Page 61 of You're the Reason

Without warning, the music cut off, leaving the room eerily quiet for just a half second before a humorless laugh filled the air. “Well, if this isn’t the joke of the century.”

Seth jerked back as Gabe’s voice echoed around the room. The heat traveling through him was replaced with an icy chill.

No.

His former friend stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes wide and a touch wild. He had his hair slicked back, and the fact he was wearing clean pants probably meant he was on the way to a party. He’d probably only stopped to try to beg money off Grace. The idea sickened him.

His gaze shot back to Grace, who was still in his arms, but her eyes also fixed on her brother. “What are you doing here, Gabe?”

“What am I doing here?” His arms flew out in an uncontrolled gesture. “What are you doing here with him?”

“Why wouldn’t I be here with Seth?” She stepped away from Seth and to glare at her brother. “He was our neighbor. You guys were friends. Or have the drugs erased that part of your memory?”

Gabe jerked back as his gaze flicked to Seth. “She doesn’t know?”

Oh no.

“Gabe.” He hadn’t meant for it to sound quite so threatening, but this was not how he wanted Grace to find out.

“Know what?” Grace’s eyes bounced between them.

“Grace, let’s go somewhere and talk.” Seth held out his hand.

“Like that’s going to happen.” Gabe took a step toward them. “I’m not letting you hurt her.”

Grace propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t be ridiculous, Gabe. Why would he hurt me?”

“I don’t know. Why would he kill Gregory?”

And there it was. The words traveled through him like ice.

Grace frowned, shook her head. “You’re confused, Gabe. Gregory died of an overdose.”

“A drug overdose that was his fault.” He poked Seth’s chest, and Seth clenched his fist to keep from laying the guy flat. “You’re kissing a convicted felon, Grace. And here everyone thought you were the good kid.”

Her face twisted in confusion as she looked to Seth for answers. But what could Seth say? Everything Gabe was saying was true. And suddenly, the hope that someone who knew him could also love him vanished.

eleven

Everything seemed to be happening all at once, and none of it made sense. Grace let her gaze bounce between Seth and Gabe, each standing a few feet apart in the studio, but still nothing they said found a place to land in her brain.

Gabe hadn’t closed the door, and the humid afternoon air filled the room. He still laughed, but it had shifted from a shocked laugh to something more angry and bitter. Gabe shut the door, sealing the sticky air away, but his gaze never left Seth’s. His hair was neater than normal, his eyes excessively dilated.

Her brother was wiry and didn’t have an extra ounce of muscle or fat on him, but she couldn’t deny the desire to protect Seth from him. When he moved toward Seth again, she took a step between them. “Go home. You’re high.”

Gabe’s beady eyes finally turned on her. “Wait, I’m the bad guy here? Did you even hear me say?—”

“Leave Grace out of this.” Seth grabbed her arm and tugged her behind him, his wide shoulder shielding her from her brother’s anger.

“You’re the one who brought her into this when you plastered your lips on hers. I’m protecting her from you.” Gabe went to move around him, but Seth blocked his way.

Gabe had never been violent with her, ever. But she couldn’t deny that the wall of Seth added a level of assurance that she hadn’t realized she desperately needed.

“Let’s go, Grace.” Gabe’s voice faded as if he’d stepped toward the door expecting her to follow. “I said let’s go.”

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about.” She peeked around Seth’s arm. “Go home and sleep it off.”

“I don’t know what I’m talking about?” He marched back toward them, his dilated eyes fixed on Seth. “What do you say, Seth? Do I know what I’m talking about?”

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