Page 75 of Come Back to Me

“He wanted me to make sure you get up. Look at you. You’re up. Good job,” he says in a mocking kind of tone.

Releasing a sarcastic laugh, I stick my middle finger up at him as I get out of bed. “You’re so funny, bro.”

“I know you talked to Noah about everything. Do you want to talk to me about anything?” Sincerity embeds itself throughout his voice.

“What is there to talk about?”

“Gray, this girl was the love of your life. Your world revolved around her. You were in love with her.”

“You’re wrong,” I say.

“No, don’t do that shit. You’re not driving into denial town. I won’t allow it.”

“She’llalwaysbe the love of my life. My world still revolves around her. I think I could still be in love with her. This is all too fucking complicated.”

Xander walks into my room and sits on my desk chair, rolling over to me. “How is it complicated?”

“Actually, it’s not complicated at all.” I lick the inside of my cheek. “Violet broke my heart, destroying me in the process. Do you know how hard it was for me after everything that happened during senior year of high school? I thought I wasn’t going to be myself again.” I let out a deep breath. “I know I can be a pain in the ass, but I’m lucky I have you and Noah. I don’t know if I’d be here right now if I didn’t have you guys.”

“That might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He gives me puppy-dog eyes.

“Oh, shut up,” I say.

“The fact that you’re willing to hear her out says how much you’ve matured over the last six years. No matter how much she hurt you. Noah did tell you she went through hell, right?”

“Yeah, he did. It doesn’t give her a free pass for me to forgive her. Forgiveness is something that can’t be bought. It needs to be earned.”

“You’ll be okay. I do have one suggestion though.”

I narrow my eyes slightly. “Okay. What is it?”

“Don’t lose your temper with her,” he says. “Violet is really delicate. I know it was hard for her to work up the courage to come and talk to you yesterday. Just be gentle with her, okay?”

I nod. “Alright.”

A dorky smile appears on Xander’s face. “What are you making for breakfast?”

“Since when have I become the designated breakfast maker?”

“Since forever.”

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “You’re such a dork.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He rolls my chair back over to my desk and gets up, walking out of my bedroom.

“Tell Noah he can make breakfast!” I shout, hoping Xander heardwhat I said.

Heading into the bathroom, I brush my teeth and fix my bedhead.

Why didn’t Xander tell me how weird my hair looks?

Once I’m done in the bathroom, I put on a white muscle tank, a pair of gym shorts, and black and white Nikes.

Grabbing my phone, I leave my bedroom and make my way into the kitchen. I see Xander sitting at the kitchen table and Noah sitting directly across from him. They’re both staring at me.

“I’m not making breakfast,” I say. “One of you can because I have business to attend to.”

A dumb smile appears on Noah’s face. “Are we calling Violet your business?”