Page 110 of Come Back to Me

“So, how was the party?” I ask with a fake smile.

“We all stayed upstairs the entire time because it was much louder downstairs. I debated on leaving with Dani earlier, but I stuck it out. You definitely didn’t miss anything.”

“I figured.”

“Are you okay? I know they playedthesong.”

“When I heard it, I wasn’t okay. I ran out of the house to clear my head, and Violet came and checked on me. I’m okay now though.”

“Are you sure? I should’ve checked on you.”

“Yeah. Seriously, don’t beat yourself up about this.”

“Alright. Not to change the subject, but what did you and Violet do when you got back here?”

“Why?” I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head at a slight angle.

“Curious minds want to know.”

“We ordered dinner and chatted. I somehow roped her into seeing my mom with me tomorrow.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“What? Are you my therapist now?”

“No, Grayson. It’s a genuine question.”

“Uh, I don’t know. For starters, I know how much my mom misses her. And I know how much Violet would love to see her.”

“So, you’re doing this for your mom, Violet, or for you?”

“I’m doing this for them.”

“So, you invited Violet to see your mom tomorrow. Got it. Did anything else happen?”

My eyes lower themselves onto Noah’s feet, and I zone out.

Do I tell Noah what happened between Violet and I? If I tell him, then I make it a big deal, and it’s not anything like that. If I don’t tell him, then I wouldn’t be making it a big deal.

The thing is, Noah has known me since I was little, so he knows when I’m lying.

“Gray!” he shouts, staring at me.

Shaking my head, I snap myself out of my thoughts. “What?”

“Did anything else happen between you and Violet?”

“Nope.”

“Yeah, you’re full of shit. I know you’re lying to me.”

I can’t get anything past you, can I?

I grunt. “It’s not a big deal, man. I had barbecue sauce all over my face, and Violet wiped it off with a napkin. Okay?”

Noah lets out a loose, breathy laugh. “How is that not a big deal? You know a similar thing happened to Dani and I before we got together, right?”

“Yeah, and your point is…?”