Chapter 9
Greyson
I couldn’t stop thinking about Blair.
Even after she left the bar, I cleaned up, locked the front door, and drove home in the rain. It was like her voice followed me, soft and unsure, still holding pieces of pain I didn’t fully understand.
She’d said she missed the bar. Being here made her feel a little more like herself.
I wanted to believe that meant she was thinking about staying.
The next day, I showed up at Madison’s place with takeout and a six-pack. “Peace offering,” I told her.
Blair answered the door in leggings and an oversized sweater, her hair in a messy bun. Adorable. My honey bee.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
We sat on the couch, the three of us, passing cartons of lo mein and watching some baking competition show. Madison fell asleep halfway through and started snoring softly. Blair leaned into me a little, her shoulder brushing mine.
“You’re good with her,” she whispered.
“She’s been good to me, too,” I said. “I think we all needed someone.”
Blair looked at me then, really looked. “Why did you never leave this town?”
I thought about it. “Because this place has roots. Even when it hurts, it still pulls you back. And now you’re here.”
Her breath caught. “Greyson…”
“You don’t have to say anything,” I said. “Just let me be here with you.” She didn’t pull away.