“What? For what?”
She shrugs. “When I called you earlier this year I was at my wits’ end. I was desperately trying to put back together the torn-up pieces of my brother. Nothing was getting through to him. Then you came along and for the first time since the accident I saw glimpses of who he used to be. I was really worried for a while that he was turning into?—”
“Your father?” I bite my tongue at the slip. The surprise on her face making me feel guilty. “He told me.”
“Yeah,” she sighs. “I guess I was worried about that. I know he’s not like that at all, but... there are times when I worry.”
I turn to her and try to say this as gently as I can. “Even in his darkest moments he’d never be that man.” I know that for a fact. Grey is the kindest and gentlest man I’ve ever met. “And you’re wrong.” She frowns. “It wasn’t me. It was you and Lianna. The risk of losing you both.”
She sits with that for a minute. I’d like to go find him. Something prickles at the edges of my heart, but I need to calm down. It’s fine. He’s just talking with Atlas right now. “Well.” She smirks. “Why don’t we call it even, then. We both helped.”
I smile. “He loves you a lot. He talks about you and Lianna constantly.” I sip my water. “I just hope that in the future you guys will be my family too.”
“Oh, Felix, we are already. Grey is not letting you gowithout a fight. Once he loves someone, that’s it.” She smiles. “His exes didn’t deserve him. When he loves, he loves big. It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes, but we love him anyway, huh?”
I think about it for a moment and she’s right. I do. I do love him.
I need to tell him.
“Mama!” Landon walks up sheepishly as Lianna flings herself onto her mother’s dress, bunching her tiny hands in the fabric. “Daddy said he’s tired!” She pouts.
“Did he?” Alyssa’s brows rise, her mouth dropping dramatically. “What an old man.”
“Ouch, babe. I just need a break.” Alyssa grins wide, kissing Landon.
“Come on, Bug. Let’s give the old man a break.” She laughs as he pinches her ass.
“I’ll show you who’s an old man.” His eyes heat on her. “It’s Mommy’s time to tag in.”
She finishes her drink and gets up. “Let’s show everyone here how it’s done.” Landon goes to sit down. “Uh-uh, let’s go. I need someone to bring up the rear.”
He groans, but I can see the light in his eyes as he goes to follow her. “Felix, you need to dance too.”
“I will in a moment.” I raise my water, finishing it up and watching them walk onto the dance floor. It’s funny, all my life I’ve been around so much toxicity. I don’t remember my mother and father together. He died when I was young, and from then on, my mother bounced from boyfriend’s house to boyfriend’s house. I can’t recall this type of love ever being around.
Even when Steven and I met, our love never looked like this. Maybe if I’d known this was how love is supposed to feel, I wouldn’t have fallen for him. What I feel for Grey is an impossibility I never thought was real.
I love him. Holy shit, I love him.
I need to find him.
As I weavethrough the grinding bodies, Andre watches me walk by, and I nod at him as I go. He and Oli really are cute. I get to the end of the room and still haven’t seen either Atlas or Grey, but I do see a door near the back exit.
Bright white light greets me as I step into a little hallway. It’s blinding compared to the dim lights of the dance hall. I’m not sure if they came out here, but the cool air feels nice.
It’s eerily silent, but as I walk I hear hushed voices. I follow the sound, wondering if it’s them. Why would they be back here? I walk to the end and round a corner, seeing Grey’s navy-blue shirt and wide shoulders.
I freeze.
No. No. This isn’t right, no. Grey is... he’s kissing Atlas. I watch them for a second. I can’t fully believe what I’m seeing. He’s kissing him. Atlas’s eyes are closed and he’s holding onto to him like he’s terrified he’ll float away.
Grey’s own hands are gripping his wrists as Atlas cups his face.
No. I feel like I’m standing here for hours when it’s probably only seconds. I need to leave. I can’t believe this. I step back, my foot scuffing the floor. Atlas snaps back, and our eyes meet. His eyes widen. The entire thing takes maybe a second, but it feels like hours.
“What the fuck!” Grey rips out of his grip. Angry. Angry at me, most likely. “Wait, no. Felix. Wait, this isn’t...”
“I can’t believe this.” I run so fast down the hall. I can’t believe how fucking stupid I am. How could I believe this would be different? Grey is a famous athlete. Why would heeven want to be with me? Atlas is younger, and hotter, and more of everything that I’m not.
