The hurt in Grayson’s eyes as he backed away from me sends me into a panic.
I don’t even know what my mom’s rambling on about now. I just need to get to Grayson and make it right. Fuck, why did I say that!
I don’t want to put Grayson through a grilling from my mom. Not yet. I don’t think either of us are ready for that. The words came out before I could stop them. It’s almost by instinct with her now. I’m so bothered about her opinion. I clearly don’t care who I hurt in the process. It’s toxic.
“Look, Mom,” I cut her off, “I have to go. I’ll see you Sunday.” I don’t give her a chance to reply and cut the call.
The bedroom door slams shut, making me jump.
Oh, he’s pissed.
I pad over to the bedroom and hover by the door as he’s slamming the draws shut. Taking a deep breath, I turn the knob and open the door.
“Grayson, I’m so sorry about that.”
He doesn’t even turn to look at me; he just rummages through his t-shirts.
“Grayson?”
“It’s fine. Just go get dressed, I’ll take you home. I think we could do with some space.”
I sigh and lean against the doorframe, watching as he shoves a black sweater over his head. I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
“Okay.”
Reluctantly, I make my way back into the living room, picking up my black shirt that’s tossed on the floor. As I do up the last button, Grayson storms past the couch and heads toward the elevator, jabbing the button.
Wow, he really does want me gone.
“I can call a cab, don’t worry.”
“Just because I’m pissed off doesn’t mean I won’t get you home safe. Okay?”
I nod and grab my phone off the couch and snatch my bag from the floor. The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I follow behind him and we stand in silence, staring at the sliding doors.
I can almost hear his brain ticking from the other side of the elevator. I let out a breath as the doors reopen into the parking lot. The cold air makes me shiver. I follow him to his Audi with my eyes on the ground.
I slip into the passenger seat, and he’s already turned the engine on, his hands gripping the steering wheel.
This is bad.
As we go past the security barriers, I turn to him. His sharp jaw’s clenched. I rest my hand on his thigh, and he flinches.
“I’m sorry.” I slide my hand off his thigh. He catches my hand and laces his fingers through mine, squeezing them.
“If you aren’t ready for this, that’s okay. I can wait. I’m not the most patient man, but for you, I’ll try. I don’t think I’ll ever be a man you want to take home to your parents though, Maddie.”
Before I met him, well, before I kissed him, he would have been right. I would never have even considered a relationship with him for that reason.
But now, I don’t want to let this slip away because of what my judgmental mom thinks. Tonight proves that. I can’t see him hurt like that because of me again. He might be a powerful, strong man. But underneath that, he has been hurt deeply. I need to earn his trust. I need to prove to him love still exists.
“I am ready. When it comes to my mom, it’s difficult. No one would be good enough in her eyes. I really like you, Grayson. I don’t want her ruining it before we’ve even started. She has this weird way of instilling doubt in everything I do.”
“You let her control you.”
That raises my hackles.
“That’s not true,” I snap back.
“Oh really, Maddie? Go on, why have you spent the last fuck knows how many years, relentlessly dating to try and find your prince to whisk you away into the sunset. Thinking you live in some sort of fairytale?”
“How dare you.” I snatch my hand away from his.
“So I’m lying?”
He’s pushing me. And it’s working.
“What’s wrong with trying to find love, Grayson? You know, someone to spend the rest of your life with.”
He huffs and laughs.
The asshole.
Fine, if he wants to push me away. Two can play at that game.
“Maybe I should have just invited Gregory to meet them instead. At least he gets me,” I mutter, staring out the window at the dreary graffitied streets.
“What the fuck did you just say?”
My head thrusts forward as he slams the breaks, stopping dead in the middle of the road.
“What are you doing?”
“Get the fuck out of my car.”
“W-what?” I choke out.
My eyes scan the area. I haven’t taken any notice of where we are. The street lights flicker, and a group of guys with their hoods up loiter across the street. No way am I getting out here.
He sighs, leaning over me, not touching me at all, and grabs my door handle, pushing it open.
“Get out. I can’t listen to any more of your bullshit tonight. I get it, I’m just a fuck. I’m not good enough for precious princess Maddie. Well, call Gregory, get him to pick you up. I don’t care anymore. You’ve made it clear where we stand.”
“Fuck you, Grayson. I just want a decent human being. Clearly, that’s not fucking you. So gladly. Gregory would never do something like this to me.”
I grab my bag and get out of the car, slamming it shut behind me, flicking him the middle finger, as I walk off down the street. Keeping my head held high, despite the tears rolling down my cheeks.
