Page 123 of Always Been Yours

“That’s great.” Her smile says otherwise. “How do you know Grady?”

The question is directed toward me, but Calypso takes the metaphorical mic. “Oh, we’ve known Grady forever. Basically, their entire lives,” she points between Grady and me. “Our moms are best friends. We practically grew up in one household.”

Arielle’s eyes cut to Calypso’s, slightly unsure but not backing down. I, however, am frozen in place.

In a saccharine voice Arielle says, “So… that would make you, what?” She points between the three of us. “Siblings?”

“No.” Grady’s voice is sudden and firm, but he doesn’t elaborate. He still doesn’t tell her who I am to him besides a family friend. I can feel myself shrink five feet and color blooms on my cheeks. Arielle turns her attention back to me. She gives me a slow onceover, a mocking grin pulling across her face as she focuses on my bright auburn hair.

Realization washes over her, followed by a syrupy laugh that I immediately hate. “Oh.You’re the little girl next door. The one who had a crush on Grady. Blake mentioned you a few times. That’s cute.”

Whether she knows it or not, she hit a nerve. Not only did she belittle my relationship with Grady, but she played into my biggest insecurity: that I’ve always wanted Grady more than he wants me… and the fact that he didn’t tell her about me, after all of our plans and promises, hurts.

It’s a fucking punch to the soul if I’m being honest.

“Actually—“

“Actually,” I cut Calypso off, “we were just leaving. Have a good week together.” I gently pull my hand from Stella’s, but she wraps both of her arms around my tummy.

“Thanks for today.” She squeezes me and I squeeze back.

“You’re very welcome, little lady.” Arielle’s head snaps toward Grady, probably wondering why I feel comfortable enough to call their daughters the same endearment he uses. Daisy follows her sister, both stopping to hug Calypso on the way inside.

Lyp throws one more scathing look at Arielle, who pretends to miss it as she follows her daughters into Grady’s house. The sight makes me sick to my stomach. I slip my key into my sister’s hand and turn toward the car, walking back in a daze.

Grady grabs my wrist. “Viv, Ineverspoke about you like that. Blake wouldn’t either. I don’t know what she’s talking about.“ I nod, wanting to believe him but not being able to rationalize it. “I’m going to make it clear who you are to me. To us.”

I slip my hand out of his, giving his chest a gentle but firm pat. “You do whatever you think you need to.” With that, I walk to mycar—not kissing Grady goodbye for the first time in months—and do my best to not lose my head until I’m in the comfort of my own home.

Chapter Forty-Four

Vivi

My eyes burn from staring out my classroom window but it’s better than the burn from crying last night. Again.

Ishouldbe focusing on this goddamn admissions essay. It’s the last thing I need to finish before I can submit my application in January but every time I look at the Word document, fresh tears start to form.

Describe someone who has changed your life, and how.

I’d been planning to write about Grady, because he has, without a single doubt in my mind, changed my life more than anyone else ever has. But right now, it feels like someone is stabbing me in the heart when I think about him right now.

It’s been three days since I’ve seen Grady. That includes at work. Mostly because I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid him. He’s called but I’mbusyevery time. He texted me last night, not for the first time, to tell me the girls were staying with Arielle, wondering if I wanted to go over. I told him I was with Lexi and Calypso. It wasn’t a total lie—we always have dinner at my house at least once a week. But it hasn’t ever stopped me before, when the girls were staying somewhere else.

And as much as I crave his weight wrapped around me, I’m just too… confused. Disappointed.Hurt.The thought of getting one secret night with him while he spends the week with her makes me nauseous.

I thought I was ready for this, that I was strong enough to be with Grady knowing his ex-wife wouldalwaysbe in his life. I thought that maybe my love for him and his daughters would outweigh all of my soul-deep insecurities.

But from the moment I saw them standing together, I’ve been drowning in all my self-doubt.

I need some time to lick my wounds privately. Grady knows that. It’s why he sent Knox down to the elementary wing of the school today. He was casually coming to check up on me, concern clear in his eyes. I shouldn’t have hated it as much as I did.

It wasn’t just the look though. I hate how much I wish it was Grady who came to my classroom. So, I could yell at him and fight with him andpush him away. But no, Grady knows me as well as I know him. He knows I need time alone even if it feels like my entire heart is bleeding out of my chest.

Mr. Sparks wanted to meet today to talk about the fair. The STEM club is using some of the robots from previous years to have battles and races. It sounds pretty cool, and if it weren’t for him, I’d be back at home under my covers already. I’ve even locked Lexi out the last few nights—something we’veneverdone since sharing the studio apartment.

I turn toward the quiet knock on the door, expecting to find my coworker.

A sad looking Stella is one of the last people I expected to be here though.

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