CHAPTER 38
OLIVIA
“I ’m putting my parents’ house up for sale,” I tell Savannah as she ties Reigns hair up in pigtails.
Her head snaps towards me in surprise. “You are?”
I give her a sad nod. “Yeah. It’s time.”
Since my conversation with Grayson yesterday, it’s all I’ve been able to think about. In fact, it’s all I’ve been able to think about since the night Bella told me I’m the first person Gray has ever opened up to about the night Rueben died. Learning how far he’s come since losing him made me think about how I’m still holding on to that last piece of my parents.
In a way, it’s given me that push I needed to finally get closure for the fifteen-year-old girl deep down inside of me that’s been carrying the weight of their death for far too long.
I’ve been torturing myself for years, thinking that if I sold their house, got rid of their belongings, that I was completely erasing them from my life. But I know in my heart that they would’ve wanted this.
They would have wanted me to move on with my life. To thrive. They wouldn’t have wanted their house to be kept as some kind of shrine.
“If you feel like you’re ready then I’m with you all the way, but don’t feel like you have to do it.” Savannahs voice pierces through my inner thoughts.
Her words are just another reason on a long list of reasons why Savannah Wilde is my best friend in life. She doesn’t push me to do anything I don’t want to do. She just lets me know that she supports me no matter what I decide, and I’ve never been more grateful for that than I am in this moment.
“I am. I’ve already contacted Carter. He’s getting in touch with all the right people this week on my behalf. It could take a while yet, though.”
Her smile is comforting and a little watery. “I’m proud of you, Livvy.”
“Uh oh, Mum’s gonna cry again,” Reign jokes from where she stands between her mother’s legs.
Savannah lets out an offended gasp. “Hey! I am not.”
I raise a brow at Reign, my expression indicating I don’t believe her. “You totally are.”
“It’s the hormones,” Savannah argues as she wipes a stray tear from beneath her eye and Reign and I dissolve into a fit of giggles.
“Uh oh. What made you cry this time?” Hunter’s voice sounds from the door, only making us laugh harder as Savannah turns to him with a huff.
“It’s the hormones!” She scolds and Hunter quickly conceals the amusement on his face with a sympathetic nod.
“I know, Goldie. Do you need a hug?” My eyes bounce between the two of them as I wait for how Savannah will respond .
“No. What I need is for people to stop making fun of me,” she argues, and I take that as my queue to leave. I stand and reach out a hand to Reign.
“Come on, Reigny. Let’s go get your shoes on.”
“Gray is waiting in the living room,” Hunter tells me as I pass him. Butterflies take flight at the mere mention of his name, and I find my feet moving a little faster in the direction of the living room.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise the closer I get to him, almost as if they can sense he is near somehow, and I take a deep, calming breath. I don’t know why the hell I’m so nervous all of a sudden, I’ve spent enough time around the guy in the last few weeks.
But something about yesterday changed things between us somehow. Like there was a shift in our relationship. The whole thing felt dangerously similar to a date, but neither of us dared to call it that. And the most confusing part about it, is that Grayson was so set on our arrangement being purely sexual. He was so afraid that I’d fall for him and end up getting hurt, but when he does things like taking me on a borderline romantic horse ride and cooking for me, it makes it almost impossible to keep my heart out of it.
“Uncle Gray!” Reign calls out excitedly as she runs towards him and throws herself into his arms. He catches her with a quiet laugh, and I watch from the doorway as the big, grumpy man embraces my five-year-old niece like she’s the most delicate thing he’s ever touched.
I take advantage of Reigns distraction and let my gaze roam his body appreciatively. He’s got his signature dark wash jeans on, paired with a black t-shirt identical to the one I slept in last night and his worn, brown cowboy boots. Surprisingly, he’s not wearing a hat today and his hair falls in loose waves across his forehead .
The man is a walking, talking, temptation.
His eyes find mine over Reigns shoulder and I feel myself blush under his heated gaze as he returns my appraisal. It feels entirely inappropriate in the presence of a child, and I clear my throat as I turn towards the kitchen.
“Do you want a beer?” I ask, a slight shake to my voice.
“No, thank you. I don’t think we’ll be here long.” Grayson responds as he places Reign back on her feet.
Savannah and Hunter choose that moment to reappear, and I release a relieved breath when they announce it’s time to go.