The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)
Page 78
“I promised Grayley I wouldn’t do anything to Brian, but…he can’t get away with this.”
“He won’t,” Geezer murmured. “Grayley’s freezing him out. He and Trent.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one. No one will talk to him.” Geezer coughed.
“Oh God. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Grayley. Don’t worry about it.” I smiled softly, brushing his hair behind his ears. “You rest and heal, okay.”
Geezer squeezed my hand tightly. I saw the tears at his eyes and bent to kiss his forehead again. Resting my cheek against his forehead, I whispered, “Just get better. Heal.”
Geezer knew I wasn’t talking about just physical healing. I meant it in every other way possible. I was tired of seeing my best friend high 24/7. I was tired of not having him around me anymore. He needed to grow up with me, not stay the same age.
I curled up in the lounger beside his chair and closed my eyes. Pulling my knees against my chest, I wrapped my arms around them and promptly fell asleep, Geezer snoring right beside me.
*
Grayley woke me up an hour later. The nurse needed to do her checks and they needed privacy for Geezer. Whispering goodbye to Geezer, I pressed a kiss to his forehead again and moved out the door.
Grayley was waiting for me in the hallway.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” He gave me a half-grin back, leaning against the wall, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“He’s…um…”
Grayley shrugged.
I left it alone. I didn’t have the energy right now anyway.
“I took off before my parents got home. They’re probably pissed at me.” I sighed.
Grayley nodded.
“Gardner, huh,” I murmured, finding myself staying in place instead. The door wasn’t coming to me.
He nodded again.
“Geezer said you guys are freezing Brian out.”
Grayley shrugged.
“Could you talk, maybe?” I shot out, starting to get irritated.
“I told you. Leave it alone.” Was all he said.
“You’re pissing me off.”
“I can handle it,” he said smoothly.
“Fucker.”
“Bitch.”
I rolled my eyes, chuckling.
“Go. Pacify your parents. We’ll be here.” He nudged me with his shoulder.