Shades of Gray

Chapter 7

Nanma and I are silent until we leave the building are at our cars in the parking lot; "Grayson, I am so sorry for how your mama reacted. I swear I told her both things in past letters, but I guess she didn't believe me."

Shrugging my shoulders, I mumble; "It's not your fault, Nanma. I just wished I hadn't agreed to this visit, and all of this could have been avoided. I'm not sure if I want a relationship any longer with her."

Nanma softly sighs as she hugs me tightly which I instantly return as she softly replies; "I know, buddy. Perhaps I should have tried harder when you were younger for you to see her, and have a decent relationship."

"It's not your fault, Nanma," I insist with misty eyes that she thinks this is her fault. "She made her decision when she found out she was pregnant, instead of finding help to get out of the game."

"Let's get home, and we can discuss this furthur tomorrow," she says sadly, and I can't agree any quicker than I do - I just want to be in the comfort of home, and see my friends later tonight.

We arrive home several minutes later, and Nanma orders dinner shortly after we arrive home, for home delivery. I've texted my three friends that they can come over earlier than planned since I'm home now. Kyler and Wyatt are going to try, and Ryker said he will be here in twenty minutes or less. Despite the horrid visit with mama, I can't help the smile that appears that Ryker can come early.

"Not that I don't like the smile on you are wearing, but I am curious what has caused this?" Nanma asks with a smirk of her own as she enters the living room from ordering the food.

Looking up from my phone with an even wider toothy grin to say; "Ryker is coming over early, and Wyatt and Kyler are going to try."

Nanma silently watches me as she walks to the couch to sit on the opposite end from me before curiously asking; "Are you interested in Ryker, more than a friend, I mean?"

Blushing to the tips of my ears, I drop my gaze to my lap with a mumble; "Yeah, but I'm sure he doesn't think of me in that way. I'm me, and he is who he is, and that is perfect, where I am not."

"How do you know that he would think this way, have you asked him? I know he was able to calm you at the end of the school day when Wyatt and Kyler couldn't. If you have feelings of more than friendship for Ryker, do something about it," she answers with a raised eyebrow in defience, but she has a large smirk on her lips.

My head snaps up with wide eyes and an open mouth, and I manage to ask; "How do you know this?"

"Wyatt called me to let me know," she smirks with a raised eyebrow in defiance.

"I should have known that he'd do that," I grumble lowly as I chew on my lower lip. "Ryker made me feel warm and safe when he held me, and talked me through the panic attack."

"How else does he make you feel?" she quietly asks with a fond smile, but I can tell she's thinking.

Smiling fondly at the thought of how I feel about him, I quietly say; "He makes me happy, and almost as if he loves me."

I never thought I could blush more than I already am, but I feel as if my skin is made of lava.

"Grayson, that's wonderful," Nanma excitidly squeals making my eyes widen in surprise at her words.

Ryker's P.O.V.

When my phone dings, I curiously check it to find a new text in the group text from Grayson; "Hey! Home now if you guys wanna come early."

The instant smile that delveloped drops when I realize the visit with his mom must have gone badly, so I reply after Wyatt and Kyler's reply; "I will be there in twenty minutes or less. See you soon!"

I hate that I can't make him feel better abou his mom, and their situation. I know what it is like to have an absent parent - my dad. My dad has been gone since I was young for another woman, and I only see him once a year if he even tries. Grabbing my car keys, wallet, and cell from my bedroom, I tell mom that I'm heading to Grayson's early since he let us know he was home already. She tells me goodbye with a smile as I return that with a wave, and leave the house. I really like that I live only five minutes from him for several reasons. If he needs me for any reason, it won't take me long to reach him, and when we start dating we have longer to stay with each other before having to be home for curfew.

Parking in his drive behind his car, I quickly turn the engine off, grab my stuff, and head toward his front door with a silly grin on my lips. Knocking on the door, I wait for someone to answer which happens a few seconds later by a bouncing and grinning Grayson. Interesting, I exptected him not to be excited.

"Hi Ryker! Thanks for coming early!" he exclaims throwing himself into my body with his legs wrapping around my waist, and his thin arms around my neck.

My hands instantly grab his thighs to hold him upright against him with a huge grin at his action. I wonder what brought this on, not that I'm complaining.

"Hello love, I've missed you, too," I lowly chuckle as he digs his cute face into my neck, and his warm breath gently hits there.

"Hello Ryker, it's nice to see you again," Ms. Lucy greets on a chuckle. "I see someone has become a monkey upon your arrival."

"Yup," I chuckle as I tighten my hold on his thin thighs.

Carrying him into the living room after shutting the door with my foot, I can't help the fond smile on my lips as I sit us on the couch; "So, what has you so clingy, not that I'm complaining?"

"I missed you, and I need to seriously talk to you about something," he mumbles against my neck.

"I need to speak with you, too," I gently reply which causes Grayson to pop his head from my neck.

"You go first," he whispers curiously.

"Okay," I reluctantly agree, knowing he would argue with me otherwise. "I was wondering if I can take you on a date tomorrow night?"