Chapter Three
Grayson was once again in a place he didn’t want to be, but since Leah had asked him to show up, and it was either this or sit alone with his dick in his hand in his hotel room, he’d picked the Grange. Leah had promised him a drink, and since he hadn’t been able to get it the night before thanks to his freaking tooth, he was more than ready for one tonight. Thankfully, he hadn’t needed a root canal, so he was able to eat and drink today as long as he didn’t go crazy.
Of course, that meant he had to find Leah in the mass of people dancing, eating, and playing pool. While the outside of the building hadn’t seen a coat of paint in years, Frank had at least updated the inside a bit with better paneling and new signs. The front of the Grange had the normal hostess station with seating to accommodate families during the daytime to eat and for adults who wanted bar food once the sun went down. Beyond the seating area to the left held a couple of pool tables and other games for people to use. Then, on the right, there was the dance floor area with a mechanical bull separating the gaming and dancing sections.
He’d never been old enough to come into the Grange when the bull was running, and now that he was old enough, he wasn’t about to hurt himself trying. Though he could still make out the sign near the bull that spoke of the owner—a former professional bull rider—and whoever had the longest time so far.
The place was a mashup of everything, but it worked.
Not seeing Leah right away, he made his way to the bar and found one of the few empty stools. Since most people had come in groups, they were either sitting at one of the tables or booths or back in one of the other areas enjoying their night. From what Grayson could tell, there weren’t that many singles tonight. He guessed that made sense, considering so many of his graduating class was here, and they’d hung out in packs back then, as well.
He ordered water since he didn’t want to aggravate his tooth just in case and sat back to people watch. As a mechanic, he met various types of individuals daily, though most of them didn’t bother to notice him at all. He was just the guy who fixed their car—not their best friend. So, sitting on a barstool in the middle of a crowded place feeling only a little bit alone wasn’t unusual for him.
He recognized a few people, though no one really seemed to notice him. Or if they did, they either ignored him or didn’t have a clue who he was. That wasn’t much different than high school, so it didn’t bother him. He wasn’t the same kid barely making it to school and working two part-time jobs. He was a homeowner, who was sought after at his place of business. And if he kept saving, one day soon, he might be able to open his own shop like he’d wanted to for years. Going to night school to make sure he had the business classes that he needed had set him back on his timeline regarding saving, but it would be worth it in the long run.
The bartender handed over his water, and he nodded in thanks before taking a sip. As he set down the glass, Anton Ballard came forward, a frown on his face.
Grayson had sat behind the guy in three or four classes a semester since middle school, and yet he was pretty sure Anton still didn’t recognize him. It wasn’t that big a deal since those classes hadn’t been the primary ones because Anton had been taking AP classes while Grayson had been trying to keep up with homework in the normal ones, but still. He’d seen the man yesterday, and Anton still seemed confused.
Of course, seeing the guy got Grayson’s back up not only because of his lack of memory, but his lack of sense. He’d treated Kate like dirt, and Grayson had wanted to punch the guy—even if violence wasn’t always the answer. He’d been shocked when he realized that Kate wasn’t a dentist and didn’t own part of the business with Anton. He’d thought she’d be a lawyer or a doctor or something amazing by now, but he should have remembered that time changed things, and he didn’t know the whole story. Plus, there was nothing wrong with her job, even if it wasn’t what he’d expected. He’d assumed something, and it had made an ass out of him. He felt like a heel for even saying anything about her owning the business, but he hadn’t had time to apologize, or the words to make things better—if there was anything to make better.
Now, he was mentally talking himself in circles, and Anton was still staring at him.
“Hey, Anton,” he finally said, annoyed.
Anton snapped his fingers as if he’d just had an idea. “Mr. Cleary, right? From yesterday? I knew I recognized you. Sorry, long day at the office and all that.”
This guy. Seriously.
“Yep, that’s me. Tooth’s great by the way.”
Anton grinned, his pearly whites clearly caps and not his normal teeth. “Good to hear. And I’m happy that you’re drinking water tonight. Let me know if you have any discomfort. You can call my secretary if you need another appointment.”
Grayson raised a brow. “Your administrative assistant, you mean?”
Anton waved it off. “Whatever. You’re a man’s man from what I can see. No use being politically correct here.”
Grayson gave him a bland look. “Yeah, God forbid we actually care about what words mean and how people feel, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of what derogatory things we want to say to make ourselves feel better.”
Anton’s eyes widened marginally before he stalked off without another word. Seemed like Grayson was off to a fine start with this reunion. First pissing off Karly, now Anton, and probably hurting Kate’s feelings, as well.
Damn Leah and her making him come to this thing. And where the hell was she anyway? Every time they tried to stop and get a drink these days, they never actually ended up doing it. If he weren’t so sure that they were still best friends, he’d have thought she was avoiding him. But with the way she hid something in her voice, he had a feeling she might be avoiding someone else. Hell if he knew who or what, though. She’d tell him eventually, and if she needed his help, he’d be there. Like always.
He turned to take another sip of his water and froze when he spotted the All-American Golden Boy and Ms. Runner-Up—aka, Jason and Karly. Well, hell, it looked like they were about to have a pre-reunion tonight anyway. He’d always hated Jason in high school. The man had been the president of the student council as well as the captain of the baseball and basketball teams. He hadn’t played football like most of the popular kids—since they lived in Texas and that was the thing to do—but most people didn’t seem to notice. Grayson figured Jason hadn’t played football because he wouldn’t have been the best since others were far better at it than he was, and he’d needed to shine. If Jason wasn’t the best at something, then he didn’t do it. If Grayson remembered right, Jason had graduated third in the class or something. He’d really only paid attention because Kate had been number one, and he’d always had a thing for her—even when he knew he shouldn’t.
Jason had also been in Grayson’s classes and done his best to make Grayson feel like shit for his secondhand clothes and shitty grades. It hadn’t bothered him much until he’d brought Grayson’s sisters and mom into the picture. Then, Grayson had punched the asshole right in the nose—sending Grayson to ISS for the first and only time of his high school career. Punching the golden boy of Catfish Creek had sent him straight into bad-boy delinquent territory, even if he knew he wasn’t the only one imagining punching that smug look off Jason’s face.
Karly was…well, Karly. Superficial and runner-up in everything she did. While being second in line shouldn’t have been a bad thing, the girl had never taken it well. Second place for Homecoming queen and Prom queen. Plus, if he remembered right, second in command of the cheerleaders. Or was it the dance team? And why the hell did he remember so much from high school when he hadn’t thought about it all that often over the past ten years?
He blew out a breath and watched Jason and Karly walk around the Grange as if they were royalty. Royalty of a small town in Texas where no one really gave a shit maybe, but Grayson didn’t really care. Jason had married Kate, giving her his name, and now, they were divorced. And from the big ass ring he’d spotted on Karly’s finger the day before, Karly was second once again in terms of affection. If he’d been a spiteful person, he would have smirked at that, but broken dreams and hearts weren’t anything to laugh about. Not when it came to Kate.
Hell, he needed to get her out of his mind. Just because he’d had a crush on her in high school didn’t mean he had to keep thinking about her now. Of course, Brody’s comment about his type filled his mind, and he held back a curse.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Leah said as she rushed to his side. She smiled wildly at him, but there was a bit of panic in her eyes.
He could feel a few stares on them, but he ignored them as usual. Wherever Leah went, there were stares. After all, she’d been the bad girl of Catfish Creek, the one who everyone thought was fucking the entire football team, as well as the bad boy of Catfish Creek—aka, him. Jesus, he hated high school and this town.
“It’s fine, want me to order you something?” He frowned at her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She waved him off. “Actually, I can’t stay. I need to…I just need to do a rain check. Okay?”
Grayon studied her face. “You going to tell me what’s going on?”
Leah leaned over him and chugged the rest of his water before putting the empty glass down on the bar top. “Can’t right now. But I will.”
“You know I’m always here for you, right?”
Leah’s eyes warmed. “I do, Gray, I do. Now, why don’t you stop talking to me and turn around and look at the pretty woman with those fantastic leather leggings who keeps staring at you.”
“What are leather leggings?” And why was that the question he asked? He seriously needed a drink that wasn’t water.
“They are nirvana. Stretchy and sexy.” She winked. “My new motto.”
Grayson let out a groan. “Dear Lord. Never say that again.”
“Seriously, though. Kate is looking hot tonight. And I hear she’s single.” Leah’s phone buzzed. “Anyway, gotta run. Have fun!”
She scampered off, leaving Grayson confused as ever. But the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he turned, his gaze going straight to the woman who kept invading his thoughts.
Kate’s eyes widened as their gazes caught, and Grayson figured Leah might not have been messing with him about the whole staring at him thing. Knowing he was probably going to do something stupid, he stood up, tipped the bartender for his water since getting free drinks at a bar was kind of a shitty thing to do, and strode toward her booth. She sat with another woman, who looked vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t place her. But he only had eyes for Kate.
She looked fucking sexy. She’d worn this flowy, light green top that hugged her breasts before it flared out at her hips. From far away, he’d been able to see her legs encased in those leather leggings Leah had mentioned. He didn’t know if they were stretchy or comfortable, but they were definitely sexy. She also had on black heels that he knew would make her a little taller. That was a good thing since she was so much shorter than him. Leaning down to kiss her would probably be difficult—something he’d thought about a lot when he was sixteen.
Shit. He wasn’t going to kiss her. Not tonight. Not ever. He really needed to get those thoughts out of his head.
Kate smiled up at him hesitantly, and it only highlighted the brightness of her eyes. She’d done some smoky thing with her makeup that made the pale green stand out. She’d been beautiful when she was a teenager. As an adult, she was beyond stunning.
“Hey,” he finally said, his voice far too low.
“Hey,” she whispered back, her throat working as she swallowed hard.
“Hey,” the other woman said from Kate’s side, laughter in her voice. “I’m Rae, it’s nice to see you, Grayson.”
He blinked and looked over at the other woman, finally recognizing her. “Nice to see you again, Rae.”
“I don’t think we had any classes together, but it’s been a while anyway. I think our lunch tables were near one another, though.” Her voice had that soft, airy quality that seemed to let anyone in; as if she were truly as nice as she sounded.
Grayson stuck his hands into his pockets. “It’s weird seeing everyone again.”
“I know,” Rae said as Kate stayed quiet. “I live here, but it’s still a little weird to see so many people who moved away.” Something came and went in her eyes, and Grayson figured there was a story there.
He turned back to Kate. “Uh, thanks for yesterday.”
She blinked as if clearing her thoughts. “No problem.”
Silence.
“I’m going to go check on our food,” Rae said, sliding out of the booth. “Be right back. Grayson, you can sit here if you want.” She waved as she flowed away, leaving Grayson standing awkwardly in front of Kate.
He had no idea what to say, so he blurted the first thing that came to his mind. “Want to dance?”
Kate blinked and looked down at the table before glancing back up at him. “Okay.”
They both seemed surprised that she had agreed, but Grayson would take it. He held out his hand, and she slid her smaller one into his, picking up her small clutch with her other hand. Rae had apparently taken her bag with her when she’d left them alone, so that meant Grayson only had to pay attention to Kate and not their table. That he could do—and, hopefully, not make a fool of himself in the process.
In her heels, the top of Kate’s head brushed his chin, and he couldn’t help but inhale the coconut scent of her shampoo. It was only a dance, and as long as he kept that thought on repeat in his head, he’d be fine.
The two of them walked in silence the few feet it took to get to the edge of the dance floor. He’d half hoped a line dance would come on the speakers, and he’d be able to make her laugh since he couldn’t actually do any of those leg moves, but to his luck—or detriment—a slow song began, and couples started to move to the center of the floor.
Kate let out a low laugh, and he turned so she was in his arms but with a respectable distance between them.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked, the heat of her so close that he had to tell himself that this was just for now.
Kate rolled her eyes. “It’s like one of those movies where the slow song starts right at the perfect moment.” Someone knocked into her from behind, and she tripped forward. Grayson steadied her with his hand on her hip, and once again, Kate rolled her eyes as she looked up at him. “Of course, people don’t usually bump into the girl once the couple starts dancing.”
Grayson gave her a small smile and led them away from the rowdier bunch that had decided to do a slow line dance. That had been a thing in high school and, apparently, it hadn’t died its slow death yet.
“Sometimes, they get knocked into one another because it gives the guy a chance to get closer.” He didn’t move closer, but he watched her eyes darken just a bit at his words.
“Yeah, but if you cop a feel when we haven’t spoken more than a few sentences in ten years, I might have to deck you.”
He chuckled, aware that others were staring at them. Let them stare, he thought. He had the sexiest woman in the entire bar in his arms and he’d revel in it at least for the night. “We didn’t speak more than a few sentences to one another in high school either.”
She shook her head. “We talked way more than that.” She paused, a frown marring her face. “Didn’t we?”
“Glad to know I was so memorable.”
She lifted her hand from the top of his arm and pushed him slightly in the chest. “Oh, stop. If anything, I remember you more than I should.” Color flushed her cheeks, and he wondered what that could be about.
They swayed back and forth to the beat as others danced far more gracefully and far more Texan with their special slow dances, but he pushed all of that out of his head. He had Kate in his arms after all this time, and it seemed a little weird to have the real person next to him and not a figment of his imagination. He wasn’t that naïve to think he’d loved her at sixteen—hell, he’d only known her enough to have a serious crush on her and want to know her more. But as an adult, she had all these nuances and looks that made him want to dive in deeper and get to know the woman she’d become.
“So…” he began.
“So.” She smiled. “Why did you ask me to dance, Grayson?”
He swallowed hard. “Because I didn’t ask you to dance in high school.” It wasn’t like he was going to stay in Catfish Creek. He could be completely honest with her and walk away at the end of it without feeling like he’d bared his soul, only to have it thrown back in his face.
A puzzled look came into her eyes. “You wanted to ask me to dance in high school.”
He gave a rough chuckle. “Yeah, I did. I wanted to ask you out, too, but you were with Jason at the time, so I didn’t even try. I might have thought you were pretty as hell back then and sweet as sin, but I wouldn’t have poached and made you uncomfortable.”
Kate blinked. “I, uh…I have no idea what to say.” She gave a half-laugh. “I mean, I noticed you in high school, and I know we talked a few times. And I remember in tenth-grade English, we were supposed to be partners for a project, but you backed out.” She frowned. “Why did you back out? I don’t remember the excuse. I just remember that I ended up working with Jason and his friend instead.”
Grayson winced. “Jason threatened to kick my ass if I laid a hand on you, and since I didn’t bulk up until later in the year, and I knew I had to work most nights during that week, and you would have been forced to do most of the project yourself, I talked to the teacher and made sure you at least had partners who would be there.”
Kate scowled. “You should have told me. I was so mad at you at first because I thought you didn’t like me.”
Grayson sighed. “I think I liked you too much. But that was back in high school where everyone has crushes, you know?”
Kate shook her head even as they continued dancing from one slow song to the next. “You’re so honest about what you felt back then. I can’t quite believe that.”
Grayson shrugged. “I’m not staying in town, and lying about something from back in high school doesn’t really seem worth it. It’s not like it’s going to change anything, and you asked me why I wanted to dance with you.”
She smiled at him, and his heart did that clutching thing he hadn’t actually thought happened in real life. Hell, if he weren’t careful, he would fall for Kate all over again—if he’d ever stopped feeling something.
“You know, Jason and his friend made me do all the work anyway. I don’t even remember his friend’s name since he transferred to another school later that year. But Jason was all proud that his smart girlfriend was there, and somehow, I ended up doing it all while the guys talked about the next game.” She blew out a breath. “I’m pretty sure that’s how Jason got as many good grades as he did. Even on tests, he found a way to weasel out of bad marks through technicalities.”
“I could punch him again for you if you’d like,” he offered.
Kate’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. I forgot you punched him. He was so pissed off at you and the school for letting you stay after all that happened.”
Grayson shrugged. “He deserved it. And no amount of his daddy’s money was going to get me kicked out since the school needed to keep its quota of underprivileged kids. Plus, my mom came in during her shift, still wearing her maid’s uniform, and laid into the principal for letting Jason off without discipline. Even ten years ago, bullying wasn’t something the administration really did anything about, but Mom had heard Jason talking crap about my sisters, and the vice principal wasn’t happy.”
Kate pressed her lips together. “The VP was awesome. She was the one who made sure I followed the right path to get into the colleges I wanted, even though I ended up going to Jason’s family’s Alma Mater.”
Grayson reached out and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. They both froze on the dance floor a moment before forcing themselves back into their sway. “You still went to college. I didn’t even walk at graduation.”
“I didn’t finish, though,” she whispered.
He almost froze again but forced himself to keep dancing. “Why?” he asked softly.
“A story for another time.” She paused. “Why didn’t you walk with us?”
“A story for another time,” he repeated.
They finished the dance in silence, the weight of past decisions heavy in the air. As soon as the song ended, Grayson took Kate’s hand and led her back to her booth where Rae sat looking at her phone.
He hadn’t meant to go into high school memories as much as he had since he usually tried not to dredge all that up, but he couldn’t help but do so when he was with Kate. All they had were a few moments when they’d been teens, so it made sense they would talk about that.
“I figured you’d be with the children, Kate,” a smooth voice said from their side. Kate stiffened next to Grayson, and he squeezed her hand.
“They’re with my parents, Jason,” Kate said softly, her head bowed.
Fuck. He didn’t know exactly what Jason had done to Kate in their marriage, but from the way she shrank into herself, he had the sudden urge to wipe the smug look off Jason’s too-pretty face.
The asshole must have had a nose job in the past decade since the bump Grayson had left on it was long gone, and that just made him want to make a new one. Jesus, he was going off the deep end and not even caring right then.
Jason shook his head and slid his arm around Karly’s side. Grayson watched Kate’s face as she took in the sight of the pair, but she’d schooled her features enough that he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. While he wanted to know, he was damn proud of her for not showing the other couple what they did to her.
“Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, I thought you wanted full custody of the children? That’s what our lawyers decided on, anyway. Was that a mistake?”
Grayson opened his mouth to say something, but Kate held up a hand. “Don’t make a scene, Jason. You know that wouldn’t look good for your career. What would the other lawyers say if they found out you were harassing your ex-wife in the middle of a podunk bar in a podunk town? West and Lili are safe and having a wonderful time with their grandparents tonight—something they can do now that I live here. You don’t have a say in how I raise my children. You signed away those rights.”
Jason curled his lip. “I pay child support, so I still have some rights. And as you said, I know a few more lawyers than you.” He patted Karly’s hand. “And you might be hearing from them sooner than you think. I want the children to get to know their new stepmother, and a weekend a month is hardly enough time for that, don’t you think?”
Kate leaned into Grayson as her gaze lowered to the huge rock on Karly’s finger. Grayson squeezed Kate’s hand once again and tugged her fractionally closer but not enough that the asshole would notice.
“Nice to see you, Jason.” He nodded. “Karly. But I was just walking Kate to her car, so we’d better get going.”
Jason’s brow rose. “Do I know you?” he asked.
“Oh, that’s Grayson Cleary, honey. You remember him, don’t you? The dropout?” Karly’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. And you’re with Kate now? How perfect is that? The high school dropout and the college dropout spending time together.”
“Jesus Christ, Karly. Grow the fuck up.” And with that, Kate stormed away, pulling Grayson with her. Grayson tipped his imaginary hat toward them as he picked up his pace to keep up.
Rae’s eyes widened as the two of them passed her booth, but Kate shook her head as the other woman started to slide out of her seat. As soon as they walked outside, Kate stopped, put her hands on her knees, and bent over, letting out a long breath.
“Shit, Kate? Are you okay? Do you need me to call someone?”
She stood up, rolled her shoulders back, and shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m going to go home now, though.” She turned to him and held out her hand. “Thanks for the dance.”
He looked down at her hand and frowned. “You really want me to shake your hand?”
She raised her chin but didn’t lower her arm. “Good night, Grayson.”
He reached forward and clasped her hand, noticing the grease still under his fingernails next to her clean, soft skin. There was a reason she’d picked the golden boy over him back in the day and, apparently, she wasn’t going to pick Grayson now either.
“It was good to see you, Kate,” he said softly. “I’ll see you at the reunion?”
She pressed her lips together. “I don’t know.”
And with that, she released his hand and walked back to her car. He watched her the whole way, making sure she made it safely, his gaze following her out of the parking lot before he headed to his truck. Well, hell, it turned out he really had traveled back in time, and he’d landed straight in the depressing halls of Catfish Creek High again. For a bare instant, he’d thought maybe there was a spark of hope in her eyes when they’d been pressed together, but he’d been wrong.
She wasn’t for him. Hadn’t been then, and surely wasn’t now. He’d crossed that bridge before he’d learn to drive. There wasn’t any going back—no matter how many more days they had until the reunion.