Greyson climbs off of me, cleaning both of us before we lie down in bed together wrapped in each other’s arms. It remains silent for a while, the soft moonlight trailing through the window and across his face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask as I slide my knee between his legs.
“Something my mom said.” He turns his head, slides his hand around the back of my neck, and plays with the hair at my nape. “She made this prediction that I was going to meet someone while I was here.”
“So, you believe her now about being psychic?” I ask as he slips his other arm under my head.
“No, I think us being together… that was all us. Yeah, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s worth it.”
“Yeah, it is.” I stare at the bracelet he gave me. The thing is hideous, but what it represents is the most beautiful thing in the world. Every time I look at it, I’ll remember that not all the world is ugly and full of hate. That there are people out there who firmly believe that no one should ever be afraid to love. That love is simply love, and that regardless of the form in which it arrives, that there’s beauty in it all. “I’m going to try to do better. I know it might take me a while to completely be myself in front of everyone, but I promise I’ll get there.”
“I know you will. And you want to know why?” He grazes his fingers along the scars on my arm. “Because you’re seriously the fucking strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. Just wait until you try to get me to exercise, then you’ll realize how weak I am.” He shakes his head and I smile. “I’m kidding. Seriously, thank you for saying that. It means a lot.”
We kiss until we fall asleep in each other’s arms, and I drift into the most peaceful dreams I’ve had in a long time.
Chapter 19
Three weeks later…
Seth
For once in my life, I actually feel like I’m being myself. Now that I’m not so afraid, I’ve started opening up more. Sure, I still crack jokes sometimes to cover up my feelings, just like I sprinkle my flamboyant opinions wherever I see fit.
Greyson and I are officially together and a lot of people know about it. Yes, it’s terrifying when someone makes some snide comment or stares at us when we’re holding hands, but I’ve mostly felt the love, more than I thought I ever would. And no matter what happens, Greyson, Callie, and, yes, even Luke and Kayden have been super supportive.
I’ve even decided to start dipping my toe into the world of sports. Granted, I find it rather boring, but Greyson seems into it, which is enough for me to go sit on the bleachers and pretend not to smell the stench of sweat that seems to permeate the air whenever anything athletic is involved.
Right now, I’m at a basketball game with Greyson, Luke, and Callie. The crowd is going crazy, whistling and screaming and about as wild and out of control as Jenna is when she eats too much cotton candy.
“Where are Greyson and Luke?” Callie asks as she plops down on the bench beside me.
I point out Luke and Greyson in the bottom row in our section. Greyson keeps waving his arms around, his eyes lighting up the way they always do when he’s talking about something that excites him. Luke is shaking his head in disagreement and sticking his hands out to the side. More than likely, they’re discussing either photography or the gym, both of which I find a little boring, but I love watching Greyson debate things he’s passionate about.
I reach into the popcorn bucket and stuff a handful into my mouth. “What’s with the silly grin, my darling Callie?”
She sticks her hand into the bucket. “Kayden just told me he loves me.”
I almost throw the popcorn bucket onto the bald guy’s head in front of us. “I’m so happy for you,” I say as I grab her and pull her in for a hug.
She folds her arms around me. “I’m really happy for me, too.”
I pull away and set the popcorn bucket onto the floor. “I know you are, which is good. I really didn’t want to kick Kayden’s ass.”
She laughs at that. “I’m sure Kayden’s grateful, too.”
A large man behind us starts yelling at Luke and Greyson to “sit the fuck down!”
Feeling like the protective boyfriend, I turn around and yell, “Shut the hell up,” while Luke flips him the middle finger.
Seriously, sports fans are insane.
Grabbing the bucket of popcorn, I fix my attention back on Callie, only to find her staring at Luke.
“Sometimes…I wonder if Luke...” She leans in and whispers, “If Luke…likes... guys.”
I almost choke on my popcorn. “Luke’s not gay, Callie.”
“Are you sure? Maybe he’s just afraid to come out, like Braiden was.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I glance down at Greyson and Luke, shaking my head. “You want to know what I think?”
She nods, stealing a handful of popcorn. “Yes, please share your knowledge, Oh Wise One.”
I scoot closer to her. “I think that Luke’s been through something that makes him more understanding and accepting than the average person. And I think that sometimes people misinterpret understanding and acceptance and make it into something that it isn’t.”
“You’re right and I’m sorry,” she says with a trace of embarrassment. “I should never assume things about people.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” I playfully poke her in the side. “Besides, you’re one of those people.”
“What? Understanding and accepting?”
“The kind of person who sees things in a different light because they’ve been to hell and back. The kind who has given and received redemption.”
We exchange a smile as the crowd goes berserk, shouting and clapping and jumping up from their seats. I start clapping, too, even though I have no damn clue what’s going on.
Callie’s phone rings and she shouts, “It’s my brother!” She jumps to her feet with her phone in her hand. “I’ll be right back. He’s been trying to call me all night.”
She hurries down the stairs and I turn my attention back to Greyson and Luke, thinking about going down there and joining them, but they’re already climbing the stairs toward me.
Luke takes a seat down at the end of the bench where Callie was sitting, and Greyson sits beside me.
“Having fun?” he asks, grabbing a handful of popcorn from the bucket.
“Oh, yeah, a blast.” I smirk. “You so owe me for this one.”
He grins as he shoves his mouth full of popcorn. “Sounds good to me.” As the people in the bleachers continue bouncing and screaming at the game, he leans in and whispers, “Thank you for coming with me.”
I slide my hand toward his and lace our fingers. My heart pumps deafeningly from inside my chest, but I refuse to pull away. He smiles at me and I take a deep breath, feeling my scars become less visible. Sure, the ones on my arm are still there, and they always will be. But the ones on the inside, those are the ones I have control over. And I know as long as I stay strong, they’ll continue to fade away.
About the Author
Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author that lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.