Page 58 of Grayson

“How about we keep those stories to ourselves.” Gray starts to drag me away but instead she hooks my other arm. I am trapped in a playful tug of war that Grayson finally submits to and allows Rose to lead me off.

Finding our way to the kitchen I stand opposite her while she works on their dinner.

“After losing my husband it was hard. The quietness of the house got to be too much when I’d spent so many years unable to hear myself think.” She smiles at the memories. “So often we wish for silence, wish for a peaceful house but now, now I wish more than anything I’d still hear him yelling at the television while watching his favorite sports. I even wish for his clothes to be thrown all over the bedroom and bathroom floor too. I miss all the things that at one time drove me crazy. It just reminds you to not let the little things bother you.” Her shoulders rise as she takes a calming breath. “Without these boys, I don’t know what I’d do. And Oscar, he is a breath of fresh air, but I just couldn’t take care of him on my own.”

I know what she’s saying about missing all the things that at one point you may have hated. I used to hate how my mother would call me every single day, wanting to talk about class and my friends right after I started college. It would annoy me, because I wanted my freedom. Sometimes I’d send her to voicemail because I didn’t want to deal with it right then. Now I only wish she’d call me so we could talk about what I did that day or so I could tell her all about Grayson and the life I have. I miss her and my father so much my body aches from that loss.

“Skye.” Rose lifts her gaze to meet him. “Have you ever made homemade pot pies?”

“My momma always tried to teach me but I thought I was too busy to learn back then.” It’s another regret I live with every day.

“Well, are you too busy now?”

“No.” When she smiles at me I feel its warmth. “I’ve got all day.”

“Step on up here.” She gives me a little nod. “Let’s make these boys a good meal they can appreciate.”

“We don’t have to go.” Gray tugs my hand as I attempt to step up onto the curb in front of Ruby’s. Spinning me around so that my foot collides with his, he wraps me firmly in his arms. Bending down he skims the top of his nose over mine then offers me a brush of his lips, teasing me as he does often.

“We could go back home.” He calls my apartment home which at first felt crazy but he’s there more than he’s at his own so now it seems fitting. “We could curl up in bed with a movie and see if we actually make it to the final scene.” He smiles, offering me another kiss, this time sweeping his tongue over my lips.

“You’re only trying to avoid what’s inside.”

He stares at me trying not to react but I know it’s true.

“You can’t avoid it forever. He’s been coming around, yet you’ve still said nothing. It’s an awkward silence every single time he enters a room and you give him the ultimate stare down. If your Uncle Issac has finally accepted it, don’t you think it’s about time you do too?”

“He’s gonna hurt her again.”

“There are a lot of people that probably say the same thing about you and me,” I challenge him and his brows furrow. “You can’t be this way forever. You and Scarlett are family and your relationship means too much to the both of you to allow this to come between you.”

His chest heaves against mine as he takes a deep breath.

“Now will you stop being so damn stubborn, and come on.” It’s my turn to tug on him and I move toward the front door of Ruby’s and pull open the door.

“Hey,” he says as we step inside. Shifting close, he circles his arms around me and whispers near my ear. “I wasn’t done kissing you.”

“You were teasing me,” I correct, “trying to get out of coming face to face with Justin. Stop being a baby and move.”

Walking away, I make my way to the table and head where Scarlett and Viv are waiting. I notice how Scar’s shoulders stiffen when she glances over my shoulder.

Things truly have been tense between her and Gray and I know it’s eating away at her.

“How is his mood?” she asks when I lean in to give her a side hug.

“Playful and stubborn.” She nods still worrying her lip.

He’d stopped, talking to a few of the guys from the station. I know it’s more so he can avoid, versus having much to actually say. He’d been with them for most of the day at a charity event so this is him dragging his feet.

“Here, babe.” I glance to her left as Justin steps up to her side handing her a freshly made drink. Kissing the corner of her mouth she again looks in the direction of Gray. “Stop worrying,” he tells her. “He loves you and that means anyone who has ever hurt you is an enemy. We’ll get through this, Gray and I will one day be able to stand in the same room without him wanting to strangle me.”

I think it’s cute how he tries to soothe her, and I hope he’s right. I hate seeing Scarlett so worked up.

Relocating Gray I watch him until his eyes connect with mine. Raising a brow he matches my gesture and it’s us now having a silent stare down. As the corner of his mouth tips up into a smile, then his lips move as he says something to Silas Feddeler. He offers him a return nod and then Grayson is walking in our direction.

“Oh God!” Scarlett mumbled before lifting her drink, downing half the contents and lowering it back to the table. “I think I’m going to puke,” she mumbles just as he reaches the table.

Gray looks at Justin, Justin looks at him, and suddenly we are trapped back into the uncomfortable silence that we always seem to fall into when the two of them are together.

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