Page 121 of Only for Love
“I know.” Having Gray as a sort-of brother made for some confusion when we were growing up.
“But I’ve also made some bad choices. Like enlisting when I freaked out and walking away from you instead of telling you the truth.”
“That was years ago,” I say, hating that he still can’t let go of his guilt.
“They were still my decisions.” Grayson moves so that we face each other. “I want a good life with the two of you more than I want to regret my past or worry over how Pops will affect my future.”
“You can do that.”
“I have to believe if you want it badly enough…”
Deep inside, I ache for him. “The only thing you need to do is forgive yourself.” I want to beg him, to force him, but I can’t. All I can do is make sure he knows that I believe in him. “I need you to do that, Gray. For all of us.”
He stares at me in a way I can only describe as adoration. It warms me from the inside out. He needs me as much as I need him. “Grayson, however it happened, this is us. We either make progress toward our future or we drown in our excuses. You’re not going to let Pops dictate your life. Right?”
“I won’t.”
“I’ll say this as clearly as I can. The wrong choice, bad people… I don’t know, sometimes we deal with those things because they bring us to the right spot and make us ready for the future.”
He blinks. “You believe that?”
“Down to my soul, Grayson.” I watch him, willing my belief to sink into him. “And when you do too, I’ll know our life can be okay.”
