Page 41 of Shattered Mind

The shops in town are exactly what you’d expect from a small town in America. Every building has a small flower box beneath the windows. Twinkle lights are draped from roof to roof like a blanket above the town. And at night, if you find the right spot, like the fire pit at The Calloway Ranch, the stars shine brightly against the black sky.

I’m a sweaty, panting mess by the time I reach the café, and I push through the door in desperate need of coffee.

Bella greets me with a wide smile. “Hey, coming in on your day off?”

I huff out a breathy laugh. “Just here for the coffee, Bells.”

“Oh. And here I thought you just like my company.” She jokes with a wink before moving towards the coffee machine.

“That too,” I laugh, turning my attention out to the café. My eyes immediately land on Graysons dark green ones where he sits with his coffee cup suspended midair. I raise a brow at him with a smirk.

Fuckerisavoiding me.

I hold his gaze in challenge until Bella reappears behind me. “Speaking of company… want to come over later?”

I turn back to the beautiful blonde that has quickly become one of my favourite people. “Sure, what time?”

“Around seven?” she shrugs.

“I’ll be there.” I place a note in the tip jar - because although one of the perks of working here is the free coffee, I still like to contribute - before approaching Grayson’s table and taking the seat directly opposite him.

He scrolls through his phone, not acknowledging my presence and I pull my own phone from the pocket on my arm.

I bite back a smile when I find a response to my earlier text.

Grayson: Who is this?

I chance a glance up at him, but he remains glued to the device in his hand, and I fire off a reply.

Me: Your favourite person;)

Grayson’s body language stays the same, giving nothing away and I nibble on my bottom lip as I wait for a response.

Grayson: Mom?

An unexpected laugh bursts from my throat, gaining the attention of several patrons. I dart my eyes around the room before looking back at Gray and my breath catches. He stares at me, a burning intensity in his eyes as they landon my mouth. He blinks it away quickly, dipping his head and my phone vibrates in my hand.

Grayson: Stop biting your lip.

Me: Why? Does it turn you on?

Now it’s his turn to laugh and the sound is so shocking that I’m certain my eyes are about to pop out of my head. The deep rumble has every eye in the room turning our way in surprise, but all I can do is stare. Considering this is a man who very rarely smiles, let alone laughs, the action seems so… natural. The dimple on his cheek becomes visible, and his usually haunted eyes light up with amusement.

He sobers quickly, his usual scowl returning to his face, but I don’t – can’t - tear my eyes away from him. The surprise must be evident on my face because his thumbs move quickly across his screen before my phone vibrates with another text.

Grayson: Close your mouth, you look like a weirdo.

I snap my mouth shut.

Me: Are you okay?

Grayson: Yeah, blue.

My chest warms at the use of the nickname, and I lock my phone, placing it on the table before picking up my coffee and taking a long drink. We don’t speak any physical words to each other, choosing to just sit in companionable silence.

I don’t know how long we stay like that until a tall, wiry blonde saunters up to our table, a cloud of cheap perfume and cigarettes following her. I look her up and down, knowing immediately who she is.

Hillbilly Barbie.

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