Page 55 of Shattered Souls
Grayson doesn’t acknowledge him as, eyes glowing in the low light, his gaze rakes over me. “You’re okay.”
The sheer relief in his voice makes me feel bad for not answering his question, especially given his earlier confession. His hand stretches out for me before pausing, his fingerstwitching with the need to touch me before he reluctantly withdraws.
An awkward silence fills the space between us, and swallowing, I assure him, “I’m okay.” My voice sounds small in the cab. Or perhaps it’s Grayson’s tension suppressing the volume and making everything muted. That’s the thing about Grayson. One minute, he’s all growly andmineand invading my personal space, and the next, it’s like he’s afraid to touch me. It’s almost like he’s two people and can’t decide which version of himself to be from one minute to the next.
It doesn’t help that there are still unresolved emotions from our implosion in the classroom when I held a plastic knife to his throat while I fucked him and he confessed.
“Your confidence in my ability to keep our girl safe is insulting,” Logan gripes, rolling his eyes to show he’s teasing as he helps me out of the SUV. Grayson is forced to step aside, and Royce immediately envelops me in his arms.
“I’m okay,” I assure him.
The relaxing of his posture gives away his relief, even as he murmurs for only me to hear, “I never doubted you wouldn’t be. Doesn’t mean I liked letting you go in there without me.”
“I know.” I give him a brief smile. I knew he struggled with the idea as much as Grayson did. The difference is, where Grayson would readily wrap me up in bubble wrap and ensure I never needed to leave the house, Royce understands there are things I have to do, even if none of us likes them. Herespectsmy decisions enough to support me, even if he wishes he didn’t have to.
“I want all the details,” he says, louder this time so the others hear.
“And we’ll tell you, but this is a celebration.” Despite the tiredness tugging at my limbs, I turn in Royce’s hold to grin at Logan.
Grayson smacks him lightly on the shoulder. “How could you not tell us you got a spot on the Timberwolves?”
Logan shrugs a shoulder, but he grins smugly—and he fucking deserves to! “There’s been a lot going on.”
“There’s never too much going on,” I tell him, extracting myself from Royce. He instantly opens his arms for a hug. “This is a big deal. We want to hear about your successes, regardless of whatever else is happening.”
“She’s right, man.” Royce’s heat envelops my back as he claps Logan on the shoulder. “Congrats. I think this deserves burgers and milkshakes.”
“Thank god! I could literally eat all of you right now,” Logan groans as we move as one toward the diner. “Safe to say, dinner was a disaster. Neither of us ate anything.”
The broken bell hangs listlessly above our heads as Grayson pushes open the door to the diner, and I’m instantly hit with the smell of fried food and burned coffee. A few tables are occupied, and a couple of guys sit on stools at the counter. A few people look our way as we enter, but for the most part, we’re ignored as Grayson leads us to an empty booth at the far end of the retro-fitted diner along the window overlooking the parking lot.
He slides into the booth as Logan gestures for me to sit opposite him, claiming the seat beside me as Royce sits beside Grayson. After glancing briefly out the window, I focus on the menu in front of me. Despite not having eaten anything at dinner, I’m not hungry. Couldn’t actually tell you the last time I had an appetite. Still, I know the guys won’t let me get away with not ordering anything.
Spotting a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu, I settle on that.
“What can I get ya’s?” the waitress asks when she approaches our table.
“Milkshakes all round,” Logan declares before anyone else can speak. “Oh, and fries for dunking.”
Grayson’s face scrunches while Royce groans, “Seriously, man?”
“What? Everyone knows milkshakes are a cure-all. Plus, only a heathen would order a milkshake without fries.”
They both shake their heads, more than used to Logan’s antics, before everyone orders their actual meals.
“It was twisted as fuck,” Logan continues once the waitress is out of earshot.
“He was surprised to see you?” Royce asks.
“Oh yeah.” Logan chortles. “He was not happyat all. Tried to get me to leave until Riley made it clear she would be leaving with me.” He pauses as our milkshakes and drinks are delivered, waiting until we’re alone again before continuing. “Her mom wasn’t even ready when we went inside. If I hadn’t been there, she would have been left alone with that sicko.” He practically rips the paper cover off the top of his straw in his agitation. “Then, when she finally did show up, she was like a granny on the prowl. It was twisted as fuck. Serious MINWF vibes.”
“MINWF?” Grayson repeats. I’m glad I’m not the only one confused.
“Mother INeverWant to Fuck,” Logan clarifies in aduhtone. “Or more accurately, but it’s got too many words for a good acronym,‘Mother I’d Rather Scratch My Own Eyes Out Than Fuck’.”
Despite the situation, I snort into my drink.
“I warned you she’d probably hit on you,” Royce points out. “Although I didn’t think she’d do it in front of Riley or Bertram.”
