Page 26 of Echoes

I gape at Grey's lone figure, trying to process what is happening.

Grey takes a few seconds to compose himself, breathing deeply. I don't dare move or say anything, heart racing.

Maybe he'll speak to me?

Finally, he opens his eyes, looking at me coldly. "Come with me," he demands, stalking off toward the library doors.

I quickly push my chair back, rounding the table to catch up with him. We head past the closed off aisles, the sounds of people talking and fucking inside.

As we head outside the library doors, I'm astonished that Grey motions for me to go into the dark, quiet hall with him.

The doors close behind us and I take a quick glance around, making sure we're truly alone. There's not a soul in sight—probably not in us either—and finally, I turn to face Grey.

"Hey…" I start, unsure of what to say.

He stands tall, arms folded. "What the hell is your problem?" he asks angrily. "We did you a favor inviting you back and you just start badmouthing Damon."

"I didn't plan to do it," I say weakly. "Besides, isn't it the truth?"

Grey glares at me. "You think we framed you?"

"Yeah, kind of…" I trail off.

He shakes his head, laughing in disbelief. "Wow, Avery. After everything I did for you… that's how you perceive me."

My eyebrows furrow. "Wait… are you saying it wasn't you?"

"Why the fuck would we frame you for murder?"

"I…" Unsure of how to answer, I just fall silent.

Grey paces in front of me, face finally cracking. He looks hurt—again. "I don't believe you."

"It wasn't you or Damon?" I ask, bewildered. "You didn't put that card in my pocket?"

He stops, glaring at me. "Of course not! I'm mad at you. Sofuckingmad at you. But I'm still trying to protect you for some stupid reason. The fact that you would ever think that. Fuck! I obviously didn't know you at all."

Panic.

Just pure panic in my blood.

"Grey," I say, moving toward him. "Just let me explain things."

"You already did," he replies angrily. "And I don't want to hear it again. You're free to do what you want, Avery."

I hate the way my name sounds on his lips now. It sounds like poison—choking him from the inside out. I'm a walking suffocation, but I take the chance, knowing I might not get the opportunity again.

I cross the distance between us, putting my hands on his arms. He stiffens, but surprisingly, doesn't shove me off.

"Grey," I murmur softly. "You mean everything to me. Since day one, you saw something in me. It was the first time in my life that someone really cared enough to fight for me. And that means so much to me. With Theo… it was the same." The mention of his name makes Grey's eyes flash, and I tread carefully, continuing. "You both treated me like I meant something. I'm not used to that. And with us, you and me, it's—was—so special. But I didn't know it was just meant to be us. This is all new to me. And I'm learning to survive here. I fucked up, I know I did. And I can't forgive myself for hurting you. But I'm willing to help you if it means finding a way to fix the hurt."

Grey stares at me silently, eyes scanning my face.

"I'm sorry," I say sincerely. "I know what we had is over. But I just want you to know that I'm not going to tell Whittingham anything. And I'll do what Damon needs if it's what you want. You can ignore me if that's what you need. Now that I know the truth, I'll deal with it and leave you alone."

It feels like a tiny weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't even know what I've rambled, but at least I've finally said my peace.

I believe him entirely when he says that they didn't do it. I can hear it in his voice, in his pain. Despite Damon taunting it, I nowrealize it wouldn't have made sense. They were nowhere near me when it happened.

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