Page 13 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

“Grayson? Is that name supposed to mean something to me?” He looks confused before it all becomes clear. Then he reaches forward and plucks at the pendant hanging against my chest. “Necklace Grayson?”

“That’s the one.”

Letting out a long breath, he uses a towel to wipe the sweat away from his forehead. “Well, that’s probably the last thing I expected. When’s the last time you saw him? You were a kid when he moved away, right?”

I nod. “I was ten. I went to visit my grandmother for a weekend, and when I came back he was just gone. His house was empty, and he was nowhere to be found. He didn’t even say goodbye.”

“Yeah, I remember. You came to dance looking like someone broke your favorite toy for weeks.”

“There are a few things in life that break you. Change who you are as a person. Him leaving was one of those for me. I feel like that was the start of everything falling apart.”

After Grayson’s family moved away, my dad started drinking more. He ended up getting fired from his job for showing up intoxicated one too many times. Instead of using his savings to pay the bills and finding another job, he ended up going further downhill. Then, the drugs started. Within a year, he sold our beautiful house and moved us into the shack I have the misfortune of calling home.

If it wasn’t for Mrs. Laurence allowing me to keep taking dance here free of charge, I don’t know where I would’ve ended up. Her generosity, along with her tendency to be a role model for me and taking me under her wing, kept me motivated to strive for a better life than what mine had become. So, when she offered to pay my tuition at Haven Grace Prep, I thanked her profusely and promised to make her proud. Brady’s older sister taught me how to do my makeup and even gave me some designer clothes she grew out of. By the time freshman year started, I showed up determined to be something more than the poor girl from the wrong side of town.

One of the downfalls to my newfound popularity, however, was having to see Delaney and Tessa in the hallways and act like they were nothing to me. It was a necessary evil, because if anyone could expose me for the fraud I am, it would be Delaney. Still, that didn’t make it any easier to see her look at me the same way she always has—no matter how cruel I am for ignoring her existence. Tessa never seemed to care. From what I’ve heard, she’s become quite the rebel lately. But Delaney? She’s exactly the way I remember.

“Okay, so wait.” Brady snaps me out of my thoughts. “Why is Grayson being back a bad thing?”

I lie down on the floor and stare at the ceiling. “Because he hates me.”

“How could anyone hate you? Especially someone you used to be so close with. Are you sure you’re not just misreading the situation? Maybe he’s just shy.”

Snorting, I shake my head. “No, B. He’s anything but shy. He literally hates me. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under with him pissing on my grave by now—and he’s only been back a couple days. I just don’t get it. I don’t know what I did.”

He sighs. “I don’t know, babes. If I know you as well as I think I do though, I’m sure you’ll find out. You’re Savannah Montgomery. Since when do you take shit from anyone?”

“Grayson’s different. He’s like the definition of every good childhood memory I have. My own personal kryptonite. He has the ability to ruin me, and he knows it. It’s dangerous.”

Brady looks down at me and smiles. “Well then it’s a good thing danger stopped scaring you years ago.” He gets up and offers me his hand. “Now, come on. We’ve got a routine to nail.”

LATER THAT EVENING, BRADY drives me home. As we pull up in front of the house, I notice all the bikes and crappy cars parked outside—Dad has “friends” over. I cringe, knowing how drunk he gets when he has people drinking with him. Last time he had them here, I damn near broke a guy’s fingers for trying to slip his hand up my uniform skirt.

“Do you want to sleep at my place? Jake won’t mind,” he offers, but I shake my head.

“Thank you, but no. I have an essay to write, so I’m going to lock myself in my bedroom and focus on th

at.”

He nods in understanding. “Okay, well, remember the self-defense moves I taught you, and call me if you need anything. I can get here in ten minutes if I ignore all traffic laws.”

I smile. “And that’s why I love you.” Reaching over, I give him a tight hug. “Bye, B.”

“Later, Rocky.” Just as I’m climbing out of the car, he stops me. “And Sav? I’m sure everything with Grayson will work itself out in time.”

“Thanks. I hope so.”

As soon as I open the front door, the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke is so strong I nearly choke on it. My father and a bunch of his scumbag friends fill the living room. They’re watching some stupid show on TV that’s meant to be funny, but isn’t. Bottles of booze are already covering the coffee table.

The second I walk in, all eyes turn toward me. I’m thankful I wore yoga pants over my leotard today instead of the booty shorts I’m usually in. My father perks up at the sight of me, then instantly starts digging in his pocket.

“Savannah! Good you’re home.” He takes $40 out of his wallet. “Be a good girl and run down to the liquor store for me. I need more vodka.”

I roll my eyes. “Dad, I’m seventeen.”

“Oh.” His face drops, then he waves me off and shoves the cash in my hand anyway. “Well, go anyway. You look old enough to drink. Show a little skin if you have to.”

Instead of arguing, I slip my hands into my sweatshirt pocket and head out the door. I go a couple doors down, to a house I really don’t like coming to unless absolutely necessary, and knock. A few seconds later, Knox comes to the door. He’s completely shirtless, with all his tattoos full on display. I notice the hickeys on his neck and chuckle as a girl slips past us to leave.

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