Here In Your Arms (Fort Haven Book 1) Page 4

  Gray.

  Well, he was certainly worth being woken up for, at least. She flipped open the text, feeling a sense of curiosity running through her veins.

  Found out I don’t have to work tonight. Up for another study date?

  Sophia smiled to herself. Would there ever be any other answer besides a resounding ‘yes?’

  Fully wide awake, she texted him back with excitement, practically counting the minutes until she’d see him at school.

  Um, yes. :) My place this time?

  His mom had been incredibly gracious last time, but it was only fair to ask. Maybe with any luck, they could bounce back and forth every other time.

  At least, as long as he wanted to see her. It was only a matter of time before he’d leave, just like the rest.

  She brushed the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time to worry. Now was the time to enjoy the ride, no matter how long it lasted. That was what senior year was all about, anyway.

  Right?

  For now, all she needed to focus on was getting ready for class.

  That, and wait for four o’clock to roll around.

  ♥♥♥

  Grayson pulled in behind Sophia and waited for her to get out. So many thoughts raced through Grayson’s mind as he fumbled with his car door and stepped outside, and for once, the chill in the air felt good as it breezed past his skin. With his stomach practically doing somersaults inside him, he was an absolute wreck.

  And if he didn’t calm down now, he’d have no chance of impressing her parents.

  So much for playing it cool, he thought. Then again, who was he kidding? Like he could ever possibly play it cool when so much was riding on this moment. He wanted—no, needed—them to like him.

  But you’re just friends, he thought. Yeah, they were just friends.

  For now.

  But maybe someday, in the not-so-distant future, they could be something more.

  “You ready?” Sophia asked.

  Grayson threw her a wry smile. “I think. Not gonna lie, I’m kinda nervous, though.”

  Sophia patted his arm, sending a wave of warmth through his veins. All it took was a single touch to send him into the next galaxy.

  And that was just the beginning.

  “Don’t be,” she said. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

  From the moment Grayson entered the living room, Dana Hillcrest’s eyes honed in on him with curiosity as he stood by Sophia’s side.

  “Mrs. Hillcrest,” he said, offering his hand, “Grayson Cawthorne. Very nice to meet you.”

  Dana looked to Sophia, then back to Grayson, beaming with happiness. “Nice to meet you too, Grayson. Can I get you something to drink?”

  Grayson shook his head. “No, but thank you, though.”

  “We’re gonna head upstairs to study,” Sophia said. “If that’s all right?”

  Her mother’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, as though a veil of caution held her back. “That’s fine. I’ll leave you two alone.” She turned to walk away, then stopped mid-step. “Oh, and Sophia,” her mother called. Sophia turned, half-afraid of what she might say. “Make sure your door isn’t closed.”

  Sophia stifled a groan. “Okay, Mom.”

  And there it was. She figured her mother’s inner ‘helicopter parent’ would kick in eventually. But still. It was embarrassing. Mortifying, even.

  And how many other people in her class had to deal with this crap?

  She heaved a sigh as soon as they were out of earshot. “I’m so sorry. My parents are just…”

  “Protective?” Gray offered. “It’s cool. I get it.”

  He… got it? Since when did any high school guy with a pulse understand protective parents?

  God, Grayson was such a dream.

  “You sure?” she asked.

  “Yeah. I mean, they don’t know me, and it’s always a guessing game when you meet someone for the first time.”

  Still not convinced, she sighed in exasperation. “Yeah, but it’s not fair to you.”

  “It’s all right. Just give them time.”

  She rolled her eyes. She’d given them plenty of time to loosen the reins, but that still hadn’t happened yet.

  And how much longer was she expected to wait?

  “Well, this is it,” she said, flicking the light on in her room. “My little corner of the universe.”

  Grayson’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the photographs and paintings scattered all over the walls. She had to have spent weeks, maybe even months on it all, and he could practically feel the energy and emotion coming from the walls.

  The words escaped his mouth before he had a chance to stop them. “You’re amazing. I mean, what I meant to say was... well, not that you’re not amazing, but—”

  Sophia laughed. “I know what you meant. And thank you,” she said, smiling. “I know a lot of it’s abstract, and most people don’t get abstract art, so it’s nice to hear something good for a change.”

  Grayson smiled. “You should be proud. I mean, you’ve worked your ass off. You deserve it.”

  A warm flush crept into Sophia’s cheeks. “Thanks,” she beamed. “Come downstairs with me. I wanna show you something.”

  With his curiosity piqued, Grayson followed closely behind Sophia as they headed back downstairs.

  “This way,” she said. “We’re heading down to the basement.”

  Grayson looked up, noticing Dana’s watchful eye as the two rounded the corner to head downstairs. Even if he had to watch his step for a while around her, so be it.

  He already knew in his heart that Sophia was worth every effort.

  Grayson’s eyes didn’t even know where to look first. Between the endless array of paint in every shade and brushes in every possible shape and size, it was like being in a full-blown Manhattan art studio.

  Well, minus the skyline view, at least.

  “You have your own studio down here?”

  Sophia nodded in excitement. “Hell yes. One of the perks to being an only child and having a basement that my parents really didn’t have any use for. So yeah, it’s pretty much my domain.” She laughed as she looked at the old exercise equipment in the far corner. “Well, except for some of that crap, which never gets used.”

  “So how long have you been working on this?” Grayson said, motioning to the expansive canvas on the floor. With its endless sea of red and pink roses, it was like a flashing neon sign, commanding the attention it deserved, and he stood speechless for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. Beautiful didn’t quite cut it. But it was the only word that came to mind.

  Or at least, it was the only word that remotely came close to describing it.

  “About a year or so, I think. It’s forever a work in progress, I guess.” A wide grin spread across her face as a plan emerged in her mind. “Wanna help?”

  He stared at her in complete shock. Did she just ask me to help? “Me?” he asked.

  “No, the ghost standing behind you,” she laughed. “Yes, you!”

  “I’m not a painter,” he said. “My grandma is. But I’m not.”

  “So? It’ll be fun.”

  “But what if I mess something up? I mean, how many hours have you spent on this? Hundreds?”

  Sophia shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just something I enjoy doing. And you never know. You might just find that you love painting once you start getting into it.”

  Grayson stared at the table in front of them, unsure of where to start. “I take it you’ve used these two a lot?” He held up the brushes, half-laughing at how sad and disheveled they looked.

  “Don’t pick on them!” she teased. “I’ve had them forever.”

  “Yeah, but one of these days you’re gonna have to get some new ones.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Eh, someday, I guess.” She dipped her brush into the dark red paint, swirling and swirling until she had just the right amount. “But for now, they’ll work.”

  With r
eluctance, Grayson picked up a brush, dipping it into a container of crimson-colored paint. It shouldn’t have made him as nervous as he was. But as he swirled the brush around in the container, he couldn’t help but feel like he’d be ruining something precious, something beautiful that only Sophia had the power to create.

  With a gentle hand, he swiped a short stroke on the canvas, filling in the outlined rose with all the care and love it deserved. Maybe it wasn’t perfect.

  But as long as Sophia liked it, that was all that mattered.

  “See, there’s nothing to be nervous about,” she said with a smile. “You’re doing great.”

  Grayson smiled. “Maybe someday I’ll have a fraction of the talent you have.” He looked down at the container, then back to the table behind them. “I think I need a refill.”

  “All of the smaller tubes should be in that case on the far right.”

  Grayson hopped up and began digging through the case. With everything color-coded, finding the right red shade was a breeze.

  Well, almost, anyway.

  He popped open the cap, squeezing the life out of the tube as it sputtered nothing but air, then turned it so he could stare into the opening. Nothing appeared to be blocking the entrance, and the tube didn’t feel empty.

  But as he continued squeezing, a burst of red shot out, splattering his face and shirt. “Shit!”

  So much for keeping his clothes clean.

  Sophia’s eyes snapped in his direction. “Are you okay?” she asked, jumping up to help. He turned, feeling embarrassed as hell as he stood and faced her. “Oh, shit!” Sophia laughed. “I’m so sorry. Let me go get a warm rag or something.”

  In a flash, she was back, insistent to come to his aid.

  “Hold still,” she said. “Luckily, the paint’s fresh enough that it hasn’t dried onto your skin.” She leaned in, pressing the warm washcloth against his skin. With gentle strokes, the paint began to fade as she wiped at his skin, sending his pulse racing.

  His jaw tensed. Being this close to her was torture.

  Pure torture.

  Yet, like a junkie, he was hooked.

  Even after another evening with Gray, Steve’s words echoed through Sophia’s mind. She couldn’t help it. The worry was there, constantly screaming in the background. Maybe Steve’s right, she thought. Maybe Gray wasn’t who she thought he was.

  But he couldn’t be right. Gray hadn’t done a single thing wrong, and he’d shown her nothing but kindness. If anything, he’d been nicer to her than most of the people she’d known in that town her entire life.

  But still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. The tension was there, heavy and electric in the air, like the sky just before a summer storm.

  And something just didn’t feel right.

  She parked her car in the driveway and glanced over at Steve’s house. His car was there; a sure sign that he would be in for the evening. Outside of work and class, he didn’t have a life.

  Well, other than checking in on you, apparently, she thought.

  She guided her thoughts away from him. Just thinking about him was enough to make her cringe.

  Her eyes drifted to his house once more. Not a soul was in the yard, but as her eyes scanned the property, she honed in on a figure standing in front of one of the windows upstairs.

  A shudder rippled through her as her mind raced to the worst possible conclusion. Like clockwork, the little voice in her head was back, taunting her in the worst of ways.

  Okay, just calm down, she thought. She took a deep breath. Maybe it’s not what you think it is.

  Still, the thought did nothing to steady her heart as it thudded against her ribcage. The thought of Steve spying on her, watching her every move was enough to make her sick.

  And enough to make her pissed off beyond all belief.

  What an asshole, she thought. Does he really think I won’t call him out on this bullshit? Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she flung open the car door. Two could play this game.

  And she wouldn’t hesitate to get in his face.

  Like a storm, she whirled into her house, feeling like she was on a warpath. All she had to do now was ditch her bag and go over and give him a piece of her mind.

  “Everything okay, Sophia?” her mother shouted after her.

  She let out an audible groan. “No. Our freaking neighbor’s a creeping weirdo.”

  Her mother eyed her with disbelief. “I think you’re being a little overdramatic.”

  “Seriously? Is it really that overdramatic when the guy literally stood at his window staring down at me?”

  Her mother shook her head. Sophia’s imagination always ran wild to a small extent. But this?

  This was over the top.

  “I think you’re just a little paranoid, Sophia.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “I’m not being paranoid! Not to mention, he bugged me earlier this week because he wanted to grill me about Grayson.”

  Her mother eyed her suspiciously. “Okay, why don’t you sit down, and we will talk about this. And while we’re on the topic, what exactly is your status with Grayson?”

  Yep. This is exactly what I was afraid of, Sophia thought. Of course, the minute she announced her status to the world, her mother would want to know every last detail about him down to his freaking blood type. Yeah, she knew this conversation would have to have to happen at some point.

  But for God’s sake, why did this have to come up now when she wasn’t ready to deal with it?

  “Mom, he’s literally just a friend, okay? There’s not much to really know.”

  Just a friend. Oh, she’d used that line so many times before when she’d been Sophia’s age.

  And she'd used it enough times to know that it was complete and utter bullshit.

  Sophia slumped down in her chair. She didn’t want to talk about Steve. The guy was a nutcase.

  End of story.

  Her mother shook her head, half-laughing at the silliness of the situation. “You know, your father used to stare out the window across the street from my house when I still lived at home. Did you ever stop to think that maybe Steve likes you?”

  Sophia’s head banged against the table, letting her hair splay out around her dramatically. “Yeah, but at least Dad wasn’t a creep. Pretty sure you would never have dated him if he had been.”

  She laughed and nodded at her daughter. “You’re right about that.”

  Sophia’s stomach grumbled. She was starving, nearly on the verge of feeling edgy as she lifted her head, letting her hair cascade around her face. “I just don’t know what to do. He acts like Grayson’s the worst person to ever walk the face of the planet.”

  Her mother tossed her oven mitts off and sat down across from Sophia. “Could it be that he’s jealous?”

  Sophia sat in silence. It was one thing to have her own fears. But to have them echoed? That was borderline frightening.

  And creepy.

  “I think it’s worth talking to him about it,” she continued. “But don’t go over there with a bunch of attitude. Guys never respond well to that.”

  She had a point. Not that it stopped her from feeling the anger boiling inside her. But her mother was right.

  If she came out swinging, it would only end in disaster. She needed to give herself time.

  Even if she didn’t exactly want to.

  “I don’t know. I think I just need to cool down.”

  Sophia grabbed her bag and headed upstairs, feeling a faint vibration against her side as she walked into her room. No doubt, it was probably Cassie, wanting to know if she was free.

  But secretly, she hoped it would be Gray instead.

  She pulled her phone out, feeling ridiculously excited as she read Gray’s name on the screen. But just as quickly as she became excited, the high had faded, leaving her with more questions than answers as her blood pounded furiously in her veins. She read the text again in disbelief.


  Gotta leave for work soon, but someone slashed my damn tires. Can you give me a ride???

  Sophia’s heart slammed in her chest. God only knew why anyone would do something so shitty to him, but she was determined to get to the bottom of it. She quickly texted Grayson back.

  Omg… Are you OK?

  Panic set in as Grayson looked down at his phone. Yeah, what had happened was a big deal. But making Sophia freak out unnecessarily was the last thing he wanted to do. He fired back a quick response.

  Yes, I’m OK. Will just need a ride tonight.

  Sophia was still clinging to her phone when the next text came in. At least his message gave her some small relief now that she knew he was okay. But still.

  Who would do this to him? Had he done something to piss someone off? She squeezed her eyes shut. Surely, there had to be some semi-rational explanation for this.

  Relax, she thought. It could’ve just been random vandalism. But somehow, that just didn't seem to be the case. Something was making her Spidey-senses on high alert.

  But what?

  She typed back a quick response.

  Be there ASAP.

  With fear and anxiety propelling her forward, she tossed her phone into her bag and flew down the stairs, practically slamming into her Mom in the process.

  “Hey are you going somewhere?” her mother asked. “Because I don’t recall you asking.”

  Sophia cringed. Why couldn’t she just have normal parents that didn’t give a shit where she was going or what she was up to?

  She rushed out the words, hoping if she blurted them out fast enough it would be enough to satisfy her mother. “It’s kinda an emergency. I have to go pick up Grayson, or he’ll be late to work.”

  Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but Sophia cut in, keeping any sort of rebuttal at bay.

  “Mom, please. I’m eighteen, okay? I gotta hurry. Someone slashed his tires, and he doesn’t exactly have anyone to turn to right now.”

  “Listen,” she said, leaning against the railing, “I can appreciate you wanting to help, but I don’t need all the attitude. I’m just trying to make sure I know what’s going on in my daughter’s life.”