Gravity

Chapter 9

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Soundtrack

Half of My Heart – John Mayer + Taylor Swift
Half of my heart's got a real good imagination
Half of my heart's got you
Half of my heart's got a right mind to tell ya
That half of my heart won't do

***

When I wake up the following morning, I almost can't believe that last night actually happened.

But the faint smell of booze and sweat reeking from my skin and the sight of my black dress in a pile on the floor remind me that it was all too real. The spilled drinks, the party, the drive, the fight, Tessa- it was all real. It all happened.

I snuggle into Tyler, pulling his arm tighter around me in an attempt to get closer to him.

"You okay," he asks, voice fuzzy from sleep.

"I feel gross," I say honestly. "Would it be weird if I showered here?"

"Go ahead," he replies, sitting up. "I'll go pick up breakfast. How do you feel about biscuits?"

"That sounds amazing," I sigh, placing a quick peck on his cheek. I pause before adding, "Could you pick up enough for them to? I feel bad about last night."

"Grace, that wasn't your fault-"

"I know," I say quickly. "Still."

He cups my face in his hands and places a deep, thoughtful kiss on my lips.

"Go. Shower," he says when he pulls away. "I'll bring back enough food for everyone."

"Thank you," I say, wrapping a sheet around myself and climbing out of bed.

Twenty minutes and a shower later, I'm leaning against the kitchen counter with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in my hands. Still wet, my hair is wrapped in a fluffy white towel on top of my head.

"You're up early."

I glance over to the doorway where Avery is now standing.

"It's almost ten," I laugh. "That's hardly early."

"It is when you were up till 2 last night."

"Well, you're up," I point out, taking a sip out of the mug curled in my grip. "What's your excuse?"

"I heard the shower."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to-" I pause, remembering what happened last night and realizing I should probably apologize for that, too.

He must see it on my face, because he raises a hand and says, "Grey, you don't have to say anything."

"I'm so sorry about last night. If I knew she were here, I wouldn't have come," I say despite his protest. "At least not until you had the chance to talk to her."

"It's not your fault," he says, grabbing a mug out of the cabinet. "I had all week to tell her. I just- didn't."

"Why not," I ask.

I regret the words as soon as they come out of my mouth, and quickly raise my hand before he can respond.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly. "It's none of my business, I-"

I inhale sharply when he steps towards me, slipping an arm behind me. There's nothing but air between us and nowhere to go.

"Avery," I whisper, my voice a quiet warning. I reach out to push him away but lack the force behind the motion, my hand instead landing softly on his chest. His eyes flicker down to my lips and then back up to meet my gaze.