“Got no fucking service. Mazie tell you why Serenity left?” I throw all my tools in the bins, not giving two shits how things are put away now.
“Something about her Aunt being in the hospital. I’m heading back. Let me know if you need anything.” Les waves, and then he’s tearing out of here before I can say thank you.
“Son of a fucking bitch. Dan, I’m out of here, and I’ll send you the bill. I might be off the grid for a couple of days, so if something gets messed up, you’re on your own.” I slam the tool bins closed, slide into the driver’s seat, start the truck up, slam it into drive, and gun it the fuck out of here. I need to get out of the woods, find some cell phone service, and call my woman.
Twenty
Serenity
“Did you get a hold of him, sweet pea?” Momma asks as we all sit in the waiting room waiting for the news on how Aunt Catherine did in her surgery.
“No, I had Mazie’s friend Les drive out to his job site to let him know what was going on. I hate that it wasn’t me who drove out there when I should have. Aunt Cat is going to kick my tail for that, you know?” I tell Momma. Daddy is out getting us coffee. He couldn’t stand to sit. And Uncle Ron, he’s been pacing the waiting room the entire time.
“Maybe, it depends what kind of pain medicine they give her. Last time she was doped up from breaking her arm, she was talking about purple aliens in the room.” Momma laughs. I know this is hard on her. It’s been her and Aunt Cat for a lot of years now. Those two have always been thick as thieves.
“Yeah, I’m going to step outside and attempt to call Greyson again.” She squeezes my hand. Uncle Ron nods his head as I walk by, his thoughts firmly on his wife. I don’t bother him. It’s not the time. Even if I’d really love to bust out a one-liner to ease the tightness in his shoulders.
I shove my hands into my pockets, walk down the hallway, bypass the elevator, and opt for the stairs. I know Aunt Cat is going to be okay. She has to be. It doesn’t make me worry any less, not with the added fact I still haven’t heard from Greyson. I’m barely inside the stairwell when I can smell, feel, hell, my body is so aware of him, it would be hard not to notice.
“Serenity, baby.” Greyson is a few steps below me, putting us at eye level. He becomes watery as my body crumbles, but he’s there to hold me. His dirty to my clean, hardness to my softness, we’re a walking, talking contradiction, but when I’m with Greyson, everything disappears. We’re meant to be.
“Greyson, I’m so sorry.” I burrow into his arms, wanting to sink inside him.
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Damn cell phone had no service. I should have told you before I went out there. I’m sorry, Red. So damn sorry. As soon as Les got to me, I left. Didn’t even bother trying to call you. Figured you wouldn’t have service in the hospital.” I told Mazie where I was. She must have relayed the message. God, she’s a saint.
“That doesn’t bother me. I’m just thankful you’re here, even though I feel silly you had to drive for four hours.” He tips my chin up, making me look into his soulful eyes.
“I don’t care if you’re eighteen hours away and you need me, I’m going to be there, standing with you. I’m in your corner, no matter what. You get me?” I watch as Grayson takes his toothpick out of his mouth, placing it in the front pocket of his shirt, my eyes riveted on every single thing he does.
“I get you.” The waterworks finally turn off.
“Now, about those three words you said on my voicemail. Need to hear them from you again, Red.” As if he can’t say them first. This man, always pushing me outside my comfort zone.
“I love you, Greyson Reid.” I’m the one who moves into him now. My lips graze his, once, then twice, lightly pecking them, waiting to see if he’ll respond.
“Love you, Serenity. Knew I loved you the minute you threw that fiery attitude my way. I’ve just been waiting on you to catch up.” Greyson takes my lips, hands going to my hips, helping me climb him like a tree. My back meets the wall, legs wrapped around his waist, and he’s kissing me until I’m breathless.
“Oh, I don’t mean to intrude. But Aunt Catherine’s out of surgery and in recovery. Uncle Ron and I already snuck back there. She got wind of you being here. You can thank your uncle for that one. Let’s just say the words out of her mouth were to go home, and she’ll call you tomorrow.” Momma is smiling because we knew this would happen. I slide out of Greyson’s hold, not wanting to make things any more awkward.