Page 67 of Love Triggered

I made it outside and down the driveway, but the moment my foot hit the paved road, I saw Zep leaning against his Ducati about a hundred yards down the road. It’s like they have monitors on my body to know when I’m awake, when I’m moving, everything. These assholes are everywhere.

I honestly have no idea where Greyson is. Leaving him in that library with Thiago will be one of the biggest regrets of my life if I can’t get back to him soon. I have no idea what Thiago did to Greyson, but I have a feeling it wasn’t a slap on the wrist and a warning. Knowing these three guys, it had to be pretty bad. I haven’t heard a word from them about it, but I know they wouldn’t have let him go without some sort of punishment.

Greyson wouldn’t voluntarily leave me alone for this long. He’d fight tooth and nail to get to me—that’s how I know something’s going on. I figure maybe they’re forcing him to stay home or somewhere secret, but I can’t even make it past the driveway to find out.

I’m sitting on the sectional by myself this morning, trying to figure out what the hell I can do to convince them that Greyson’s not bad. I decided not to bother changing out of my pajamas because it's not like I can go anywhere. It’s only six in the morning, so I don’t expect anyone else to be up right now or at least in my space.

I called Ms. Mabel on the first day to tell her I wouldn’t be in for a few days. I figured I’d have been back by now though, that I could at least get Lya to budge on that, but nope. Ms. Mabel sounded worried about me, but at least she knows I’ll be okay. I think she’ll probably also be nervous for Greyson. Those two had bonded so I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s concerned for him too if she doesn’t see him for a while.

These days, if I want to see the outside world and get fresh air, I have to have one of the guard dogs by my side. Hearing footsteps approaching the living room, I sink lower into the sectional, trying to avoid whoever it is.

Their steps stop and I can hear them breathing softly. All of a sudden, a sweatshirt and some shoes land on my stomach, causing me to let out a grunt.

“What the hell?” I sit up, turning so I can see who it is.

“Let’s go, Inigo Montoya. We’ve got stuff to do.” It’s Thiago’s gaze that I meet.Well, at least it’s not Zep or Rian. They’d be less kind.Thiago’s dressed in sweats, a hoodie, and tennis shoes. Very different from his usual suited up self.

“Going where?” My eyes narrow as I snarl the words at him. Of course I want to leave this place, but only to find Greyson or to go work at the library, and I have a feeling we aren’t going to do either of those things.

“All the questions this morning. I figured you’d be dying to get out, but I guess we don’t have to go,” he teases, trying to get me to take the bait. Normally, I wouldn’t fall for it, but I’m slowly losing my mind in this place.

“Fine, but you’re explaining on the way. No leaving anything out and you’re buying me breakfast.” Clearly, I have no idea what he wants to do, but food better be involved.

I get up off the couch, looking down at my pajamas. Although he’s given me one of Lya’s sweatshirts, I still can’t go out looking like this. “Let me go change real quick and I’ll be down.”

Whatever Thiago has planned, I need to use this to my advantage. Of all the guys, I feel like Thiago would be the most on my side. He’s had my back on a lot of things since they got me away from Harvey, so this could be my chance to change his mind about Grey. I just hope it’s only him going, and no one else.

Walking back downstairs, I don’t find Thiago anywhere so I’m guessing he’s already at his car. Stepping outside, I see him leaning against his bright orange McLaren with his arms folded across his chest.

“Going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, walking toward him and pulling the door open.

He gives a small grin and heads over to the driver’s side door. “Not good with surprises? Something you and Lya have in common.”

“No, I hate surprises. Now, the more important question is, where are we going for breakfast?”

“Hal’s? Let’s get you a big plate of bacon to get rid of that hangry attitude.” Damn, he thinks he’s hilarious this morning. He’s probably just trying to lighten things up a bit. One thing I’ve noticed about him is he hurts deeply when people he cares about are mad at him. A couple months ago, he moped around the house for a week because Rian was mad at him for hogging the bed.

“Works for me, but just warning you, I’m going to be grilling you for every single answer I can get about Greyson. I need to know what you did to him.” I look at him with a straight face, letting him know I’m not messing around.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else. Just so you know though, I haven’t done anything with him since the day at the library,” he replies sharply, obviously wanting me to read into that. He might not have done anything to Greyson, but that doesn’t mean Rian and Zep haven’t.

“Mmhmm. We’ll see just how guilty you are. Now let’s go, I’m hungry.”

With that, Thiago peels out of the driveway. Hal’s isn’t far away, but still, the longer I’m sitting in the car, the more anxious I feel. I need to know where Greyson is and what’s going on.

“You really care about him, don’t you?” Thiago’s Portuguese accent breaks through the tension I’m feeling.

Shifting my attention to him, I can see understanding in his eyes as he briefly glances at me. Clearly, he’s not a fan of Greyson, but I think he understands loving someone so deeply even when they’ve made terrible mistakes.

“I think I’m in love with him.” I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud to him, but Greyson’s the only one I’ve felt truly close to since my return. Besides Lya, but this isn’t something she’d want to hear right now. Not that Thiago does either, but he doesn’t have a choice now.

The thought absolutely terrifies me, but it’s true. It feels really freaking naive and silly, considering we’ve only had weeks together, but the longing has always been there.

I’m not the type to believe in love at first sight, but maybe that’s what it was between me and Greyson all those years ago... Is that possible for a twelve-year-old to know? I’m not sure, but I do know that the way I feel about him right now pulls me apart inside, destroying me in the most delicious way possible.

Thiago nods his head, but remains silent. We pull into a parking spot outside of Hal’s Diner and get out of the car.

“Thiago, please don’t tell Lya I said that. I didn’t even mean to tell you, but it just slipped out. I don’t regret saying it, but I need to tell him before I let the world know. Lya won’t take it well, so I just need that moment to be special when the time comes.”

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