I flicked him off as we passed by. That’d have to be enough for now. Pax needed my attention at the moment, not that asshat.
“There.” Brodie hustled to the last table nearest the bathrooms and back exit. There was a girl sitting beside him, long blond hair, red lipstick, and she was wearing a Twin River High Football long-sleeve shirt. Her arm was draped over Pax’s shoulder.
“Oh, shit. Is that Gretchen Mead?” Brodie asked, slowing up.
“This can’t be good.” Gretchen was a total drama queen and one of the most popular juniors at Twin River High. Hell, Brodie dated her for a hot minute years ago.
“Hey guysss!” Pax held up a cup of coffee, the dark liquid sloshing over the rim. “Oh, shit.”
Gretchen hopped to her feet, eying Brodie for a beat or two, then glancing at me. “He’s all yours,” she said, sashaying by us, a trail of citrus following behind. “See you later, Brodie.”
Brodie gave her a nod, then loomed over the table Pax now slumped over.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Pax said. “Shut up and drive me home.”
“Nice attitude, buddy.” Brodie lugged him to his feet. “Could at least thank us for driving all the way out here to get you.”
Pax glared at me, which was funny considering how glazed over his eyes were. He reeked of alcohol, even over the coffee-bean scents that dominated this place.
We dragged our drunk friend out of the coffee shop and got him settled and strapped into the back of the Jeep, then hopped in and took off.
“Did I look like that when you came and got me at Pax’s party?”
“Pretty much.” Brodie huffed.
“Dang,” I said, shaking my head as I steered the Jeep out of Twin River. “Did I ever say thanks?”
“Yeah. But it’s nice to hear it again.” Brodie glanced over his shoulder. “Pax is going to be in a heap of trouble if he doesn’t straighten out soon.”
“I hear ya.” Boy, was I glad I didn’t go down that path any further than I’d gone. But I’d turned things around. I was applying to nearby community colleges and a handful of universities, trying to figure out the next step in my life after graduation.
My mom was turning things around, too. GA meetings, working, counseling.
Even though things had basically exploded around me, the dust was settling. Things were finally getting clear. And that clarity smacked me right in the face with a major realization. I missed Grace. I wanted to be with her.
I loved her.
Brodie and Willow were right, Grace had run away, not just from me, but from everything. And, instead of giving her time and space, then showing back up, when she needed me the most, I was playing it safe on the sidelines.
It was suddenly clear. I needed to fix things with Grace and I needed to do it now!
“Hey, Brodie,” I said. “Pull up Maps and find me the closest flower shop.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Preach
“Keep a lookout,” I said to Oliver, as I taped the stems of the roses to Grace’s locker.
“It’s all clear, Romeo.” He stood behind me, looking up and down the hallway. “Hurry up or we’ll be late for practice.”
“Come on, work with me, man!” I managed to get them taped to the locker. It wasn’t a total work of art, but hopefully Grace would appreciate the gesture.
Or it might tick her off.
Yesterday Brodie had really laid it out there for me. Grace had run away from me, from everything, and instead of giving her time to cool down and then fight to win her back and be the guy she deserved, I’d just stepped back and let things lie.
But I was done running. It was time to stop and win my girl back.