I ignored him and pushed past him to yank open the door of the truck, but he didn’t move.
“Besides, you ignored four calls. I figured this was probably faster.”
Summit let out a happy bark and lunged toward him, tail wagging like he’d just found his new favorite person. Graysoncrouched to greet the puppy with boundless energy, scratching behind his ears.
“Traitor,” I mumbled.
After a moment, Grayson stood and dusted off his hands. “So? You feel better now?”
“Should I?”
“You had a long hike. It normally helps.”
I ignored him and reached for my water bottle because it didn’t seem like he’d be going anywhere anytime soon. “I needed it.”
“Uh-huh.” He nodded knowingly. His calmness started to annoy me. “You always do when you’re pissed.”
“I’m not pissed.”
He raised a brow. Just one.
I sighed and opened the tailgate because he didn’t seem like he planned to get the hell out of my way anytime soon. “I’m fine.” I tossed my pack into the back with more force than necessary and hopped up to sit on the back.
“Sure you are,” Grayson said mildly. “That’s why you practically got in a fistfight with Brody last night and stopped answering your phone completely. Because you’re fine.”
I didn’t respond. What was the point?
Grayson moved around to join me at the back of the truck, watching me the same way he used to when we were kids and I’d sworn I hadn’t done anything wrong. He had a way of getting the truth out of all of us. I could never prove it, but I was pretty sure Mom just sent in Grayson to figure out who was responsible for whatever shenanigans had most recently gone down.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with the trails or that development you’re so opposed to, does it?”
“Why would you say that?”
He didn’t argue. Just waited.
We sat in silence until I couldn’t handle it anymore. Idragged a hand through my hair and looked toward the trees, contemplating the merit of making a run for it.
“Let’s just say,” I said finally, “I overestimated my ability to keep my shit compartmentalized.”
That got his attention. He cocked his head, listening.
“It was only supposed to be one night. It wasn’t supposed to mean anything.”
Thatreallygot his attention. “What was only supposed to be one night, Pres? What are you talking about?”
I dropped my head in my hands and tugged at the roots of my hair, giving myself a minute to decide how much to say. If I should say anything at all.
Fuck it.
“Jess,” I admitted. “And me.”
Grayson didn’t even bother trying to hide his shock.
“I didn’t mean it to happen, but…”
“It did?”
I nodded. “It sure fucking did.”
