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Mrs. Hayworth stands in the doorway to the kitchen, smiling brightly.
“Oh my God, hi.”
To my relief, she walks toward me with open arms. The moment she embraces me the way she always used to, I get hit with an overwhelming wave of emotions. This woman was like a mom to me after mine had passed away, and I was so afraid she was going to hate me like her son does.
“How have you been? Look at you. You’ve become so grown up!”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, I’m turning eighteen in a few weeks.”
“That’s crazy. I feel like just yesterday you were this big.” She holds her hand near her hip. “Come on, let’s go in the kitchen and talk.”
I should turn down the offer, but to be honest, this is the closest I’ve felt to my old self in years—before everything went horribly wrong. Taking a seat at the table, she pours us each a cup of tea and sits across from me.
“So, how are things? What’s been new?”
Where do I even begin? With my father turning his bloodstream into straight alcohol? With the fact that I live in what can only be considered a death trap, not a home? On second thought, I shouldn’t bore her with all the gory details of what my life has become.
“Just going to school and dance.”
“You’re still dancing? That’s wonderful. You were always so talented.”
I blush. “Yeah. I’m trying to go to Juilliard for college. That’s the dream, anyway.”
“Well.” She reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “I’m sure you’ll get there. They’d be crazy not to take you.”
“Thank you. And if I don’t, then clown college always has its perks.”
A good-hearted laugh bellows out of her. “Oh, I’ve missed you.” She takes a sip of her tea. “I’m so glad you and Grayson reunited. You two were always the best of friends, and it makes me happy to see you’ve gotten back to that.”
I bite my lip, trying to keep from telling her that what we are now is the furthest thing from what we were, but suddenly I don’t need to.
“We haven’t.” Grayson’s voice booms into the room and his eyes land on me, a clear indication that I should have left by now. “I called you an Uber. It’ll be here in three minutes.”
Mrs. Hayworth stands. “Don’t be silly. At least let me make you two breakfast first.”
“No. Savannah was just leaving. Weren’t you Savi?” The way he snarls my nickname reminds me just how different things are now.
“Y-yeah.” I stutter. “I, um, I have stuff I need to do today anyway.” I get up. “It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Hayworth.”
“You too, dear.” She answers sweetly. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
I nod, but with no intentions of ever actually coming back. Clearly, Grayson would rather I be anywhere else, though he had to be the one to bring me here in the first place. I walk toward the door, trying to ignore the feeling of Grayson’s hand on my back, all but pushing me out. Once we step outside, I mentally curse myself for not grabbing a jacket last night.
“You know, you really shouldn’t drink that much. Someone could have taken advantage of you.”
I stare down at my shoes, finding them very interesting and a much better view than his hateful glares. “So, we didn’t—”
“No,” he confirms, and I can’t deny the slight disappointment I feel.
I look up at him, knowing he holds all the cards—not just with my reputation, but with my heart. Let’s be real, I don’t think there was ever a time where he didn’t. No matter how much he may hurt me now, he’s always been my weak spot. His expression changes slightly,
and I notice the way his knuckles turn pale from the grip he has on the door handle.
Interrupting the moment with perfect timing, the Uber pulls up. With one last look at Grayson, I turn around and go to get in the car. By the time I close the door behind me, he’s already gone.
I SIT ON THE FLOOR and spread my legs, stretching as much as I can. Brady mimics my movements, but the confused look remains on his face. I try to ignore it, though it’s obvious he won’t let me.
“Wait, so he brought you back to his house and put you to bed?”
