" All that being said. I'll see you tonight. At nine o'clock clock sharp. Don't be late," He says sharply and jumps through the window, and onto the roof.
While I sink onto the bed, and reevaluate all my life choices. What's there to reevaluate anyway, other than a long series of poorly made decisions?
My judgement is not the best, and probably that makes me an awful person but I never did anything intending to hurt anyone. Although, If I'm being honest I knew that this would happen eventually. It was a question of when rather than a question of if.
Graham takes a deep breath, slaps his hands on his knees and pushes himself off the chair, joining me on the bed.
" Sweeet cheeks, " He says tenderly, brushing the hair sticking to my face. At this point, I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm a bundle of mixed emotions and none of them are good ones.
" Give him time," Graham takes my hand in his and gives me a reassuring squeeze. I love Graham. He is always, so calm, and compassionate. Even when he spews nothing but nonsense.
" Do you want to fight? They say it's good to release pent-up anger," He pauses for a second, thinking," Never mind, I know for sure that it helps. I can't even count the number of times, Mason has beaten me into a pulp, because I annoyed him, " I frown and look at Graham worried.
" No, not like that. It was a fair fight. I landed my own fair share of punches, but he was good after that," Graham shrugs, " Be patient. Mason isn't one to forgive easily," Already aware of that little fact.
" I don't think, I can be patient anymore Graham. I've tried everything that I can think of," I say soulfully, making Graham smile at me.
" Stop trying. If you push him, he will pull away. Take it one day at a time. And maybe, try and have a go at him. With any luck you might knock some sense into him," I wipe my tears, and Graham leans in for a hug.
" Well, this has been the most fun," He chuckles," I got beat up by a V'asay. Poked my nose in a murder investigation. Just so you know they are boring. I should leave the house more often. How about you come for a visit. I can show you, Meza. You'll love it. I promise," I lean in and give Graham another hug. He is the friend that everyone needs, and should definitely have.
" I'll try. I'm going to see Enid in a few days. Maybe next week. I have a date on Saturday with Ashely," Graham gasps at my confession, with wide twinkling eyes.
" No. You're taking the ginger for a spin. I hear he is quite the lover," Graham pokes me in the ribs," Good for you girl," He says with a chuckle. I feel my face heat at the thought of me and Ashley getting down and dirty.
" It's not like that," I mumble embarrassed," I wanted to make Mason jealous," I heave out a heavy sigh," But I suppose, now I'll just have to give him a real chance, won't I?" I look at Graham for answers. This is a bad idea. I know it is, but I also have that little annoying thing called pride.
Graham runs his hand through my hair," You don't have to do anything, sweet cheeks, other than enjoy yourself. You are not responsible for other people's feelings, but you are responsible for your actions. If you know that Ashley is not someone you can see yourself with then don't lead him on. That is wrong, and that will only bring you a world of trouble. Maybe, a gentle reminder would be a good start to clear the air, so he knows where you stand. Ashley tends to be quite intense when it comes to women," He pauses for a bit, and I'm relieved that Graham is offering advice I didn't even know I needed.
" You seem to know him well," I say under my breath and Graham chuckles.
" I do. There is a reason why he and Mason get along so well. They both love women. Or better said love to fuck them," The lilting tone makes my smile grow wider, and for the first time I realise where Graham's place is in my life. He is the sibling I never had and always wanted.
Graham sighs, and I along with him, because this is a sad day for both of us. I wanted answers, and I got them, for now, all I can do is focus on training, school and sorting out this mess with Micah. I realise that Graham is right, I should take a step back from Mason, and stop pushing.
In my need for clarity, I might have pushed his boundaries more than he was comfortable with, considering our circumstances.
" He hates me," Saying it out loud makes me wince," What am I to do?" Graham takes a deep breath.
" He is hurt Lily, angry, perhaps he is feeling betrayed by your actions. I was there. I moped him off the floor every night when he drank himself into a stupor, blaming himself for not preparing you for what's to come," The sound of my heart breaking is a living, tangible thing. I did that. Maybe Mason was right after all. I'm more cold-hearted than he is. My mind is going at the speed of light, all the accusations he has thrown my way, all the bitting remarks, the fact that he is hell-bent on marrying Ava, in spite of the fact that Ava's father is the one pulling the strings. I know Mason can find a way out of it if he wants to. Maybe, he doesn't want to. Ava is the safe choice, she is absolutely smitten with him, to the point of obsession. I'm a risk, a liability.
" I should get going. If you need anything, you know where to find me sweet cheeks. And if by any chance, Ashley is not up to standards. I'm up for grabs," He says with his usual cheekiness, and I can't help but smile at his attempt to cheer me up. It does make me curious, as to how he would react if I'd call his bluff. But, I value his friendship more than anything in the world to go there.
I lean in for another hug," Thank you, Graham. You have no idea what it means to me that you're here," I swallow another wave of tears, and decide that I have cried enough for today.
Graham kisses my forehead in a brotherly gesture and stands up, Shay unfurls himself on the bed, yawns and follows Graham to the door.
" See you later, sweet cheeks," I nod and smile while he slips outside with Shay leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I take a deep breath and look around the room. It's already midmorning, and a new day has already come.
Drained, I collapse back into bed and fall into an exhausted sleep. The past few days have been crazy. The world can go and fuck itself. I'm going to rest and go over everything with a clear mind later. Possibly, never.