CHAPTER 20
OLIVIA
A nother two weeks pass without running into Grayson and although I’m no longer avoiding him, I’m starting to wonder if he’s now the one avoiding me.
He eventually rejoined us at the table at Savannah and Hunter’s, and we finished our food without bringing up the fact he left abruptly due to a panic attack. Hunter had watched him closely the entire time, but Grayson avoided making eye contact with any of us before grumbling something about needing to check on Casper and hightailing it out of there.
I knew he was battling with something internally. That much is clear just on the surface, but it wasn’t until I watched the way his whole demeanour changed. The way his shoulders drew up tight and his hand shook as he excused himself that I realised it went a lot deeper.
I still don’t know exactly what happened to Grayson, but I am above prying. If he wanted me to know his problems, he’d tell me. I won’t go looking for answers from other people, no matter how curious I am.
I did however, cave and ask Savannah to get his phone number from Hunter for me. The minute she sends the number to me I open a new text thread .
Me: Hey. I get the sense that you’re avoiding me, but I just wanted to check you’re okay…
It sounds lame, but I click send anyway and strap my phone to my arm before starting my daily run. My feet slap against the pavement and my lungs work overtime to regulate my breathing as I find my rhythm.
Running was part of my daily routine back in the UK. It’s always been a way for me to clear my head. To make sense of my thoughts. I’ve always found it invigorating. Refreshing. But there’s something to be said about running in a place like Rosewater Creek.
From the moment we drove into town, this place had me enraptured. It’s hard to believe that places like this exist in the world if you haven’t seen them with your own eyes.
The air here just feels clean. Although, in some parts of town it’s slightly tainted by the scent of manure. The way the mountains are a backdrop to the entire town looks almost surreal. Like someone draped an overside image on the outskirts of town. It’s so still and peaceful here. A complete contrast to life in London.
The shops in town are exactly what you’d expect from a small town in America. Every building has a small flower box beneath the windows. Twinkle lights are draped from roof to roof like a blanket above the town. And at night, if you find the right spot, like the fire pit at The Calloway Ranch, the stars shine brightly against the black sky.
I’m a sweaty, panting mess by the time I reach the café, and I push through the door in desperate need of coffee.
Bella greets me with a wide smile. “Hey, coming in on your day off?”
I huff out a breathy laugh. “Just here for the coffee, Bells. ”
“Oh. And here I thought you just like my company.” She jokes with a wink before moving towards the coffee machine.
“That too,” I laugh, turning my attention out to the café. My eyes immediately land on Graysons dark green ones where he sits with his coffee cup suspended midair. I raise a brow at him with a smirk.
Fucker is avoiding me.
I hold his gaze in challenge until Bella reappears behind me. “Speaking of company… want to come over later?”
I turn back to the beautiful blonde that has quickly become one of my favourite people. “Sure, what time?”
“Around seven?” she shrugs.
“I’ll be there.” I place a note in the tip jar - because although one of the perks of working here is the free coffee, I still like to contribute - before approaching Grayson’s table and taking the seat directly opposite him.
He scrolls through his phone, not acknowledging my presence and I pull my own phone from the pocket on my arm.
I bite back a smile when I find a response to my earlier text.
Grayson: Who is this?
I chance a glance up at him, but he remains glued to the device in his hand, and I fire off a reply.
Me: Your favourite person;)
Grayson’s body language stays the same, giving nothing away and I nibble on my bottom lip as I wait for a response.
Grayson: Mom?
An unexpected laugh bursts from my throat, gaining the attention of several patrons. I dart my eyes around the room before looking back at Gray and my breath catches. He stares at me, a burning intensity in his eyes as they land on my mouth. He blinks it away quickly, dipping his head and my phone vibrates in my hand.
Grayson: Stop biting your lip.
Me: Why? Does it turn you on?
Now it’s his turn to laugh and the sound is so shocking that I’m certain my eyes are about to pop out of my head. The deep rumble has every eye in the room turning our way in surprise, but all I can do is stare. Considering this is a man who very rarely smiles, let alone laughs, the action seems so… natural. The dimple on his cheek becomes visible, and his usually haunted eyes light up with amusement.
He sobers quickly, his usual scowl returning to his face, but I don’t – can’t - tear my eyes away from him. The surprise must be evident on my face because his thumbs move quickly across his screen before my phone vibrates with another text.
Grayson: Close your mouth, you look like a weirdo.
I snap my mouth shut.
Me: Are you okay?
Grayson: Yeah, blue.
My chest warms at the use of the nickname, and I lock my phone, placing it on the table before picking up my coffee and taking a long drink. We don’t speak any physical words to each other, choosing to just sit in companionable silence.
I don’t know how long we stay like that until a tall, wiry blonde saunters up to our table, a cloud of cheap perfume and cigarettes following her. I look her up and down, knowing immediately who she is.
Hillbilly Barbie.
I snort out loud, quickly covering my mouth with my hand and Grayson raises a curious brow at me .
“Hey, Gray.” She croaks; the years of smoking evident in her voice.
“Sophie,” Grayson nods at her before quickly turning his attention away.
The girl doesn’t give up. “How’s Hunter? I haven’t seen him around lately.”
She has completely ignored my presence, not bothering to take the time to introduce herself. For all she knows we could be on a date.
I open my mouth to answer the question before Gray has the chance. “Probably with his pregnant fiancée.”
That gains her attention, and she turns her heavily made-up eyes to me.
Grayson keeps his amused eyes on me, as I sit up straighter, plastering a fake smile on my face. “Hi. I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Olivia.”
She returns my smile with a sheepish one. “Sophie.”
I tilt my head, the fake smile still on my face. “Oh, I know who you are, honey.”
She glares at me, a redness crawling up her neck and into her cheeks and for a moment I wonder if she’s going to stomp her feet and have an almighty tantrum, but she just spins on her heel and storms away from us with a childish huff.
***
I rap my knuckles on the front door and within seconds it swings open, revealing Bella clad in cupcake pyjamas, her hair thrown haphazardly on top of her head in a messy bun.
“I didn’t realise it was a pyjama party,” I raise a brow .
She looks down at herself before giggling. She opens the door wider, allowing me to pass her. “Sorry. I’ve been packing.”
“Packing?” I question.
“Yep. I may have invited you here under false pretences.” Bella chews on her nail nervously as I step into her living room. My eyes widen comically as I take in the absolute chaos surrounding me.
Boxes are piled up high in the corner of the room. Picture frames are stacks on top of each other next to sheets of newspaper. The shelves on the walls are bare, making the room appear empty despite the mess covering the floor.
“You’re moving?” I ask, confused as to why this is the first I’m hearing of it.
Bella nods, kicking an unassembled box to the side. “My contract is up in two weeks, so I’m reluctantly moving back in with my mom for a while.”
“You don’t seem too happy about that,” I say as I trail behind her.
She sighs. “I’m not. The woman is a nightmare.”
An idea forms in my mind immediately and I don’t think twice as I say, “Well, why don’t you move in with me?”
Bella freezes, her expression full of confusion. “What?”
I shrug as I go into the adjoining kitchen, collecting two wine glasses from the cupboard before joining her on the floor of the living room. “Savannah moved out, and I have a big ol’ empty house with two spare rooms, it only makes sense.”
She contemplates my offer for a moment, and I think she’s going to politely refuse, but then an ecstatic smile overcomes her face, and she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Oh my God! I’m so glad I don’t have to live with my mother. ”
I burst out laughing and hug her back. “Okay, crazy. Let’s get this packed up, and seeing as you tricked me into helping you, you can tell me all about your date with Justin.”