Page 49 of The Catalyst

I don’t hate her, though. I don’t want her to suffer either.

“What?” she grumbles as she turns to face me, crossing her arms defensively.

“You don’t like me, and you don’t have to, but in the spirit of girl power, be careful with Martin Gray.”

Her eyes narrow, but I catch the hint of knowing in her eyes, no matter how much she tries to mask it with anger.

“If you want to be with him, that’s your prerogative. I don’t know if he’s hurting you or if he ever will, but if he does, I’ll do what I can to help you.”

I know she’ll argue because it’s in her eyes, so I leave her with my parting words and walk to the front of the crowd to watch Nigel deliver the final blow to Martin’s gut. The despicable man falls like a tree in the woods.

CHAPTER 23

BETH

Iwipe the fog from the mirror with my hand before my reflection peaks through. I run my fingers through my wet hair before letting out a ragged breath.

My mom left for rehab yesterday and this is my first day without the option of going home. It makes me feel anxious, as if I've been locked in a cage. I thought a shower would help, but it didn't.

Usually, I'd be sitting on the couch with Nigel and watching stupid sitcoms, but today, he is helping a friend with "something" or whatever that means. Judy is busy with her family and Ro is with her.

I blink a few times as I try to calm down my racing heart. It's like the walls are closing in on me and I need to get out of here.

Well, I do need to pick up some things at the store. Since I'm the only person who will step foot in the kitchen, I should probably grab a few things. It's a good thing Nigel left me his truck and caught a ride with his "friend".

I walk into Nigel's room and throw on clean clothes before grabbing his truck keys off the bedside table. I grab my purse and rush down the stairs. Listening closely, I pick up no noise from any of the guys. I wonder where Oliver, Oisin, and Charlie are.

I don't really like Charlie. He can be a bit funny, but I get a strange vibe from him. I do notice when he's not around though.

Oisin always looks like a mixture of sad and tired and I honestly don't know why. Not even Arely seems to make him happy and she's as much of a sourpuss as he is. Maybe that's why though.

Pulling out my phone, I make a short list in my texts of the things I need from the store. Then, I shove it in my purse before heading out the door.

* * *

Walkinginto the Grove Hill market, I grab a basket before heading up and down the aisles. I've actually never been here before. I've seen it plenty of times since I moved here, but this is the first time I've actually entered.

It looks way bigger on the inside than on the outside with dozens of rows and a big produce section.

I head straight for the pasta row and grab spaghetti noodles, tossing it into my basket.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." I stop as my hand wraps around a jar of sauce and my head snaps around, but my mood sours immediately. My eyes fall on the tall, lean muscled man who thought it was a good idea to grab my ass unprovoked weeks ago.

Martin Gray smirks at me as he leans against a garlic butter display, his arms crossed over his chest. He looks completely at ease, but there's something in his expression which is not on board with what his eyes say.

He looks genuinely happy to see me, which is odd.

"What the hell do you want?" I ask as I drop the jar in my basket.

He shrugs. "Just to say hello, check in on your mental health, all that jazz. How is life treating you, Beth?" I narrow my eyes at him as I approach, mimicking his stance.

"How the fuck do you know my name, Gray?" I question, tilting my head at him.

His expression is unaffected by what I said. "Silly little rabbit," he chuckles, but something in his eyes says I've offended him. I don't know how I could. It was a little question.

"Answer me."

He arches a brow, but doesn't speak.

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