AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I just want to know what happened. Standing from the breakfast bar, I leave the kitchen and find Dom. “After the Halloween party, if Gracie agrees… Yeah, you all can move in here. All I’ve ever wanted for my doll was for her to be happy, safe, and loved,” I mutter, then leave him and go to my room to get ready for school.
We have that stupid pep rally today and the football game tonight. I’m not playing. Coach is still pissed at me, and this is my punishment. Sitting on the bench. I wonder if Gracie will actually cheer.
Gracie
I drive to Gray’s office to check in and see if he wants to have dinner before the big football game tonight. There’s a familiar car beside me when I park. I wonder why Mia is here?
Maybe she needs some legal advice. She’s been acting super shady lately, always on edge, never wanting to hang out. I get out of my car and head into the building. Taking the elevator up to Gray’s floor, I notice it’s quiet, which isn't unusual for a Friday, much less a football game night.
Football is a big event around here. The whole town shuts down for those few hours. It's fuzzy, but there is another reason why I love football, maybe a player on the team. I can't remember.
I step off the elevator and walk toward his office. The door is cracked, and I can hear talking. Thinking he's on the phone, I take a seat in the waiting area. After a few minutes, I hear a woman's voice that sounds familiar but deeper, or maybe huskier than I've ever heard it.
“We need to hurry, or we’ll be late. I’m waiting to hear back from the doctor, so there is no reason to worry yet. Let’s just calm down and talk about this, okay? You had to know this could happen. I told you I wasn’t on anything, but someone was too impatient.”
I think that's Mia talking. I stand up to announce my presence, not sure if this is a private client-attorney discussion when I hear Gray respond, “Whatever the verdict is, it doesn’t matter, M. It will be taken care of quickly and quietly. No one can know about this, especially Gracie.”
“Gracie, everything is about Gracie. Well, you know what, I’m sick of it. Perfect, sweet, caring Gracie. If I’m not constantly hearing about her from you, I'm hearing about her from Ashton. She’s not so perfect, you know, she tells me things. Things that would shock you all.”
What is Mia talking about? The most shocking thing I’ve ever done is sleep with my boyfriend, but everyone knows that. Thanks to the birth control discussion last month during Sunday family dinner.
Talk about awkward. I thought I was embarrassed. My dad's face almost turned blood red with his blushing. That's what happens when your mom is a woman's doctor, though. Finally, having done enough accidental eavesdropping, I stand up and talk loudly like I’m on the phone and move closer to his office door.
“Yes, Mom, I’ll remind him. I’m just seeing if he wants to grab a quick bite before the game. Okay, love you too. Bye.” I pretend to hang up, then yell, “Hey bro, you busy?”
I knock on his door before entering.
“Gracie, what a great surprise. What's up?” He looks a little green. That must have been one hell of a conversation.
“Hey Mia, I thought that was your car in the lot. Am I interrupting anything?” I try to give her an innocent look, but I’m rather annoyed by her, and I think she can tell when her face goes pale. Then, like a switch, her expression turns almost evil.
“No, girl, everything is great. Gray was just offering me some legal advice. Nothing to worry about, though. But we're done here, so I'll meet you at the game. Gray, we will be in touch,” she says in a voice that gives me chills. I wonder what that's all about.
“Babe,we have to get up, or we’ll be late for school,” someone says, shaking me. I moan, and he laughs. A tongue trails down my neck and over my chest. I don’t want to open my eyes, so I reach out and grip King’s hair, bringing his mouth to mine.
He groans and pulls away. I open my eyes, and he’s smirking. “We do not have time for that, but tomorrow night after the party, your ass is mine,” he growls, kisses me one more time, then jumps off the bed and walks into my bathroom.
I watch as he strips and turns my shower on. I close my eyes, just for a few more seconds, and try to remember my dream. I don’t have nightmares when the guys stay over, but I know it was about Mia and my brother.
It was such a weird dream, or maybe a memory. I don’t know, though. I feel like it was important. Only time will tell.
* * *
I tugon my crop top and groan. “Why do I have to wear this at school?” I mumble, and Dom laughs, then points to his jersey.
“You look hot as hell, Bambi, and we always have to wear our uniforms on game days. I shrug and play with the fringe on my skirt.
“Do I really need to stay on the team? I suck,” I grumble, and he stops walking.
“What’s going on? You seem off today. Did King not let you get any sleep?” he asks with a smirk, and I roll my eyes, gently shoving him.
“I slept great, actually. It’s just that everyone on the team hates me. They are so cruel, and I don’t understand why I need to continue if I’m not even going to be out on the field or doing the pep rally. I guess I’m just not feeling super peppy,” I say, and he nods.
“Is it selfish of me to ask you to stay on the team? So I can spend more time with you?” he pouts, and his blue eyes sparkle. He’s teasing me, but it’s working.
“Fine,” I mutter with an eye roll and pout. He surprises me by leaning down and giving me a quick kiss. Right here in the middle of the hallway in front of everyone. Some people gasp, and then everyone is talking about us.
“That’s going to make things a shit ton more exciting,” Carter says as he meets us. He kisses my cheek, and I laugh, shoving him away. Now everyone really is staring and gossiping. Ash comes around the corner, and it’s instantly silent. People are holding their breath to see how he’s going to react.
