Page 38 of Come Back to Me

“Vi,” he begins. “You’re right. I’ve made a crap ton of mistakes, ones much worse than the ones you’ve made. It’s because of you I’m here, sitting in front of you and talking to you. I literally wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you.”

“D-don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth. I tried so hard to not end up like my father. I didn’t want to succumb to the same shit he was addicted to, but I did. I hate myself for it because I put you through the ringer because of it. And I’m so sorry for all of it. For everything.” He exhales. “We need to talk about it.”

I shake my head excessively. “No!”

“Yes. I never wanted to place the blame on anybody for my addiction, but I blamed your brother before I started going to my AA meetings. If I didn’t go to that party in sophomore year, things might’ve turned out differently. So, you want to know why I don’t remember most of high school? Well, we’re going to solve this mystery. Right now.”

then

GRAYSON | AGE 15

Blake

Where the hell are you, bro?

Me

I had to go to the bathroom. I’m on my way out to the patio

Blake

Cool. I’m hanging out by the swinging bench

Me

Be there in a sec

“Who’s that?” Violet asks, her pupils dilating.

“Nosy, are we?”

She tries her best to hide a smile, but it doesn’t work. “Maybe.”

“If you must know, that was your brother. He asked me where I am.”

“You didn’t tell him you’re with me, right?”

Placing my hands on her shoulders, I look into her eyes until they meet mine. When she lands on my face, she closes her eyes and breathes out.

“I didn’t say a word. I told him I had to go to the bathroom. He’s not going to find out about us.”

“How are you so sure?” she asks, doubt lacing throughout her voice.

“I’m a superhero.” I present myself to her by puffing my chest out. “I’m very good at sensing things. Like right now, I can sense that your heart is beating incredibly fast and your anxiety is increasing by the minute.”

“You don’t need to sense any of that because it’s actually happening. I’m f-freaking out, Gray!” She grabs the palm of my hand, placing it over her heart with her hand on top of mine.

“Shit, Vi. We need to slow your heart rate down.”

“H-how do you suggest we do that?”

I gesture to her to breathe in and out. She listens to me and her rapid chest heaves begin to slow down, along with her heartbeats.

We make eye contact, the kind that makes me feel like I’m overheating. Whenever I look into Violet’s eyes, I’m mesmerized by their beauty. It’s like I’m staring straight into the ocean with this overwhelming sense of serenity washing over me. I’d do anything to be able to stare at her forever.

“I need to go before your brother gets too suspicious.”