Page 19 of The Afterthought

"How the hell would I know where he lives, Wren? I've been out of town for the last seven years, and I don't exactly keep tabs on him. The little bits I even know are things that you told me without me asking."

"That's true. He's hot, though, isn't he?" She wiggles her brows, testing the waters.

"He's an asshole," I state plainly before grabbing my muffin and taking an aggressive bite.

"Something happened." Her head turns in question.

"He..." I trail off. How the hell will I even begin to explain what happened? Oh, you know he pinned me to a wall and made me come on his fingers before he told me to get the hell out of his house. I'm so angry that he felt like he could put his hands on me. He doesn't deserve to touch me after everything.

"He what, Ava?"

"He… it was nothing. He told me to get the fuck out of his town, like he has any say over who can and can't be in Dune Valley."

"He does sort of have a say, though."

"What are you talking about?"

"He's been with the Crimson Rose since you left. I don't know if you know this or not, but his brother, Knox, is the boss."

"Wait, what? I knew Knox was his brother, but I didn’t realize he was the leader of the Crimson Rose."

"Yeah, and Greyson’s sort of his right-hand man. An unofficial second in command. He runs this town, and people are afraid of him, for good reason too. Last year, he sent a man to the hospital with third-degree burns all over his body. They couldn't prove he was the one who did it, so nothing happened. It's not like the cops in this town would even care."

The Greyson I remember wasn't like that. He was always super protective of me, and he liked fire, sure, but he wasn't the kind of person I thought would ever hurt someone else. I guess I was wrong about that, too.

"Be careful around him, Ava. He's not the same guy he was when we were kids. If he's intent on getting you out of town, he won’t stop until you leave. He always finds a way to get what he wants."

"Yeah? Greyson Hayes can eat a dick. I'm not leaving town." I never wanted to be in this town, but for some reason, knowing what I know now makes me want to stay. If it's something that is going to piss him off, I'm eager to do it. My mind is free from every thought of leaving at this moment. Greyson doesn't get to choose what happens to me. Not anymore.

"Tell me about Kai since I have to share you with him now." I take another bite of my muffin, and she smiles.

"He's sweet. I've never met someone like him before. On the outside, he seems like this mean, unapproachable brute, but he's been so kind to me. He actually bought me flowers last week."

"Does it not bother you that he's part of the Crimson Rose?" I'm glad she's excited about him, but I'm not going to hold back my questions.

"I'm not like you, Ava."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"This town, it's always been my life. I don't want to leave. The gang life is part of Dune Valley. You either end up involved with the Crimson Rose or the Cobras. I’m okay with it."

I take a moment to think about what she's telling me. I know that Dune Valley is all about gangs, but some of us get out. I didn't think she would want to live the gang-wife life, but if she's okay with it, then I have to accept her wishes, even if I don't like it.

"If he hurts you, I'll cut his balls off myself. I don't give a fuck who he runs with." I finish the last of my muffin and watch as her eyes light up.

"Thank you for always being supportive, even though I can tell you hate the idea of him being in a gang." She reaches out to touch my hand reassuringly.

"I mean it, Wrenly. He better not fuck with you."

"You have to hang out with us one of these days. Maybe we can hit up the drive-in movies sometime soon. I think they have a few really good ones playing right now."

My heart aches a bit at the mention of that place and the amount of date nights Greyson and I had there. One of his friends would always drive us, and we would lay out the same blanket and pillows to enjoy our night while his friend made out with his girlfriend in the front seat of his truck.

I realize the strong possibility of said driver being a member of the Crimson Rose. If he was running with them back then, it would make sense. It fuels nothing but pure rage in me. How dare he bring me around his gang and not bother to tell me about it.

"... and he took me to see that one like a month ago. It's still new, but I really like him." Wrenly finishes her coffee and waits for me to respond, but I missed most of what she was saying because I can't get that asshole out of my head.

"Maybe you can just bring him over to the house for dinner or something. I don't know if I want to go to the drive-in." I drop my head and fiddle with my fingers.

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