Can't Help Falling

08| Trust

"Things said aren't always the truth. Things hidden aren't always a lie. When they are released, you'll know why."

- Chelsea M. Blue

-:-

Grant and I headed out, the car ride being quiet besides the music on the radio. My hand rested in between the space of him and I—the arm rest—he soon acknowledged it by grabbing it firm. His hand interlocked with mine and I caught his blue eyes glance at me.

I felt my heart tug.

I looked over to him, his face stern and focused on the road. I squeezed his hand back, turning to the side to watch us pass all the houses. He began to hum the melody of the song—I don't remember what it was called, just that it's been replayed a lot on the radio.

The car soon came to a halt, diverting my attention towards the building that laid in front of us. It was an old diner—though it hadnt been Delilah's, the usual diner—it was still a promising sight.

Grant left the car, walking over to open the door for me. I felt my heart twist at the gesture, reaching for his hand as he guided me out.

"Will and Phoebe's." I whispered the name of the diner out loud, earning a look over his shoulder.

Grant smiled, wrapping his arm around me, "Ms. Monova would always take me and Atlas here when we were kids," He leaned closer to me, "It's my favourite place in Nordwalk."

Grant guided me towards the door, having the both of us sit down at a booth. We ordered to a older woman and stayed seated as we awaited our food.

"I'm sorry if you heard anything," Grant apologized, "We haven't had the best relationship in a while."

I waved a dismissive hand, "You don't need to explain it to me if you aren't comfortable to, and I understand the usual sibling quarrels, Clarke and I are no saints."

Grant threw his head back in a laugh, though I thought it seemed a bit forced.

"It's fine, I want to." He smiled, "Our dad was married to Ms. Monova for a while, but he had his moments of unfaithfulness. He knocked up my mom during Ms. Monova's third trimester."

Grant let out a shaky breath, "My mom died after giving birth to me. After Ms. Monova found out about Dad's infidelity she forced him to keep me. If it weren't for her I probably wouldn't be here. She treated me like her own son, and she was basically my mother. Atlas and I grew up together and we were practically inseparable."

I noticed Grant's voice almost falter at his words, I reached for his hands, interlocking them with mine again. He looked up at me, continuing, "I tried my best in school and other things so I could impress our dad. But, he always favoured Atlas, since he'd been the oldest and would inherit the company. Ms. Monova was the only one who cared and paid attention to me. Every accomplishment I had, we'd go here to celebrate. After she got drafted again, Atlas and I distanced. One thing lead to another, I got into some trouble and Atlas and I haven't been on the best of terms since."

I squeezed his hand, furrowing my brows, "What kind of trouble?"

Grant gaped his mouth to answer, his throat clearing as he held my hands tighter.

"Is that Kingsley and Little K?"

Our heads turn towards the tall guy dressed in his varsity jacket rushing towards us. Finley waved a large smile before sitting down beside Grant and wrapping his arm around him. I let go of our hands.

"When did you guys start hooking up?" He smiled, ruffling Grant's hair causing a groan to escape from his lips. The two of us remained quiet as we exchanged a glance together.

"Oh shit, Did I just cockblock you guys?" Finley lifted a fist to his mouth, hiding the lingering smile that ran behind it. The giggling menace reached for his pocket and placed a few dollar bills and a button on the counter, "Let me pay for your guys' food, least I could do for it."

Finley shrugged a smile, waving a goodbye as he jumped out the booth and went to the counter to get a milkshake.

I heard Grant swear under his breath, causing me to let out a laugh. He smiled up to me, running his hand through his hair.

"You told me enough for today, and thank you for that," I say before he could, "Let's just wait for you to tell me the rest next time, when you're comfortable again."

Grant gave a half smile, nodding at my proposal.

-:-

"This tastes too fucking good to not be poisoned." Clarke gleamed, stuffing his face in the dinner I had made him as an apology for the reaction I had.

I watched as he gulped down the soup I made, garnished with basil and a little bit of laxative.

"If it is poisoned I'm sure it'll blow you away." Fart joke, I've reached my all time low. I took a loaf of bread and began to eat it, taking a seat beside Clarke on the dinner table.

"Dad's coming back in a few days so we're gonna have to stay with him." He mumbled in between bites, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

I nodded at the announcement, a small smile running on my mouth. Dad owned a large company—Winters Ltd—that he'd been trying to branch out across North America, so his attendance to family dinners were limited. I didn't mind Dad not being here that often, I don't think Clarke did either since he'd usually throw parties at his house.

"So how're you going to tell Dad?" Clarke said—in between chews—looking up at me. I raised a brow, causing him to continue, "About you and Grant."

I shrugged, "There's nothing to tell, him and I aren't dating. Plus Dad would probably be okay with it regardless, he was okay with Atlas right?"

"Yeah but that was because he didn't know Atlas was a Kingsley." Clarke took another bite before noticing my silence and slapped his hand to his mouth. "Too soon?"

I shook my head. I didn't do well with lying, and with a huge one like this I don't understand what came over me to forgive it.

After I cooled down, I guess I just had an epiphany that maybe it was for a reason. 

I didn't want to poke that bush with Atlas though since it seemed too personal.

Clarke gulped down the last bit of his soda, rushing upstairs since him and Finley were playing a video game.

I sat down, noticing my heaving breaths. I gripped the counter, closing my eyes shut in hopes it'd go away.

My prayers had been answered when the door rang.

I let out a sigh of relief before walking towards the door, hearing faint creaks from the floorboards.

I didn't think to check who'd been behind the door, so when I opened it, I stilled at the sight.

I tried to mutter a hello, though he stepped closer, his breaths heaving as well.

"Can I kiss you?"