I scrunched my eyebrows. “It’s my job, Gregory.”
He looked to the floor, running a hand through his ragged hair as I panicked, my fingers tingling, and my throat running dry, wondering if he was preparing to ask me to give it up for him. I didn’t have an answer to that unasked question.
“But,” I continued before he had the chance. “yes on dinner.” I needed a drink, and a breath.
Gregory pulled me back into the hug, kissing the top of his head. “I don’t want to lose you, Savannah. Not again. It hurt enough for the both of us the first time. There can’t be a second.”
I just nodded against his chest, unsure how else to respond.
Then, someone cleared their throat behind me, and I felt my knees go weak with fear.
Gregory dropped his hands. I studied his face, gauging his expression. It went from surprised to annoyed quickly.
Nathan. Great.
I turned to find Nathan standing cross-armed, nearly seething with tension. I didn’t have time for his shit.
“Hey you,” I said, heading for the door with Gregory slightly behind me.
“What the hell was that?” Nathan asked.
“Gregory and I are heading to grab a quick bite before we practice.”
Nathan stopped short as I wiggled by him, out the door. He turned to Gregory and stood straight. I rolled my eyes at the pre-historic posturing. “What gives, Fitzgerald? I thought you and I talked about this already.” Nathan’s voice was moving on a less than discreet crescendo.
My mouth opened as I turned to face the men. “You what? Nathan!”
“What?” Nathan shrugged. “I had a little talk with him on the train from Lincoln.”
“I told you not to say anything!” I screeched.
Gregory stepped in front of Nathan and addressed me in a panic. “You told him?”
“Don’t talk to her that way, asshole. She told me about your little romp after the TV performance.” Nathan tried to push past Gregory, but they ended up standing shoulder-to-shoulder facing me. Gregory’s face relaxed just slightly, perhaps recognizing I hadn’t told Nathan about the affair. Just as he asked.
“You should have seen her,” Nathan continued. “She was a mess. Savannah doesn’t cry a lot, Fitzgerald, but she seems to a lot more now that you’re in her life.”
Gregory’s lips parted as his eyes softened, looking at me desperately.
“Both of you shut up.” I put up my hand and took a breath. “Look. Yes, Gregory and I slept together. We’re also performing together in every city so we have to work together. We’re ending this week and are happy that we’ve had such a successful run. That’s what the hug was about, Nathan. And, Gregory, yeah, I cried. But … it’s fine now. So, if you’ll both excuse me, I’m going to the bar.”
“I’ll come with you,” they said nearly in unison.
Oh for fuck’s sake.
I shook my head. “Alone, please. Please.”
Turning quickly on my heels, I left two of the most important men in my life, and the lies I just told them, behind.
Gregory
It took a few seconds after Savannah disappeared through the heavy metal doors for me to register that I was still standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nathan Connors, who also appeared to be watching Savannah’s exit. Rolling my eyes, I turned and made my way back through the door to collect my cello backstage. The hot-headed bastard had the audacity to grab my arm.
“Not so fast, Fitzgerald,” he nearly growled.
I’d had it with him. I spun around and pointed my finger a half-inch from his face. “Listen here, you little shit. I allowed your little tantrum on the train from Lincoln, but you’re not about to get away with another one.”
“Excuse me? That girl is my friend and you’re screwing with her emotions, and I don’t fucking appreciate it.”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Connors.”
“Oh, I don’t?” Nathan condescendingly tilted his head. “Then tell me this, you spineless fuck. If I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, then why is it she’s had the same lost look in her eyes over the last week as she did when she quit school and showed up at my apartment in Chicago? The day after you tossed her aside like a used toy.”
“She went to Europe,” was the first thing out of my mouth.
“Yeah,” he chuckled moronically, “she went to Europe after she cried on my couch for a few days.” He arched his eyebrow and clenched his jaw in unison. I didn’t care for his implications.
“I don’t need to take this shit from you,” I grumbled, walking away again.
“Yes, you do, Gregory. She deserves better than whatever second rate relationship you’re offering her.”
I stopped in my tracks and turned around. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Everyone sees it, man. We all know something is going on. Those glances you think you’re each stealing? You’re caught. Every time. How you stare at her when she has a solo? I don’t miss it. And,” he took a long breath, “how she looks at you any time you show up? I don’t know what fucking game you’re playing with her, but I will tell you what I do know. You’re married, she’s in love with you, and the only way this can end is badly. I’ve said it to you before, and I’ll say it again. Don’t fucking hurt her.”
I clenched my fist against my side, letting his words swirl through my brain. He knew. If he knew, certainly more people knew. I wouldn’t let her go just based on that, though. I’d done that once and it only made things worse. What I didn’t like was his possessiveness over her. The fuck of it was, he had more of a right to be protective of her. At least openly. He was her friend. What was I?
“I’m not going to waste a punch on you, Connors, but I’ve got some words for you, too.” I leaned in close so he’d get the point. “Don’t you dare threaten me. You don’t know the first thing about me, and it would be a huge mistake for you to assume you do. What goes on between me and Savannah is just that. Between me and Savannah.”