Things Change

Part 14:

I wake up to a heavy feeling on my chest. I try to turn but my shoulders are being held down. I open my eyes to see an arm stretched a crossed my chest. Grayson's face laying on my shoulder. I smile pushing a strand of hair away from his face. He looks so innocent when he sleeps. I slowly slid towards the right side of the bed out of his hold. I search the floor for my clothes but they aren't anywhere to be found. I give up grabbing a sweatshirt of Grayson's and a pair of sweatpants. I grab my cellphone off the night stand then walk around to Grayson's side of the bed. I kiss him on the forehead then sneak out of his bedroom. Bits and pieces of last night where coming back in small fragments. Though most of it was still a haze there is one thing I am certain about. I'm never drinking that much again. I turn on my cellphone to see I had several missed calls. Susan was gonna kill me. I decided to call Cody instead. "You're in trouble." Cody sang. I sigh. "How much?" I ask. "We've been calling all night. Where did you disappear to?" He asks. I change my mind. This was a bad idea. I wasn't going to have boy talk with Cody. "Are you still at Susan's?" I ask. "Yes, where are you? We can pick you up?" He asks. I hear shuffling on the other side of the line. I finally reach Grayson's front door stepping outside. The warm sun hits my face sending a warm shiver down my spin. "Actually, I can just meet you at Susan's. Be there in twenty." I say hanging up. Susan didn't live that far from Grayson. I don't think. I jog down the road until I reach a street that looks familiar. After running four blocks I finally reach Susan's house. Cody and Daniel where shoving bags into the back of the black pick up truck. "You're here. Finally." Susan said tacking me into a hug. I pat her back trying to catch my breath. "Where were you?" She asks. I almost told her I was with Grayson but I didn't want her to think we hooked up. Besides Grayson was her ex boyfriend. Or whatever. "I think I got a little more drunk than intended." I admit. Which was true. "Did you hook up with someone?" She whispers. I look at her and she grins. "Ooo, who was it?" She asks eagerly. "I don't know. I got the hell out of there." I lied. So what it was just a small lie besides what's the harm it could do. "Well, go change. We're leaving in ten minutes to beat mid day traffic." Susan orders. I nod grabbing my duffle bag from the bed of the truck which causes the boys to groan. "We just fixed that!" Cody complains. "Oh you'll get over it." I yell over my shoulder. I run inside going straight for the bathroom. I close the door behind me turning on the light. I wince blinking a few times until my eyes get adjusted. I pull off the sweat shirt and tee shirt grabbing a clean black bra from my duffle bag. I dig around until I find the matching undies. I discard the boxers and sweatpants pulling on my underwear. After tossing around a few articles of clothing I settle on a pair of black leggings. I match it with a grey and white striped crop top that ends above my hips. "Riley!" Susan yells my name impatiently. I shove Grayson's clothes minus the sweatshirt in the duffle bag. I grab Grayson's sweatshirt and duffle bag walking out of the bathroom. "You're so poky." She complains. I stick my tongue out at her as I walk past. I walk outside handing Daniel my duffle bag. "You're a pain in butt you know that?" He asks jokingly. "I try." I answer getting into the truck. Apparently Cody and I are sitting in the back. Susan gets in and closes the passenger door. A few moments Daniel gets in the driver side. "Silverstein here we come." Daniel cheers. I roll my eyes throwing my hair up in a messy bun. I grab my cellphone from my short pocket when it vibrates. Brad: Today's the day. Can't wait to see you. I sigh tossing my phone in the seat beside me. I pull Grayson's sweatshirt back over my head breathing in his familiar sent. God how much I miss him and we're not even out of town yet. Maybe he can meet me there later. After I talk to Brad. I lean against the door extending my legs resting then half way onto Cody's lap. "I didn't realize that I was a foot stool." He grumbles. I grin at him even though he flips me off. Clearly someone isn't a morning person. We drive an hour out of town when Daniel makes a spot at a Dunkin' Donut. "You guys want anything specific?" He asks. I shake my head. "Alright we'll be back." He says leaving the truck with Susan. I lean my head against they seat closing my eyes. "So when are you gonna meet this Brad guy?" Cody asks. "Probably when we get there." I answer. He nods understandably. "I get it. The sooner the better." He says. I give him a questioning look but nod. "Something like that yes." I say. Cody nods placing his hands on my shines. I watch him for a moment before closing my eyes again. "Do you like him?" Cody asks suddenly. I open my eyes meeting his. It was a simple question but it didn't feel like a simple answer. Maybe I do like him. I'm not sure how I feel about Brad. I haven't seen him in so long it's crazy to even think about seeing him. Then there is Grayson so admitted to like me last night. I know I like Grayson. He gets me somehow. I don't know why I find that reassuring but I do. It's like we connected instantly. "I got you two glazed donuts since you haven't eaten." Susan said getting into the truck. I glance at Cody once more then grab then donuts from Susan. Daniel gets back into the truck and starts it up. "How much longer?" I ask. "About two hours. Depends on the traffic. Either way get comfy." He says. I sigh taking a bite of my donut. Thankfully Cody doesn't bring up Brad again. Instead he quietly munches on his donuts. I finish mine off leaning my head back into the seat. I listen to the radio playing softly in the background filling the car with notice since everyone was either to tired to speak or just felt comfortable in the silence like I did. I must have fallen asleep because I wake up to Cody shaking me awake. I sit up quickly which causes me to feel dizzy. "We're here." He says. I grumble climbing out of the car nearly tripping on the curb. Daniel coughs trying to muffle his laugh. I shoot him daggers grabbing my duffle bag from the bed of the truck. I turn walking following Cody and Susan into the house while Daniel gets the rest of the bags. "What time you going to see Brad?" Susan asks. I cover my mouth as I yawn. "Soon. Not sure." I mumble. Cody stops in front of a black door putting the key inside the lock. He turns it then pushes the door open. Cool air hits my face as I step inside. "So this is your room." Cody said knocking on the door. He continues down the hall showing Susan her room Daniel trailing behind them. I step into my room tossing my bag on the floor diving into the bed. I lay there for a few moments when my cellphone vibrates. I should probably go see Brad now. I huff getting out of bed. I change into blue romper shorts and a white crop top. I leave my hair in its messy bun grabbing my brown gladiator sandals. "I'll be back in a few." I yell running out of the loft. I hail a taxi giving them the address of the hotel. The drive over there I was starting to get nervous. When the cab pulled up to the hotel I paid the driver then got out. I walk up the large steps to the entrance. Anxiously I mess with the hem of my blue romper shorts. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a Brad Hastings." I say to the receptionist behind the counter. Her brown eyes bore into mine. She wears an annoyed expression on her face. "Riley?" His voice sends a shiver down my spine. I turn around and see him. His dirty blonde hair was still the same. So where is bright green eyes. He was still the same height. "Wow, you look..wow." He laughs. I walk towards him taking in all the details about him. Suddenly he envelopes me into a hug. His colon was still the same. It's still the same old Brad. I hug him back savoring the small piece I had of my old life. I withdraw myself looking up at him. "You've changed. Yet you look the same. Still beautiful as ever." He complements me. I smile lightly. "I'm sorry, it's just...weird seeing you." I say carefully. He nods understandably. "So you ready? I made dinner plans for us later. We still have time to kill." He said. I start to protest but he takes my hand pulling me out of the lobby behind him. "Walk through the park like old times?" He asks. I force a smile pulling my hand out of his hold. Thankfully he lets go and doesn't say anything about it. We walk to the park despite the pain in my leg because of my boot. I don't say anything about it but I'll more than eager to sit down on the bench when I see one. "So how have you been? How's Fairhope treating you?" He asks. I push a strand of hair away from my face as I blow out a deep short breath. "I've been good. Immobile mostly because of my leg but yeah. I've adjusted well to Fairhope. Made some really great friends." I say. Brad nods. "Any boyfriends?" He asks causally. I nearly choke on my own spit. What the shit? What kind of question is that? "No.." I trail off. Thankfully he changes the subject by commenting on the weather. We continue to talk about the weather until we reach the park. As soon I seen the bench I practically run to it. Well you know what I mean. I sit down grateful to get some pressure off my leg. "So.." Brad looks at me and smiles. Suddenly his lips are on mine. I shake my head pushing him back. "We can't.." I stand up. "Look Brad, I came here to tell you that we can never be together again. I'm a different person that I was when I was with you. Don't get me wrong it was good to see you but that's all it will ever be." I say. "So why did you come?" He asks. I shrug my shoulders. "To get closure. From you, us. My old life. I'm sorry to do this but I can't forgive you for what you have done. Despite all that I just don't feel that way about you anymore." I say. Brad nods. A frown deep on his face. I feel terrible for doing this to him but it needed to be done. I don't like Brad in the way that I used to. It's different now. He nods again. "Okay, well it was nice seeing you Riley." He leans forward kissing my cheek. "Take care of yourself okay?" He announces. "You too." I remark. He looks at me once more then walks away. I take in a deep breath sitting back down on the bench.