“Stop being selfish.”
“I will not hold him back.”
“You’re already holding him back!” Onyx growled angrily. “He’s injured; his head is with you instead of that field. I already know he wanted to come back here tonight rather than stay with his team. You are a distraction he doesn’t need, and if you were gone,” Onyx paused to take a calming breath, “he would realize he doesn’t want you.”
“You’re wrong,” I whispered as I walked the length of the room. “You’re so wrong. He would find me.”
“I will give you enough to disappear, Quinn. Please, for my family, take it.”
My pacing stopped, and I looked over at him. Cold, distant, so like Gray it hurt to see him look at me with such distaste. Thankfully, his eyes were dark and not the same shade as the twins’. I don’t think I could bear it if I saw the same hatred in Gray’s eyes when he looked at me. “No.”
Onyx rolled his head back on his shoulders as he flexed his hands in agitation. “How much?”
“No.”
“Quinn—”
“Onyx! I said no. Gray is a grown man. I can assure you, there is nothing stopping him from his dream of playing in the NFL. He told me the other night, the NFL is a few years of his life.” Placing my hands on the counter, I leaned over it and met Onyx dead on. “I am forever.”
Onyx’s tongue licked over his top teeth in anger at my words. “Idiot.”
“He’s never been an idiot. None of them have. That’s what you forget.”
“I forget nothing.”
“Neither do I.” I met his hateful glare, and I didn’t look away. “You need to go. Thank you for your help tonight, I really do appreciate it.”
“I did it for my brother.”
“I’m well aware,” I replied equally as coldly. “I can still say thanks. Unlike you, I’m a decent human being.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Onyx snarled over his shoulder as he walked away. I heard the front door slam behind him, and I made sure it was locked as I watched his stupid shiny car drive away.
After going back for my water, I climbed the stairs to Gray’s room and then sat awkwardly on the couch. I had never been in here without him. It felt weird. Like I was invading his privacy.
Looking around, I saw his charger and plugged my phone in. After a minute, I was able to turn it on and saw I had messages, all from Gray.
Gray:Has he fixed it?
Gray:Why is no one answering?
Gray:Make sure you have an alibi if you’ve killed him . . .
Gray:Seriously babe, let me know you’re okay. I love you
I hesitated as I read them again. Was Onyx right? Was I holding him back? Breaking them?
I read the message again,I love you. Taking a deep, calming breath, I dialed his number.
“Hey, it’s me.” I relaxed into his pillows as I heard his voice, and I turned onto my side as I breathed the smell of him in. “I’m on your bed.” I gave a light laugh as he asked why. “Because your psycho brother took me to the house so he can lock me in.”
“He’s keeping you safe,” Gray said softly.
Oh, my sweet man, if only you knew.
“Tell me about your night,” I encouraged him. “Does it suck being there and not playing tomorrow?”
As Gray picked up on my aversion to talking anymore about my evening, I listened to him tell me that Coach was pissed off with the three of them. I smiled as he exaggerated Coach Bowers’s temper; he was really a sweet guy.
