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“Then you’ve done all you can, Gray. So long as he knows how to reach you if she does walk in one day, then it’s okay. It’s okay to just sit here in hopes of a glimpse. You don’t have to go in if you don’t want to. I’ll sit here with you every day if you want me to.”
Gray turns his head slightly, pressing a kiss to the palm of my hand. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
I swallow hard as I attempt to calm my raging heart. “Yeah… for you, I would.”
36
Aria
I pause in front of Gray’s bedroom, wanting to knock, yet wanting to give him space at the same time. He took me out for lunch after church, but I could tell his mind was elsewhere. He looked so somber, and nothing I did or said cheered him up.
The thought of him doing this every single week kills me. He’s been alone here for years, and I don’t even think Noah knows what Gray is going through. I’ve been here for months, and all this time I didn’t know.
I’ve just about convinced myself to knock when my phone buzzes. I grab it, partially relieved to have an excuse not to go into Gray’s room. I don’t know what to say to him, and I hate seeing him hurting. Even worse, I know that even if I go in, there’s nothing I can do.
I unlock my phone, frowning when I see a notification for the Nemesis App.
Ash:If I sincerely asked for your help, would you grant it? I think I’m ready to call in my favor.
I tense, my thoughts whirling. Ash has always been flirty and lighthearted. When it comes to cases, he’s serious and hardworking, but he’s never once asked for a personal favor, nor has he ever taken credit for the incredible work he’s done.
Nyx:Provided that it’s within my power and doesn’t go against my morals, yes.
Ash:Will you help me find someone?
I freeze, my eyes widening. My hands tremble as I type my reply, and I almost drop my phone.
Nyx:Who is it?
Ash:My mother. I already have a file on her, so I’ve got a starting point, but I keep running into dead ends.
I swallow hard, my heart beating out of my chest as I sink to the floor, my back against Gray’s bedroom door.
Ash.
Ash, the guy I’ve been talking to for years now, the one that continuously teases me and flirts with me…
Could it be?
I don’t dare follow my thoughts in the direction they’re going. I can’t. Ash has been flirting with me for months now. The things he’s said… telling me I’ve made him hard on numerous occasions? I must be misunderstanding something and drawing false conclusions.
I try my hardest to pull myself together. I need to reply. Ash has never asked anything of me, and I can’t deny his request now. Especially not when it’s one that’s so sincere. Besides, I might be wrong. I hope I am.
Nyx:Send it over, and I’ll have a look at what I can do for you. No promises, Ash.
Ash:Thank you, Nyx. I’d say I’ll thank you in bed, over and over again, but today has been a rough day. Instead, can I thank you with a virtual hug? Just imagine me being the big spoon.
My eyes fill with tears and I try my best to blink them back. I drop my head to my knees and inhale shakily. My heart is breaking right alongside his, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say.
Nyx:What if I prefer to be the big spoon?
Ash:Right about now I’d actually appreciate that. Since I can’t have you, I’ll settle for your help. I’m sending you the files through the Nemesis secure channel we always use.
I don’t have the patience to wait for the files. Instead, I force myself to get up and into my room, moving almost entirely on autopilot. I turn my laptop on and log onto my platform, feeling sick.
I should’ve done this weeks ago. Months ago, even. I keep all data on my platform encrypted and I don’t have access to users’ private data myself, but it isn’t hard for me to unravel Ash’s details.
My stomach twists violently as more and more information unveils itself, and I burst into tears when I confirm what I already know.
