“So close…”
Chapter 34
Erica
Thelingeringwarmthfromlast night's date with Liam wrapped around me like a soft, comforting blanket as I sat at my office desk, finishing up the day's work. His touch still danced on my skin, sending shivers down my spine at the memory of our passionate encounter. My heart swelled at the thought of waking up in his arms this morning, feeling safe and loved for the first time in ages.
A smile crept onto my face as I recalled my conversation with Imogen earlier. She had gushed about her new home and how things were finally looking up for her family. It was such a relief to know that she was happy and settling in well. The thought of my friend finding peace brought me a sense of contentment and joy that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Erica, are you daydreaming again?" Lucy teased, poking her head into my office. "You've got that goofy look on your face."
"Shut up, Lucy," I retorted playfully, shaking my head. "Just finishing up some work."
"Whatever you say." She winked and disappeared back into the hallway.
I glanced at the clock and realised I was running late for my first day of warrior training. Panic bubbled up inside me as I scrambled to shut down my computer, eager not to miss a single moment. I was ecstatic to start training; it was an opportunity to protect myself and those I cared about. Given my past experiences, I knew I couldn't rely on anyone else to keep me safe.
"Come on, come on!" I muttered under my breath, tapping my foot impatiently as the computer took its sweet time shutting down. Finally, the screen went black, and I grabbed my bag, rushing out of the office.
"Bye, Lucy!" I called out as I raced from the office. My heart still swelled with the lingering happiness of last night's date with Liam. The memory of waking up in his arms filled me with warmth and safety. As I glanced through a nearby window, I spotted Liam in his office, phone pressed to his ear. He looked up, catching my gaze, and smiled so tenderly it made my stomach flutter. Despite my eagerness to share another moment with him, I knew I couldn't stop now, warrior training awaited, and I was already late. I sprinted across the pack grounds, the wind whipping through my red hair, and skidded into the changing rooms just as Gen and the others were leaving for training. Their laughter and friendship echoed through the halls, reminding me that I had finally found a place where I belonged.
"Erica, you're late!" Gen scolded playfully, but her eyes held concern. "Don't worry, I'll let Grayson know you're on your way."
"Thanks, Gen," I panted, leaning against the wall for support. I darted into a changing cubicle, my heart still pounding from the sprint across the pack grounds. The memory of Liam's smile lingered in my mind, warming me from within. Shaking off the thought, I quickly changed into my sportswear, a pair of black shorts and a matching sports bra. My fingers deftly tied my red hair into a high ponytail, securing it tightly as I prepared for the physical exertion that lay ahead.
"Focus, Erica," I muttered to myself, steadying my breath. "You're here to train, not daydream about your boyfriend." Ha, boyfriend. I had a boyfriend, that sounded funny. With newfound resolve, I stepped out of the cubicle and hurried to stash my belongings in a locker. As I locked it, the sound of metal clicking into place seemed to echo through the empty locker room. With one last deep breath, I turned to head into the training room. But before I could take more than a step, my momentum carried me straight into someone. "Oof!" I gasped, stumbling back and clutching my arm where the impact had occurred. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there."
My apologies died in my throat when I realised that the person I'd collided with was none other than Grant. His blue eyes bore into mine, a storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface. For a moment, neither of us spoke, and the tension between us was palpable.
"Grant," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?" he replied, his tone guarded. It was clear that our complicated relationship weighed heavily on him too.
"Look, about what happened the other night..." I began, feeling the need to address the elephant in the room. But Grant cut me off before I could continue.
"Erica, not now," he said firmly, though his eyes softened with a vulnerability that tugged at my heart. "We have other things to focus on."
"Grant, are you okay?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. There was something off about him, the way his blue eyes seemed to bore into me like I was prey. It sent an uncomfortable shiver down my spine.
"Erica," he began, his voice low and intense, "do you have any idea how long it took me to get here, to become who I am now?" I blinked in confusion, unable to comprehend the meaning behind his words. Grant's behaviour was so far removed from the understanding friend I had known. I just wanted to get past him and start my first day of warrior training.
"Grant, I don't understand what you're talking about," I said, attempting to sidestep around him. But he swiftly blocked my path, his expression stormy.
"Everything I've done, all the work and sacrifices I've made, were all for this," he ranted, his eyes blazing with a barely contained fury. "But then you came along, and everything changed. You messed everything up!"
"Grant, I never meant to -" I tried to interject, but he cut me off, his anger only intensifying.
"Then I found out that you betrayed me!" he spat, his face contorted with rage.
"Betrayed you? How?" My mind raced, trying to make sense of his accusations. Was he talking about Liam? If so, it wasn’t betrayal. We hadn't even established anything between us. My heart still pounded with exhilaration from my night with Liam, the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin. Yet a twinge of guilt surfaced as I stared into Grant's tormented eyes.
"Grant, you need to calm down," I pleaded, my voice shaking. "I don't know what you think happened, but we can talk about it. Please, let's just talk."
He stared at me for a moment, the storm in his eyes seeming to subside slightly. But as I tried to step around him once more, he moved back in front of me, his voice rising as he continued his tirade.
"Erica, you have no idea what you've done," he growled, his face inches from mine. "The things I've risked for you, and you just throw it all away."
"Grant, please," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you." But my words seemed to have little effect on him, as he continued to rant about betrayal and expectations.
