Chapter Twenty-Seven

Riley

What is Lena's problem?

For once, I was able to get my work done early, so I rushed home. I found Lena in the library returning some movies. I put my arms around her and asked her if she wanted to have dinner with me outside, but she pushed me aside and said she was tired. Well, I understand if she really is tired, but something tells me that's not it.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

She slips the last box in her hands into the shelf. "Nothing."

My frustration seeps in and I snort. "What's this? Are we playing cat and mouse again?"

She turns to me with a puzzled look. "What?"

"Back when we were on the show, whenever there was something bothering you, you wouldn't tell me," I remind her. "You'd just give me the cold shoulder or try to push me away. You'd say nothing was wrong, but something clearly was, and then I'd have to chase after you and wriggle the reason out of you."

Lena's jaw drops.

I put my hands on the shelf and lean over her. "Well, I won't play that game anymore. Whatever it is that's bothering you, just spit out."

I grasp her chin.

"Or do you want me to fuck you first so you can tell me when you're in a good mood?"

Her blue eyes narrow along with her lips. Then she ducks beneath one of my arms and slips away.

"I said I'm tired."

"You're tired?" I grab her arm. "I'm the one who's been working twelve hours a day."

She wrenches her arm away. "I know."

"I'm the one who's been running my father's stupid company."

Lena puts her hands on her hips. "So you're saying you're the only one doing something worthwhile? You're saying you're the only one who has a right to get tired?"

I shake my head and sigh. "I never said--"

"Well, any person can get tired, especially when she has another person growing inside her."

"Don't bring the baby into this."

She beats her hand on her chest. "Any person can get tired when all she hears every day is people talking about what a slut she is, what a no-good person she is, what a fraud she is."

So is that what this is about? I draw a deep breath.

"You're not supposed to care what everyone else thinks. I thought you agreed with me on that after the party."

"That was before I heard the lies on TV." Lena steps forward. "I don't care what people say if it's based on truth, but if it's based on lies, on the worst kind of lies--how can I stand that?"

"You know the truth, so why pay attention to the lies?"

"Because they hurt, damn it!"

I pull her into my arms. "Shh. Calm down, Lena. It's only hurting because you're letting it in. You're not supposed to, okay? Just don't mind--"

She pushes me away. "Don't mind them? They're messing with my head, with my life, with my family."

"Because you're paying attention to them. You're not supposed to. Attention is like oxygen. It will just fuel the flames."

Lena shakes her head and sneers, "Well, I'm sorry that I'm not as cold as you are."

My jaw clenches. What the hell? Wasn't she the one being cold to me? Now I'm the bad guy?

"I'm trying to help you..."

"Oh, really?" Lena crosses her arms over her chest. "Are you trying to help me? Do you even care?"

My gaze narrows. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"If you really wanted to help me, if you really cared, surely you could have done something already."

"Like what?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe get the truth out there? Maybe use your influence and your money to stop the lies from spreading?"

"So you wanted me to put an end to this?"

"Didn't you?"

"Why didn't you say so, then?"

"Why did I have to ask? You're supposed to..." She pauses to draw a deep breath then proceeds in a softer voice. "You're supposed to protect me."

"Oh, so you're playing the damsel in distress right now?"

"I'm not--"

"You want me to fight for you? To save you? To fix your problems for you?"

"I didn't--"

"I thought you could handle this on your own, Lena," I tell her. "It's not my fault if you can't."

Her lips quiver. "So I'm just supposed to deal with this alone? Well, you're right. I can't." Her gaze drops to the floor as she gives a choked sob. "I can't take this anymore."

So she's finally broken into tears, huh? But that won't work on me this time.

I can't always be the one being strong for her.

"Then give up," I tell her. "Isn't that what you're good at?"

With fists clenched, I march towards the door, ignoring Lena's sobs as they flood the library.