Page 42 of Austen, Edited

Abby gulped, trying to clear her airway to actually speak, but instead her chin quivered, sending the emotions breaking through the wall she’d built. She’d been through so much when it came to her mom, and even though it was years later, the thought of being rejected once more by someone who was supposed to love her unconditionally would crush her.

Greyson reached forward and pulled her to him. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out,” he said into her hair. His hand on her back brought back that feeling of safety and some kind of comfort.

After several minutes, Abby wiped at her tears. “Sorry about your shirt.” She pointed to the large wet spot on his teal-blue polo and wiped it for a moment as if that would help it disappear faster.

“It’s just a shirt. Do you still want to go? Or we can just hang out here if that’s better?” Greyson’s eyebrows raised as he waited for her answer.

With a shy smile, she said, “Do you mind if we stay here and watch a movie or something? I think that will help more than venturing out. Raincheck on whatever you planned?”

Greyson grinned wide. “Of course. I’ll even let you pick the movie.”

Abby chuckled, feeling the first loosening of her chest since she’d opened the envelope. “How generous of you to offer that option in my own apartment.”

They settled onto the couch and turned on one of Abby’s favorite romantic comedies. She pulled her comfy blanket over her, and as usual, Greyson lifted the corner and slid in, wrapping his arm around her. She rested her head against him, grateful that, for the moment, she could get lost in his snuggles and not worry about her mother or even what her relationship with him was.

* * *

Abby wokeup a short time later to the credits rolling up the screen and the faint light outside replaced with darkness. Greyson snored softly next to her on the couch, and she smiled at him.

He must have sensed her watching him because a few seconds later he jolted awake and blinked a few times before his eyes focused on her. “Did we fall asleep?”

“It looks like it.”

He was still sitting upright, and when he moved, he looked like something was sore. “How are you doing?” he asked with a sleepy smile.

The envelope still sitting on her desk came to mind, and she shrugged. “I wish I could say everything is good, but this is all kind of overwhelming. I mean, my mom got arrested when I was ten. She’s been in prison for over twelve years now, and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do when she’s out.”

“What do you want to do? Do you want to have a relationship with her?” Greyson’s expression was thoughtful, and Abby took a few extra seconds to think them through.

“I don’t know. I mean, I was a kid when she left. She missed all the drama of the preteen and teenage years. And college so far, not that it’s much different than my life in high school.” She bit her tongue, feeling the shame that she hadn’t achieved all the great things she’d planned before her mother left prison, hoping in some twisted way that her mom would be proud of her daughter.

Greyson stretched his arms over his head and yawned. When he relaxed back against the stiff couch, he said, “Well, if you go, I’ll go with you. Just let me know, and I’ll make time for it.”

Abby grinned. The look on his face was soft, and his eyes kept flicking down to her lips and back up. She wouldn’t mind if he kissed her right then.

His ringtone went off, and he silenced it while it was still in his pocket. Not ten seconds later, it rang again. He sighed and tugged it out of his pocket. Abby was able to see Hannah’s name right before he twisted it away from her.

“I need to take this really quick. You’re okay?” He stood, waiting for her response.

Trying not to burst into tears, she nodded, waiting for him to disappear out into the main hallway before she tugged the blanket over her and sobbed. How could she even have dreamed that they could be together when Hannah still had her claws in him?

The ache in her chest told her she wasn’t going to be able to stay in limbo for much longer. And she couldn’t fake it anymore. She either needed to tell him how she felt and be done, or hope that he felt the same way.

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