Page 43 of The Afterthought

"Sorry, sis. He was very persuasive and a bit of an asshole, but I like you two together." She laughs, and Matt intertwines his fingers in hers, leading her over to my car where all the blankets and pillows we brought are sitting in the backseat.

I'm frozen in place for a moment, processing her words. It's the first time she's called me sis. It's just a word, but I can't help but smile back at her. Finally, she's giving me some sort of sign that we are developing a bond. Dune Valley might be growing on me.

Chapter 20

Greyson

My heart slams in my chest when I see her car pull into the drive-in. I made sure to threaten every single person who tried to park next to me to ensure the spot was open for her. I wanted her to pull in and see the setup. It's exactly how I used to do it when we were younger. I could tell she wasn't going to just fold and let me have the chance I was asking her for. She’s still too guarded. I'm playing all my cards here. My initial response was to try and force her hand, but I think this gentler gesture will help her realize I'm serious when I tell her she's mine and has always been.

I feel the way my palms begin to sweat while I anticipate her reaction. I dig into my pocket to pull out the lighter, flicking it off and on to try and calm my nerves. This is ridiculous. A few weeks ago, I was a hard gangbanger that everyone feared, and now I’m acting like a lovesick fool. This girl has so much more power over me than she even realizes.

It was pretty easy to convince Chloe to get her here. All I had to do was dangle her little boyfriend in front of her as bait. I thought it would be a bit more difficult for Ava to agree to come with her, but she is trying her best to build a relationship with Chloe. She didn't even hesitate to say yes when she asked.

Every bit of this was worth it. The way she looks right now, as she stares up at me with the most beautiful face full of adoration, is something I will burn into my memory. I pass her the coffee in my hand and watch as she takes a big gulp. The tension in her shoulders instantly releases. It's honestly amazing how much a little bit of caffeine and sugar can change her perspective.

I lead her down to the blanket, and we settle into the comfort of the pillows before I pull another large blanket over us. There's a chill in the air tonight, and I need to make sure my girl isn't cold. The sun has started to set, and the movie will be starting soon.

She reaches over to the muffin container and pulls one out to eat, washing it down with another gulp of coffee. I lean over to grab water from the cooler and just watch her. I can't take my eyes off of her. Every single thing she does has me in a strange trance. I'm obsessed.

When she finishes the second muffin, she makes a satisfied sound and sinks further under the blanket. I reach an arm around her, pulling her close to me. I'm surprised when she relaxes into my hold and looks up at me.

"Thank you for all of this." Her words shock me.

"You're being strangely compliant. Should I be worried?" I know I shouldn't be pointing out the obvious, but she is usually a bit more strong-willed than this.

"I don't know. I'm still struggling, Grey, but I can appreciate a genuine gesture when I see one. Between this, your tattoo, and you knowing about my scars, I'm just in my head a bit about everything. I'm still being cautious, but I can't help but be drawn to you."

I place two fingers under her chin and tilt her head up, pulling her lips to mine. She tastes sweet but bitter, like the coffee. "I love when you're stubborn, but I love when you're open like this, too."

"I thought I had to be hard around you, but you're softening me up a bit." She giggles.

"Good. I'm glad that my irresistible charm is wearing off on you a bit."

"Don't be cocky. I'm still really concerned with where this is all going to go. If I let you back in completely, what happens? I don't want to stay in my mother's house in this town forever. There are too many hard memories. What happens when I let myself fall for you again, and our lifestyles clash? You have the Crimson Rose, and I think I've made it pretty clear that I don't want to be in that life."

"Let's just take things day by day and see what happens." I offer.

"Taking things day by day still ends with me getting hurt in the end. You have to understand that." She tries to argue, but I lean in and silence her with another kiss. When will she realize she's the only thing getting in the way of this right now?

I pull back, letting our foreheads stay connected. "I'm not letting you go, Ava. We will just have to figure something out." I lean in and kiss her again. "You’re my flame. Mine. And I’ll never stop flying to you. You’ll never be free of me again.”

I swoop in to consume her in kisses but pull back when I feel the wetness from her cheek on mine. I bring both hands up to her face, placing her cheeks in my palms and using my thumbs to wipe the tears away.

"I'm obsessed with you, Avalynn Blake," I whisper before releasing her and digging in my pocket for the gift I got her. "Hold out your hand. I have something for you."

She eyes me cautiously, but she does it anyway. I place the small cool item onto her palm, and she looks down to see what it is. Immediately, she has a confused look on her face. She pulls out her phone and shines it over the small crystal to get a better look at it. She turns it around in her hand as she inspects it. The dark gray stone is a puffed heart with deep red flecks through it. It almost looks like blood splatter.

"What is it?" she asks.

"It's a bloodstone."

"Bloodstone?" she repeats.

"Yeah, I looked it up. It's supposed to help with strength and courage or something like that. At least, I think. I could be wrong. I saw it, and it made me think of you, so I had to get it for you."

"That's really sweet of you. I haven't gotten any new crystals since you used to buy them for me. Thank you." She seems a bit hesitant to bring up the past, but I catch the way she turns the phone light off and squeezes the stone in her hand. I can tell she wants to say something else. She keeps it in though.

We sit in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Chloe and Matt are on their own set of blankets in front of Ava's car next to us. It's too dark to see what they're doing, which gives me an idea. This movie is boring and predictable. I'm ready to have some fun of my own, and I doubt anyone will notice with everyone distracted.

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