Chapter 51 Strength I Never Thought I Would Have

Chapter 51 Strength I Never Thought I Would Have
Gracie

I am done with him. I have my college fund, which my mom made sure was there for me. No one else is allowed to touch it but me. I have some money saved too. I need to find work and get my own place. I can’t stay with Ryland and Melissa until after I graduate. I will be going away to college, six hours away to be exact, so I only need a short-term lease. 

Ryland is quick to catch up with me. “Are you okay, Gracie?” 

“I will be.” 

I know being away from him, away from my dad, it will take time to adjust to, but it is the right thing to do. It is the safest thing for me to do. 

“Are you up for going to school? Maybe a sick day would be best? I will take it too, my mom will understand.” He says softly. 

I am in no mood for school. Taking a sick day sounds good. It won’t get me in trouble since I barely miss school. 

“I will, but you don’t need to. I don’t want you getting into trouble.” 

“I won’t. It will be okay. I don’t want to leave you alone today, brown eyes.” 

I would usually argue with him on it, but today, I don’t have the energy. I nod, giving in. We return to his place, making the calls to the school. 

“Come on, beautiful, let’s put your things away, and then we can go back to sleep for a bit.” 

Sleep sounds good. I am exhausted. I didn’t sleep much last night because I was worried about today. I wanted to sneak back into Ryland’s room, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to be disrespectful to Melissa after everything she offered me. We take my things to what is now my room, putting everything away.

I keep the tee that Ryland gave me and climb into bed. Ryland strips down to his bocers and slips in next to me, pulling me close to him. I rest my head on his chest, and his arm wraps protectively around me. I snuggle in as close as I can get. 

Ryland gently strokes my hair. “I got you, brow eyes. Always.” He says and kisses the top of my head. 

I never thought it would be possible for me to feel this safe. I lift my head and smile up at him. He glances down at me, his eyes soft, but the way he is looking at me is different. His eyes are filled with I don’t know what. 

“Ryland, why are you looking at me like that?” 

Ryland tucks the hair behind my ear. Ryland takes a deep breath. He opens his mouth to speak, but closes it, changing his mind. I know he wants to say something, something that makes him scared. 

“Is everything okay? You can tell me anything, Ryland.” 

“I know. I just don’t want to freak you out.” His words are shaky because he is nervous. 

I have never seen him this nervous before. I kiss him softly, hoping it will help relax him. I have no clue what he wants to say. I part from the kiss a moment later.

My name falls from his lips, but then he pauses. He takes another deep breath. “I-I-I love you.” 

Wow! I was not expecting that at all. I stare at him, not replying at first. I see him beginning to panic, thinking it was a bad idea to tell me. 

“You do?” I ask. 

“Yes. I am sorry if that isn’t what you wanted to hear right now, but I wanted to tell you.” 

I kiss him again. “I love you too.” 

Our lips part, and he looks at me, eyes wide. “Really?”

“Yes, don’t look so surprised.” I giggle. 

“Sorry, I wasnt expecting you to say it back. I thought it would have freaked you out.” He chuckles. 

We haven’t been together long, but neither of us can deny that there has been something between us from the get-go. Since the start, we have shared a bond, even if to start with it was an unspoken bond. 

“Not at all. We have known there is something between us since day one, even if you were an asshole when I first met you.” I tease. 

“Yes, that is very true,” he smiles. “I am sorry I was an asshole.” 

“I forgive you.” I let our lips meet and dance again. 

We spent the next few minutes kissing. Once we stop, Ryland pulls me against his chest. “We should get some rest, and when we wake up, we can have a day of fun, just you and me.” 

I smile brightly. “It sounds perfect.” 

With one last kiss and anotehr I love you, we settle down. I can’t stop smiling. I let myself drift off, lost in my thoughts. Ryland loves me. Me! No one has ever loved me, well, not in this way. Lying here in his arms makes me realise something. I am going to be okay. Yes, I still have a lot to overcome, but I will be okay somewhere down the line. I am away from my dad, and that is a start. I feel a strength in me, a strength I never thought I would have.