Chapter 38
Gracyn
“S o … you’re still married.”
It’s my new life’s slogan.
I drop my head on the table with a moan. “Don’t remind me. It’s like the universe is playing some cruel joke on me. It’s like the mistake that won’t ever go away.” I lift my head back up. “The judge is determined to make me stay married to him.”
“It’s just for another week,” Charli says, trying to ease my torment.
“Yeah, but I thought I’d be a single woman today. I would’ve never made plans for tonight, knowing I could still be technically married. Ugh!”
When my mom called me yesterday morning with the news, I could’ve cried. She was certain it was a credible reason, given Brooks’s attorney was there as well. Apparently, the judge had a legitimate conflict and rescheduled it. Just another seven days. Seven more days of being tied to him.
Charli let me wallow for a bit longer, then began to tell me about her new job she started this week working for FOX Sports as a freelance reporter. I welcomed the change of subject.
“ Gray. Charli.”
We slide off the barstools and make our way toward the counter. The packed coffeehouse on the corner of our street continues to get busier with each passing day now that school’s started. Even on weekends. Why did I ever allow myself to get addicted? A few months ago, I didn’t need a caffeine fix. In fact, I didn’t even like coffee. Having to get up at five each morning and Charli introducing me to lattes, I’ve changed my tune. And my budget .
Charli continues her story about her first day on the field, animated as ever. “So, then, the quarterback runs over and has the nerve to question my understanding of football, all the while smiling at me. As if he was trying to flirt with me in some backward-ass kind of way. I bet he gets all the girls,” she says, shaking her head in disbelief.
“What a presumptuous ass.”
She shrugs, acting like it doesn’t bother her, but it did. In her male-dominated field, where she’s constantly fighting to prove herself while her counterparts waltz right into their position, yeah, it irks her. “I threw out some stats about the quarterback at Crimson who’s been killing it and asked him how the team plans to beat him next week. I’ve heard rumors about how much he hates the guy. His smile turned sour real quick.”
We have to squeeze in between people waiting for their order to make it to the counter. Charli grabs her coffee as I scan the names on all the cups.
“Excuse me. You called out ‘Gray,’ but I don’t see my drink.”
The barista glances at me from behind the espresso machine, an eye roll barely contained. “If it’s not there, it’ll be out soon.”
“If it’s not done, why would you call my name?” I respond, matching her tone. There’s no need to be rude, lady. Her eyes flitter with irritation before asking me what I ordered. I rattle it off without hesitation because it’s the same one every day. “Grande iced blond vanilla latte, almond milk, vanilla sweet cream cold foam.”
“I definitely made that,” the guy beside her responds, busy pulling shots for another drink. But neither of them makes a move to help me, both turning their backs as if I’m invisible.
“O-kay,” I say, frustrated, gesturing to the ten other orders out. “It’s not here.”
“Someone took it,” a woman who’s standing close to the bar mentions as she’s waiting. “I wanted to see who Gray was, you know , the name and all, and he did not disappoint.” She places a hand on her heart and blows out a breath.
Someone took my drink?
No. They stole it.
Goose bumps trail down my legs as I turn around, my stomach flipping when my gaze locks with the one man I’ve been doing everything to avoid. He’s leaning casually against the wall near the exit, a cocky smirk on his face as he holds up my drink . He looks a million times better than the last time I saw him. He looks good. It throws me back in time to the day we met. My chest tightens, and my heart hammers like I sprinted a mile. Hard and heavy.
Damn it. I hate that he still has this effect on me.
But I don’t know what to do.
Time stands still, the noise fades, and we’re the only two people around. I knew this moment would come since I see his sister all the time, but being five feet from him brings a rush of emotions I’m not ready to confront. Anger. Hurt. Hope ?
Do I run to him? Or run away from him?
I once threw in his face that he needed to pull his big boy pants up and deal with the situation, so I tell myself the same thing. Sucking in a deep breath, I gather every ounce of courage I have and close the gap between us. I stop in front of him, and there’s an awkward silence between us, neither of us sure what to say.
I force out a simple, “Hey.”
“Hey.”
I swallow hard. I’ve dreamed about the sound of his voice for months. But I started to push those thoughts aside. It’s been three months. I was moving on. I even have a date tonight.
A date not with him.
Not that I want to go on it, but I was trying to prove to myself I was over Brooks. He’s a friend from work who asked me out for drinks. A casual meeting between two friends. That’s it.
Does he know about it? Is that why he’s here right now, standing in front of me with that maddening smirk? He doesn’t want me but can’t stand the thought of me going on a date? That’d be typical of him. Possessive, yet distant. The thought pisses me off.
I lift a brow, pointing to the cup in his hand. “You stole my drink.”
“And you stole my heart.”
His words catch me off guard, and before I can react, he cups my cheek and pulls me to his lips. For a fleeting, electric second, I lose control. My body betrays me, melting into his touch. It craves his warmth, his taste, the intoxicating feel of him I’ve tried so hard to forget.
But my mind snaps to attention, throwing his words back in my face. You were a mistake. You were never meant to be a part of my world . The sting drowns the moment in cold, harsh reality.
I pull back, stepping away from him as I wipe the taste of him off my lips. My eyes water, and I blink the tears back. “Well, you shattered mine.” I snatch the coffee from his hands, refusing to break eye contact so he hears me loud and clear. “Bye, Brooks.”
I’m damn near close to swearing off coffee shops for the rest of my life as I rush out. This was a mistake. Moving here, thinking I could pick up the pieces of my heart and live this close to the man who broke it and be able to move on was nothing short of insane.
“Wait up!” Charli calls out, hurrying after me.
I duck between two buildings, my chest heaving, and spin around to face her. The anger boiling inside me erupts. “How dare he say I stole his heart! That jackass doesn’t have a heart.”
She nods silently, her expression cautious. Her lack of response only makes me more mad.
“You don’t agree with me?” I challenge.
“I agree that he broke your heart.”
I narrow my eyes at her. Whose side is she on? Because it’s not mine at the moment. If it were, she’d be all up in arms with me, not nodding.
“ Annnddd , I hate what he did to you. But, there were so many extenuating circumstances.”
My mouth drops open. “Are you saying he had a right to treat me that way?”
“No. No.” Charli shakes her head, holding up her hands in defense. “That is not what I’m saying. Well, shit, maybe I am.” She winces, knowing she’s stepped onto thin ice. “But you can’t deny the attraction you two have. I just witnessed it.” She points a finger at me like she’s driving the point home. “I saw how you let go for a moment. You still have feelings for him.”
I let out a groan, leaning against the red brick wall, and release a long, frustrated sigh. “How am I supposed to forget the hateful things he said to me?”
“It came from a place of desperation. He didn’t mean it.”
I shake my head, bitter laughter bubbling up inside my chest. “He also didn’t apologize. Ever.”
A voice cuts through the air behind us. “Then let me do it now.”