Page 25 of Shattered Souls
Yeah, that plan failed.
All I’ve done is think. Think of her. Of what I could have done differently. Of how horrifically I’ve let my own daughter down.
A large palm is waved in front of my face, obstructing my view.
“Earth to Riley.”
Tearing my gaze away, I look blankly at Grayson. Everything feels so distant… disconnected. I can barely keep my thoughts in line. I’d forgotten entirely that something—or someone—had distracted me. “What are you doing here?”
Even my voice sounds monotone and world-weary.
“You weren’t answering your phone.” His eyes narrow in a glare, but there isn’t the usual warning behind the action. Ifanything, concern is the prevalent emotion shining through his dark brown orbs.
“Oh.” I glance down at my phone, sitting on the table. I hadn’t even heard it buzz or seen the screen light up.
“Pack your stuff.” At Grayson’s order, my face snaps up to his, and my features pull down in a frown. “Now, Riley.” His tone is non-negotiable, and I obey without a word of protest because I have zero fight left in me.
The cadence of his sigh from behind hints at his disappointment at my lack of fight, but I pretend I don’t hear it as I shove my things into my bag. Before I can swing it over my shoulder, though, he snatches it from my hand and strides away from the table, leaving me with no option but to chase after him. A faint flicker of irritation penetrates the numb shell I’m encased in.
Asshole.
I have to take two steps for each of his as he marches across campus.
“Hey,” I bark as we approach his car, and he finally slows. “What are you doing? I have class in an hour.”
Whirling on me, he cocks an arrogant eyebrow. It should make him look haughty. Correction, itdoesmake him look haughty, but not in the way that grates on your nerves and screamsrich kid. Instead, Grayson manages to make the entire stance appear… smoldering.
Haughty has never looked sohot.
It’s infuriating.
Heis infuriating.
“Don’t try to tell me you’re actually going to take in a word of what is said in that class,” he drawls in a tone thatshouldbe insulting but instead is like a caress against my skin.
My lips purse because, no, I haven’t managed to take in a word of what’s been said inanyof my classes all week. I’m herebecause I can’t stand the thought of sitting in my apartment or at the guys’ doing nothing.
Even if my being on campus is just as futile.
Not helping myself.
Not able to help my daughter.
Useless.
I’m completely.Fucking.Useless.
“Hey!” The snap of his tongue, along with the cold press of fingers as they wrap around my chin, wrenches me from my spiraling thoughts and dumps me firmly in the wasteland that has become my reality. “Where did you go?”
I stare up into Grayson’s impenetrable eyes. They’re always shielded, shuttered against the world. He keeps everything so carefully contained, putting on a front for everyone around him.
“Nowhere.” I try to pull free from his grip, but he holds firm, preventing me from hiding.
“Don’t lie to me.” It’s less of a chastisement and more of a plea. Which is the only reason I don’t balk and snap at him as I typically do.
“Nowhere pleasant,” I correct in the same tired tone.
“Tell me anyway.”
