Page 122 of Hold Me Before You Go

“When this semester is over, I’m going to report this professor,” Margo grumbled from her side of the couch, typing away on her laptop. She’d been here all morning, having shown up at my door at eight on the dot with a backpack over her shoulder. Grayson didn’t scold her for invading; he simply opened the door wider, let her in, and when he cooked breakfast, he brought her a plate.

Before he went into his office to get updates from the team, he whispered in my ear, “She’s sticking to you like glue because she’s afraid of losing you again. I like her.”

That was two hours ago, and Grayson still hadn’t come out of his office.

I looked up from my journal, studying Margo. She seemed more relaxed today, not as on edge. Her hair was down, having a slight wave to it as it hung over her shoulders. She was in black leggings and a Three Days Grace t-shirt and dark purple socks covered her feet, her books scattered around her on my sectional.

“What are you working on?” I asked.

“It’s a mid-term project for one of my business classes,” she answered, looking up to me with a scowl on her face. “However, the professor doesn’t like me.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s—”

“—he told me, Cardinal. He said I was too old to be in this class, that starting college at twenty-eight was a waste of time.”

“Fuck him,” I bit off.

Margo’s eyes widened, her dark green pools flashing. “Whoa.”

“What?”

A funny look of confusion appeared on her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you cuss before.”

“I don’t cuss at work,” I told her.

Out of the corner of my eye, Grayson appeared, stepping out of the hallway, his boots carrying him straight to me. Not giving a single shit about Margo’s presence, he grabbed my chin and put his lips to mine, kissing me slowly until my heart was racing and heat bloomed in my cheeks. When he pulled away, a real smile spread across his face, taking all the breath I had left away. “He’s gone, Sunshine.”

“What?” I rasped, grabbing his wrist. “Brand—”

“Hayes just called me,” he confirmed. “You’re safe now.”

I slapped my hand over my mouth, stopping the sob.

“Wait—so my girl is safe now? For real?” Margo asked.

Grayson looked over to her, gave her a nod, and looked back to me. “It’s done, baby.”

I tossed my journal and pen to the side, shooting up from the couch and locking my arms around Grayson’s neck. I buried my face in his neck, sobs of gratitude and freedom leaving me. He held on to me tightly. “It’s over, Carrie,” he cooed over and over, swaying us back and forth.

When we broke apart, we both found Margo still in her spot, her laptop sitting on the cushion beside her, her legs curled up toher chest, her arms around them. Tears were running down her face, rolling over the butterfly tattoo on her neck. “Don’t worry about me, guys. I’m justs so, so happy.”

I smiled at her, faking it as a dark reminder tugged at the back of my brain.

Brandon was gone.

Now, the truth about his brother had to come out.

And I would lose Grayson.

“Can she go to the bookstore now?” Margo asked, laughing a bit as she stood. “My Cardinal is safe now! Everything is good!” She came to me with open arms like it was Christmas morning, joy lighting up her face.

As she hugged me tightly, I looked over her shoulder at Grayson, not knowing what to do or say.

Clearing his throat, he answered gruffly. “Whatever Carrie wants to do. She’s safe now, and that’s all that matters to me.”

Somewhere on the west coast.

The man took a drag of his cigarette as he rolled down the window, keeping his eyes on the two-lane highway stretched out before him.

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