Page 178 of Breaking Point
“Doesn’t sound like I have a choice.”
“Not with this.”
My eyes search hers for a beat. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because contrary to what you have been telling yourself, Grayson, you do deserve to live. It’s time to stop running.” She leans forward, her eyes searing me to the spot. “You intervened for the better with my mom. It’s time I returned the favor.”
Chapter 46
Bella
MOM
confession
since you’ve been home, I check on you to make sure you’re still breathing in your sleep
I used to do it when you were a baby
seems I never grew out of the habit
the love of a mother never dims, no matter the age of their child
and my love for you is endless
Grayson’s leg hasn’t stopped bouncing since we left his house two hours ago.
I thought he’d grumble and moan through the car ride but he was utterly silent. Which left me stewing for two hours about whether I made the right call for him or not. The only thing that stopped me from turning the car around and driving him back home was the fact that he never asked me to.
My gut is telling me he wants to see his parents, that he wants this reunion, but didn’t know how to make it happen.
The moment his mom answered the phone and heard my plan, she broke down crying with utter grief and heaviness. It’s also when I found out Grayson hasn’t seen them since thefuneral, and I realized just how much Grayson has been punishing himself for a crime he didn’t commit.
I spent all night reading every article about the crash and was trying to put as many pieces of the puzzle together, but it wasn’t until I spoke with his mom that I learned everything.
A year and a half ago on the way to a party, Drew asked Grayson to pull over because his phone fell down the side of his chair. Grayson obliged and Drew found his phone, and as he got back in the car, Grayson merged back onto the road, driving through an intersection that was green for him. Drew was buckling his seatbelt when a truck flew around the corner out of nowhere and T-boned Grayson’s truck.
Drew went flying through the windshield and died immediately upon impact.
Despite the utter destruction to his car, Grayson walked away with nothing but a concussion. He got out of his car after it stopped rolling and ran to his brother, only to find his neck at an odd angle. Grayson passed out after dialing 911 and then came to with paramedics around him talking about how if he had waited two seconds, they would have gone through the intersection just fine.
When I heard that, my teeth clamped down in anger so hard, I swear something snapped. I wish I could personally go slap some sense into those paramedics. While it might have been true, they should have been talking about how the truck driver who had one too many shouldn’t have gotten behind the wheel.
It didn’t help matters when news broke and tabloids chose a clickbait headline:Grayson Crawford murders younger brother in drunk driving accident.They conveniently left out that he wasn’t even the one drinking.
Everyone involved around him besides his team and his family should be ashamed of themselves. Any time I think about it I’m consumed with such rage it’s a miracle I haven’t caused any bodily harm to those who wronged him.
It’s been quiet for so long that when Grayson’s voice fills my car, it startles me so much I jump.
“Can you come inside with me?”
My gaze cuts to him quickly before moving back to the road. The navigation says we’re only seven minutes away. “I think it’s more of a?—”
“Please don’t say private matter.” He clears his throat. “I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you were there by my side.”
The vulnerability and sincerity in his words cuts me deep.
“Of course,” I say without hesitation this time. “Whatever you need.”
