Page 139 of Unspoken Hearts
I frown at him, shaking my head. “We’re still your friends. I’ll always be your friend, Grayson. I never meant for this to draw us apart, but you told me to stay away.”
“Because I didn’t want Reid to win another thing…”
My lips tighten, realising why he’s been so protective of Laynie and I. He was never afraid of us hurting him, but he was scared of losing something to his brother’s again, especially Reid.
I sniff, wiping at my nose. “It’s not about anyone winning or losing, Gray. You’re my best friend, and nothing will change that. Not even your brother. You were the first friend I had here, and I will never forget that. I moved here feeling unwanted, and yet you spoke to me as soon as I walked into the classroom. Nothing will erase that.” I pause, my pulse rushing through my ears. “But I also can’t ignore how I feel about Reid.”
“I know,” he lets out quietly, glancing away, pain pinching his brows together.
I frown, trying to figure out what’s wrong.
He shakes his head. “I also can’t be entirely mad like I was.” My gaze drops to his hands rubbing together nervously, like he’s afraid to tell me something when he does just that. “I like Laynie.”
I can’t stop the huff of relief that escapes my nose as I pull him tighter again into a hug. “I know.”
Grayson holds me for a few moments before mumbling in my ear, “Please don’t tell Laynie what I said. I want her to hear it from me.”
My head shakes, swallowing down saliva. I push away. “Of course not.” I pause, asking, “Is this why you took so long to talk with me? What you were thinking about?”
His eyes soften, a faint gleam in his eyes. “Just everything between Reid and I.”
My face falls a little as I grip his arm. “Reid didn’t want to hurt you either.”
“I know that, but he still did, again…”
“Again?” I echo, slightly confused.
The door opens behind me, and I stiffen.
Grayson’s eyes lift, and I don’t need to turn around to know that Reid is right behind me.
Chapter forty
Reid
DoIfeelbadthat Grayson saw me kissing his best friend last night? A little.
Do I regret telling Macie I love her? Not a chance.
Walking through the doorway, I can already sense the tension, and I’m fairly certain it just amplified with my presence alone.
Macie doesn’t turn around, but from the twitch in her shoulder, I can tell she knows it’s me as I stroll towards them. I applaud the rest of my family for staying outside in the rain just to give us privacy, even though I told them they didn’t need to.
At least there’s the barn for them to hide in.
Grayson’s dark eyes search mine as I come to stand behind Macie, looking at him eye to eye over her head. “What did I do to you again?” I ask, genuinely intrigued to know.
Macie clears her throat, stepping aside. I just keep staring at my brother. I’m tired of his game, and I want to get to the bottom of this once and for all.
“You hurt me,” Grayson repeats, and I see a flash of something shadowy running across his irises.
My mouth presses together tightly. “I should have told you about Macie, I know that, but Gra—”
“Yes, you should have,” Grayson grits out. “And not let me think you were being accommodating and nice to me because you actually wanted to get on my good side before I found out about this.” His finger moves between Macie and I as lines form in my forehead.
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean the fact that you asked me to help you take over the ranch.” My shoulders sink a little. “I thought you asked me because that’s what you wanted. That you wanted to share something with me, but now…”
