Page 87 of Well That Happened

Grayson closes his tablet. The silence that follows stretches, but not in a bad way. It’s like he’s sorting through something before deciding what to hand over.

“But he was one of the good ones,” he says. “When I transferred here, people didn’t ask questions. They just decided what kind of guy I must be. But Fletcher? He asked.”

I let that sit for a second. “Is that why you came here? The transfer?”

His jaw tightens.

“There was a hazing incident at my old school,” he says quietly. “A freshman died. And I—”

He cuts off, eyes on the carpet.

“I wasn’t part of it,” he adds after a beat. “But I knew it was happening. Heard things. Saw bruises. I thought… I thought it wasn’t my business. Or that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked. Told myself it was probably just rumors.”

A lump forms in my throat.

“Grayson…”

“I could’ve said something,” he murmurs. “But I didn’t. And now—he’s gone. And I still get to play. I still get to… move on.”

“You didn’t hurt him,” I say gently.

He looks up then, and the weight in his eyes is a punch to the chest.

“No. But I didn’t help him either.”

The silence wraps around us again. But this time, it’s thick with grief. And guilt. And something softer underneath.

I reach over and place my hand on his.

He flinches—just a little. Then lets out a slow breath and laces his fingers through mine.

Neither of us speaks for a while.

And we don’t need to.

Because some kinds of closeness aren’t about what you say—they’re about what you finally let someone see.

When I glance over, his eyes are already on me—dark and steady, the usual wall of quiet pulled down just enough that I can see what’s underneath.

“Rilee,” he says softly.

I don’t know if it’s a question or a warning.

Maybe both.

But I don’t look away.

His gaze drops to my mouth.

And that’s all it takes.

Grayson leans in—slowly, like he’s giving me every chance to change my mind. But I don’t. I couldn’t.

And when his lips finally brush mine, it’s soft. Tentative. Like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to want this.

I press in.

And that’s all the encouragement he needs.

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