Page 103 of Falling for Grace

“I mean, I’m planning to see him again. To try and sort it, and I have this plan to try and turn the situation into a way to raise the profile of Group Strep B. But I don’t want to tie him to me, we need to see each other and he owes me an apology. Well, he needs to fucking grovel, to be fair, but we don’t need that hanging over us. Adding to the stress.” I’m rambling because I’m gutted.

Absolutely gutted.

Chapter 38

I’m terrified. I arrived in London three days ago. This time around I’m staying with Sue and Ted, taking up residence in Brandon's childhood bedroom, cocooned in my memories.

I feel at home. Like I always do here.

He is discharging himself. He barely made it to 15 days. Sue told me that he was angry with them, mad that his parents had known this whole time and had helped keep the secret.

They’re still upset, and I think part of that is towards me, and rightly so. I did put them in that position, after all, where either choice they made would hurt someone they loved. It took 10 days for Brandon to start talking to them again, and it seems like they are slowly but surely working it through with him.

But forgiveness takes time.

I know that, and I know that it will take time for Brandon and me to truly forgive each other for the hurt. But I’m going to forgive him. Ben was right about that, because I desperately want him in my life. My phone vibrates and Ava’s name flashes up.

“Hello.”

“Grace, Blake has just heard from him.” Blake is in London filming and Brandon had reached out to him to arrange pick up—a clear sign that things were definitely not all forgiven with his parents. “He wants to be picked up.”

“I’ll go,” I say firmly, sitting up. “I want to go.”

“No, of course, that’s why I’m calling. Blake said that Brandon wanted to be taken straight to Heathrow so it looks like he was coming to you anyway.”

I’m taking that as a good sign, because just like in L.A., I don’t really know what I’m going to say to him, and, well, we know how well that ended for us last time.

“Okay, I’m going right now.” I push my feet into my boots, grabbing my leather jacket off the end of the bed. “I’ll be about 30 minutes. Can you get Blake to tell him that, but don’t tell him I’m coming. Just in case.”

“Okay, thirty minutes. Good luck, Grace. Just remember how much you love each other, please. I don’t think my heart can take much more and Lucy keeps sending me these weird inspirational quotes.”

“Your heart.” I laugh. “And yeah, she’s sending them to me, too. You really need to close down her Instagram.” I grin as I head down the stairs. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you soon, okay? Thank you, Ava, for everything.”

“It’s no bother, Grace. Speak soon.” The line goes dead.

I poke my head into the kitchen, where Sue is sitting reading a book.

“I’m going to get him.”

She puts the book down, her eyes meeting mine. She looks tired and so small. She’s lost weight over the last few months, and I can’t wait to bring Brandon back here so that we can all be together again.

“Did you want Ted to go with you?”

“No, I need to do this on my own. Thank you, though.”

“Are you going to come back here?” She slides off the stool and I hug her.

“I want to take him to see her,” I explain. “I think the closure may help.” She nods and pulls back, holding onto the tops of my arms.

“Don’t rush him.”

I shake my head. “Of course not. Lesson learned. If he’s not ready, I’ll bring him back here and head to the hotel. We have our plan b. But Blake has said he wanted to go straight to the airport, so I’m taking that as a positive sign.”

“I hope so, Grace. I think Ted and I will be in an early grave otherwise.”

“Oh God, Sue, don’t say that.” I hug her again and kiss her head. “Right, I’m going to go. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” Ted’s bellowing voice comes from the living room and Sue rolls her eyes.

---