Page 84 of Shattered Hearts

I don’t think I could handle that level of guilt.

Carrying the trays towards the large dining table, I squeeze my way through the crowded room and set them down. I feel hands on my leg. Peering down, I giggle as Aspen holds onto me, grinning with a smear of icing on her lips. “Aunt Lay, I got another duck this morning!” she squeals happily.

Grabbing a hold of her little hands that are sticky with sugar, I give them a squeeze before bending to her height. “That’s amazing. You’ll have to show me the next time I’m here.”

“Now?” she asks, her brown eyes rounding a little.

I pout and shake my head. “It’s your uncle’s birthday party, and it’s already dark outside. We can go out tomorrow before family dinner and you can show me.”

“Okay!” she shrills before taking off back to Holden, who scoops her up with one arm.

Smiling, I move back towards the kitchen. Someone grabs a hold of my arm, pulling me to a stop. Macie stares at me with flared eyes before pulling me back into the kitchen.

She lets out a sigh. “Do you know why Grayson was so crabby today?”

My heart pounds, but I shake my head. I said I wasn’t going to say anything, and I’m sticking with that. The less they know right now, the better. “No.”

Macie hums, peering around my shoulder.

I look back to meet Grayson’s eyes. They’re stormy today, more grey than blue, and it makes my stomach lurch at how pained they appear.

“I think something happened, but I have no idea what.” I turn back to Macie, who is tapping her foot quickly. “Reid said he was moody all day.”

“Maybe he didn’t sleep enough?” I offer, but I know it’s a lie. I know what’s bothering him.

“Maybe. You were with him last night, was he acting funky?”

Chewing on my lip, my head shakes. “No. Just normal Grayson, helping me bake.”

“Strange,” she utters.

I give a small shrug. “He’s happy now. Isn’t that what matters?”

“Yeah, I suppose.” She sighs again, before smiling. “We should dance before your hot mumma body gets tired and you have to sit down. By the way, this…” She looks me up and down, assessing the charcoal grey dress I picked to wear. It hugs every curve of my body, and my baby bump is on full display. I guess if everyone is already spreading rumours about me, then why should I hide it? “You look stunning.”

My grin widens. “You too, Mace.”

She twirls in her loose white dress and brown boots before grabbing a hold of my hand and leading me into the living room where others have already started dancing. As we dance, I can feel Grayson’s stare on me. My skin burns, sweat clinging to my forehead and chest as Macie shimmies in front of me.

Jaxton and his buddy, Wayne, step up, dancing closer to us, and I catch the glint in his eye. Jaxton has always been trouble, ever since primary school, and I’ve never fully trusted him. Obnoxious, loud, and a womanizer. Macie and I have steered clear of him ever since we realised how annoying he is. He has hit on us more times than I can count, but it never meant anything. He would hit on all the girls.

Moving away, I grab onto Macie’s hand. Someone bumps shoulders with me. I don’t need to look up to see who it is, his scent alone is so familiar that my skin tingles at our proximity. He steps in front of me, blocking Jaxton.

“I want to dance with my friends,” Grayson grits out, staring down at a slightly shorter Jaxton, who tsks.

Reid pulls Macie closer, and I hover beside Grayson, who won’t budge a millimetre.

“That’s fine. It’s your birthday, after all,” Jaxton drawls before walking over to grab another beer from the ice bucket.

Grayson’s jaw grinds before looking at Macie and me. “Why did you invite him? We aren’t exactly friends.”

Macie’s lips roll inwards, “I invited Damien, and I guess Jaxton joined him. I’m really sorry.”

He lets out a breath before smiling once more, even if it feels forced. “It’s fine. As long as he doesn’t cause any trouble while he’s here.”

“If he does, we’ll take care of it,” Reid interjects, pulling Macie against him tightly.

My throat works, and I go to move away. But then Grayson’s hand is on me. “Wait, Laynie.”