Page 35 of Come Back to Me

He climbs down with his feet, hanging onto the vine. “I can feel you watching me.”

“I can’t help it.”

“You’re making me nervous, Vi.”

“No,you’remakingmenervous, Gray.”

“You’re not helping, you know.”

“Sorry.”

Several minutes pass by, and Grayson makes it halfway down the side of the house. I’m okay until I hear him mutter curse words under his breath. “Oh, shit.”

Oh, no. That didn’t sound good. Why did I suggest doing this?

My anxiety bubbles, rising to the surface. My heart is beating fast.

“Gray, what’s going on?”

“The vine is about to break. I knew something like this was going to happen.”

My heart is about to burst out of my chest. “Can you hold on for a few more seconds?”

“I don’t know. I guess I can try.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Unlocking the door, I come face to face with Blake.

“What’s wrong with you? And why was the door locked?”

“Don’t pretend that you care about me, and I wanted privacy from you. That’s why the door was locked, asshole.” I push him out of my way and run out of my room like my life depends on it. My chest is heaving due to the nerves radiating through my bloodstream.

I can’t breathe or feel my fingers.

Booking it like a marathon runner, I make it to the side of the house. Grayson’s hanging there by a thread, more specifically his hands. He’s closer to the ground, but not close enough to land well.

“Gray.”

“I can’t hold on much longer.” Placing my hands on my cheeks, I brace myself for what’s about to happen. The vine snaps, leaving Grayson to fall onto the ground with a combination of grunting noises coming from his mouth. He ends up on the grass directly on his back.

I sprint over to him, inspecting every inch of his face and body. “Are you okay?”

“And you thought this was a good idea.”

“I’m sorry.” I look away, tears falling out of my eyes. “I shouldn’t have told you to go out the window. I don’t know what I was thinking. I?—”

He cuts me off. “Hey, look at me.” The palm of his hand lands on my cheek, turning my face in his direction. “Violet.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m okay.”

“I beg to differ.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Look at your arm.”