Page 25 of Gravity

“Burgers are almost done.”

“I hope we have fries.”

Asher puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses my hair as we head toward the house. “Would I do burgers without fries when my baby sis is around?”

“Depends what mood you’re in,” I joke, and in return I get a playful jab in the ribs.

“Watch it.”

When I enter the house, my breath catches when I see Grayson leaning against the kitchen counter. Dressed in dark jeans, and a white T-shirt, his ocean eyes travel down my body and awaken the butterflies in my stomach. For a second, I just stand, taking all of him in and letting myself fall into this moment because it’s the first time his eyes have been on me for this long since I’ve been home. But just like this morning, I don’t want to get my hopes hung on something that may not be there.

Moving aside as Asher is now behind me, I head further into the house and go over to Dad who is sat at the dining table. He looks a little pale, and I question whether he’s over done it on his physical therapy with Wade today.

“Hey, Pop.” I smile, placing my arms around his neck from behind and kissing his cheek. “You feeling okay?”

“Good.”

“Your father is tired and insists on not resting like he’s been told to,” Mom says as she places a fresh bowl of salad on the table, side eyeing him. “Apparently he wants to carry on with what you were doing this morning.”

I grin. “Bubbles?”

“Yeah.” Dad chuckles. “Wade. Stop. Us.”

“Physical therapy is more important, Pop. But yes, we can do that again.” I give Dad’s shoulder a squeeze before leaving him, making my way toward Mom and Grayson. “Mom, can I help with anything?”

“No, sweetheart, everything is sorted; the boys have helped. I’m just going to help your dad get settled outside and then I think we’ll be ready to eat.” She heads off, asking my brother if we are ready for the food.

“Shortcake,” Grayson says, stepping up to the side of me. “You okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Are you?”

He nods, a response I knew I’d receive. I’d known he wouldn’t say anything different, regardless of what I see in his eyes.

“Thanks again for the job. I’ll tell everyone over dinner,” I say, needing to break the sudden silence that has fallen between us. Being here with him now is the first time we’ve been alone together since I came home, and I dislike the awkwardness that has been placed between us. I know he feels it.

“It’s fine. Ryan spoke very highly of you.” The tone in his reply is like I’m some stranger he’s never met before, and I have to hold back the irritation that he’s inflicted with his comment.

“Well, at least someone does.”

He holds my gaze, and this silence that is becoming all too familiar is back around us. It never used to be like this. Our talks used to be endless, and it saddens me that we are not the same. He is not the same. I just want him to let me in.

“Gray—”

“How’s the tree house?” he interjects.

“Good. I gave Dad some space when he was with Wade earlier.”

“Gave him space but ended up falling asleep?”

Falling asleep in the tree house is something I’d often end up doing, piles of books around me, and Grayson had always been the one to wake me when my brother wasn’t here.

I can’t help my smile. “Maybe.”

“Can’t hide from me, Shortcake. I know you too well.”

There was a time when I would have agreed. If he knew me then he would know how much his absence has killed me. If he knew me well then, he would understand why his sudden change in character from this morning is even more confusing than the one on the phone last night.

“I’m not so sure you do anymore,” I whisper.