I was naive enough to think we could ride out the storm, like a family.
Caleb wasn’t the only person I would lose if things went south. I would lose Noelle. Not to mention the town I grew to love. The town that embraced me when my own family disowned me.
As the elevator made its ascent, I realized I needed to try to fix things with Caleb. We could get through it. He was worth it. We were worth it.
Shuffling through my purse, I found my phone, which had many missed calls and messages from Caleb. I glanced at the time and realized he must be on his way home from picking up Noelle from school. I’d take a shower to calm down and then try to call him.
I stepped out of the bathroom, hearing somebody pounding on the door. Caleb? I ran to the door and opened it without looking in the peephole.
As I did, my stomach lurched as I smelled a once-familiar smell: overpriced cologne and jackass.
Standing in front of my door was none other than Grant Abernathy.
“Hello, Grace.” He smirked, and I gulped, my stomach turning all over again.
CHAPTER 35
Grace
“To what doI owe this displeasure, Grant?” I asked, trying to sound indifferent, but I was anything but.
I knew Grant’s game, and it was a game. Everything was a game to him. He loved the thrill, the chase. Once upon a time, I thought I lived for a thrill too. Turns out, I just didn’t have better options.
“Oh, Grace, come on,” Grant taunted, licking his lips as I adjusted the stupid robe I’d thrown on. “Surely that’s not how you’re going to greet me after all this time. It’s been too long.”
“It hasn’t been long enough,” I countered, reaching for the latch on the door.
“Aren’t you going to invite one of your oldest friends in for a drink?” he baited, leaning against the doorframe, trying to act suave, but it took everything in me not to gag.
“And why would I do that?” I asked, hating the smug look on his face.
“Because I have photos of you that are pretty damning. Did you forget our convo? Did the small town give you amnesia or something?”
Oh I remember, I thought to myself.
I rolled my eyes and opened the door farther to permit his entrance. “You have five minutes. That’s it.”
“Oh, five minutes is all I need,” Grant said, pursing his lips at me, as I walked ahead of him.
I turned to him, and he was already pouring himself a drink from the mini bar.
“Want one?” he asked, pouring a second glass of bourbon before I could even answer.
I shook my head, only wanting my drinks from a blue-eyed man. “What do you want?” I repeated my question from earlier, wanting him to leave so I could call Caleb.
Grant narrowed his eyes and eyed me up and down. I tightened my robe and crossed my arms, giving him nothing to look at. Yet he was openly ogling me, like a piece of meat.
“You.” Grant took a sip of his drink before making his way over to me across the room. “We were so good together, Grace. Don’t you remember all the fun times we had?”
I shook my head and moved so he couldn’t corner me. “I don’t remember ever having fun. All we did was do drugs and accompany each other to boring events.”
“Oh, you know that’s not all we did,” he taunted, stalking toward me slowly, like I was his prey. I scanned the room for my phone, but of course I’d left it in the bathroom. I saw the hotel phone beside the window on the other side of the room and tried to walk toward it but was stopped when Grant grabbed my wrist. “I remember how you felt under me. So tight. So wet. They say you never forget your first.” His alcohol-laced breath fanned across my face.
I looked into his gray eyes and witnessed a dark and amused look take over his features.
“Let go of me.” I shoved him hard, causing his drink to spill all over his Armani suit.
“Fuck, come on, Grace,” he yelped, stepping back. “This is new.”
