Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 13

I feel a jacket drape over my face as it covers me from the world, but I can still see my surroundings. The smell of fabric softener is strong as if he had just washed it. I feel his gentle tug as he guides me to the motorcycle without another word, away from everyone. He hands me the strawberry helmet and I don't speak as I put it on and hold out his jacket.

"Wear it," is all he says. I don't argue and put it on, because at the moment, it was comforting and all I wanted was comfort. He doesn't say anything when I wrap my arms around him and lean my head on his back as he drives away. The truth was, I knew why I had freaked out. I wasn't lying when I said I didn't like the attention because it always isn't good. I had a feeling Grayson understood that which is why he was feeling guilty. He unknowingly fed me on a silver platter.

"I met Jace," I say, and can feel his muscles tense underneath my hands. "What did he do to you?" I got no response, which was expected.

We drive in silence after that, until I see my house coming into view. There was a lamppost out front, lighting the way of my doorsteps. He stops his motorcycle and turns it off, now the only light was the lamppost that didn't hide our faces.

"I was reckless in my action and-" before he finishes his words, I find myself giving him a hug.

"It wasn't your fault," I whispered.

I pull away as he nervously moves his hair to the side. "I- um-" he clears his throat. "What did Jace say?"

"Will you answer my questions if I answer yours?" I say, finally finding a way for me to get some answers.

"What do you want to know," he says as he pulls out a cigarette.

"Why do you hate Abacus? Why do you hate Jace? You make it a point to hate people, don't you?"

He looks at me and rolls his eyes. "I'll answer the last one, but not the first one."

I narrow my eyes and shrug, "shoot."

"I'm only telling you this because it's for your own good. Stay away from Jace." He looks at me just like Gina had. There was no smile hiding behind his words. "He sells drugs. He's the reason I got into boxing, he used me to make himself some money. Back then, I used to take dives just for him to make an easy buck. But back then, I didn't care. He got me the drugs I needed so I helped him get the money he needed."

I look at him unfazed and ask, "that's it?"

He smiles, "you wanted more?"

"I thought you were going to tell me he was in a local gang and could have us killed in minutes."

"He's not in a gang but he won't hesitate to kill." I nod my head. "So now tell me what happened tonight?"

"Jace just introduced himself," I shrug.

Grayson gives me a deadpan look, "you tricked me."

"No. I wanted information, you wanted information, I traded."

"You tricked me."

I smile, "tell you what. I'll tell you the reason I don't like being the center of attention."

He contemplates this, "okay."

"I freaked out because the more people know you, the more they know about your life." I give a big sigh at what I'm about to say next. "When my dad died, everyone would stare at me, until it became unbearable. I didn't want them to, because their stares told me they knew about me. They didn't know me, but they knew about me."

Grayson stays silent for a moment as he keeps puffing out clouds of smoke. "I get it," he finally says, "they did the same to me."

"Your dad died?"