Page 13 of On the Breakaway

“Good. I think I’ll keep it.”

Of course.

We reach the checkout at the same time, and I step into the first open lane, unloading my basket piece by piece.

The cashier starts scanning, and I dig through my bag for my wallet, aware of Grayson stepping up behind me.

“Find everything you need?” The cashier asks.

“Yeah.” I pull out my debit card.

The total pops up, and I’m about to tap my card when there’s movement beside me.

Grayson reaches forward, holding out his card for the cashier before I can process what he’s doing.

“What are you doing?” My voice could cut glass.

The cashier and Grayson both freeze, eyes flicking between each other and me.

“Paying.”

I stare at his card, then at him, something hot flaring up my back.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “No, you’re not.”

I snatch Grayson’s card from the cashier, pressing mine into the reader instead, not caring if I look rude.

“I’m sorry.” His brow furrows slightly. “I was just being nice.”

“Stop trying to be nice,” I shoot back, snatching my bag from the cashier.

The last person who bought me groceries was Damon. He’d give me his card, then use it as a weapon to interrogate me about the total cost, the stores I shopped at, or the food I bought.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, ever comes without strings.

“If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been whoever else was in front of me. I always do it. It’s not a big deal. ”

Yeah. Right. I’m supposed to believe that Grayson buys groceries for random people all the time.

“I don’t need you to pay for my stuff,” I continue, stepping back from the counter. “And I definitely don’t need to owe you anything.”

His expression shifts, and his hands twitch at his side. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Chaos…”

“Nope. Not doing this.”

I push past him, heading straight for the exit, the doors sliding open as cold air hits my face. My car’s across the lot, so I make a beeline for it, keys already in hand. Once I make it inside, I rest my forehead against the steering wheel, forcing my breathing to steady.

What is wrong with me?

I jam my keys into the ignition, hoping to get out of the parking lot before Grayson can follow me, but when I turn them, nothing happens.

The engine clicks.

I try again.