I never expected to get back into a relationship so quickly after my last. A part of me is happy to be moving on from that horrible relationship and finally being with a man who treats me right. But then there’s this other part in me that’s a little scared of falling for Greyson.
He has a seriously shitty reputation as a man whore, and has never been in a committed relationship. I don’t think it’s necessarily because he likes to sleep around, but more that he was enjoying life while the girl he thought he loved was in love with someone else.
Then there’s that, too. He told me he was wrong about his feelings for Cece, and ever since things started progressing between us, he’s been more distant with her. But I’m afraid some part of him still feels something for her. That maybe he’s just forcing himself to put some distance between them for my sake,but it’s not actually what he wants. How can he be so sure that whatever he had for her is really over?
What if I’m just a plan B? A second choice…
I hate feeling insecure like this, but my feelings for Greyson are growing so fast, I can’t help it. I’ve already fallen in love with his little girl, and I can feel myself falling for him, too. I don’t know what I’ll do if I turn out to be just a way for him to pass the time. If what he feels for me isn’t genuine, I hate the thought of leaving Little Tulip, but I won’t let another relationship destroy me.
The doorbell sounds through the house as I sit on the floor with Gracie and quickly look at the time on my phone. Greyson isn’t due to be home for another hour from practice, and none of the girls have messaged saying they were coming over. Anyway, when it’s them, they mostly just walk in.
I get up from the floor, making sure Gracie has a few toys around her to keep her occupied, and walk over to the front door. When I pull it open, I find a nervous-looking brunette standing on the other side, biting her nails as she looks down the driveway. My car is in the garage and Greyson’s isn’t here, so it’s empty.
“Hello?”
When she notices me standing by the open door, she drops her hand and straightens. “Hi. Umm, I was wondering if Greyson was here?”
What the fuck?If this is one of his old hookups, I understand why Aubrey was so desperate to move out.Who just shows up at your door uninvited because you’ve had sex once?
I look back in the house, making sure I don’t hear Gracie crying, then turn back to the woman with a frown. “He’s not. Can I help you with something?”
“Oh… um, okay. Well, I know you don’t know me, and you must think I’m crazy showing up like this. But Greyson didn'tgive me his number, and he never reached out either… after the incident.”
Wow, this girl has nerves coming here because he didn’t call her back. But why would she be showing up now? We’ve been together since the holidays practically. Unless it happened recently…
“I was just wondering how Gracie was doing… My name is Nadia; I’m Stephanie’s best friend. Well, was…” she continues when she sees my frown setting in place.
Oh, shit. She’s the friend who had Gracie when her mother took her life. Now I feel bad for thinking she was a skank hooking up with my boyfriend.
“Oh…” My brows shoot up as I take a closer look at her. She doesn’t seem threatening in any way. She honestly just looks worried more than anything, like a friend trying to look out for her late friend’s child. I feel for her. She was most likely a part of Gracie’s first six months of life, and now she has no news about her.I’ll have to talk to Grey about that.“Would you like to come in and see her?”
Her eyes widen with hope. “I can? Are you sure? I don’t want to upset Greyson.”
“Don’t worry about Greyson. He’ll be home in an hour, and if he’s upset, I’ll deal with him. You’re family to Gracie, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.” I take a step to the side and let Nadia in.
We walk over to where I left Little Tulip and pick her up. “Look, Little Tulip, it’s your auntie Nadia. Do you remember her?”
Gracie rests her head on my shoulder, peeking up at Nadia. She started doing that two weeks ago, acting like she’s shy, but it never lasts long.
“Oh, my… She’s grown so much! Her hair is really starting to come in. You look just like your dad,” Nadia says, looking at Gracie with wonder.
“You should see her aunt, Greyson’s sister. They’re identical,” I inform her with a giggle. “Would you like to take her?”
“Oh, please, if that’s okay?” Her hands move to take Gracie, but then she pulls them back to her chest, so I decide to help her out a bit and pass Little Tulip over.
“Hi, baby. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. I missed you so much. Look at you, you’re growing so fast.” Her voice wobbles with emotion as tears begin to stream down her face. “I’m sorry, this is just a lot. I miss Steph so much…”
“You don’t need to apologize. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. You didn’t just lose your friend but Gracie, too.” I smile sympathetically. “But we’ll change that, I’ll talk to Grey, and I’ll give you my number. That way, you can call me whenever, and you’re always welcome to come see her.” I place my hand on Nadia’s arm and give a reassuring squeeze. “Why don’t you sit down, I’ll get you some tissue. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“That would be nice, thank you.”
I make my way to the kitchen and grab a box of tissues and pour us each a glass, then head back over to Nadia and Gracie. “Here you go.” I place the glass in front of her on the coffee table. Gracie seems to have come out of her shell now and is smiling and babbling off to Nadia.
“You know, I was there for the birth. Steph’s parents weren’t too happy about her having a child on her own since she was struggling mentally. But I was there with her for every appointment, all her morning sicknesses, and labor,” she says sadly, combing her fingers through Little Tulip’s hair.
“Can you tell me more about her? Stephanie? I know it’s something Greyson feels guilty about, not remembering her or knowing about Gracie for the first six months of her life.”
“Steph always struggled with depression. She would often go out to bars and get drunk just to feel something for a little while, but it never lasted. She’d always put on a bright face for everyone to see, but when she thought no one was looking, you could see how broken she really was inside. I just wish I had gotten her more help,” she says quietly.
