Page 80 of Breaking Point
Chapter 21
Bella
MOM
confession time
do you remember during high school when you were caught skipping school?
BELLA
I was grounded for two weeks
and missed my first date with my first crush who ended up dating Bianca because of it
hard to forget that one
MOM
Well, I extended your time being grounded because I overheard Jeremy talking in the grocery store with his friends that he was trying to go on as many dates as he could to rank them in a book they all shared
BELLA
YOU KNEW ABOUT THE TROPHY BOOK?
MOM
that’s a disgusting name for it
BELLA
they named it, not me. And I agree, it was revolting when photos of it gotleaked
MOM
Yes, I knew about it. I didn’t want you to end up in the book so I grounded you for longer
BELLA
my guardian angel
MOM
forever and always
There was no time to get comfortable with one another. No time to test the limits of physical affection. There was no time for anything with Grayson’s grueling pre-season schedule. Hence why when Layla sends another encouraging text message, my hands shake and her words blur on the screen.
I wish she could have come. I didn’t let her hear it in my voice when she called to tell me she was bedridden, another flare-up from lupus, but I desperately wish she was here beside me because I’m beyond nervous.
I’m not just being thrown into the deep end of this arrangement, I feel like I’m being catapulted into the lion’s den.
Grayson tried to give me as much warning as possible. He called me early this morning and ran me through everything that will happen. The security I’ll go through, the rink-side tickets I’ll pick up because I favored that over being left to the sharks of the WAG box upstairs. He also told me how loud and chaotic the game can be. Yet I still feel like a fish out of water as I take the ticket the woman at the box office hands me.
There’s so much riding on tonight, not only for Grayson but for myself. We have to make everyone believe that I was the person who helped turn his world right side up again, and if I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll lose the money my mother needs for her treatment.
She’s gotten more fragile in the past five days. I’ve never seen someone deteriorate so quickly.
My phone buzzes in my palm as if Grayson can hear my spiraling thoughts.
