Page 16 of Storm the Night

“It’s ok to cry, Grace. It’s ok to be scared and have moments like you did tonight. But you can’t stay in those moments. You deserve better than that.”

“Thank you. I’ll look into it tomorrow. I think I just want to go to bed.”

“Of course.” I stood up to take her empty glass to the kitchen.

“Wait!” She said.

Turning around, “Yeah?”

“Can…um…can I lay out here on the couch?” She was serious. She was asking me if she could do something so simple that I wouldn’t think twice about doing.

I walked over to her and kneeled down in front of her. “Listen to me. You donotneed to ask me for permission for anything. This isyourhouse as much as it is mine. You wanna sleep all week on this couch, it’s yours. You wanna sleep in the bathtub, be my guest.” We laughed. “You wanna sit and eat dinner on top of the kitchen counter, let’s do it.” She was smiling even bigger. “Anything you want. Life isn’t meant to have so many rules. You’re supposed to enjoy it. Do what you want, Grace.”

“Will you stay out here with me for a bit? Just until I fall asleep?”

“I’ll stay as long you want me to.”

She smiled and nodded. I stood and went to the kitchen, and she went to her room to get all of her things to lay on the couch.

*

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months and Grace and I fell into a comfortable roommate situation. She had many nights on the couch and I sat next to her until she fell asleep before going to my room. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t developing feelings for her, but I knew that was the last thing she needed. It was hard to be around her day in and day out.

As time passed, she’d gained a little more confidence in herself but when divorce day, or as we'd been calling it, d-day, arrived, you could tell she was nervous again.

I was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom so we could head off to court. She had already signed the divorce decree and sent it back to the lawyer. We hadn’t heard anything, and so assumed dickhead signed it too. That court hearing was for the judge to sign it and make it final. Grace was going to walk away finally free from him.

The bathroom door opened, and she came out looking breathtaking as always. “You ok?” I asked her.

She smiled. “Yeah. I mean, kinda.” She shrugged. “I’m nervous. I know he’ll be there, and I haven’t seen him in months. I’m really nervous.”

“What are you most nervous about?” I asked her the question in hopes whatever she said, I could help reassure her that she was safe and everything was going to be ok.

“What if he does something? Like what if he’s angry and tries something? I know he’s going to be angry.” She looked down at her hands and her fingers were twisted together as she rubbed them forcefully.

Taking a couple steps toward her, I reached for her hands, wrapping mine around hers to stop her from rubbing them. She wasn’t looking up at me though, so I gently grabbed her chin to tilt it up to me. When I did, her eyes looked up at me through her long lashes and something in the air changed in that moment. It was like we were caught in a wave, unable to move or speak, clinging to each for dear life, afraid of drowning. Finally, I cleared my throat and said, “His anger willneverhold a candle to mine for what he has done to you. I’llneverlet him near you again. I’ll be there with you, and you’ll be safe no matter what. Do you trust me?”

She was caught in the same wave as me and finally she blinked and released the breath she was holding. “Yes, I believe you, and trust you.”

“Good. Let’s go, pretty girl. Let’s go make your day!”

Chapter 13

Calliope

We pulled up to the courthouse and when Ryder parked my stomach instantly started knotting up. Suddenly I felt too small and the building too big. The whole situation felt too big. I didn’t want to let go of Ryder. Instead, I wanted him to start the bike back up and drive away. I wished I could stay glued to him, in that moment, my arms wrapped around him, safe.

I was broken out of my thoughts to his voice. “Hey, it’s ok. Remember what I said.” He was holding my hands where I had them wrapped around his waist.

I gave him one more squeeze and then let go and got off the bike. I kept reminding myself that it was the final step and then that whole awful chapter of my life would finally be over. One foot in the front of the other was all I needed to do. Ryder stood next to me as I looked up at the courthouse. “Are you ready, pretty girl?”

He made me smile. “Yeah, let’s do this!” He grabbed my hand, and we went inside.

*

The hearing itself was fast, so fast and I refrained from looking over at Colin, but I could feel his evil eyes staring at me. The judge signed the divorce decree, finally making me a free woman. Suddenly, years of pain felt like it was melting at my feet. Ryder grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. “It’s over, Ryder.” I breathed into his chest, his arms wrapped completely around me.

Ryder was a great friend, but he smelled so good, and I wished so bad to be more than his friend. I stood there breathing him in. I knew he wasn’t looking for a relationship, and I knew he wouldn’t want someone with so much baggage, but I could stay in his arms forever. He’s become my sanctuary. “Come on, pretty girl. Let’s go celebrate.”

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