Page 9 of Austen, Edited

Chapter 6

Greyson went for a run Friday afternoon, the beauty of Newton’s tree-lined streets giving him that feeling of home he’d been lacking over the past several months. He’d spent the late morning helping his mother bring in all the bags of things she’d purchased from her shopping date with Karly. Maria Campbell had always been sensitive to her middle child. He could talk to her about almost anything—anything except Abby.

When he recalled Abby from the previous day, the way her dark brown hair fell over her shoulder as she wrote notes on the little notepad next to him, he was surprised by her beauty. He’d always felt connected to her as they’d done practically everything together for the last decade, but the connection seemed stronger now, like if he lost her this time, he’d never be the same.

Just as he wondered about what it would be like to have Abby as a girlfriend, he pushed the thought away, not wanting to dwell on it. They were, or had been, best friends, and even if he liked her, he wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive him for abandoning her.

He’d been a coward and had put off telling her he was leaving for college until the day he left. Even now, he could see the shock and disappointment on her face as she pasted on a smile and nodded.

Knowing Abby, if he ever told her he was attracted to her, she’d probably think he was coming down with some kind of fever. It could ruin any chance he had of even being her friend.

Shaking off his thoughts, he sprinted down the street toward home. Once he made it there, he walked around with his hands on his hips, trying to cool off and catch his breath. No matter how hard he pushed the thoughts away, they pounded on him. At least her car wasn’t in the drive just yet. If he had to speak to her now, he wasn’t sure he’d know what to say.

Footsteps behind him caused him to turn around.

A man was running along the far side of the road and waved in Greyson’s direction. Greyson didn’t recognize him but waved back. He bent over and stretched, feeling the pull in his hamstrings.

“Are you Greyson Campbell?” a voice asked, startling Greyson.

He looked up, seeing the runner approach. Taking a step back, he said, “Um, yeah. You are?” It wasn’t often Greyson was noticed since he wasn’t the public face of his family’s company. He wasn’t as prepared for recognition as his older brother and father were.

“Jeff Summers. I lived in this neighborhood when I was younger, before my parents split up?” The guy looked uncomfortable, as though he was rethinking the whole conversation.

It took a minute or two to remember the scrawny kid who lived near the end of the street, but as Greyson looked closer, he could see some similarities he remembered.

“Oh, hey, Jeff. Yeah, it’s been a while. Did you move away? What brings you back to Newton?” Greyson crossed one arm over his chest, stretching out his shoulder as he pulled it with his other hand.

Jeff held onto the sides of his shirt and swayed back and forth, working to catch his breath. “Yeah, my mom and I moved to Maryland, but I’m back living with my dad for a bit. He offered me a job at SP Shoes, so I took him up on it.”

Greyson smiled. “Looks like we’re in the same boat. I start work with my dad and brother on Tuesday.”

“That’s awesome. Makes me feel better that I’m not the only one who has to go home to get a job.” Jeff’s smile didn’t stretch as far, his eyes studying Greyson’s face more intently than he was used to.

Greyson gave a small nod, ready for the conversation to be over. He hadn’t come home just to get a job from his father. He’d needed something different than all the memories with Hannah, and the areas around Princeton reminded him of that daily. He wasn’t going to be some indentured servant to his father’s company; he was an independent contractor. He’d filled out all the paperwork after his meeting with Abby the day before.

“Well, I need to get inside, but I’ll see you around the neighborhood, I guess.” Greyson turned and walked in the direction of the back door. He raised a hand over his head and gave a quick wave.

“We should get together sometime. Since I haven’t lived here in nine years, it would be nice to connect with some people.” Jeff’s raised his voice to carry across the increasing distance. “Does Abby still live next door?”

Greyson stiffened at the mention of Abby. Jeff was right between Abby and Greyson age-wise and had done everything he could to play favorites the two years they were all in the neighborhood together. “Yeah, but she leaves for college this weekend.”

Jeff’s expression fell for a few seconds before he replaced it with the intense gaze and grim smile. “Have you two finally defined your relationship?”

Taking a moment before answering, Greyson tried to think back to when they were younger. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jeff.”

“She’s always liked you, looking at you with those large puppy-dog eyes. I just wondered if you weren’t going to go after her if I’d have a chance.”

Jeff’s smirk caused frustration to surge in Greyson’s throat, the bitterness of it causing him to scowl. He hoped she wouldn’t choose someone like him.

Taking a breath, Greyson willed the jealousy away. “Abby can make up her own mind. It’s already been a long day, and I have stuff I need to get to.”

“No problem. I’ll hit you up later about doing something in the next week.”

Greyson stepped inside the large garage, grateful to be away from the guy. Hanging out wasn’t something he’d initiate, but as the son of a multi-billionaire, he’d had to learn how to navigate his share of irritating people without being outright rude. And he’d wanted to be rude just then, wanted to punch the arrogant smirk off the guy’s face for his attitude and his curiosity about Abby. It’s what he should do as a best friend, right?

He opened his phone and sent a text to Abby, wondering what she was up to. Two years ago, he could have called and laughed with her about the whole encounter. But there was a wall between them now, one he needed to break down soon or else they’d never get back to where they’d been before.

Hey. What are you doing tonight?

---