Page 13 of Return to Us
I’m not sure what to say to that. It doesn’t really matter either way. Him knowing or not knowing doesn’t change anything.
He pushes off the rail, coming a little closer and then stopping. “Are you okay?”
No. Not even a little. “I’m getting there.”
And I guess I am. Little by little, I’m going to find my way through it. I have a great support system and doctors who are all doing what they can. As I heal, I’ll find ways to be better and stronger. At least, that’s the bullshit I’m feeding myself.
“Good. So, like I said, I don’t want things to be awkward.”
“You really don’t have to worry. It was a shock to both of us—seeing each other after all these years.”
Grayson runs his hands through his thick, dark hair. It’s longer than he wore it when we were kids. It’s not long, but it curls right at the ends, giving him a sexy-but-serious look.
After seeing him, I made Delia unload about everything she knows. It was years of gossip around the Parkerson family that left me shocked. I can only imagine how they handled the drama of his girlfriend getting pregnant and then leaving. His father was all about propriety.
“It was, but this town is small, so we’re bound to see each other a lot.”
“That’s a shame,” I say with a shrug.
“Yeah? Why is that?” He stands up straight, no longer looking like he had nothing but time.
I grin, hoping that maybe if we can joke with each other, we’ll find a way onto neutral ground. “You were much cuter back then.”
Grayson’s laughter is deep and rich. “You were sweeter then.”
“You were smarter than to say something like that.”
“I was also trying to get into your pants.”
“Which you did,” I remind him.
“Many times.”
I roll my eyes with a smile. “Yeah, and if I recall you were not—”
“Don’t say it!” He chuckles as he moves closer. “I was terrible, but in my defense, I was sixteen and we were both a little bad at it.”
God, we were just two fumbling teenagers, watching really bad movies on what to do and not mimicking the act all that well.
“We were, but we loved each other.”
Grayson’s laugh is more like a huff. “We did. And then you left.”
No point in either of us trying to beat around the bush. I hurt him, and regardless of how much time has passed, there was never closure. “I’m sorry.”
Grayson looks over. “I’m sorry that I didn’t stop by when you got back. I didn’t know, Jess—about the crash. I would’ve come to see if you were okay.”
I glance over at his profile. “Why? I left you. You owe me nothing, and I didn’t take offense to it.”
“You leaving me was a million years ago, right?”
“It sure—” The words get caught in my throat. I know this will pass, but it has been so nice feeling a little like myself. “Sorry. Sometimes my brain needs to pause so I can speak again,” I explain.
“Take all the time you need.”
“Since I never plan to venture off this porch again, I may take longer than you want.”
“You’re planning to stay here?” Grayson asks with a smirk.
