“We’ll need to be on the same team now more than ever. And I can tell you’re still angry about what I did.”
“Well, Gray, you up and left me after making certain promises.”
He absorbed that accusation. “I did. You deserved more from me. I should’ve told you what I was planning. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
“Should’vetoldme? We should’ve had a discussion about it.”
“You’re right.” He swallowed hard. “I never meant to hurt you, Shelby.”
She spared him a glance. “Why do people always say that? Intention or no, it still had the same effect. Did you ever consider my feelings even once?”
At the end of his senior year, frustration and helplessness had welled up inside like a toxic plume. “I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I was just a stupid kid. I didn’t know I’d lose you. I didn’t know you’d hate me for it.”
She whirled on him. “I didn’t hate you. I loved you, you idiot. I thought you loved me too.”
He took a step toward her, then stopped when she stiffened. “Idid. I did, Shelby. I thought— I don’t know, I thought you’d—”
“Just sit around Grandville waiting for you to return—or not return at all?”
He winced. Yeah, he’d been a dumb kid. Because basically, yes, he’d expected her to just get on board with his plans. And he’d given little thought to the actual danger he might be facing. “You’re right. I didn’t consider your feelings at all. I was thoughtless and you didn’t deserve that. I soon regretted my selfish decision when you wouldn’t take my calls.”
“Can you blame me?”
Yep, he’d been an idiot all right. There was really nothing more he could say for himself. It would only sound like excuses anyway. “I’m sorry. I wish I could do things over. I’d do them differently.”
She gathered a stack of books and faced him, a deep breath making her shoulders rise and fall. “I appreciate your saying so. But I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It’s in the past and I’ve moved on. I’m grateful you’re staying to help. That means a lot. But can we please put this away for good?Please.”
He didn’t feel much better about it than he had a few minutes ago.In fact, he felt even worse. But pushing her wouldn’t be fair. And it sure wouldn’t do any good. He’d apologized. There was nothing more he could do. “If that’s what you want.”
“Great. I’ll put these in the office with the other returns, then we’re done for the day.”
Shelby was shaking as she turned the Closed sign. She watched Gray walk down the sidewalk toward his SUV. Why did that stupid breakup haunt her so many years later?
So she’d had her tender little heart broken. So what? It happened to just about everyone. She’d finally gotten that apology she’d been waiting for all these years, but instead of feeling better, she felt as if he’d just ripped off a fresh scab.
“You know why, Sweet Girl.”
Shelby gave a deep sigh. All that therapy hadn’t been for nothing. So, yes, Gray’s sudden exit had reawakened all those feelings of abandonment from her mother’s departure. But she was over all that now. She’d worked through the feelings and come out the other side.
Gray was sorry. She was ready to move on. Shewasmoving on—with Logan. Maybe he wasn’t as exciting as Gray, maybe his touch didn’t exactly set her on fire. But it was nice. Comfortable. Worthwhile. Shelby would not be like her mom, blowing off something good for the hope of something better.
She and Logan could have a wonderful future together.
“Shelby Shackleford?”Gram’s voice again.
Can’t win ’em all, Gram.
She checked her watch. Maybe she could catch Caleb and Liddy at home. Shelby had to come clean with them about that equity loan.
Twenty minutes later she made herself comfortable in Dad’s livingroom. Her dad was out with friends and Liddy was at the grocery store. Ollie was sound asleep in the Pack ’n Play and ESPN blared from the TV.
Caleb used the remote to turn it down, then settled in the chair across from her. “What’s up?”
“A lot has happened in the past few days. I’m not sure how much Liddy has told you.”
“I know the store’s not doing as well as you thought—and that Gray’s sticking around to ‘help.’”
She’d ignore the tone he used on that last part. “‘Not doing well’ doesn’t quite cover it. I’m in arrears with the rent and there’s practically nothing in the account. The situation’s fairly dire.”
