Her eyes light up as she’s talking about her art, and I know exactly how she feels. I’m the same way about my tattoos. I love giving people a way to express themselves. “You should do it, Gracie. Just the artwork I’ve seen is amazing. You really do have a gift.”
Her chest expands against me as she takes a deep breath. “Yeah, maybe someday.”
“I can help you get started. I have savings.”
“I’m not taking your money, Aiden.”
I shake my head. I know it’s soon. She doesn’t get it or understand that I want her to be mine, and that means anything that is mine is hers. I don’t want to ruin it tonight. We have forever to work it out. “Well, the offer stands. I know you can make a success with your art. I’m just offering to help, that’s all.”
She kisses my chest and lays her head down on my shoulder. I can’t explain the look on her face, but there’s still a tinge of sadness in her eyes. I wish I could wipe it away, but the only way that is going to be possible is to get her away from her father.
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “You don’t know how much it means to me that you believe in me.”
I pull her tighter against me. “Always. I’ll always believe in you.”
She looks like she might say something, but when she closes her eyes and buries her head into my chest, I leave it be. I lay my chin on her head and fall asleep with my future in my arms.
7
Gracie
I snuck out on him. I had to. I know I wouldn’t be able to leave and lie to him if he was awake and looking at me. I waited until he’d finally fallen asleep, and I carefully pulled from his arms. I don’t know how long I sat there, staring at him, memorizing everything about him before I made myself get up. I dressed as quietly as I could before I pulled the already written letter from my purse and set it on his nightstand. He is going to hate me after reading it. I know he will, but it’s for his own good. There’s no way I could just let my dad destroy him and his business, and that’s exactly what he’d do if I tried to see Aiden again.
I was selfish and wanted one night with him, so that’s what I did. Maybe when I come back in three months, things can be different. Maybe I can appeal to my dad and he will have a change of heart. But even as I’m thinking it, I know it won’t happen. There is no future for Aiden and me, and the sooner I come to terms with it the better off I will be.
I walk all the way back to my house and sneak into my bedroom. I’m a nervous wreck, knowing I could be caught, but this was a chance I had to take. I couldn’t just leave Whiskey Run without seeing Aiden again.
I fall into my bed and look at the clock. I have to be up in two hours. My father is putting me on a plane to Kentucky. I’ve already made plans. I’m going to find a way in the next three months to get free from my father. I won’t be able to come back to Whiskey Run, but maybe, if Aiden doesn’t completely hate me, I could get him to come visit me. That’s the only hope I’m able to hold on to. I have to do something because I can’t live like this.
Aiden
The sun is barely risen, and I sit up, knowing something isn’t right. I’m still naked from the night before, but instead of feeling the heat of Gracie’s body next to mine, I feel chilled. The apartment is quiet, and I know that no one is here. She left.
I raise up and notice the letter on the nightstand immediately. It’s folded, and in big cursive writing it has my name on the front of it.
I reach for it, unfold it and start to read, with a feeling of dread already in the pit of my stomach.
Dear Aiden, I’m sorry to do this in a letter but I can’t see you anymore. Actually, I don’t want to. Thank you for last night, but I knew all along that it could only be one night. We’re not really a good fit; you and I just don’t make sense. I’m going out of town for the summer so hopefully when I come back, you will have forgotten about me. Please don’t come for me. I don’t want to see you again. Gracie
I read it again, over and over. None of it makes sense. She’s completely blowing me off, but what she doesn’t realize is I was there last night... right there with her. I could feel what I mean to her when she kissed me and when she gave me her virginity.