Page 16

CHAPTER 16

Henry

“Fuck!” I yelled as panic laced through me. I banged my head against the steering wheel as the dying sounds of my engine echoed in the air.

Of all days for my car to kick the bucket, the morning I was supposed to leave for the damn trip was the day my car decided to say, “Eff you, Henry, we’re through!”

It would be just my luck.

I sighed as I called my sister, my stomach twisting, already knowing she would be disappointed, but also, that she probably would just think I’m trying to get out of the weekend altogether.

“Hey Henry, what’s up?” she answered, and I could hear voices in the background. She wasn’t alone.

“I’m not going to be able to make it,” I sighed, waiting for the scolding.

“What? Why? I thought—”

“My car won’t start. Like, it won’t kick over. At all... I’m going to have to call Triple AAA or something, regardless, but it doesn’t look like I’m leaving my driveway. Unless, you’re able to pick me up—”

“I can’t. I dropped my car off for a recall yesterday and I’m riding with Giselle and Aaron. I’m sorry.” She sighed in disappointment, and I felt like the worst fuck up on the planet.

“Does he need a ride?” Giselle’s voice shimmered in the background.

“Yeah, his car won’t start,” Mia said.

“Grayson’s driving up by himself. I’ll call him, see if he can pick him up.”

My blood chilled.

No, it fucking froze .

Here lies Henry, frozen like a popsicle.

“That’s really not necessary, Mia, I—”

The incoming buzz of a text ominously pulled my attention as Mia asked, “What did you say?”

I swiped up to see Grayson had texted me, “Pick you up in twenty minutes.”

I swallowed harshly as I answered Mia.

“Grayson just texted me.” The words felt like both a balm and a curse.

“Oh great! I’m so glad that worked out! See you soon, brother!” she said with excitement before hanging up the phone.

I watched with bated breath as the silver Porsche crawled into my parking lot, as the tinted window to the driver’s side slid down with ease to reveal Grayson’s gorgeous face, his hair swept back with only a few strands falling free in front of his sunglasses.

“Someone call an Uber?” he said with a smirk. His gold watch glinted in the sunlight as he gripped his steering wheel.

Fuck, he was so hot.

Perhaps I was right. Perhaps this was a bad idea all around. Perhaps I could pretend to fall ill. Maybe event faint.

I sure felt like I could as I stared at him in all his GQ-esque glory.

“I don’t remember requesting the X model,” I said as I dragged my suitcase up the hill. Grayson met me halfway, taking my suitcase from me in a gesture that surprised me. His warm hands against my cold, steady grip was a welcome contrast.

“Well then, today must be your lucky day,” he said as he tossed my suitcase in the back of his pristine trunk.

Seriously, whose trunk is that clean?

It’s suspicious.

I watched as he slammed it shut, the corners of his lips pulling up into a smirk, before sighing in defeat as I sulked toward the passenger side door.

I attempted to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

With an exasperated sigh, I turned to see Grayson approaching me lazily, reaching his hand out to brush mine away, the feel of his fingertips against the back of my hand sending a chill racing up my spine.

Beep beep.

The mechanical whirring of the locks unlocking sounded and Grayson opened the door with the lightest tug.

“After you, Henry,” he said, his voice dark and inviting.

“Thanks,” I said, as I crawled in, letting Grayson carefully shut the door and assume his rightful spot in the driver’s seat.