Chapter 29 #2
I’d pondered their personalities myself, and I’d asked them.
“Their grandma on their dad’s side was around for a while.
She was a single mom, and their dad fell into a bad crowd when he was closer to their age now.
I guess Gianna let their grandma into their lives.
I mean, she had to if she didn’t want them taken away.
Lane said their grandma used to have them for overnights and go to school functions and take them clothes shopping. ”
“She passed away?”
“A couple years ago.” The death of their grandmother had coincided with the beginning of Gianna’s escalation.
Had she been close to the woman, too? Had she lost one of her only forms of support—help that she’d accept, anyway—and been unable to handle the rest on her own?
“I’m almost envious. They got to know a grandparent. ”
She plucked another bun out of the container. The paper crinkled. She ripped off a chunk and waited for me to continue. This being-open-with-your-feelings shit was hard to get used to. I’d rather she could reach into my mind and know what I was thinking. Anything was better than talking about it.
Yet the urge to spill all my thoughts was there. Words piled up on my tongue. I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to get to know me. The real me. The guy I was no longer familiar with.
“Gianna’s grandpa wasn’t alive much longer after he kicked her out. Sometimes I wonder if that’s why he did it. Was he scared he couldn’t care for her and a kid, and it was better to boot her out rather than see himself fail?” I could already breathe easier.
“That makes sense.”
“My dad’s parents…I’m sure Gianna lied about them. Makes it worse. She kept me from a loving couple who might’ve been there when I had no one else.”
“When did they pass away?”
“I don’t know. She just told me they were horrible people, and they were dead when I asked.”
“Have you tried to look them up?”
I shook my head. “I don’t need to see obituaries.”
“It’s a lot of loss,” she agreed. “Didn’t you have an uncle?”
“After hearing my grandparents were gone, I didn’t want more bad news.
Or to hear her rant about how awful he was again.
” I reached across the table. I had to hold her in some way.
To know she was here, and I hadn’t fucked up beyond repair.
Revisiting this part of my childhood wasn’t easy, and I needed to move on to something else. “Thanks for coming out with me.”
She smiled. “I like being with you. I especially like getting to know you like this.”
“You liked being with the asshole CEO, too.”
Her grin deepened. “He had his charm—and a really nice ass.”
She wiggled in her seat, and I wanted to groan.
I could take her from the restaurant, we’d drive to a remote spot, or I could even get a room in town.
I’d strip her down, one article of clothing at a time.
We’d have long, slow sex, followed by frantic needy sex.
Reverse that. I wouldn’t be able to go slow initially.
The day in my loft almost two weeks ago was more like two years ago. Too fucking long.
“Myles,” she whispered. “You’re looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” My voice was deeper than usual. Anyone who looked at me could probably tell what I was thinking.
“Like you want me for dessert.”
“You’re my favorite sweet.” I drew in a slow, deep breath. My lust had to be contained. I wasn’t messing this up. “But I’m going to be good tonight. I’ll get you home by curfew. When can I see you again?”
“I’m having lunch with Autumn tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow night?”
She laughed. “Myles.” Her smile died. “You have to get back, don’t you?”
“I’ll fly back Monday for a couple of days, and then I’ll return.”
“Seriously?” Her disbelief should be insulting.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s your job.”
“I’m not hiding from life at Foster House anymore.” You’re my life.
She hummed and dropped her gaze. Several seconds ticked by. “I think I had too many buns. Can you take me home?”
How had I fucked up this time? If this was the end, I didn’t know what I could do to save it, to save us.
I was learning who I really was. The people in my life were expanding, and I wasn’t in my loft, hiding away from everyone and everything.
But Wynn wanted to go home. In the end, I might have to admit that, in the most important way, I wasn’t enough after all.
Wynter
The house was quiet when I entered. Headlights flashed in the window as Myles pulled away. I licked my lips like I was trying to recreate the sweet kiss at the door with him.
He knew something was bothering me—or I wouldn’t have asked to get taken home immediately—but he hadn’t pried. Instead, he’d given me the sweetest, more reassuring good-night kiss.
I was anything but reassured.
I took my coat off and snapped a picture of myself, holding my arm high and getting my entirely clothed body in the frame. I sent the photo to Summer and Autumn.
Wynn: Just got dropped off. Clothes still on.
Summer: Ha! You owe me, Autumn.
Figured. Summer had made it sound like she’d bet I’d be under Myles right now when it was really Autumn who had.
Autumn sent a GIF of money flying around.
Traitors. Both of them.