Page 112 of Gravity

The second he leaves, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, all the while my eyes are on the door to my bedroom as I watch him head down the stairs, wondering what he’s going to do next— wondering if he’ll stick around, and questioning if I should have been a better friend and made him stay.

Chapter Thirty-One

Nora

As my body begins to calm from the stress my brother has just inflicted from his unannounced visit, my heart remains a bundle of tatters. Twenty-four hours ago, everything was perfect: my days had seemed brighter, the loss of Dad wasn't so crushing on my chest, and I’d noticed that I had been smiling more. Now, everything feels like its crumbling again, and I don't know if I'm strong enough for the fight I've been waiting to have.

Waking to the sound of a disturbance, the last thing I’d expect to see was Asher laying into Grayson. My heart had stopped, and my body froze as I’d watch the fight unfold, all the while my voice vanished from my throat when all I’d wanted to do was yell at them to stop. Not only did I despise the fact that the two men had been fighting, but I’d also been struck with the shock of seeing my brother for the first time in months.

At that moment, my battered emotions had been torn. My heart had ached for him. I’d wanted to throw my arms around him because he was finally home. But then as I watched him and my mind registered the fact he was standing in front of me and it wasn’t some kind of twisted dream, the rage that had laid dormant, deep in the depths of my heart and soul, awoke, and the longer I stood listening to him, watching him, the higher that fury inside me rose.

The back and forth words of spite that he was throwing toward Grayson about his betrayal and our relationship never mattered to me. The panic of him finding out that I’d once felt never even washed over me, the dread I’d had about him tearing Grayson and me apart never came either because as I’d looked at my poor excuse of a big brother, all I’d seen was the face of my father. I heard the cries of my mother, and I felt the ache in my heart so powerfully that none of my fears over my relationship came.

I don’t care what his feelings are about us now. None of that matters anymore. That was wholeheartedly proven when Grayson took me in his arms and told my brother—his best friend—to leave.

I close my eyes and listen to the rapid beat of Grayson’s heart as he strokes my hair. A flash of earlier cuts into my thoughts, and I remember the way Grayson had held himself after the fight. Lifting my head, I look up at him. His lip is busted, a shadow of a bruise decorating his jaw. Gently placing my hand on his torso, I whisper, “He hurt you.”

“It’s nothing I didn’t deserve.”

“But he still did. I don’t like the look I see in your eyes.”

“And what look is that?”

“Sad.”

“It’s just been a bit of a whirlwind morning. I’ll be fine. I promise.” His smile doesn’t meet his eyes and his response doesn’t convince me.

“Remember Mom’s famous words when someone is sad.”

“All they need is a cuddle.”

“Exactly. Do you need a cuddle?” I whisper, saying the words I’ve said many times whenever I’ve found him battered and bruised.

This time he does smile. “I’d love a cuddle, Shortcake.”

Wrapping my arms around him once more, he holds me tight, and I fall into his embrace. I try to work out in my head what to do next. I hadn’t known what to expect when Asher returned, and even though it hasn’t come as a shock, I’m still at a loss of what to do because it’s like Dad never mattered to him while he stood before us. He never asked how Mom is. He never apologized. He never explained his reasons for leaving us at a time when everyone was so broken.

What was clear from his return was that he has become dependent on alcohol and that Lacy is an even bigger bitch than I thought. She’s played both Grayson and me, and what upsets me more than ever is that she’s the only one who’s had contact with Asher all this time.

“What will you do about Lacy?”

I feel Grayson’s body tense under my hold. “Leave her to me. You don’t need to worry about her.”

“I can’t believe she’d go behind our backs like that, especially yours.”

“I can. But let's not talk about her. We have other things closer to home that need sorting. Like talking to your brother.”

“I don’t want to talk to him. I just want to be here with you.”

“Nora,” he warns.

“I don’t want to see him, Grayson,” I say a little firmer, lifting myself to look at him.

“I know, but right now, you don’t have much choice in the matter.” Moving me off him, he stands from the bed and heads over to the window. The coldness I suddenly feel has me cradling the bedsheets closer to my chest. I’m confused by his abrupt shift in mood.

“I don’t understand.”

"Maybe you should go. Being here with me isn’t going to help anyone."