“Well, if you can’t get North Carolina, I guess those are the closest for you…”
General Donovan’s voice faded as I walked away, my heart protesting each step as I made my way across the beach. Grayson knew I wanted to go to Colorado, and out of his three choices, none of them were even close.
I was so fucking done with this.
“Sam!” he called out from behind me, but I didn’t stop. Stopping would mean surrendering to him, and I couldn’t do that anymore.
“Please say something.” It was the plea in his voice that broke me.
I turned and looked up at him, his frame so large he almost blocked out the whole sunset. What could I possibly say to him at this point? “I miss you,” I admitted. “Every time I take a breath, my chest hurts because I miss you so much, and it hurts, Grayson. Everything hurts, all the time.”
“Sam,” he whispered, but I moved before he could touch me.
“Don’t. You touch me, and I’m lost.” I slid into the small opening of my car door, and he recognized it for the escape maneuver it was.
“You know I had to pick North Carolina. I had no choice,” he argued.
“I know, but you left me with none, either. Just cut our losses, Grayson.”
I shoved the lid on the feelings box and got the hell out of there.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sam
“Ice cream?” Morgan asked, sliding a pint over the counter island before taking spoons out of the drawer.
“Why not, after all, no one will be seeing this ass for a while.” I shrugged and popped the top on the chocolate-chip cookie dough. That little beach trip two days ago was definitely the last of bikini season.
“We could always head out for a drink if you need something stronger,” she offered. “Tornado watch be damned.”
A year ago I would have jumped that offer so hard I would have bounced. But using alcohol to cope meant I’d wake up in the morning hungover and still heartbroken. No thank you. “This is perfect, thanks.”
“Well, ice cream is the only real action I’ve been getting, so I’ve become quite the connoisseur.” She dug out a bite.
My phone buzzed.
Avery: Hey, I have news for you. Want to meet me at the gym?
As if on cue, a branch from the hydrangea bush outside the kitchen window slapped the glass. The sky was dark for six o’clock at night, and the wind was moving with the approaching thunderstorm. “Looks like we’re in for an evening, anyway,” Morgan said, securing the latch on the window. “Guess I’ll go take off the bra. Want to marathon some Netflix?”
“Sounds good. Anything but One Tree Hill,” I answered automatically, pretty sure I’d never see it again without thinking of sitting in Grace’s hospital room.
I texted Avery back.
Sam: We’re under tornado watch. Why don’t we meet up tomorrow?
My curiosity would have to wait. I didn’t want her out in this.
“You and Grace.” Morgan laughed.
“What?” My head snapped up.
She waved her spoon. “Oh, you know. The One Tree Hill comment. I went over to the house with Paisley one day when you were at school, and when I asked her if she wanted to watch TV she said the exact same thing.”
Huh. Odd. “Weird. Mia said it was her favorite show.”
“Not sure.” Morgan shrugged. “She said something about hating the last season, and it being overplayed? Anyway, I’m seriously getting in my pajamas. Meet you at the couch?”
I couldn’t even escape Grace in my own kitchen. She was everywhere.
My cell phone buzzed, and I nodded at Morgan. Jammies weren’t a bad idea, and definitely more comfortable than my jeans.
Avery: I’m actually here already.
The wind picked up, and a weather alert sounded on my phone.
Tornado Warning, Coffee County, AL until 9 p.m. Seek shelter immediately.