Page 104 of Come Back to Me

“Yeah, I’m getting one of the many versions of a Grayson Becker yap session right now.”

“You’d be surprised to hear that I don’t do those too often anymore. Maybe you bring them out of me.” I smirk at her.

Yeah, maybe that’s because you’re nervous as shit around her, bro.

After I put my keys down on the bar counter, I watch as Violet plops down on the sofa like clockwork in the same place we were sitting on a week ago.

“It’s almost like we never left this spot.” I awkwardly smile.

She laughs. “Yeah.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Okay, this question I’m about to ask you is a doozy. It means you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to, but I’m curious.”

She squints her eyes a little bit. “Curious about what?”

“When you were growing up, was there ever a time where you wished you had different parents and a different brother?”

“I thought about it sometimes, but as weird as it may be, I’m glad I was born into the family I have. Everything I endured because of them has made me stronger.” Her chest lightly heaves. “Are there times where I wish they’d apologize for how they treated me? Yeah, of course I do, but I’ll be surprised if that ever happens.” She pauses. “Do you wish you had a different father?”

“I did when I was younger. Now, I’ve gotten used to the fact that I don’t have a father. It’s like you said, everything you endured because of your family made you stronger. Everything I went through with my dad forced me to grow up faster than I wanted to. It also helps when you have a great support system, and I had that. I still do.”

“I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick.” She gets up off the sofa, walking over to the bathroom.

“Hey, Vi?”

“Yeah, Gray?”

“I’m going to call the shelter and ask if I can visit my mom tomorrow. Would you like to come with me?

Mental note: call the shelter, and let them know I’m stopping by tomorrow.

Her eyes light up. “I’d love to.”

That was either one of the smartest or one of the dumbest things I’ve everdone.

now

VIOLET

What’s wrong with me? I didn’t think any of that through. I said yes without any hesitation.

It’s not that I don’t want to see Grayson’s mom. I adore Dana so much.

The last time I saw her was when Grayson blacked out and had to be taken to the hospital. I haven’t visited her since, mostly because I didn’t want to risk running into Grayson there or her telling him that I was there. There was a part of me that believed she hated me for what I did to her son.

A thump on the door snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Is everything okay in there?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” My voice goes up a few octaves.

That’s a lie.

After I wash my hands and splash a little bit of water onto my face, I dry my face with one of the big, navy blue towels next to me.

When I open the door, Grayson is standing right in the doorway and leaving a sliver of space in between us. I find myself unable to speak because of it. I’m usingevery ounce of restraint when it comes to wanting to run my fingers through his soft, dark brunette hair.

Why am I like this?