Page 47 of All I Have Left

I say nothing and look toward the fire, the burn of tears returning.

An awkward pause in the conversation causes Aiden to ask how everyone is and how long Grayson has been back.

Grayson shrugs, his voice barely heard over the music and laughter in the field. “Few days. Week. I have no clue.”

“You know,” Aiden motions between Grayson and me, “the last time I saw you, Evie, you were wrapped around this guy.”

Fuck. Not what needed to be said tonight.

While I don’t plan on saying anything, it’s Grayson who speaks up.

His eyes meet Aiden’s. “Shit changed, man.” The empty bottle in his hand crashes against the metal of the tractor and breaks. “You can’t leave and expect people to wait for you.” Turning his back on us, he walks away.

Jameson chuckles, shaking his head. “And here I thought my shit was complicated.”

Everyone finds humor in it, everyone but me. And then theylook at me for an answer, a clarification, an excuse. I have nothing.

Aiden shrugs, raising his hands. “Touchy subject I guess.”

Emma reaches for Aiden and then Frankie. “Let’s drink!”

I dart my eyes to Grayson again, but he’s staring at the pasture behind the house.

That’s all it takes for everyone to get distracted and caught back up in the lawnmower races. Personally, I’m thankful for the change in conversation.

My mom finds me a minute later. “Evie Brooks. Where have you been this week?”

My heart jumps into my throat. I fidget with the dress I’m wearing and my hat to be sure it’s low enough to shade my face. “Hey, Mom.” Shit. I thought I’d have more time to think of something to say to her. I reach out and pull her into a hug to avoid awkwardness. “I was staying with Shane. Sorry.”

She pulls back and examines my face. I’m thankful for the darkness. “And you couldn’t call me? Evie, that’s not like you. You haven’t been at work all week. They said you quit your job. They’ve been worried sick about you. We all have been.”

“Sorry, her phone broke,” Shane adds, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Mom regards him for the first time. “Then why couldn’t she use yours?”

Shane doesn’t look at her. “Guess it slipped my mind.”

Nervousness roots inside me when his gaze find mine. He begs me not to say anything. I lock eyes with him, the anger in his evident by the set of his jaw.

I’m relieved when Mom’s attention is pulled away by Grayson’s parents making their way in. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, stepping away.

I look toward the tractors and notice Grayson standing with Courtney and her friends. Pain jolts through me when Courtney hugs him, her hands lingering on his chest.

Shane tugs on my hand. “Come with me,” he breathes in my ear, his breath smoke-filled.

I muster enough courage to nod. “I’ll be back, Mom.”

She’s distracted enough to only hear me in passing and I’m gone before she can stop me.

25

GRAYSON

“Don’t make a scene,” I tell myself, beg is more like it when I notice she’s with him.

“What?” Courtney asks beside me, giggling.

“Nothing.”

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