Grayson's Heart

Chapter Six

Gray's mom turned around and smiled.

She was a beautiful woman. Gorgeous really. "Hi, you must be Emerson. I've heard so much about you from Gray," she said as she wiped her hands off on her apron. "It's nice to meet you Mrs Andrews," I answered.

"It's Amy or mom honey, I'm not that old," she said before kissing Gray's cheek.

When he pulled back from her he grabbed my hand and I didn't miss how her smile widened. "Em and I are going to study," Gray said glancing at me.

I looked down at our joined hands, pissed by the tingles that raced up my arm.

"Okay, your sister got you a birthday present by the way."

My eyes shot to Gray's face. "It's your birthday?" I asked, a little hurt he hadn't told me. "Next week actually," he replied shyly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked slapping his chest. He shrugged, "I don't know. It's just a birthday."

"We will speak of this later Andrews," I said pointing my finger in his face. He held his hands up in a surrender motion and nodded.

"Make sure you leave your bedroom door open Gray," Amy said giving him a pointed look. He nodded as we walked up the stairs to his room.

"Your mom is awesome," I said as I sprawled out on his bed. He stared at me on his bed for a moment, biting his lip.

"Mmmmm oh yeah, she's cool."

I sat up and looked around his room, noting all the pictures of his family.

"Whoa, is this your dad?" I asked holding up a picture from his dresser. "Yeah, him and my uncle Derek," he said, tensing.

"You look just like them. Is he your dad's brother?"

"Um no, he was my mom's brother," he said tersely. "Does he live in Chicago?"

"He died before I was born."

I set the picture down and stood. His body relaxed when I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'm sorry, how did-"

"He was shot," Gray said abruptly, cutting me off. I raised a hand to my mouth in shock, "oh my God, I'm so sorry Gray."

"It's fine. How about we get this study thing started?" I nodded and pulled my textbook from my backpack.

"So the angle adjacent to the x is gonna be a tangent equation?" I asked ten minutes later. "I believe so, I mean if it was opposite it would be a cosign...I think," he said glaring at the paper full of triangles.

I placed the end of my pencil on my lip while I sat in thought. Gray shifted and reached behind him to grab one of his navy blue pillows which he sat on his lap.

My phone vibrated and I pressed the text notification from my dad. "What's up?" Gray asked as my lips formed a frown.

"My dad said he won't be home until eleven tonight and to find something to eat," I said tossing my phone onto the other side of the bed. "You can eat dinner with me, my family I mean."

I nodded and shrugged, "perhaps."

"Em, were you happy at your school back home?"

I tensed and choked out a laugh, "why do you ask?"

"Every time I mention it you tense up and close yourself off. Did someone hurt you?"

"That is a big assumption to make."

"Em did someone hurt you," he repeated softly. "I don't want to talk about this," I replied slowly. "I'd never hurt you Em. Never. I just want you to know that," he answered sincerely.

"People don't usually intend to hurt someone but it happens anyway."

"There is no possible way I would hurt you Emerson. I can promise you that. So please Em, talk to me," he said as he turned to face me.

I hesitated and turned my face away. "My mom got sick when I was twelve. Breast cancer. After a year of chemotherapy and the removal of her breasts the doctors said she was better. Two years ago she was at my soccer game and she collapsed. It was back and terminal this time. About nine months ago I met this boy, Lincoln. He was so kind to me and a crutch when my mom got so bad they put her in the hospital to live out her last days. She passed in her sleep and I ran to Lincoln's. I don't know why, I guess I thought he would comfort me..."

Gray's hands balled into fists, "what happened Em?"

I felt my forehead wrinkle in confusion as though I still didn't understand what had happened. "He seemed to care and held me as I cried. He kissed me, my first kiss actually. He wouldn't let me go when I tried to pull away. He was really rough," I said shakily. "Em did he-"

"No! No, he didn't get that far but he tried. His little brother came to the door to ask him something. So I kicked him in the balls and ran when he was distracted," I said. "Jesus fucking Christ," Gray spat. "The next day I found out he made a bet with his buddies to see who could fuck me. Lincoln's pride was so hurt that he said we had sex and I was a desperate slut who begged for his dick," I said bitterly.

"What happened?"

"What do you think happened?" I laughed without humor, "the guys at school took every opportunity to show people how cheap I was. Male teachers even joined the Emerson pity party."

"I'm so fucking sorry Em, so damn sorry on the behalf of every man that ever hurt you. But I would never do that. Ever. You are worth so much more than any of those assholes and if you give me the chance I will devote myself to proving that to you," Gray said looking me directly in the eyes.

Tears filled my eyes and I smiled. "Can you do me a favor?" I asked. "Anything," he answered immediately.

"Don't move," I said and leaned towards his face. "Thank you," I said before my lips touched his.