Page 68 of Until

With me on autopilot, I lean towards her and kiss her cheek as she squeezes me in a hug. She smells like the loose powdered makeup of hers that I used to play with when I was little. I focus in on her and realize she’s completely made up—hair, face, even her nails.

As much as I want to, I can’t ignore the other person in the room. I step back from her hug, and my eyes are drawn to her visitor’s blue eyes.

“Isn’t it nice of Alex to come see me?” Grandma says.

“Yes, very,” I say, my eyes not leaving his. “Can we talk in the hall?”

He smiles and turns to my grandmother. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes, beautiful.”

Grandma giggles as I roll my eyes. Alex smooths his suit jacket once he reaches the doorway, grinning ear to ear. I hit his arm as we enter the hall.

“You have some nerve,” I say, keeping my voice down.

“For checking on the woman in my care?”

“You know that’s not why you’re here.”

“You’re right, it’s not. But it’s been a day, and you won’t even return my texts. Would you have preferred it if I showed up at your door?”

“Did you ever think maybe I was with your brother? He is my boyfriend, you know.”

“But is he?” He tilts his head to the side.

His mocking knocked the wind out of me, but I refused to show it.

“You’re being a dick.”

“I’ve been told I’m good at that.”

I cross my arms over my chest as I glare at him.

“Listen,” he says, “I’m not here to fight with you. Despite how much I enjoy it.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To apologize. Yes, believe it or not, that is something I’m capable of doing.”

“Okay then, I’m listening,” I say.

“I’m sorry for getting you involved in this. And I’m sorry about what happened between you and Ryan.”

“Why did you do this?”

He takes a few steps away before sucking in some air. Then, he runs his hand over his head.

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s not really something I want to talk about right now. There’s too much history to explain. One thing I will say, though, is I think I let it go so far because I was looking for a way to keep you around.”

My shoulders slump slightly. I care about him a lot, but it’ll never be in the way he wants.

“Why did you tell Ryan to come to your house?” I ask.

“I didn’t. Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “He said he got a text to meet me, and I assumed it was you. Who else knew I was there?”

“I didn’t even know you were coming by.” He steps closer to me and lowers his voice. “Do you think it was your mother? She was there too. I didn’t know who she was until one of the grounds people caught up with her.”

“Really?” I groan. “I’m so sorry about that. I have no idea why she was there or how. How would she have gotten his number?”

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