Page 48

Story: All I Have Left

Josh approaches, eyeing me and then Courtney wrapped around me. “What are you doing, man? This isn’t you.”
I don’t look at him. “I suggest you leave if you don’t agree with it,” I tell him, smiling.
I won’t deny it. I’ve always held a little attraction for Courtney Johnson. I mean, look at her. Blonde, curvy, tan, she’s beautiful. But she’s not the girl who holds my attention.
Courtney is simply a distraction.
And willing right now. I could fuck her. I could, and it’d probably be pretty good.
Thinking about it, my eyes rake over her body, tight and tan, willing, so fucking willing. I bring the bottle to my lips, watching her, trying to decide if I should. Given the lack of attention I’ve given it lately, my cock twitches at the idea.
It’d be easy to act on my desires. I have them. Wrong girl, but hey, I have fucking needs and she’ll do just fine. The whiskey in my hand whispers it’sa good idea.
Frankie comes up to me next, her hands on my shoulders. “Hey, Court, I need this guy. Thanks.” And then she forces me away about two feet.
I let go of Courtney, glaring at Frankie. “What?”
“We have a problem.”
I shrug. “No, you have a problem. Not me.” I hold up the bottle in my face. “I’m pretty fucking good here.”
I smile and take a drink.
“GRAYSON!” she screams at me.
I roll my eyes. Always so dramatic.
Courtney wraps her arms around my waist and brings her chest flush against my back. “You ready to get out of here?”
I nod. “Sure.”
Frankie shoves her hand in my chest. “No way you’re leaving with her.”
“You’re not my mother, Frankie.”
“You’re lucky I’m not because if she finds out you’re acting like this, she’s going to beat your ass.” She scowls at me. “What are you doing over here with her?”
I sway on my feet. “Moving on.” I tip my bottle toward Evie and Shane in the corner. “She has. I should too.”
Frankie stares at me. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Why do you care so much? I left, remember?” I raise my hands up, adrenaline working through me. “I fucked this all up. So why are you over here giving me a goddamn lecture?”
“Knock that shit off.” Frankie digs her finger in my chest. I rub the spot with my hand holding the bottle, keeping my other hand around Courtney. “You need to go over there and make her see that you’re the better guy.” She pauses and looks at Courtney, glaring, and then back at me. “Despite being an asshole right now, you’re the better guy. Make her see that.”
“Whatever, Frankie.” I roll my eyes. “Just stay out of it. Let her be.”
“God,” she groans. “You’re such a stubborn jerk.”
“Why am I the jerk right now?” My voice is low and relaxed,a product of the alcohol. “She’s not my fucking girlfriend. She’s made that pretty fucking clear.”
Ethan makes his way to us, his hands buried in his pockets. Neither one of them is going to let this go. It’s like they’re tag teaming and trying to outnumber me. Fuckers.
“Grayson, I gotta talk to you.” He grabs onto my shoulder and nods in the direction of Evie against the side of the house. “We gotta get Evie away from him. I heard some shit from the sheriff and it’s not good. I’ve tried—” Ethan pauses, choosing his words. It’s then I start to pay attention. “I tried telling myself this wasn’t happening to my sister, but I can’t lie about this any longer.”
My heart pounds in my chest with anger, no, not just anger, but outright rage as I look over my shoulder to see them making out against the wall. In front of me she’s going to do this shit?
“She seems fine,” I snort, more annoyed than ever.