52. Blake
BLAKE
I stayed in my room all day, only sneaking out for a small amount of sustenance when my stomach was growling so badly I couldn’t stand it.
I crept down the stairs and stole into the pantry, making it back up to my room without encountering my brother. Thank God for that.
He tried to connect with me earlier in the day, knocked on my door and called my name. I couldn’t face him, not after that horrible phone call with my parents, so I pretended to be asleep.
Having spent most of the night awake, it wasn’t hard to play dead. I’m seriously exhausted. Wily watched me pretending to sleep for so long, I think I did actually drift off for a while there.
I woke up with a growling stomach, did a sneaky food snatch, then retreated to my room and have spent the rest of the day glancing at my phone while trying to watch movies off my laptop .
I still haven’t turned my phone back on since texting Cleo a proverbial “fuck you.” And I’m too scared to do it. There’s probably a message on there from my parents, and I don’t want to face them right now either.
It’s a miracle they haven’t driven up from Denver to see me. Maybe they still will.
A flush of tension runs through my body as I imagine that scenario—their ashen faces, their deep disappointment.
Ugh. I can’t face it!
I just want to hide away from the world until I feel like I can breathe again. Is that really such a bad thing? I told the truth like I was supposed to, and it’s been a complete shit show! Let me wallow, for fuck’s sake!
Although, wallowing is killing me.
My body is aching from being in bed all day. My head is pounding from lack of sleep and fresh air. This room is making me claustrophobic, but leaving it only means angst and drama and?—
The sound of a Jeep pulling into the driveway catches my attention. Rushing to the window, I peer out and spot Grady hopping out with his bag.
Closing my eyes in relief, I press my forehead against the glass and bite my bottom lip.
Thank God he’s back.
It’s been the longest day ever, and I need a hug, some reassurance that I can survive all of this.
Rushing to get dressed, I throw my stinky pajamas into the laundry hamper and spray on my best-smelling deodorant.
I then pull on my favorite pair of yoga pants and the baggy sweatshirt Wily gave me when he left for college.
I used to steal it all the time because it was so big and comfy.
He ended up giving it to me the day we dropped him off at Nolan U, and I nearly cried.
He grinned down at me, gave me the biggest hug, and told me, “I’m only ever a phone call away. And you better call me, butt face.”
“I will,” I promised, knowing we’d stay in touch because we told each other everything.
Until I started fucking up my life and keeping secrets.
Shit.
The sweatshirt flops down to my mid-thighs as I run fingers through my tatty hair.
Seriously?
Glancing in the mirror, I gape at my horrid reflection. I look like a ghost with red-rimmed eyes and scarecrow hair.
Quickly snatching my makeup bag, I do some hasty work, tidying myself up. I keep the look natural, because going overboard would be so damn obvious. I just want to take the edge off by covering the gray bags under my eyes and running a pick comb through my hair.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m looking at least presentable and ready for a Grady hug.
I hope he’s up for talking to me. He was so sweet yesterday afternoon when we hung out with Sienna and Zander. They were pretty nice about it all, although it’s clear they want things amended with Wily as soon as possible.
Shit, I really need to talk to him.
Maybe after I hug Grady and ask about his day, he’ll come with me to see Wily. I’m not sure what we’ll say to him, but maybe if we present a united front to show Wily that we’re not just messing around here …
I mean, I think we’re not, right?
I really care about Grady. I think I might be falling in love with him.
The thought of having to end things just because my brother is pissed off… well, that’s not fair.
Grady and I aren’t over, are we?
Unless he’s still in love with Teah.
My stomach coils as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
Either way, I still want to see him. I still need to hug him and assure myself that I haven’t lost everything. That I haven’t destroyed every relationship in my life.
Please, not Grady. Don’t let me lose him too!
Rushing for the door, I fling it open and listen out for where he might be in the house.
I hear voices downstairs and tiptoe to the landing, figuring out that Grady and my brother are talking in the living room.
Shit!
Holding my breath, I creep down the top few steps and lean against the wall so I can hear what they’re saying.
“…I shouldn’t have done what I did. It was wrong to go behind your back,” Grady’s saying. “I should have told you that I was starting to catch feelings for your sister before I left for the forest. I really tried to fight it, man. I swear I did. I thought I was strong enough to resist her, but?—”
Wily growls. “I don’t want to know the details.”
“I never disrespected her if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Of course I’m not! You’re the most respectful guy I know. I’m just pissed off that you kept secrets from me. I’m pissed off that she let you in on all her shit before telling me about it.”
Grady doesn’t say anything, because what is he supposed to say? None of that was his fault. I mean, sure, he encouraged me to open up, but he didn’t know Wily would be so offended.
Wily sighs. “I guess I should expect it. Blake and I can’t be best friends forever.”
“Yes, you can. She was just afraid of telling you because she knew you’d be disappointed in her. She was worried you were going to hate her.”
Wily doesn’t say anything, and my stomach squeezes into a tight ball. I’m desperate for him to deny all of that.
“I could never hate her. She’s my sister.”
But he’s not saying it! Why isn’t he saying it?
“I know this sucks, man. Watching her suffer is killing me too,” Grady murmurs. At least I think that’s what he’s saying. It’s hard to catch everything when he’s talking so quietly.
Wily mumbles something back, and I frown, walking a little farther down the stairs.
“…broke the bro code, and there’s no excuse for that.”
Another huff from my brother. “I just need to know that you’re not using her as some kind of rebound to get over Teah. I?—”
A phone starts ringing, cutting off Wily and making my heart stop. I need to know too!
Answer him, Grady. Assure him. Assure me !
The phone rings until it cuts off, and then Grady lets out a sigh, obviously about to answer him when the phone starts ringing again .
“Oh, just fucking take the call,” Wily growls.
My face scrunches as I swallow down my own growl. Stupid fucking phone call!
“Hey, Bella. What’s up?”
Who’s Bella?
With a confused little humph, I walk down a few more steps, then stop when Grady’s voice pitches.
“What?” It’s impossible to miss his shocked panic, and I race down the stairs before I can think about it.
Instinct has me rushing to check on him, and my gut plummets when I take in his ashen expression.
“When?” His voice gets sharp. “At the hospital?… Yeah, I’m on my way.”
He hangs up, sees me standing in the archway of the living room, and his brown eyes darken with intensity, his jaw clenching.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, my heart thudding erratically at the silent agony pulsing out of him.
Wily whips a look at me, runs his eyes down what I’m wearing, then turns back to check on Grady. “Dude, what’s up?” He grabs for his crutches.
Grady holds up his hand to stop him. “Teah’s been in a car accident. That was one of her sisters from the sorority. They’re freaking out. Thought I should know.”
“Is she okay?” Wily’s obvious concern makes me realize what a part of the Football Frat family Teah used to be.
“I’m not sure, man. It sounds pretty bad. She’s in the hospital.” Grady looks so torn up right now. “I need to go check on her.”
“I’ll come.” Wily struggles to stand .
“No. I’ll go,” I tell my brother, then turn to the side table where Grady keeps his keys.
He needs me right now, and I can’t care that we’re going to see his ex-girlfriend. Grady looks too cut up to be able to drive, so I will take him. And I’ll make sure he gets through this… no matter what it costs me.