I nod, and I am. I feel better.
The day that Rylee and I are supposed to return to Dallas finally arrives. While some aspects of the trip have been great, I’m more than ready to go home and get away from the awkwardness at the band house.
Since we returned from the diner, no one had shared what exactly went down between Grayson and Lily. Grayson has barely spoken to me, and I haven’t asked.
Maybe I don’t want to know.
As I finish packing up my things, I hear a knock on the door. Grayson pops his head in before I have a chance to respond.
“Hey, can we talk?” he says softly, entering the room the rest of the way.
I shrug and sit on the bed, waiting for him to say whatever it is he wants to say.
“Look, I’m so sorry about... well, everything. Having you here completely caught me off guard and things were messed up with Lily and me even before that. It’s not an excuse for not telling you about her sooner, or for kissing you, but I just thought you should know. I want you in my life, Mia, I just… have some work to do.”
“Okay,” I say, not knowing what else to say.
I zip up my bag, pick it up, and walk past him toward the hallway.
“Mia…”
He reaches out to touch my arm, and I take a step back.
Iwill notbe the other woman.
I’ve already seen that movie, and I know exactly how it ends.
“Don’t. I’ve already told you, I can’t.”
He drops his hand as I move past him, very aware of the distance I’m putting between us, leaving the room.
I find Rylee and Brandon waiting for me in the living room. Grayson watches us disappear from the hallway without another word. Part of me wishes he’d tried to stop me again, but as I close the door to the backseat of Brandon’s Bronco, I remind myself of all of the very valid reasons why it’s better he didn’t.
He’s in the middle of a divorce. You don’t even live here.
We drive to LAX with the music on, without speaking. When we pull up to the drop off zone, Brandon takes our bags out of the trunk and hands Rylee hers, telling her to go check in and I’ll be right behind her. She gives her brother a weird look but does as she’s told.
“So,” Brandon says, passing me my bag. “I know this trip was maybe not the best for you, but I’m really glad we finally got to meet. Regardless of the whole Grayson and Lily fiasco, it was really great getting to know you.”
“The talking with you part wasn’t bad,” I smile. “I’m glad we got to do that, too. Thank you for being there for me. I don’t like people seeing me struggle, but I didn’t necessarily mind that you did.”
Brandon moves to kiss my cheek. Before I can overthink it, I brazenly shift so his lips land on mine, desperately needing something on this trip to go my way.
“Bye, Brandon,” I almost whisper against his lips before turning away to walk inside the terminal and find Rylee.
“So? What was that all about?” Rylee begs me once I find her.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” I smirk, watching her jaw drop as we head towards security.
Chapter ten
"Panic (After Hours)" - Corbyn Besson
Grayson
Brandon returns from dropping the girls off at the airport later in the afternoon. He has an oddly happy disposition about him, but it disappears as soon as we make eye contact.
“What’s up with you?” I ask.
