Page 48 of Grayson

“Outside,” I say as I step passed him and push open the front door. Stepping to the right, I walk a few feet so that we are not standing in front of the large window for everyone to observe. Turning around to face him, he remains a few feet back, his hands still in his pockets.

“I didn’t come to you that night because I wasn’t the best version of myself.” Shrugging he frees his hands and as if he needs something to do with them, he places them on his hips. “It was a bad night, so me and the guys went straight to Ruby’s. Coop called his brothers later after we’d all had way too much to drink and they shuttled us all home. I don’t even remember the ride there. Everything was shit, I was a mess, and—” He lifts his gaze to meet mine. Holding my stare, I can tell he wants to move in closer, but instead keeps his distance.

“I wish I would have gone straight to you, but I wanted to sleep shit off, shower and you deserve more than seeing me like that.” His chest heaves. “I screwed up, but she kissed me, not the other way around. It was brief, I’d just cleaned up after getting sick and I let my guard down.”

So many words are rolling around in my head, but I can’t seem to form any of them.

“I didn’t want any commitments, I didn’t want anything I’d be afraid to lose. It’s been easier that way, playing this role, staying detached. Hurts less when you don’t care.”

I nod, and he steps forward reaching out to link his hands with mine. I don’t pull away.

“I care,” he confesses. Lifting his other hand he drags his thumb over my jaw. “And it hurts.”

I get what he’s insinuating but I feel too raw.

“You are who I want,” he adds, using his thumb to tip my chin up. “Tell me that we’ll be okay.” His forehead resting to mine he offers my lips a soft kiss. “Tell me that you believe me when I say that Gia and I were over the moment I met you.”

32

Grayson Hawk

“I need to get back inside.” She looks away, focusing on our joined hands. “I have a client that I need to finish up and another one due here any minute.”

“Skye.” I lean in trying to force her to look at me. “Tell me you believe me,” I try again feeling like I can’t breathe.

“I do.” She nods and it should make me feel better but the way she worries her lips tells me there is more. Things she’s not saying.

“Ok fine, I’ll go.” Again I place my hand on her jaw, tilting her chin up so that she has to look at me. “But this isn’t over.” The conversation or us, I wasn’t letting either go. “I’ll be at your place tonight, after you get off work. We’re gonna talk though this.”

She bites on the inner part of her cheek. I press my lips to hers, kissing her after days of missing her lips. Dragging my tongue along her lips they part and I feel the tip of her tongue touch mine.

The idea of losing her is tugging at my insides, like I am being shredded. “These last six weeks, they’ve changed everything I thought I wanted. I look forward to my time with you and with Tori. I mean it when I say the two of you make me feel like I’m home. Don’t let this go.” I motion between us with my finger. “Don’t let one screwed-up night change what we’ve been building.” I kiss her once more. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I drop my hands to my sides, walking toward my bike waiting next to the curb.

Climbing over it, I grab my helmet and strap it in place. Kicking the stand, I start it and look up to find Skye still there watching me, her eyes locked on mine, her hands twisting together in front of her.

When she starts toward me I watch and wait.

Saying nothing, she lifts her hands and places them one on each side of my face. Leaning in she presses her lips to mine and I hate how she trembles. Wrapping my arm around her waist I hold her close allowing her to kiss me.

“Bye,” she whispers and I release her, watching her walk toward the front of the salon. I remain where I am until I can no longer see her and then I pull away from the curb.

I choose not to go home, instead I go to my father’s. He’s in his garage, working on his newest project. After he retired from the force he took up with a local shop where he makes furniture that is displayed for sale. Half the county has his handmade wooden rustic chairs sitting on their front porches.

“Hey ol’ man.” I enter the garage and lean my ass against his work bench. He looks up over his glasses, squinting.

“Mornin’.” He looks behind him to ensure I’m alone. “Just get off shift?”

“A couple hours ago.” I had a couple stops to make. First to Rose, she had a critter in her garage and Myles and I trapped and then released it in the woods. That was before I stopped at the salon.

“I take it last night was a better night?” I know he is referring to the losses we suffered. My father knows what that’s like, he’d served as a police officer for 28 years before retiring just this last year.

“Yeah, it was a quiet night.” Thankfully. We all needed that, still feeling the ache of our last shift.

“So when do I get to meet this lady of yours?” I refocus on him to find he’s gone back to focusing on his current project.

“Not sure she’s still my lady.” Saying it out loud makes it real, and my stomach coils.

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