Just remember. The Brotherhood is always watching. Sooner or later, they’re going to tire of your shenanigans.”
He gives me one last look before going back to his own room. Glaring, I close my door and spin to face Justin.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Is there something going on between the two of you?”
“What? No! Why would you even ask something like that?”
“Because there was a lot of tension there. And he didn’t seem to like the idea that we might be…hooking up.” He gives me a small smile. “If there is something going on, you might want to mention to him that he’s more of my type. Not you.”
“Justin, I swear there’s nothing going on.” I pause. “But I’m glad we had this talk.”
“Because you were falling madly in love with me and now I have to let you down?”
I laugh. “Because Josh, the new intern, was asking if you’re single.”
His cheeks turn pink. “Really?”
“Cross my heart.”
“Well, this day just gets more and more interesting.”
“On that note, I’m going to get out of these clothes before this paint dries.”
“I’m going to let myself out and head to the bar.” He winks at me. “Got to see if Josh is down there.”
“Good luck.”
He gives me a quick wave before leaving.
In the bathroom, I let the water warm in the shower before stepping under the spray. Red paint swirls down the drain, but I barely notice. No, my thoughts are occupied by Grant freaking Carter.
You’d think I would be over him by now. In the past eight years, we’ve seen each other a handful of times. Six, to be exact. We’ve spoken even fewer words to each other. But each time I see him, I’m reminded of that night at Unfortunate Souls . God knows I should be glad that he’s repulsed by the idea of me, but I’m not because I’ve discovered a terrible truth.
Grant Carter is like a drug.
I’ve had one taste of him and, god help me, I want more. Even one more time would satisfy me.
But, like all temptations, I know once won’t be enough.
Thank god he doesn’t feel the same way about me. Otherwise I might be in trouble.
I have to wash my hair three times to get out all the paint. When I step out of the shower, the bathroom is covered in steam. My phone is on the counter and buzzes as a text message comes through.
Unknown
Noticed your boyfriend took off quickly.
Who is this?
Grant Carter.
How on earth did you get my phone number?
I have my ways. Back to the boyfriend…
Guess he couldn’t get the job done.
I stare at the phone, my finger hovering over the keyboard.
Wow. Sounds like you’re a bit jealous.
Just an observation.
I wonder if the American public knows that you’re a stalker and crazy?
Probably not. Lucky for me, I pay people to make sure my image is clean.
Guess that means you still frequent Unfortunate Souls.
I immediately wish I can unsend the message, but it’s too late because he’s already typing a reply.
Funny, I was just thinking about that club. Haven’t been in a while. Eight years, to be exact.
My chest is tight.
Why haven’t you been back?
Because no one will ever compare to a masked woman who rocked my world.
I think about that night a lot, Little Fae.
Too fucking much, if we’re being honest with each other.
And now that I’m alone in this room, I’m wondering if you ever think about it, too.
Goodnight, Grant.
I power off my phone for good measure.
Looking up, I meet my reflection in the mirror. The little devil on my shoulder urges me to go to his room, just like this. In nothing but a towel. And let him know that I have thought about that night at the club as much as he has. Thank god I never listen to the devil.
Not anymore, at least.