Page 20 of The Lie
I decide to throw back the rest of the whiskey in my glass and get a second with Grady…or is it his third? Wait, is it his fourth? After this one, I’m putting the bottle away. I don’t need him going home drunk. Ella and Daniel won’t be happy with me if he pukes everywhere. Which I suspect he will, with how much he just drank.
“Cheers,” we both say as we clink the glasses together, the amber liquid trying to escape over the rim.
I hold my breath and count to three before I shoot it back. So much whisky. My tongue is on fire, and I stomp my feet as I groan from the burn.
“Fuck…oh, shit. That’s nasty.” I think I’m dying, but since I haven’t eaten in hours, I can also feel the warmth growing. I need to stop now. I can’t do another with him or I will be on the floor for the rest of the night, passed out.
“Oh, fuck…are you on any medication from the accident?”
My mouth drops open. I have some pills I take three times a day. I didn’t think about it. Shrugging, I say, “I guess we’ll discover the effects soon enough.”
Grady looks worried. “I’ll stay and babysit you…just in case.”
I bump my shoulder into his, and he smiles but it’s full of concern. Regardless, I’m happy to see him smile. I think it’s gonna be me babysitting him.
Although I’m worried about him, I refuse to ask him what’s wrong. If he wants to tell me, he can. Otherwise, I’m happy to just sit here and talk and make him smile.
“As long as you don’t expect to get paid, you can babysit me all night. I can even get the sofa bed out, and we can watch movies. No more whiskey. But we can snuggle and veg out. What do you think?”
He places his empty glass on the coffee table and sits back, his long arm coming up over the top of the sofa. Lost in thought, he pulls on a loose strand of my hair. My heart starts to race.What’s wrong, Grady? Please tell me.
“I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather be than right here with you.”
Oh shit.Shit.
“Ah, Grady.” I tug on his hand and clasp it between both of mine. “It’s only new, but I’m dating Hunter.”
I thought the kiss in the car between us was just a one-off. That we didn’t feel more. Does he?Shit.I thought we were friends and nothing more. Especially with Jace and everything there. Oh god, that’s why they were fighting just now?
He gives me a tight-lipped smile. I sit up straighter, the alcohol already at work as I feel a little sluggish. Maybe because it’s late and I’m tired. Or the medication I have been taking is the type to increase the effects of alcohol. Pain killers don’t mix with alcohol. I should have known better.
“I guessed that you were a thing tonight when Jace blew up and punched Hunter in the face and tried to start a fight with Roman.”
My mouth drops open. “Jace did what?” I run a hand down my face and shake my head, trying to clear it. Fuck, I shouldn’t have drank that second glass of whiskey.
“Then Jace broke up with Britney…I think? I guess. And she retaliated and told everyone I’m gay.”
Gay? Did he just say he’s gay? My lips are dry, and I lick them as I try to wrap my head around all this. Jace broke up with Britney, and she called Grady gay? I blink a few times and look at Grady. His big brown eyes are practically begging me to hug him and block out the rest of the world for him.
“She told everyone you’re gay?”
Grady just nods and gives a small, sad smile. He looks away, like he’s worried about what I will say to this news. Fuck, what a bitch. I can’t believe Britney told everyone his personal business. She had no right to say that just because she was mad at Jace.
“Grady, look at me. Please.” Oh god, my heart is breaking for him right now.
He looks at me, and I see the tears again. I reach out and wipe one away.
“Mila, I’m not gay. But I’m also notnotgay too. You know? I froze up and ran.” He lets out a deep breath, and I feel him relax, like he’s relieved to have the weight of his confession off his shoulders.
“You’re bisexual?” I ask gently with a small smile.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. There’s only one guy I’ve liked enough to try, and I’m not sure if it’s just a him thing…or if I like all men and women. You know?”
“I do. And you don’t have to label it, Grady. But she shouldn’t have done that. Ousted you in front of the guys.” Right now, I wish I hadn’t drunk so much whiskey, so I could have my head fully screwed on.
Sitting up, I look deep into his dark eyes. I want him to feel my next words.
“I love you for who you are—straight, gay, or bi. It doesn’t matter because you will always be my Grady. I’m here for you if you want to talk about anything and everything. Who you like doesn’t change how I feel about you as my friend. And it will never change.”
