Page 70 of Shattered Hearts

He scoffs. “Hardly. Besides, you need it more than I do.”

“Thank you for letting me come over. I just needed to get away from… all of that.” I sigh, my forehead pinching with guilt. I should have told them I was leaving, but I’m sure they’ll understand.

“You’re always welcome here. Plus, Mum mentioned something about Sally making up rumours in town, so I’m not surprised you’re starting to feel a little overwhelmed.”

I groan, dragging a hand down the side of my face as Grayson helps me up the steps. The house is warm and spacious, exactly what I need.

As soon as the door closes behind us, Hazel is pulling me into a warm hug. “How are you feeling? I heard you needed a bath.” She gets me.

A soft chuckle escapes me. “Yeah, I do.”

“Well, Grayson has one ready for you upstairs. Holden is using our ensuite to get Aspen ready for bed. You’re welcome to stay there as long as you need. Do you want some dinner?”

I swallow the knot forming in my throat. “Is it stew?”

She frowns. “No, honey. We’re having shepherd’s pie tonight.” Hazel must hear my stomach grumble, because she laughs and kisses my forehead. “It’ll be ready in about thirty minutes. So go sit in the bath and relax.”

“Thank you.”

My phone goes off again, and I turn it on silent, ignoring Sadie’s calls. She’ll get the idea soon that I just need some space. That house is too cluttered, and sharing a room with her, plus having my parents constantly around me, is becoming too much.

“You’re not going to answer that?” Grayson asks as we make our way to the creaking wooden staircase.

“Nah, Sadie can wait. She probably wants to know what’s bothering me, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“All right.” His hand is on me again as we walk up and head straight to the bathroom. There are bubbles, scented candles, and a glass of lemonade on the side. A folded pile of clothes, which no doubt Reid tidied, because his favourite household duty is folding laundry. Psychotic, I know.

I turn to find Grayson already staring at me, clearly waiting to see my reaction. I grin, my eyes blinking back tears. “You did all this for me?”

“Yeah.” He shrugs nonchalantly, even though this makes my heart soar. “I just wanted it to feel comfortable, since you seemed really upset on the phone.”

Sniffing, I snake my arms around him, resting my forehead on his chest. I breathe him in. His hands hold me, my stomach pressing against him, and I feel a hot tear drop down my cheek. He knows me more than anyone else in this world.

“You’re too kind.”

“Anything for you. I don’t like it when you’re upset.”

My head tips back, and his hands rise, wiping my cheeks clean, his fingers rough against my skin. It’s such a small movement, but I feel the jolt in my heart, the blooming in my chest as I stare into his dreamy eyes. He holds my steady gaze. I’m not sure that I’m breathing; my lungs have stilled and my chest isn’t moving as I blink.

Crap. I really do love this man, and I have a feeling he might break my heart if I’m not careful.

I feel his fingers drop to cup the nape of my neck, and he murmurs, “You should get in before it goes cold.” His words are so gentle, they feel like they’re touching my flesh.

Nodding, I push myself away regretfully, and shrug off his coat, handing it back to him. Holding onto his shoulder that’s like a boulder beneath his tee, I slip my socks off. It’s easier than sitting down and getting back up.

Dropping them on the floor, I let out a sigh, looking around, “Do you have any shampoo and conditioner? I think I want to wash my hair as well.”

Grayson nods, then mumbles under his breath something about strawberries that makes me frown. “Let me call Macie and see if she has anything.”

“Oh, I don’t want to bother her, but that would be great. She uses the same ones I do.”

That seems to lighten his face a fraction. “I’m on it.” He ducks out of the bathroom.

Tapping my foot on the floor, I wait for a solid minute, expecting him to come back, but he doesn’t.

Maybe he’s gone down to grab them from Macie?

Slipping off my clothes, I slide beneath the bubbled water that sits around my collarbone and groan at the silky feeling of hot water. It feels like I’m on a cloud, that’s how cosy and satisfying this bath feels. Closing my eyes, I lean back against the porcelain, letting my muscles fully relax.