Sequel to "Life With Boys". Read that first!
Life as a teenager with a famous football playing dad isn't easy for Raelinn Emerson and her younger brother, Ashton. Raelinn's dad, Ryder Emerson, just got traded to the Denver Bronco's. When the Emerso...
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"You fell in love with a storm. Did you really think you would get out unscathed?" — Nikita Gill
Song: Deathbed by Powfu
"Wow, that must be really boring without me." Grayson teases over Skype.
"Oh yes, I'd much rather have you here to beat up my ex." I laugh.
"I'd do it in a heartbeat, love." He grins, making me swoon.
"I would probably let you, too. I'm just ready to be in California." I sigh. "How's Denver without me?"
"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. Liam and Jessie broke up." I sit up quickly, forgetting momentarily I'm only wearing a sports bra and shorts, since I was under my blankets. His eyes move down, and widen. "Shit."
"Sorry." I blush, quickly throwing a sweatshirt over my head. One I stole from him. "But, why? What happened?"
"I'm not really sure. Liam thinks something is going on with Jessie that she won't talk about, but she broke up with him, without really giving him a reason. Maybe you can talk to her?"
"Yeah, absolutely. I hope everything is okay with her. How's Liam doing?" I prop my phone onto my blankets, and pull my hair up into a ponytail.
"He's crushed. I've never seen him like this."
"That's horrible. I'll definitely talk to her though, if she'll let me. They're made for each other. She's got to have a good reason, she wouldn't just breakup with him."
"Yeah, I know." He sighs, shaking his head. "In lighter news, one more day until I see your beautiful face in person." He grins, making me blush.
"Can't wait." I smile. There's a knock on my door, making me smile. "I've got to go. I'll see you soon."
"Okay, bye." He smiles.
We hang up, and there's another knock at my door. "Come in!" My dad steps into my room, and sits on my bed.
"Are you all packed up? We leave tomorrow morning." He says, and I give him a sheepish grin.
"Not exactly. But I'll get there." He chuckles and rolls his eyes at me.
"Just like your mother, Linnie." He teases. He kisses my forehead, then goes to leave the room. "Make sure you're packed before you go to bed tonight."
"I will be, dad. Promise." He smiles and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
I try calling Jessie, but she doesn't answer. So I leave a voicemail, letting her know that I love her and I'm here if she needs to talk about anything. A few minutes later, my phone rings, and it's her calling through Skype.
"Hey Jess." I smile, and she weakly smiles back. It's obvious she's been crying.
"Hey." She says softly, wiping a tear that's sliding down her cheek.
"What's going on? Gray told me you and Liam broke up."
"Yeah. It was my decision. I just... I don't know what to do. I don't feel like I can talk about it right now, though. But just talking about anything else helps."
"Okay. We can talk about whatever you want. As long as I'm reassured he didn't do anything stupid." She laughs softly, and shakes her head.
"He didn't do anything wrong. I didn't either, but things happen." She's never this vague. She's always so open and honest about everything, which makes me super worried.
"Okay, I understand. Wanna hear about the stupid shit that happened with my ex?" I ask with a teasing smile. She laughs, and agrees, and I spend the next hour telling her everything that happened.
I guess it's probably time to pack my bags for our flight tomorrow. I'm really nervous but excited for California. I plan to tell Grayson how I feel, and hope he feels the same way.
I push myself off of my bed, and over to the clean pile of clothes my mom brought in this morning. Taking a seat on the floor, I begin to fold and organize my clothes. My suitcase is open on the floor next to me, so I add the folded piles of clothes as I go.
Next, I go into the bathroom and pack up all of my bathroom essentials; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, makeup, etc. I wrap the cord for my straightener and curling wand, and place them in their bag.
Lastly, I pack up my laptop, and only have my charger for my phone left to pack tomorrow morning. After packing the last couple of hours, I'm finally done, and ready for bed. I'm glad I took a shower this morning, since I packed everything up.
——
We arrive at the airport early the next morning, and are waiting for our flight. Ashton went and got everyone coffee, which were grateful for. It's only five in the morning. Way too early for my liking.
"Linnie? Our flight is being called." My dad says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Okay." I smile and grab my backpack, and follow my family over to our terminal.
We all get onto the plane, and take our seats. I hate airplanes, but I've been on them so many times in my life. I just can't get used to them. But, this flight, I'm actually ready for.
——
We land in California, and as we're walking through the airport I think about how my mom walked through this airport for the first time almost nineteen years ago and met my dad. She was going through a lot, having just lost her parents, but she got through it and became the strongest woman I know.
"Is that Grayson?" Ashton asks next to me. My head snaps up, and I lock eyes with Gray. I smile widely, and can't help but take off running towards him. He smiles too, and catches me easily when I jump into his awaiting arms.
"I think someone missed me." He whispers in my ear, his arms tightening around me. I nuzzle my face in his neck and nod.
I lean back and look at him, and his smile widens when I speak next. "I really, really did."
