Page 97 of Heart of Gold
I nod in agreement and she shuts the door.
“You didn’t tell her everything,” Ava acknowledges as she speeds away from the bridal shop. “Grayson grabbed you last night, those stitches in your leg are because of him.”
“The stitches are because some asshole didn’t pick up his trash. I didn’t lie.”
She rolls her eyes, “He’s a shitty person. Why can’t you just admit that?”
I think about those words and wonder if they’re true. Was Grayson Collins, the boy that I spent every waking moment with for two years, a shitty person? I try to rack my brain for the turning point. To see if I can remember exactly when our relationship changed. I want to see that clear moment and realize, okay, that’s where we went wrong. It doesn’t come and that makes me wonder if maybe it was never right. Which seemed unclear because of all the good memories I have with him before my mom died.
I missed that Grayson.
The one who would fight his dad to come see me after practice. The boy who would sneak out of class and send me a text to meet him at the vocational lockers for a quick make out session. All of those little things that disappeared when I became nothing more than a ball of weight around his neck.
As much as I hated it, I even missed our old friend group. Late nights when no one else was invited but our inner circle and lots of times ended with just Grayson, Raelynn and me.
Of course, Raelynn and I did things alone as best friends do, but we always liked having Grayson around. Now, looking back, it seems as though I was an extra piece of the puzzle that didn’t quite fit.
So yeah, I feel a little guilty for missing him like that, but I don’t know if he’s a shitty person. Maybe he is if he really drugged Levi. I don’t know, but right now, all I know for sure is he isn’t the guy for me.
chapter forty-one
Quinn
After an hour of rearranging pillows on the couch, I finally come up with a decently comfortable set up. Two behind the back and two under the foot reigns supreme.
“I ordered some food. It should be here anytime.” Ava chirps, plopping down on the loveseat adjacent to the couch I’m sprawled out on.
“Thanks,” I smile. “Thanks for coming with me this weekend. I don’t know how I would’ve done it without you.”
She flips her hair over her shoulder dramatically, “I’m quite literally the queen of best friends.”
I smile, “I’m serious Ava, thank you for being so amazing. I know that it’s been all about me and my drama lately, but I swear I’m here for you. No matter what.”
“I’m glad you said that,” She grins, propping herself up on her knees. “I wanted to ask you to do me a huge favor.”
Instantly, my mind runs wild with what on earth she could possibly want. “Depends on the request.”
“Help me with Remi. I don’t know what to do. I’m hopelessly obsessed with that guy and he doesn’t even know I’m on the same planet.”
I laugh, “Are you blind? Remi most definitely knows you’re on the planet.”
“Ughhhhh,” She growls. “Why won’t he just fall in love with me already? I’m dyin’ here.”
“He’s just scared, Ava. You need to stop trying to force it. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”
Ava groans, tossing her head back, “Says the girl who has two of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen literally fighting over her.”
I roll my eyes, “Yeah cause that’s just been cupcakes and rainbows.”
“Just tell me what to do,” she whines. “How do I get my foot in the door?”
“I have an idea,” I sigh. “But it’s not immediate and you’re gonna have to trust me.”
“Okay, tell me what to do.”
“Nothing… yet.”
She huffs, “Quinn, your patience is impeccable. Mine sucks.”
