Page 24 of Love Me Back
“Asshole.”
“Watch that mouth, boy; there are ladies present.”
Tyson rolled his eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile. At eighty-three years old, any of these boys could take Pops down. Even Addie was probably stronger than he was. And while he threatened them with bodily harm often, if this dinner was any indication, he didn’t strike me as the kind of man that would beat children into submission. Which meant they all respected him as the patriarch.
“I can sleep on the couch.”
“You aren’t sleeping on the couch,” Grayson whispered.
“She can have my room. I stay in town most nights anyway. And it’s the closest one to you if you need her,” Pops said.
“Oh no, I couldn’t take your room. I promise, the couch is fine. Or I could just come back in the morning.”
“No, Pops is right. He usually stays in town with me. In fact, we can move more of his things over and give you plenty of room,” Carson said.
“That’s really unnecessary. I’ll only be here for a few weeks, and I don’t need much, just some clothes. I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”
“It’s something we’ve been meaning to do anyway, Jessie. It’s not an inconvenience,” Carson assured me as he ate his dinner.
Grayson had been quiet since Pops offered me his room. I chanced a look in his direction, but he was focused on his food. I wanted to know what he was thinking. Did he regret his concession in letting me help? Would he tell me again to go home once everyone was asleep? Was he thinking about how he could slip into my room at night and climb into bed with me?
’Cause that was what I was fucking thinking about.
I had to keep reminding myself that he didn’t want me anymore. He had made that abundantly clear. Addie thought he was pushing me away because of his injury. And I had to admit, the way I caught him looking at me left me feeling like maybeshe knew what she was talking about. But the way he spoke to me. The way he demanded I leave, telling me he didn’t need my help. It was hard to reconcile his words and his actions. I wasn’t sure which ones were real and which ones might be a defensive shield against how he felt for me.
It was quite possible he found me attractive and wanted to sleep with me, while not wanting me to be a part of his life. Attraction certainly didn’t equal love.
When the meal was over, I quickly stood to help Addie clear the table. I had gone back to the table for a third round of dishes to be cleared when Grayson grabbed my wrist.
Heat seared my skin and shot up my arm. It happened every time he touched me, and I knew what it meant. I had read enough of Ellie’s books to understand that women felt this zap or zing when they met the man they were supposed to be with. I thought it was something made up until I met Grayson.
But even knowing that he might be the one person on the planet who was created for me didn’t stop me from pulling away. I rubbed my wrist, wanting to savor the feeling, but it always disappeared as soon as he stopped touching me.
“Did I hurt you?”
“What? No.” I shook my head and reached for the dishes.
“You’re a guest, so you don’t have to help.”
“I’m not a guest. I am literally being paid to be here and help.”
I reached over him to grab some silverware, and I swear I heard him inhale. Was he smelling me? Did I stink? I pulled away quickly, not wanting to offend him. I’d have to take a shower before bed.
“You’re here to help me,” he stated firmly.
“Is there something you need help with?” I asked, setting the dishes on the table. I waited for him to answer, only he continued to stare without saying a word.
“Then I’ll help Addie until you think of something.” I turned away and heard him growl. He wasn’t making sense. Everything he did contradicted what he said. When he was being nice with his words, his actions said he was mad. When he yelled at me, helooked like he wanted to swallow me whole. I’d have to call Ellie tonight. I probably should have called her already and told her what I was doing. But to be honest, I couldn’t listen to her tell me how much Grayson and I belonged together.
It didn’t matter how much I wanted to be his. It just wasn’t possible. Especially now that I knew he didn’t really want me.
“Oh, Jessie, you didn’t have to do that.”
“You cooked. The least I can do is help clean. Cleaning I’m good at.” I laughed at myself. It was true. I could clean like nobody’s business. In fact, this house would likely get a deep clean every week while I was here. I enjoyed cleaning. There was something therapeutic about it.
“Wish my brothers thought that way,” she mumbled.
“Tell them that.”
