Chapter 13

There was something really scary about walking in the park at night. I was in my black pyjama bottoms and a red tank top. I’d thrown my favourite blue sweater over it too keep warm.

Please, remind me why I’d agreed to this? I was scared, cold and even a little hungry.

I stood in the middle of the park, searching for Grant. He was nowhere to be seen. Then again, that wasn’t surprising considering how dark it was.

“Well, this is just great.” I muttered. “Now I’m probably going to get raped or mugged or—”

“Why are you talking to yourself?” A familiar voice asked suddenly, scaring me half to death.

“Grant! You can’t just sneak up on people like that!” I barked.

“Why? It’s cute when you get scared.” He grinned and, obviously, I blushed. I was a bit more appreciative of the dark now, knowing he couldn’t see the subtle tinge of red in my cheeks.

Time to talk about the reason I was here in the first place. “Why did you sound like that on the phone?” I asked. There was no point in dancing around the subject.

Grant sighed sadly. “Let’s go to the swing.” He suggested.

I nodded and he walked towards the swing while I trailed behind him. Grant sat himself on one of the swings and I followed suit. We sat in silence for a while, probably both waiting for the other to break it.

“My mom’s getting remarried.” Grant whispered.

I almost groaned, but I managed to catch myself. Why did he feel the need to make me walk out to the park at one o’clock at night to tell me something, which he could have just told me on the phone? For heaven’s sake, was this boy actually for real?

Oh, and Rose? You still haven’t said anything yet.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” I frowned, trying hard not to ask the obvious and failing completely.

“I met her boyfriend,” Grant answered darkly. “And no, it’s not.”

“Why? Grant, what happened at dinner?”

“He and I got into an argument.”

“And…” I pressed. What could have possibly made Grant dislike this guy so much? If he made his mom happy, I didn’t exactly see what the problem was…

“He punched me.”

“HE WHAT?!” I all but screeched. I leant my swing closer to take a look at his face but, thanks to the damn dark, I couldn’t see a thing. Frustrated, I pushed off the swing and tried to shine the light from my mobile onto his face. Grant dropped his head as soon as he realised what I was doing; I grabbed his chin and tilted his face back up. As soon as the light hit his skin, I gasped.

There was already a bruise forming around both eyes; the guy must’ve hit Grant square in the nose. I could tell that he was going to be black and blue by tomorrow. His face looked so sore. I reached out my hand and traced underneath his eye gently.

“I- I don’t know what to say.” I was completely lost for words.

“You don’t have to say anything.” He replied. “I just need you.”

I nodded and placed myself on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Why were you mad at me before- in school?” I whispered softly.

“I don’t want to lie anymore.”

 ******

If I ever told Ryan about this, he would never let me live it down.

“Which side do you sleep in?” Grant asked, taking off his pants. “’I usually sleep on the left side.” Then, he pulled his shirt over his head. No-one could blame me for my jaw hitting the floor- especially if they saw his six-pack themselves. Wow, just wow.

He chuckled. “Are you done raping me with your eyes?”

“Er…I…” and I couldn’t remember. I guessed my mouth was still open like a goldfish though…

“Well, I’ll be sleeping on the left.” He threw himself back onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling. I stood there, staring at thin air, where he once stood.

“Seriously Rose, you act like you haven’t seen a boy half naked before.”

He was right. I had seen Grant shirtless before, just never like this. This time he was in his boxers, on my bed, about to sleep with me, and my brother was in the next room. Well, crap.

I just prayed that Trent wouldn’t spontaneously decide to check on me in the night. It was possible, right?

I crawled into the bed next to Grant. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked quietly.

He took my hand in his and squeezed it gently. "I will be.”

“You can stay here as long as you like.”

“Goodnight, love.” He kissed me on the forehead and leant back down on the pillow, closing his eyes. His breathing quickly deepened and it was obvious he had fallen asleep. I didn’t really mind since it allowed me to stare at his face shamelessly.

I admired Grant for a while longer before turning off the lights. Laying my head on his chest, I closed my eyes and let sleep overcome me.