Page 49 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

“What happened on your birthday?” Delaney shrieks.

“Shh!” I tel

l her and then turn to Grayson. “You know, for someone who wants to keep that quiet, you sure have a big mouth.”

His eyes glint with mischief as he smiles. It’s the same smile that used to make me weak in the knees, and like a fine wine, it’s only gotten better with age. He winks at me before going back to his desk and immediately focusing his attention on Kinsley. Jackass.

Delaney follows my gaze. When she finds what I’m looking at, she frowns.

“Okay, you really need to tell me what is going on with you two, including what he was just referring to.”

WHEN I GET HOME from dance that evening, I’m so worn out I can barely move. My headache ended up coming back my third period, and then again as I tried to rehearse the duet with Brady. Between the sharp pain in my skull, and Delaney’s advice running through my mind on a loop, I couldn’t focus at all. Brady ended up calling it early and telling me to figure out my shit before it costs me my chances at Juilliard. I know he didn’t mean to be hurtful, but it stung.

I sit on my bed and hold my phone in my hand, once again thinking about my conversation with Laney. After telling her everything that has happened with Grayson, not foregoing the massive detail of him taking my virginity, she seemed hesitant to give me her honest opinion. It took promising that I won’t stop talking to her again before she told me that I shouldn’t be allowing him to walk all over me—and she’s right.

The more power Grayson has, the stronger he becomes. After some of the shit he’s done, he doesn’t deserve the time of day from me, let alone my body. No matter how much I may want him, I need to protect myself, and that means stopping this sick game before it’s really even started.

My fingers move across the keys quickly, as if I’m ripping off the Band-Aid. Without giving myself a second to change my mind, I hit send and ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.

It had to be done.

16

Grayson

Carter points at a page in the playbook, explaining it to Jace like him understanding it matters. He’s the kicker, and as skilled as he is at it, the only thing he needs to concern himself with is getting the ball through the goal posts. Still, he and Carter argue the technicalities on everything.

The original plan of tonight was to come up with some new plays. The past few years, North Haven has dominated on the football field, but only because HG’s previous quarterback graduated, and, until me, they hadn’t found anyone good enough to defeat them. This year, however, all that is going to change.

I take a sip of my beer as to the two idiots in front of me bicker. I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I would think they have some secret romance going on. They argue like a married couple.

“Seriously, can we go back to coming up with plays? Not everyone wants to sit here all night and listen to you.”

Carter rolls his eyes and flips the page, starting to place the Xs and Os where they go. My phone vibrates on the table and I see a text from Savannah. Before anyone has a chance to see it, I grab it and swipe it open.

Savannah: Friday night was a bad judgment call, and Monday on the field should have never happened. Whatever was going on between us is over. It won’t happen again.

Reading her words, anger boils inside of me. The thought of her turning me down and denying me of what’s mine makes my chest tighten. It’s like I automatically feel like slamming my fist into the nearest wall. Who the hell does she think she is by ending this? Things between us will be over when I say they’re over, and not a minute sooner. Didn’t she hear me the other day?

In the worst timing ever, Jace returns from getting a drink. He glances at the phone clutched tightly in my hand. He doesn’t get to see much before I flip it face down onto the hardwood.

“Dude, you’re an absolute legend for bagging Savannah.”

I shake my head. “I told you, nothing happened.”

“I know what you said, but clearly, that was a lie. Anyone can see how badly you two want each other. And hey, all power to you. I’ve been trying to get with her for years and never had any luck.” He smirks as he takes a sip of his beer. “Maybe you and I could tag team her one day. No homo shit though.”

This guy really has a death wish, doesn’t he? Between the way that Savannah is trying to brush me off like I’m the easiest thing in the world to quit, and this tool’s hopes that I’ll let him anywhere near her, I’m ready to explode.

I chug the rest of my beer before loudly slamming it back down on the table. “All right fuckers, I’m out. I’ve got shit to do.”

They eye me suspiciously but don’t say anything as I get up and walk out. My car roars to life, and as I pull onto the street, I press the pedal to the floor. She doesn’t know the monster she’s just awoken.

PULLING UP TO SAVANNAH’S house, it looks like no one’s home. However, a small light coming from two rooms near the back tells me that’s not true. I get out of my car, going around and popping off the screen to her window. Oh Savannah, don’t you know better than to leave this unlocked? Climbing through, I notice she’s not in here. However, the sound of water running in the bathroom tells me her whereabouts.

The way I see it, I have two options. I can either wait for her here and have a total replay for what happened last time—a tempting idea— or I can do what I wanted that night. I decide on the latter and follow the sound of the noise.

Steam billows out the small crack in the bathroom door, and I can only imagine how hot the shower she’s taking is. I step inside and close the door behind me before stripping down to nothing. She’s yet to notice anyone else is in here as she hums along to one of her favorite songs—a song I believe she has a dance routine to.

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