“No, that’s not the issue. The issue is making sure you have an heir, and we both know two men?—”
“Yes, they can.” I gritted my teeth. “There are ways.” I thought through his logic. “What if I were gay, Dad? Would you search for a certain type of man for me then?”
“But that’s not the situation, Greyson. It’s a hypothetical, and I won’t get caught up in hypotheticals.” Through his teeth, he said, “We’re done here. Send me the date.” The call ended.
Hanging my head, I dropped my phone onto the bed and scrubbed my face. I had to reason with Malik, but how?
“Babe?” He pawed at my arm, his forehead wrinkling and tears hovering on his lashes. “What’s happening? What will you do?”
“Fuck.” Throwing my arms around him, I yanked him into my chest and buried my face in his neck, an unbearable ache rushing through my body. “We’ll have a few weeks together.”
“No,” he croaked and hit my sides with weak slaps. “Don’t tell me that, Grey. You need to fight for us.” Shoving me away, he sniffled and lifted his head, tears spilling down his cheeks. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I don’t have a choice, Malik. If I don’t do what he wants, I…I’ll lose everything.” He had to understand. I snatched his wrists and gripped them tightly. “What am I supposed to do if he pulls my funding? I won’t be able to pay rent or buy books for class or fucking pay for any of the costs associated with preparing for the draft. How the hell am I supposed to go to the draft if I can’t buy a fucking plane ticket?” It hit me how much I relied on my father’s money and took it all for granted. Taking deep breaths, I stared at Malik. “At least if I comply, I might still have a chance at the draft. I might get him to pay for agent fees and the training needed to get me there.”
Malik’s gaze grew hard, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine.” He ripped free, jumped off the bed and stomped from the room, slamming the door as he left.
My phone buzzed on the bed. “Fucking hell.” I glanced at the phone. It readMotheracross the top. Would she berate me now? Blowing an exhale, I answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Greyson, what have you done? Your father is parading around the house, ranting about something with you and your friend Malik.” She freed a sharp huff. “I’ve never seen him so angry.”
Right now, I didn’t give a fuck what she thought of me. “Mom, I’m in love with Malik. I’m bisexual, and he’s my boyfriend, but Dad would prefer I be with a woman.” I held my head high. How much did she know regarding the situation with Ella?
“Oh, dear.” She choked a soft laugh. “I always wondered about you two.”
My brows lifted. She saw it? Could she help me? Wasn’t she the one who told me the final decision of who I’d marry would be mine? Getting her help was doubtful, but it was worth a shot. “Mom, Dad is making me leave Arizona after finals are over. He’s taking me away from Malik and wants me to find a woman.”
“But if you’re bisexual, youcouldfind a female partner, right?”
“That’s not the point.” I pressed my fingers into my temples. Sometimes I wasn’t sure where her head was. We were so different. “The point is, you told me the decision would be mine, and if I had to decide today, it would be Malik.” If only he could hear me now.
“Oh, honey, a woman would suit you better. That’s nonsense. You should have a proper wife.”
I ground my molars. Talking to her was pointless. “I don’t want a woman. I want Malik. I choose him.” Hanging up on her, I growled. “Fuck!” Had everyone gone crazy? How was this happening? I had to face Malik and Tex. Shit, what would Tex think of me?
Two hours later,I lay on my bed, staring at my ceiling, numb. I had no choice, right? I had to do what my father had insisted. Still, I couldn't believe how this had played out.
My door creaked open, and Malik stood there, his sad gaze trailing across my body. “Grey?”
“Yeah?” I sat up, my heart wrenching. It hurt to look at him now. Was he here to ask me to move into a hotel or something? My vision hazed. I couldn’t blame him.
“I…” He padded to my bed and dropped in beside me. “Are you sure you can’t talk some sense into your father?” He sucked his upper lip between his teeth and then released it. “I mean, what if we called him together? What if I told him?—”
“No, Malik.” With a ragged sigh, I hung my head. “His mind is made up. I called my mother after you left, and she’s of the same mind. I can’t fight them both.” As tears pricked my eyes, I sniffled and squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You know I love you.”
“Yeah, I know.” With his breath hitching, he wrapped an arm around me and hugged me to his side. “I love you too. But I guess we’ll need a lot more than love to get through this. If we even can.”
As I buried my face in his neck, I clenched my eyes shut and held in a sob. This was unbearable. “We can be together after the draft.”
“If your father doesn’t send you to Harvard and if they don’t find another socialite for you to marry.” He dragged himself from me and stood. “I…I need to talk to Shimá. Alone.” With a miserable peek at me, he left the room, shutting the door with a soft click.
My emotions boiled over, and I threw myself onto my stomach on my bed, the tears spilling without end.
TWENTY-ONE
MALIK
“I’ve lost him, Shimá.” I lay on my stomach on my bed, propped on my elbows, my heart breaking in two after spilling my guts to her. This was what her dream had been about. She’d seen this coming months ago. I glared at my phone, set to speaker and resting on the bed under my face.