Wicked Games (book one)

54

song for chapter:
oceans - hillsong
| take me deeper than my feet could ever wonder |
(highly recommend + put on repeat)

jaylee's pov
sunday morning

"jaylee," graysons voice was soothing, yet appropriate for the church's atmosphere that we were in. I turned around, letting my eyes land on him who was standing tall in front of me.

he wore a full suit with dress shoes, his hair pushed slicked backwards out of his face—every piece of clothing was black.

immediate guilt took over my body, causing my face to drop from the bruise that was spread across his cheekbone from where sammy had hit him.

it was a shade of dark pink with a scattered design of purple and green dots—showing how hard he had actually got hit.

I exhaled a large breath as my palms rubbed against the sides of my black, half silk, half laced dress. "hey, gray." I greeted him with a shaky voice.

"wow," his eyebrows raised high as he fully looked me down, then back up. "you look gorgeous." he complimented as he regained eye contact with me.

a smile spread across my lips from his compliment. "thank you." I thanked to show him that I appreciated it. "you look nice." I gave him an honest compliment as well.

his eyes widened as he looked down to me, looking a bit shocked. "I'm surprised."

one of my eyebrows raised out of confusion, "what?" I questioned as a small smile stayed on my lips.

"you didn't have a joke about my bruise." his eyes looked back up to me, his lips growing longer as he smiled without showing his teeth. "it's very unlike you."

I squinted my eyes at him as a feeling of warmth entered inside of me from the positivity he radiated even on a day like this. "I was thinking about it, but I'll give you a break for today." I winked lightly to show him I was joking.

a small laugh escaped his mouth as he looked down to his feet. "believe it or not," he brought his head back up to let his eyes look at me. "I could use some humor right now." his eyes looked away from me, moving around the room at everyone who was here. "this is going to be rough."

I nodded my head as I exhaled a breath, showing that I agreed with him. "if I had it in me I would."

the sound of the church doors opened, causing my head to turn in the direction of the front doors.

both of my eyebrows narrowed in a state of confusion, "ravens here?" I questioned as my eyes watched her be greeted by a couple of people.

graysons head turned to where I was looking, both of us now watching her as she spoke to a few adults.

a small pit hit inside my stomach as ethan approached her, his arms wrapping around her as she held onto him tightly—her hands rubbing his back. you could see the sorrow in her facial expression.

this pit inside my stomach wasn't anger or a sadness of any sort, it felt like jealousy.

grayson let out a sigh as he turned his attention back onto me. "she didn't come for ethan," he told me in order to not have me worry. "she knew our dad too, jaylee."