All This Time

Chapter 4

Waking up wrapped up in his arms, I look at my phone and see that is almost 9:30 in the morning. The light from my phone wakes Grayson up. We both stretch. 

"Good morning," He says to me.

"Good morning Grayson."

"Did you sleep good?"

"Yeah. What do you want for some breakfast?"

"I can make us something," He suggests.

"No. You cooked last night for us. Besides, I know you want my bacon. You all know I make it better than anyone."

"That is just another thing I have missed these past couple years."

We both get out of bed and start our day. I am still in his hoodie from the night before. I search through the kitchen while he uses the bathroom and I gather everything I need for breakfast. I still know his favorite. A cheese, bacon and ham omelet with orange juice and toast. 

"You still know everything," He says to me as he takes his food from me.

"That I do Dolan. That'll never change."

"My brother might stop by today. Are you up for seeing him again? He doesn't know you are here."

"I would like that a lot. When will he be by?"

"He said if he did stop by, it would be around lunch time."

"Well I cannot wait to maybe see him. You guys talk to any of the other guys at all? Crawford, Chris, Collins? Anybody?"

"Not so much. We really isolated ourselves and focused on what was best for when we came back."

This is still all so crazy to me. Like we were all so close to each other. 

------

"My brother said he will be here in about an hour," Grayson told me as we worked out in his gym.

"I am excited to see him. He still doesn't know I am here?"

"No. I think he will be surprised."

"Do you mind if I shower before hand? I shouldn't be long."

"Go ahead. Use my bathroom. I won't bother you."

I take a quick shower to freshen up before Ethan gets here. Grayson and I watch some TV while we wait. When Ethan pulls up, I hide in the kitchen.

"What's up bro? I was about to get us some drinks. Come on in," I hear Grayson say as he then closes the door and locks it.

I hear their footsteps and then see them turn the corner. Ethan's face absolutely lights up like a little kid on Christmas morning.

"Everly?! Are my eyes right?" He asks with a smile as we both share a hug.

"It is me Ethan."

"What even? How are you even here?"

"I was on a run last week, when I stopped for a break, there comes Grayson."

"Isn't that something. This is so exciting. Do your sisters know?"

"Not yet. I haven't said anything to them."

"Well I cannot wait to see them again too. It's so good to have you back around. I am just here to pick up a few things. We have to get dinner some time. The three of us."

"I agree."

He then gathers the things he is here for. 

"This is amazing you guys. Seeing and being with the two of you again is amazing. I cannot wait until we all start hanging out again," I say to Ethan as we share another hug.

"I can't wait either. I will give you  a text."

"Sounds good. Bye Ethan."

Grayson closes the door and go to his room. I start to collect my things.

"Are you going to head home?" Grayson asks.

"Yeah. I should before my sisters start calling and all."

"I had fun."

"I did to Gray. I can't wait for more."

We share a hug and he kisses my cheek. He carries my bag down the stairs and to my car. I say our final goodbyes and off to my house I go.

-------

"How was your sleepover?" Grace asks me.

"Good. We watched a couple comedies, drank some wine, gossiped. All the girl things we did."

"Sounds like fun. Well Anna should be home in time for dinner. We are having Chili."

"I am going to finish up some school work in the mean time."

"I will give you a text if you aren't down when it's ready."

I bring my things to my room and start that school work. It only takes me a couple hours to finish. When I am done, I decide to give Grayson a call.

"Hello?" He answers in a laugh. 

It sounds like he's got people over. Female?

"Hi Gray."

"What's up Everly?"

"I was thinking you me and your brother could all make something and get together at your house next Friday. Have that dinner we talked about earlier."

"Uhh. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. I can ask him about it and see what he says. I can let you know what he says."

"Sounds good Grayson. I will talk to you later."

"Bye."

We both hang up and I go downstairs. Grace has just started making the Chili and she lets me know that Anna will be home soon. 

"Did I hear Graysons name by any chance?" She wonders.

"I was just watching some old videos. That's all."

"You really miss him don't you?"

"I told you. Of course I do. There is not a thing in this world that makes me want to find him and just hug him to death."

She buys it somehow.

"I hope that one day you find each other again. Everyone can tell that you two had a thing for the other. We all wanted to see you two get together."

"I did too Grace. Things happen."

I wanted this conversation to be over. Anna then walks through the door. Saved by the sister. Thank God. 

"There she is! How was your night?" Anna asks me.

"Girl stuff. Movies, wine, gossip."

"Fun. I can't wait for some Chili."

As we eat, I can't help but to just think about the girls laughter at Graysons. I am not going to worry about it. I want to wait anyway. After dinner, we talk for some time then head to our rooms for the night. 

I find myself not quite ready for bed yet so I decide to sit on my porch and read a book I am working on. My mind keeps drifting off thinking about something else. I finally just pull out my phone and send the text.

I can't sleep. 

I send the text to Grayson. We always had this thing where if one of us couldn't sleep, the other would call and we would talk and talk until the one that couldn't sleep, well, falls asleep for the night. It never took  more than 5 minutes to respond for either one of us. 

Tonight was the first time he didn't respond to that text before I just fell asleep.