Page 52 of Shattered Mind

She raises her eyebrows at the bite in my tone but doesn’t take offence to my comment. “Uh oh. Who pissed in your cheerios this morning?”

“Your soon to be brother-in-law,” I say taking a large mouthful of wine. “Did you know he has a kid?” I ask her, unable to hold the question in.

Savannahs head rears back in surprise. “What?”

I nod. “I saw him in the park. Looking all cosy with some red-head and her little girl.”

Okay. Maybe I sound a lot jealous.

Savannahs face softens and I expect her to tell me that yes, Grayson has a secret child and yes, she knew about it. But she doesn’t. “Ahh. That would’ve been Rebecca and her daughter Sapphire. And no, she isn’t Graysons.”

I search her face in confusion. “Who are they?”

Savannahs eyes flick over my head briefly before coming back to mine. “Why don’t you ask him?” she nods behind me, and I know without turning around that the manhimself has just walked in.

CHAPTER 27

GRAYSON

Iapproach Liv from behind and judging by the way her shoulders tense as I near, she knows exactly who it is. I knew exactly what I was walking into when Bella told me where to find her. I know what she saw earlier, and I know what it looked like. I saw the betrayal written all over her face as she turned and ran away from me. But it couldn’t be any further from the truth.

I fully expect an argument from her, and although I don’t need to explain myself, she deserves to know that there’s nothing going on between Rebecca and me. That she’s the only woman in my life intimately and will be the only woman for as long as this thing lasts.

I lower my mouth to her ear. “Can I talk to you?”

She keeps her eyes on Savannah, barely acknowledging my presence as she takes a drink from the glass in front of her. “Nope.”

I release an audible sigh. “Don’t be a brat, Liv.”

She swivels in her chair, finally looking at me and all I see is fire burning in her eyes. “I have nothing to say toyou. If I’d known you had a whole family, I wouldn’t have touched you.”

I see Savannah shake her head in my periphery and I look at her, seeing the thinly veiled amusement in her face. I look back at Liv. At the defiant set to her shoulders and the closed off look on her face.

It would be easier to just walk right out of here and let her think what she wants to think. To let her hate me for something that isn’t even true. Put an end to this thing between us now instead of allowing it to go on any longer. But the thought of letting her go leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not done with her yet.

I make my decision and give her a nod. “Have it your way.” I reach down, wrapping my arms around her waist and throwing her over my shoulder before marching us towards the exit. Savannah howls with laughter behind the bar and the few patrons watch as Liv curses and fights against me the whole way.

“Put me down, you big dick.” She yells as I step out into the night.

I bring a hand down against her ass cheek, causing her to gasp and just to piss her off more I say, “thank you. I already knew I had a big dick.”

“I didn’t say you have a big dick. I said youarea big dick. Put me down, Grayson,” she growls, and I chuckle.

“Are you going to act like an adult and let me explain?”

“For fuck’s sake, yes. Just put me down.” I slide her body down against mine until her feet touch the ground and take a step back, half expecting her to swing for me. She doesn’t. Instead, she crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her tits together with the action, and glares at me. “You know, for someone who doesn’t like attention, you sure do know how to cause a scene.”

I ignore her comment and step closer to her. “Come for a drive with me?”

She searches my face. For what, I don’t know, but after a beat of silence, her shoulders drop as she releases a long breath and turns towards my truck.

I say nothing as I drive towards the cemetery. Liv watches me from the passenger seat, waiting for her explanation. And she’ll get it, just not yet. Her usual sweet scent fills the car, and I resist the urge to inhale deeply. I reach towards the radio and turn it on to fill the awkward silence between us which only aggravates her more. She turns her face towards the window and keeps her attention there until we pull up in front of the cemetery ten minutes later.

She frowns out of the window before turning to me. “Why are we here?”

I turn off the car and open my door. “I want to show you something.” I climb out and round the vehicle before helping her down. She says nothing as she follows me through the graveyard. I weave in and out of head stones until I find the one that reads,Rueben Delaney. September 9th1998 – July 4th2020. Devoted son, father and friend.

My chest aches as I stare down at my best friend’s grave. I try to avoid coming here as much as possible and guilt eats at me every day because of it.

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