Page 166 of Breaking Point
Chapter 42
Grayson
GRAYSON
missing you extra today, Drew
wish you were here annoying me
and I wish I wasn’t texting someone that will never respond to me
guess you finally pulled the ultimate ghost move, huh?
too soon?
Imight have texted Bella saying I wasn’t stalking her, but by the way I can’t stop checking the dog camera, that’s just an outright lie.
At first, I was just checking on Bambi, my heart aching at her sorrowful howls. Even knowing that we have to get through this tricky stage for her to be all right by herself in the future, it didn’t ease the guilt. But then Bella came home and the slump of her shoulders, the drag of her feet, and the utterly grim expression on her face made me stay and watch.
She looked broken. Tired beyond repair.
And in that moment, with her walls down, when I saw just how much she’s been putting on a brave face, I knew I did the right thing buying the art supplies.
Even if my thoughts have since spiraled because I haven’t seen her or Bambi on the camera in a little over two hours.
Did she steal my dog and write Fuck You on the whiteboard for overstepping?
I mean, I wouldn’t blame her. We’ve crossed a lot of lines recently, but pushing her to draw might have pushed her too far.
I’m white-knuckling my steering wheel as I finally turn into my driveway, the gate sliding behind me. I hold my breath the entire ride up the driveway.
And I don’t release it until I see her car is still here.
So she didn’t steal my dog and run.
She could have gone on foot.
Now I’m just letting my anxious thoughts run rampant. Steeling myself, I take a deep breath before unlocking my front door and stepping inside.
As I close the door behind me, I note how Bambi doesn’t come running. She’s gotten used to the vibration of the front door, and if she isn’t running to greet me with her little happy face, she must be outside.
I round the corner, and when the back deck comes into view, I stop. Because sitting there with a sketch pad in front of her, her fingers dirty with lead, is Bella.
With her back to me, she doesn’t notice my arrival. Neither does Bambi, who sits beside her on the deck.
The pair face the mountains, the sun beginning to set and casting a warm orange hue across the land. I don’t think my chest has ever felt this way before. My heart practically melts into a puddle at just the simple act of coming home to find Bella drawing with Bambi beside her.
The sight of it has my stomach flipping.
I never want to come home to an empty house again.
I don’t want to come home to anyone butthem.
Because this feeling is everything.
A small voice tells me I don’t deserve it, that after what I did to Drew I shouldn’t be lucky enough, and yet here she is.
My blazing girl who came into my life like a wildfire.
