Storytime: Loving Lana, Chapter 17

This is a great example of what happens when plots develop out of thin air in the middle of a draft. Lots of stuff showing up here that needs to be woven into the earlier chapters for a better lead in, but I'm excited about how much richer the revisions will make those first chapters!

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Loving Lana, Chapter 17

Brad walked back to the cabin, each stride tearing him apart. So this is what she'd felt when he betrayed her. What if she hadn't told him? They'd be married now, and his law firm would be highly vulnerable. If his name was ever associated with that paper, it would undermine all of his contacts, and call into question many of the cases he'd worked on for the past several years. There's no way he could risk that happening. Lana must really hate him to have planned to put him in that position.

"The wedding is off." Brad addressed the waiting group, leaving the door open as he strode through to the bedroom. Silence prevailed as he grabbed his bag, then headed back towards the front door. He stopped in front of the judge.

"Susan will see that you get the full fee - I'm sorry for the trouble." He turned to Darren. "Watch your back," he warned, noting that Sandra had gone. Probably to be with Lana. "These ladies aren't what they seem."

"I'm quite aware of that," Darren said solemnly. He held out a business card. "Give me a call sometime - I get the feeling we have something in common." Brad nodded, then walked out, noting Lana and Sandra looking over the river as he pulled away from the cabin, anger and loss weighing heavily on his mind.

***

Lana stood frozen, staring at the river as Brad's footsteps faded behind her. Silent tears slid down her face, shame gnawing at her conscience. She'd known it would end this way. And in a sense, she was relieved. She had intended to wait until it was too late, until she'd taken Brad's name to tell him about The Weekly Report. She'd thought that maybe, with his name behind the report, they could finally go public with their identities, and be recognized as a bonefide consumer watchdog group. He could give legitimacy to the project, even if they eventually divoriced. Even Sara had thought it was a good idea, and she had more reason than most to be skeptical about relying on men.

It was over now though. Lana wiped her cheeks, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Warm fingers gently squeezed her shoulder, and for a moment, she hoped.

"I'm so sorry," Sandra said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so very sorry."

Lana leaned on her friend, closing her eyes. "It's not your fault," she said huskily, pulling away. "You were right. It wasn't fair to use him like that. But..."

"But you loved him."

Lana nodded, wiping away fresh tears. "I wanted to be strong, to take something from him, like he took my dreams from me. But I can't," she said, glancing up as an engine started nearby. "I just can't be that person." She watched as Brad drove out of her life, probably for good this time.

"Maybe he's not that person either anymore," Sandra said quietly. "I hope not, because he knows enough now to shut us down." She grabbed Lana's hand, pulling her towards the cabin. "Come on. Darren and I will give you a ride home."

Lana snuffled. "How are things going with Darren? Are you two--"

"I really don't want to talk about him," Sandra said as they reached the door. She squeezed Lana's hand. "Let's just get this over with, okay? Plenty of time for gossip later."


This is the first draft of a novel I'm working on. Comments always welcome. Thanks for reading!