Oh, Gray. You’ve saved me so many times. I need to do the same for you. Think of our happy somethings. That first one all those years ago. We were going to count stars until falling asleep and dreaming of flying. You always soar, Grady. And that’s not all. I’ve been spreading dandelion seeds with so many wishes. My dad is going to be so mad next year when a fresh round of weeds sprout up. I’ve lost count of how many. And I’m far from done because you know what? We’re only just beginning. Our hope and love will be blanketing the meadow more than ever.
I’m trying to stay positive. I’m still trying to figure out how this happened. You must feel so betrayed. It’s hard to imagine someone being so vindictive. Maybe it’s better that I don’t.
This won’t beat you, Gray. Don't let them shove you down. Keep your head up. I'm in your heart and mind, baby. Don't lose the light. The darkest days cannot keep us apart. Remember the love we create. Hold onto the warmth. Never lose sight of what’s just beyond reach.
I feel like I’ve just rambled on for three pages without any structure. But that’s my new normal. I’m wandering around without any sense of where to go. You’re my compass, a lighthouse in the dark sea, the only correct turn while speeding in the opposite direction. I truly am lost without you.
Come back to me, okay? In a day or two weeks or three months. Just please come back. I can’t smile without you. Breathing is a chore. Forget about sleeping. See? I’m a mess. But I’ll be strong for you. That’s a promise.
I love you, Grady Bowen.
I. Love. You.
Then, now, and tomorrow. Never without a moment.
Until I see you in my dreams.
XOXOXOXO
Sutt
P.S. This is a little something just between us. Use your imagination.
Her kiss is a bright red stamp in the bottom corner. The imprint is sticky to the touch. I can clearly picture her lips on mine. Just like her words are whispering in my ear. The second read through is better than the first. But after a third and fourth round/pass, the darkness creeps into the edges of my vision. When will I see her again? It will be months before I can even hold her hand. The thought is enough to drown Sutton’s message down the drain.
I crumple onto the dingy floor, slamming my back against the wall. Tears erupt from the very depths of me. I can’t dredge up the sheer might to stop. Crying in jail is a death sentence, but I’m already dying.
31
Sutton
Happy something #139: Dancing as if no one is watching.
I need to get out of Silo Springs for the night, or at least a few hours. Harlyn agreed to meet me at some sports pub off the freeway. Foster told us they have great burgers. I couldn’t care less about dinner. The escape is what I need. Almost an hour from home should do the trick.
That’s how I find myself pulling into Mad Jax on a Thursday night. The parking lot is mostly packed, but I find a spot in the middle row. I slink out of the low seater with a stretch. The long drive rammed a kink in the center of my neck. A quick roll of my shoulders alleviates a bit of the pinch.
The sun is just beginning to set, casting off shades of purple and pink across the sky. I strut across the pavement in my favorite wedge sandals. My simple tee and shorts will blend into any background. I’ll be another face in the crowd. Not the sad girl whose boyfriend got locked up. Tonight I can pretend everything is back to normal, especially with my bestie in tow.
I walk into the entrance with my chin tipped high. This will be a fun night out of the house. If I keep repeating that, maybe it will come true. I’m looking around for a place to sit when I hear him. My startled gaze snaps toward the muffled tone.
Lance Fucking Morris.
What the hell is he doing out here? And what are the damn chances? Pretty effing slim on a bad day. This must be the bottom of luck barrel. I drag in a slow breath, fried food and popcorn heavy in the air. Jace and Grady simultaneously scold me—in my mind.
Smart and safe.
I whip out my phone and search for other bars in the area. After a quick scan, I click on the closest one. Looks decent enough. I open my messages and get typing.
Me: Last second change of plans. Let’s meet at Hal’s off Exit 54.
I tap my shoe on the sticky floor while waiting for the three little dots to appear. Thirty seconds later and nothing. I belatedly realize she’s probably well on her way. Calling her from the car will be far more effective.
I’m preparing to turn and leave, but Lance’s slurring words stop me in my tracks. The sight of him makes putrid acid roil in my belly. He’s propped up on a corner stool and appears seven sheets to the wind. No one else is sitting nearby. Even strangers can sniff out a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
He holds up a bottle, swinging the beer in a wide arc. “Sutton is meant for me. That girl might as well have my last name tattooed on her ass.” His shoulders shake with a silent laugh. “Wouldn’t that be a sight? I’d love to see the look on her precious boyfriend’s face. He’d deserve to witness that permanent display.”
My thoughts are a catastrophic hurricane swooping down to wreak havoc. I want to storm over and rain a wrath of fury upon him. But he seems to be brewing up his side of the travesty without my intervention.
Lance squints into the distance, or maybe he’s attempting to focus on something specific. It’s almost impossible to tell. “That asshole was supposed to skip town after his mother died. He hates Silo Springs and all the people in it. Well, almost everyone. I was certain he’d be long gone before she moved home. He could’ve avoided jail, but no.”
Who the hell is he talking to?
I inch toward a booth across from him, remaining hidden in the shadows. Lance doesn’t notice me in his inebriated state. I hunch low in the seat and settle in for his production.
He guzzles half his drink, not that he needs more booze. “I’d been planning it for a month. Just needed the right moment, you know? The opportunity fell right into my lap.”
Holy shit, he’s bragging. Is this actually happening? It might be worthless, but I’m not taking any chances.
I scramble to reach my phone. After opening the camera app, I set it to record. I hold the screen out and up until his sloppy face comes into view.
Lance burps and almost falls off his stool. “It's one of my best ideas yet. I watched him all night. The bastard barely left her side. But he finally did and I followed him into the alley.”
Oh my gosh, poor Grady. He had no warning that Lance was coming for him. None of us would’ve pegged this drunk doofus as a conniving villain. I glance around the buzzing space with wide eyes. My pulse rivals a raging thunderstorm. Even now, no one is suspecting a thing.
He slams the empty bottle down and signals for another. The bartender shakes his head. Lance spreads his arms out wide. “What’s the problem? Are you taking his side? Everyone loves that cocky asshole. Did he tell you to cut me off?” He wags a sloppy finger at his newfound audience. “That’s not possible. He can’t tattletale from where I sent him.”
The other guy rolls his eyes and walks away. Smart man.
It’s nearly impossible to sit back and listen to him rave about this horrific accomplishment. I scratch at my crawling skin. The urge to vomit tickles my tonsils. I wrestle with instinct and exhale through the nausea.
What is Lance doing unloading all this? The possibility that he’s feeling guilty is more insane than the man himself. His confession is purely selfish boasting. He’s probably scouting out his next victim. An eerie chill prickles at me. This is the end of all that.
“What makes him so damn special? He’s trailer park trash. His entire life has been one disaster after another. She should be with someone on her level. That’s how it always should’ve been. But she looks at him like he hung all the stars in the universe just for her.”
I want to smack his forehead and yell, “News flash, Lance. Get a damn clue.” He’ll never be able to see the truth. His vision is clouded by his own ego. Grady is a million times better than
any man he could hope to be.
“So, yeah, he had to go. And I finally got my chance to make it happen.” He makes a walking motion with his fingers.
If I didn’t know how this ends, his story would be a huge clusterfuck. Maybe that’s why it appears no one is listening to his belligerent confession. That probably gives him a false sense of security. Is he stupid? I snort at that. The answer is directly in front of me, swaying on his seat. I suppose it’s hard keeping this type of fool-proof plan to himself. Such a moron.
Too bad, Lance. I stumbled into the same bar.
He continues prattling on without a care in the world. “I struck up a pleasant conversation with him at first. Didn’t want to seem suspicious right off the bat, you know? But then I provoked him. Talking about her really pissed him off. He still held off, though. The noble guy didn’t take my bait. I prepared for that.”
Lance makes a spectacle of pretending to punch himself in the nose. I slap a palm over my mouth to trap my scream. This dude is straight up crazy. I gag when a loud belch rips from his throat.
“Poor bastard never saw it coming. He just stood there with his life vanishing in front of him. I stole at least a year from him. Maybe more. I did hit myself twice just to make it look extra bad. It’s almost a guarantee they’ll be putting him away longer.”
He sighs and slumps lower in his seat. “The entire reason I needed him gone was for a girl. She won’t even talk to me. But she’ll come around. I love her. Doesn’t she want to be happy with me? Doesn’t matter. We’re gonna get married.”
Over my dead body.
I cough into my fist as tears begin welling. Grady is locked up while this man is roaming free. Talk about abusing the system. But justice is about to be served.
The phone trembles in my hand as I switch off the camera. I’ve seen plenty to put him away and clear Grady’s name. My sandals thud on the tile floor as I haul ass out of this joint. I’m not running the risk of that lunatic catching me.
Once I’m outside, the realization of what this means really dawns on me. My knees knock together and I stumble over the curb. Grady will get to prove his innocence. He’ll be released. His redemption will be the sweetest reward.
I almost drop my cell in the bubbling rush to find our police station’s number. The line rings twice before he answers.
“This is Chief Wilson speaking.”
“Hi, uh, sir. This is Sutton Olsen.” I grind the tremor from my voice. “I have something you need to see. Immediately.”
32
Grady
Happy something #60: Unexplainable miracles.
The electric hum of the locks disengaging wake me from a fitful doze. I’d finally managed to drift off, but that sound is more effective than any alarm. My system reboots and snaps alert as if a cold bucket of water has been dumped all over me. This is most likely one of their non-mandatory cell inspections. I don’t bother lifting my head off the disintegrating pillow.
Matthew strides in and kicks the bed frame. “Get up, inmate.”
Pretty sure it’s barely morning. This has to violate some sort of protocol. I remain slack on the mattress. “I’m sleeping.”
He makes the sound of a buzzard. “Wrong. You’re leaving.”
That gets a rise out of me. I sit up and nearly knock my skull on the top bunk. “What the hell do you mean? Trial isn’t for another two weeks.”
Matthews hitches a thumb over his shoulder. “You’re getting out, dumbass. Get your ass up and get a move on. You’re burning daylight.”
I glare at him. “Is this some sort of sick joke?”
“Even we don’t stoop that low, Bowen. New evidence came in and cleared your name. You’re a free man.”
I want to holler and scream, thank whatever lucky stars graced me with the light. But the thing I want most is a hug from my girl. My legs are unsteady when I stand. The relief is sinking straight to my marrow.
“Grab your shit.”
“Don’t have any.” Except Sutton’s letter, which is securely tucked into my waistband. This asshole will never get his paws on what’s mine again.
“Even better.” He moves out of the doorway and motions me forward.
I’ve never sprinted so fast in my adult life.
“Damn fool,” Matthews mutters behind me. “Walk, don’t run.”
All I do is wave and keep moving toward the first checkpoint.
Being released from county jail is a zero frills affair. I’m shuffled from one station to the next as guards review different procedures and discharge orders. They hand over the clothes I was wearing when arrested. A pair of faded jeans and a white T-shirt has never looked so inviting. I strip off the orange jumpsuit, shedding that disgusting layer of skin never to be seen again. A glance in the smudged mirror shows a man I almost recognize.
Maybe this version will be better than the last.
I’m bouncing on my toes while waiting to pass through the security scanner. A guard manning the entrance gives me a bag of my personal belongings. I palm my phone, powering the device on. Score for me when the screen flashes to life.
“Is someone picking you up?”
I lift my gaze to the guard. A furrow dents my brow. “Not sure. This wasn’t planned.”
She scoffs. “Is it ever?”
“Good point.” I check the time. It’s just past seven. “There’s someone I can call.”
I dial Sutton’s number. After five rings, her voicemail picks up. I try again and get the same result. Might as well add a text to my plea.
Me: You’re never going to believe this, Sutt. They let me go. I’m free. Are you around?
The plastic rattles in my hand while I wait for a response. Nothing pops up.
The guard must notice a frown drooping my expression. “No answer?”
“Nah, but I’ll keep trying.”
“You can always get an Uber.”
My gut tightens. How low have I dropped? That sounds miserable, but it might be my fastest option. “I’ll give her a few more minutes.”
“Suit yourself. Exit is dead ahead. Can’t miss the sign.” She points forward. “And make sure we don’t see you back.”
I almost chuckle. “Definitely not.”
An invisible barrier appears in front of me. Less than fifty yards to freedom. The urge to pinch myself suddenly prods at me. The possibility of this rescue being real hasn’t quite settled in. I flick my eyes around the room, waiting for someone to drag me under. Only a few random visitors speckle the space.
“What are you waiting for? Off you go,” the guard mutters.
There’s no escort in sight as I shuffle toward the door. Pounding footsteps don’t follow me. The strain that’s been holding my muscles hostage evaporates. I stride out of the front gate with a clear conscience.
The harsh morning sun stings my eyes. I revel in the burn. A splash of vibrant color rushes toward me from the side, a high-pitched whine hammering into my ears. I pivot on my heel just in time to watch Sutton racing at full speed. In the next instant, she launches herself into the air with me as her direct target.
I catch her easily in my arms, clinging on with every fiber inside of me. She latches on with an equal amount of force, my missing piece sliding into place.
I breathe her in, filling my lungs with a fresh dose of everything good. A moan vibrates off me and swirls around her. We’re a spinning mass of clasping fingers and desperate babbling.
Sutton clings to me with the strength of a world champion wrestler. I wheeze, her hold bordering on choking, but press further into the embrace. A furnace of heat spreads throughout my chest. The massive knot in my throat follows right behind.
She peppers kisses all over my face. Eventually she finds my lips, locking us together with a searing brand of passion. Once again, we’re bonded for life. Sutton begins sobbing, her body trembling against mine. Her tears soak into my shirt and I absorb the moisture into my neglected soul.
I spear into her hair, the silky strand
s sliding through my fingers. “Hey, hey. It’s all right now.”
She shakes her head. “Oh my gosh, Gray. I can’t believe it. You’re out. We’re together.”
I tilt her chin up until she’s looking at me. “How’d you know?”
A wobble twitches the corners of her mouth. “Lance confessed. Not on purpose, or willingly. But that doesn’t matter. I caught his lying ass on camera.”
My grip on her tightens several more degrees. “When?”
“Last night. I caught the whole thing on video.”
I flare my nostrils. “That sounds dangerous and reckless, Sutt.”
“But it wasn’t.”
A vein in my temple throbs. “Sutton Rose, how is that staying smart and safe?”
She rolls those stunning baby blues. “It wasn’t on purpose. I didn’t follow him there or anything. Although he accused me of that after the fact.” She huffs. “That’s beside the point.”
“You’re gonna need to be far more specific.”
“Don’t worry, okay? I was very safe and smart. Lance was at a bar in Acklyn—”
“What were you doing way out there?”
Sutton presses a finger to my lips. “Shh, let me finish. I needed out of Silo Springs for a night. A little space from the shadowed stares and forced condolences. Bumping into Lance was a total accident. He was the last person I ever wanted to see. But it turned out to be a seriously crazy amazing coincidence. He blabbed his entire diabolical plan, from start to finish. I heard the entire thing.”
I swallow the bellow clawing up my windpipe and focus on the good. “I want to hear everything, beautiful. Keep talking to me. Your voice is a choir of singing angels. This is like walking through the gates of heaven.”
She giggles. “I think you’re delusional.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.” I stroke a thumb across her damp cheek. “Tell me all of it.”
Tempt Me: A First Class Romance Collection Page 109