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Clearing his throat, he won't meet her eye. I wonder what he's thinking about.
“Yeah, Gracie, you were always with us. We were all friends,” he says in a squeaky tone.
I watch as the serene look on Gracie's face changes to anger. She places her hands on her hips, and her blue eyes glisten.
“If we were friends, then where the hell were you? Why have I spent six months all alone? Feeling as if everyone had forgotten me just as much as I have amnesia,” she shakes her head, and a tear falls.
“If we were friends, then why have you been tormenting me? Making me feel worthless? I must not have meant much to you all,” she says in a whisper, and we all stand there speechless as she lets the tears fall.
My heart races and my own eyes well. Damn. She's right. I clear my throat, but Carter is the first to speak. Even he's choked with emotion.
“You might not remember Gracie, but we do. We were there that night. We had to hold Ash together as he spiraled. We had to choose a side, and I'm sorry. We chose him.”
She starts to laugh, and it's kinda scary. “Ash? What does he have to do with anything? I haven't even seen him since he broke down outside the shed.”
She turns back toward the car, and I step in her way.
“Fuck it. Gracie, Ash was your boyfriend. No, that's wrong. He was your everything. But you did something and betrayed him, and he's not ready to let things go. He's obsessed with revenge. But I'm done. I won’t stand by anymore and watch you get hurt,” I growl the last few words, and her eyes widen.
Carter and Dom move closer, and Dom takes her hand. “Things aren't as they seem, Gracie. I can't speak for the others, but we haven't purposely bullied you. I've been keeping an eye on Bianca because Ash gave her permission to do whatever she wants to hurt you.”
“I just don’t understand. Anything. No one will just come out right and tell me what the hell happened. Will you? Please?” She looks at Carter, her eyes wide. I glance at Dom, and he shakes his head.
We were told to absolutelynotreveal anything that could cause Gracie more mental damage. There was a whole assembly on it before she returned. I’m shocked Ash hasn’t just blurted it all out, but maybe that means he does still want to keep her safe.
Maybe there is hope after all. But even then, I don't know if I want him back in Gracie’s picture. Maybe it’s time for a change.
ChapterThirteen
Dom stops and grabs us burgers on the drive home. We ended up staying out later than planned, hiking and chatting. I still don’t trust them, but I could see maybe being their friend again. If they keep their promise to end Bianca’s bullshit, that is. I don't know why the guys took me to the cliffs, but we actually had a nice time. I enjoyed the walk in the fresh air.
Well, after I stopped crying and making a fool out of myself. I wish they would have told me what I’m missing, but I think they may care about causing me detrimental damage.
As for what they said about Ash… I don’t know. I think we need to have a long talk.
We pull up to my house, and my front door flings open. My mom stands on the porch with a scowl on her lips and a glass of wine in her hand. I sigh. I wish I didn't have to go in there. I don’t know what has changed, or maybe she was always this way, but I think my mom may have an alcohol problem.
I also think maybe my dad is having an affair. He’s barely home. Always working on his cases, which I guess could be true, but still. I give King a smile and open my door. “Thanks for today, guys. I better get inside before my mom decides to come get me. I’ll see ya at school,” I say with a wave, then shut the door and head toward the front walkway.
“Hey, Gracie.” I turn and see Carter rolled down the passenger window. “Remember, people can’t know we’re helping you, okay? At least not yet. I don’t know what’s going to happen when Ash returns, but we will try and keep you safe.”
My body heats, and my heart races. Is it possible to have a crush on multiple guys? I know they have been jerks, but they were trying to do a good thing for a friend in pain.
“Thanks, Carter. Oh, hey, I’d still like to talk to Ash when he returns. Could you let him know, please?” Dom grumbles something but nods. I give them all one more wave, then continue to the front door.
“Did you have a nice time?” my mom slurs, and I nod. She smirks, then grips my forearm and pulls me inside. I try not to wince, but I must fail. She releases me and shoves her phone in my face.
“Do you see what this is, Gracelyn Nicole? It’s a goddamn phone. Do you know what you do with one? It’s simple, really. You call or text someone when you plan to disappear all day!” she growls, and I nod as tears fill my eyes.
Have I mentioned I really don’t like when she drinks?
“I’m sorry. I’ll learn to be better about texting,” I say softly, and she blinks before taking a breath.
“I just worry about you, Gracie. I can’t go through thinking I lost you again…” she sniffles, and I pull her into a hug. I think this might be the first time I’ve initiated contact with her. “I’m okay, sweet girl, but it’s late, and you have school tomorrow,” she says as she pulls back from me.
“Night, Mom,” I mumble and walk to the stairs. I don’t look back because her hot and cold attitude lately gives me a headache.
When I reach the top of the stairs, I hear someone talking on the phone, and it sounds like a heated conversation. I shuffle closer to Gray’s bedroom. The door is cracked, and he’s sitting on the bed. A bottle of bourbon sits on the floor, open.
