All The Wild Ones | Wildfire Series

Harmony and Serotonin

GRAYSON

The little bits of worry that plagued me, the tiny shots of pain that pricked me—it all vanished as soon as Nessa showed up on my doorstep.

I didn't care that she yelled at me outside Ackley Hall. I didn't care that I was on about five different types of medications, all with their own annoying side effects. I didn't care that I'd missed an entire month of my life. I didn't care about anything except kissing the shit out of Wednesday Elez.

Now she was cradled against my chest, and that was still the only thing on my mind. But emotional exhaustion seemed to have done a number on Nessa. So I let her sleep. I probably could have closed my eyes and drifted off, too, but I couldn't bring myself to miss out on this.

I'd slept enough.

About an hour had passed before I heard the back door open. Plastic bags crinkling together. Laughter.

Grace and Lillian tumbled into the kitchen, dumping groceries onto the counter until they caught sight of me and my scowl and the girl sleeping in my lap. I put a finger to my lips, and the surprise on their faces was nearly comical. Forgetting the groceries, the two of them tiptoed across the living room, understanding the assignment. I wanted them to be quiet.

Looking down at Nessa and the way her cheek was pressed up against my chest, I smiled. Then I looked up at my parents again. They were gazing at us with dewy eyes.

"This is Nessa," I whispered and dropped to give her a kiss on the top of her head. She barely stirred, just continued to breathe deeply. Sleep soundly. Sighing, I added, "And I need you to promise that if anything ever happens to me again, this girl will know. She needs to know."

Maman looked like she might cry. She clutched Mom's shoulder, and then both of them nodded.

"She's adorable," my mom murmured.

I nodded. She was. Especially right now.

"She's exhausted, though. I think I'm going to bring her to my room. It's okay if she spends the night, right?"

"That's fine, Gray. Maybe we can meet her in the morning."

Nessa was about to get far more than she bargained for, but it was too late for her to back out now. The moms had seen her. She was stuck with us.

I smiled at the thought.

After my parents went back to sifting through their Trader Joe's bags, I scooped Nessa into my arms and carried her to my bedroom. It wasn't until I closed the door behind me that she mumbled beneath her breath.

"Grayson?"

"Right here, Adler."

Her brown eyes blinked up at me.

"I was going to find some comfier clothes to put you in since you're so tired," I said.

She lifted her head a bit, a curious gaze scanning the room. I winced at all my sports' portraits lined up against the wall and the pile of dirty laundry in the corner. She didn't really seem to notice, though.

"You don't need to be back at campus tonight, do you?" I asked, hoping to God the answer was no. It wasn't that late, and I could easily drive her back to Oakland. But I didn't want to.

She shook her head sleepily.

"No, I don't have class again until Wednesday."

I set her down, waiting for a second to make sure she had her bearings before l let go.

"Good, then I want to keep you." After snatching up a t-shirt and sweatpants, I glanced back down to find Nessa watching me with a sheepish expression. I smiled at her. "Okay?"