"What?" Grayson looked at me in surprise, then his brows drew down as he frowned. "You've been hiding out in your room for the last few days and you haven't spoken more than a sentence tome."
"You haven't been around." I shrugged. "And I'm hurt, not mad. There's a difference." I reached for the bottle again. Grayson held it out of my reach easily and I growled. "Give it," Idemanded.
"No," he said. "We have to talk and I want you to be sober while we doit."
“Why do you want me sober?” Iasked.
"Why do I want you sober? Seriously? Harlow. You don'tdrink."
I stopped trying to reach for the bottle and stared at him, my chest only a hand's width away from his. "You don't go back on your promises," I shotback.
He froze, the bottle nearly slipping from his grasp as he held it up. I reached up and steadied it as I met his eyes. Slowly, Grayson let the bottle sink into my hands. I took it from him and set it to the side without taking anotherdrink.
“I know you probably hate me,” he started, “but I’m not…I’m only—” He broke off, shaking hishead.
I waited as a storm swirled in his ocean blue eyes. They were bright and so full of pain and regret and sadness, it echoed in my ownhurt.
"I don't hate you," I said quietly, letting my head fall against his chest as I sighed. "I'm not mad at you, but you're really frustrating, you knowthat?"
He chuckled quietly, a subdued sound. "I know, Babydoll. It's a wonder you put up withme."
"Do you know why I do?" I asked. "I put up with you because I love you, Grayson. I put up with Texas' childishness because I love him. I put up with Bellamy's grumbles, and Marv's perfectionist ways, and Knix's quiet because I love them. I love all of you individually. I love you with your flaws, not in spite ofthem."
A breath shuddered out of Grayson and his arms closed around me slowly, hesitantly. I breathed in his scent and snuggled against him, moving closer as I did so. "I love you too, Harlow." The admission was quiet, whispered against my hair, but it healed the wound he hadcreated.
"That's what I needed to know, Grayson," I said. "Do you regretthis?"
"No." The word was ripped from between his lips so harshly that his arms contracted around me, squeezing me tight as though he was afraid I wouldn't believe him. I did believe him. Hearing it confirmed, though, was a lot easier than just hoping I wasright.
"Good," I said. "Then don't fucking make me doubt you again." I paused for a moment, sliding my cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt. "I don't think I can take itagain."
"I won't," he said. "I swearit."
We stayed like that for several minutes more, just basking in each other. But we couldn’t stay like that forever. I put two hands on his chest and backed away, looking up into clear blueeyes.
“Now,” I said, “tell me what’s goingon.”
Grayson's eyes darkened, but he nodded. "I'm going back to Teddi to throw her off. I talked to Texas and had him track down my dad. He's been living out of the states with his new wife for a while, but he just recently came back for a business trip it seems. I'm going to go talk to him and see what he can do while I distract Teddi long enough to get her off of everyone else'sback."
I nodded. "Okay. Do you think your dad will help?" Iasked.
He shrugged, his shoulders stretching the fabric of his shirt with the movement. "I hope like hell he will, but there's no telling. I haven't seen or talked to him in a fewyears."
I contemplated what else we coulddo.
"What about her money?" I asked. "I mean, your dad was paying her child support for you until you turned eighteen,right?"
He nodded. "Yeah, half her money dried up then. Her alimony is about to run out too. I think that's why she's been so desperate to keep me close because if she can control me, she can get the money that's in mytrust."
"She's used to a certain standard of living," Iagreed.
We were both quiet for another moment, our thoughts circling. I knew when we both came to the same conclusion as our heads jerked up and Grayson's smile matchedmine.
"How do you think we can disrupt that standard of living?" Iasked.
Grayson chuckled. "I'm sure Texas might be able tohelp."
I nodded. "I think he'd be more than happyto."