AllFreeNovel
Share Us
MILA
As soon as Roman stormed out after kissing me, Asher called. He was freaked out that I’d left the car behind and he hadn’t been able to find me. Jace had taken the phone from me, and after some yelling and growling, he calmed down and stalked into his room, with my phone, slamming the door to talk to Asher in private.
I’d started to remember what had happened the night before, and it made me sick to my stomach that I hadn’t been as careful as I thought. How could I have let my guard down like that? I was almost…raped.
I’d thought I was playing it safe by not drinking. But even completely sober…fuck. I’m so stupid. It can happen anytime. You don’t have to be intoxicated to not notice someone slipping something into your drink. You can be sober, dancing and having a good time.
It hadn’t taken long for Asher to turn up at Jace’s with Walker in tow. As soon as Asher saw me, he hugged me tight to his chest. He told me how sorry he was and that he would take care of me. I hadn’t wanted to talk about it. I was already emotional and confused after a long night and even stranger morning. Mostly, I was grateful nothing worse had happened and those girls clued into what was going on.
Asher gave me my bag, told me that my Dad thought I came home last night, and to lock the doors behind me. I fished my keys out and did just that. I locked the doors, ran upstairs, and took a long, scalding shower.
Knocking at the door woke me from a nap. I was worried who it would be. I wasn’t ready to face the three of them after what happened that morning. But Grady’s face appeared with a huge smile, a bag of popcorn, and chocolates, so I let him in.
“Let’s watch movies…like old times.”
My smile faltered only slightly. I was glad to not be alone with my thoughts, and Grady was safe. I could trust him not to kiss me or make me talk about what had happened with his brother, or more so, with Roman. Because he’d seen that…hell, he saw me in my underwear, too.
But he acted as if it didn’t happen, and I silently thanked him for that.
The movies we use to watch were fairy tales. The movie Grady chose was a different type of fairy tale. There were hot scenes that made me flush with heat, making me acutely aware that Grady sat right beside me. I could hear him breathing deeply, and he shifted slightly, grazing my hand with his. My heart sped up, and I didn’t know it if was good that it was Grady here…or if things just got more complicated.
That had been Saturday. Grady left, and I spent my Sunday overanalyzing everything that had happened with Jace and Roman and the weird tension with Grady.
Monday comes faster than I would have liked, and I still haven’t spoken to any of the guys. I’m not sure if they’re mad at me. Are they talking to me now? Or are they only jerking off and kissing me?
I hate not knowing. It makes my stomach all twisted up.
I don’t know what to expect when I get into Grady’s car and he drives me to school. Did he feel the weird tension between us Saturday? Or am I imagining things? I’m more nervous now than I was when I started at a new school in a whole other state.
I need my own car. I will have to ask Dad if I can get one. Just something cheap to run around in. Hell, if I have to ask Mom, I will. That’s how nervous I am about seeing Grady. I’m willing to call my mom to avoid him.
I hold onto the brass doorknob and release a deep breath. I have this. I’m strong. I’ll walk out there with confidence and get this over with.
The sun hits my face as soon as I step outside, and I smile at the beautiful day. Nothing like sunshine to make you feel cheerful. I put my hand up to block the glare of the sun and look over to where Grady parks his car.
It’s not there.
My stomach drops. He left me.
I walk to the curb and look down the street to see if he might have parked somewhere else. But I know that’s not the case. I’m stalling, trying to figure out what to do. It’s too late to call Sadie and Cadence. It would make them late if they have to come get me now.
I glance at my phone. I have Grady’s number. Maybe I should text him? Ask him if he forgot about me? I turn back to my house and contemplate taking the day off. Dad will be okay if I say I’m sick. He’ll believe me.
“Hey, Mila.”
I spin and see Jace coming toward me. His eyes are squinting from the glare, but he looks happy to see me. He stops at his car, the black SUV, and opens the back door to throw his bag in.
“Hey, ah, have you seen Grady this morning?” I ask.
Seeing Jace for the first time since that…well, the whole jerking off thing has made me very aware of what he’s hiding under those shorts of his. Fuck, will I be this worked up around him from now on? Now that we’ve crossed some strange boundary in our friendship?
If that’s what this is—a friendship? He didn’t like me last week…now, I have no idea.
Jace’s smile is a slow, sly one as his eyes roam up and down my body. I’m very aware of the pink dress I chose to wear today with my white Converse. My pulse picks up under his gaze, and I lick my lips.
He leans against the slick, black metal and nods. “Yeah, Makai called, said he was having car trouble. I told Grady I’ll give you a lift today so he can help his friend.”
Huh, okay. That sounds like a good reason. Unless Grady is avoiding me and lied about his friend’s car trouble. Ugh, I need to stop overthinking this shit. Nothing happened. It’s all in my head.
