If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers
Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven
DEFINITELY READ Prologue
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three
Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six
Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Amanda fingered her new necklace, frowning as she watched Sonya slip away from Grayson with a pouty look on her face. As if he felt her eyes on him, Grayson turned to her with a slightly agonized look. She started to walk in his direction but Dori intercepted.
“Hey there girl.”
“Hey,” Amanda said as she tried to look around her.
“Look,” Dori lowered her voice, catching Amanda’s attention. “I shouldn’t be doing this, Grayson will probably be irritated, but I feel like he’s making a mistake.”
Amanda’s brows drew in. “What do you mean?”
“He doesn’t want Ary to be hurt by anything, he’s totally in love with how she sees the good in everyone. But your friend Sonya is a backstabbing whore.”
Amanda’s brows bounced up, “Why, what did she do?”
“She’s been coming on to Grayson for weeks. He doesn’t think she’s trying to steal him from Ary, it’s more that she wants to give him favors in exchange for favors if you know what I mean.”
Amanda’s jaw dropped as it clicked into place. “Oh my God,” she breathed, in a hushed tone, “you mean she’s offering to blow him?”
“Yeah, apparently she thinks she’s all amazing in that arena. The other day,” Dori leaned in closer, “she was talking about these backstage tickets she’s dying to get…”
Amanda nodded forcefully, “I know, she wouldn’t shut up about it.”
“Uh huh, so she tells Grayson if he gets them for her she’ll go down on him. And it’s not the first time, but before she only insinuated, this time she outright said it. He’s been trying to make it clear that he’s not interested, but the last time she went as far as insisting that Ary will never have to know, like she’s convinced it’s the only reason he’s turning her down. It’s disgusting.”
Amanda swallowed thickly. “I knew something was going on. I’ve seen her approach him so many times and he always looks upset after she leaves.”
Dori nodded, “Look, I know this is gonna kill you, but you can’t say anything to Ary. Grayson will be pissed at us. But what you might be able to do is talk some sense into him, tell him that his idea of protecting her is only going to hurt her more in the end.”
Amanda nodded thoughtfully, “But won’t he be mad at you for telling me?”
She made a face, “Most likely, but I can handle it. He knows I love him to pieces and I’m really fond of your friend too.”
Amanda nodded again, “Yeah. Thanks for telling me.”
“Not a problem. I agree with Grayson, you’re an awesome chic.” Dori winked at her and walked away.
Amanda smiled for a moment until her gaze landed on Sonya. Her eyes narrowed in disgust. How could she? Ary needed to know. She crossed the room and touched Grayson’s arm. “We need to talk,” she declared. He nodded and led her to his theater room, shutting the door behind them.
“Dori told me about Sonya.”
“Shit,” his eyes flashed with anger, “What the hell is she thinking?”
“She’s thinking the same thing I am-you can’t protect Ary from all things bad, how will she ever deal with the world if she doesn’t learn how it works? Besides, you promised you would tell me what was going on if it continued, and obviously it’s continuing,” she pointed out.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
Amanda turned away slightly making a conscious effort not to admire his body. He was wearing a tight white shirt and the motion emphasized his muscular frame.
He put a hand on her shoulder, his face apologetic. “I guess you’re right. And I’m sorry I didn’t come to you. I wanted to, but I knew you would insist I tell Ary. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I know you love her and have her best interests at heart. But aside from not wanting to hurt her, what if Sonya lies? She’s not exactly a fountain of truth.”
“Yeah, and Ary knows that,” Amanda pointed out.
He shook his head, his eyes flashing once more. “You don’t understand, it would kill me if she doubted me. Just let me talk to Sonya first. I haven’t clearly spelled it out because I can’t stand the idea of being alone with her, but maybe the girl’s not thinking, not realizing how much what she’s doing could hurt Ary. It seems she thinks sex can be impersonal. Just give me a shot at it, okay?”
Amanda sighed, “Okay, maybe I should talk to Sonya too…”
“No,” he cut her off, “no don’t, because if she lies it’s going to piss you off and with your honest nature you won’t be able to hide it.”
“Echh. You’re right. Just do it soon, okay? And let me know what she says.”
Grayson gave her a grateful smile, “Have I mentioned how great you are?”
She laughed, “Once or twice.”
He draped an arm around her shoulder, “Come on, let’s get a drink.” He steered her into the game room, grabbing Ary’s hand as they passed and pulling her along.
Andie stood with Toby by the dartboard sipping a martini, her eyes narrowing as she watched the trio hop up on bar stools.
“What’s wrong?” Toby asked.
She forced a smile. “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong. Except I need another drink, would you mind?” She handed her glass to him and smiled entreatingly.
He grinned, accentuating his All-American good looks. “Anything for you babe.” He pecked her on the lips and sauntered away.
The smile slid off her face as she refocused on the scene at the bar. She’d noticed Amanda and Dori’s hushed conversation followed by Amanda and Grayson leaving the room together and knew something was up. Just not what.
She was worried about Amanda’s level of idol worship where Grayson was concerned, though it wasn’t so much Amanda she was worried about but Ary. She still didn’t trust Grayson as far as she could throw him. The dolphin had been nice, but she couldn’t help feeling that the things he did were contrived. And Amanda, well she’d known for a long time she couldn’t be entirely trusted.
She thought about the day she’d spent with Grayson and a knot of dread curled in her stomach. She really needed to come clean with Ary, it was stupid not to. But it was also hard. Really hard because what she’d done had been a betrayal. You made a mistake Connelly, just own up to it. She knew Ary would forgive her, she couldn’t help herself, it was in her nature. So what was she waiting for? She resolved to do it sometime in the next few days, maybe take Ary out to lunch so it was just the two of them. She felt a little better as she crossed the room to join them.
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