Chapter 3
Meg
Present Day
“Brandon is not to blame for anything.” Greyson’s voice was firm. “I was the one who is responsible for what happened and what continues to happen. Ultimately, I make all of the decisions at the club.”
“So you’re saying that all the shit that goes on here is you?” Katie’s face was void of emotion, but I could tell she was hopeful.
“Everything that’s gone on here is all me. Brandon didn’t even know about it until it was too late.”
“Greyson,” Brandon spoke, and Greyson shook his head.
“You’re right, Brandon. You have a new life now. Leave.”
“Let’s go, Meg.” Katie looked at me. “Let’s just go.”
“I don’t know.” I hesitated. “I don’t think I should go.”
“You don’t need this job. Brandon got you fired.” She glared at him. “And he’ll help you get your job back.”
“I don’t want my job back.”
“Then he’ll help you get a job at a new firm.”
“I don’t want that.” I looked at the confusion in her eyes. “I need to see this through.”
“See what through?” She sounded mad. “Please, just leave with me.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.”
“You should go, Meg.” Greyson joined the discussion, and I looked at him with hurt eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere until I find out what happened to Nancy and exactly what’s going on here.”
“You think you’re going to save all these girls?” Greyson’s tone sent a chill down my spine. “You think you can—”
“Just tell her, Greyson,” Brandon pleaded. “Please, let’s just get it out in the open.”
“I don’t think so.” Greyson sat back down. “I want you to leave now.”
“You think that I’m just going to leave and—”
“Brandon.” Greyson’s voice was cold. “This isn’t your problem. You and Katie need to leave.”
I stood there as a warm feeling spread through me. He hadn’t asked for me to leave this time.
“I’m not going without Meg.” Katie stood her ground. “There’s no way I’m leaving her with this maniac in this place.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I wouldn’t count on that, Meg.” It was Greyson’s turn to speak up. “I’ve told you before that I’m no angel.”
“I haven’t been burned yet.”
“You haven’t been close enough to the flame.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Meg!” Katie chided me. “I get it. He’s cute. But please… He is not worth it. I can tell from one glance that he’s not a good guy. Please, Meg. Let’s go.”
“Listen to your friend, little Meggie,” Greyson laughed. “She knows what she’s talking about.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She glared at him.
“I’m just saying that you should know what it’s like to date a dirty dog.” He smiled at her sweetly. “Now leave.”
“Brandon.” Katie frowned. “I want to go now.”
“Katie, I’m sorry,” Brandon sighed.
“We’re not going to talk about this here.” Katie gave me one last glance. “Is there anything I can do to convince you to leave?”
I shook my head wordlessly.
“Please don’t let sex make you think he likes you, Meg. Sex is nothing for men like him.”
I stared at her and felt tears pricking my eyes as she spoke. I knew she was right, of course. But that didn’t stop me from hoping that something else would happen.
I stood there wondering why I didn’t run out as fast as I could. And then it struck me. I couldn’t. My body wouldn’t let me leave. A part of me started to understand why women stayed with men they knew were inherently bad. When you were bitten by the love bug, it was hard to do anything but hope and pray that somehow it could work out.
There was silence in the room as we all stood there. Finally, Katie shook her head and walked through the door, Brandon following behind her. He stopped at the door and turned back to face us before looking at Greyson one last time.
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Greyson. You don’t have to be this way.”
“It always had to be this way.” Greyson’s voice was bleak.
“This isn’t over, Greyson. We’re not in college any more.”
“Just leave, Brandon. Go explain to your woman why you’re not the spawn of the devil before it’s too late.”