Page 57 of Cockpit
Something happened to a little boy yesterday, and it was because of me. My dad may say I’m heartless and only think of myself, but no matter how many times I told myself to stay home, I couldn’t. And then as I told myself I was just going out for a drive to clear my mind, my hands kept turning the wheel to navigate the streets until I ended up here.
With a deep breath, I climb from the car and make my way up the front steps. The house is quiet except for the undertones of the television coming out from the open window.
I hold my breath when I knock, letting my hand fall to my side as my heart pounds in my ears and nerves jitter in my stomach.
Last time I stood on this porch, I told myself that it was just Grayson. He was just some guy from high school I hardly knew.
This time it’s so much more. This time, I get that. It’s Grayson. It’s Luke. It’s a whole different dynamic from what I’m used to.
“I got it.” The television is clicked off. The door opens.
Grayson seems shocked to see me standing on his porch. He’s in athletic pants, a plain blue T-shirt that looks like an old favorite, and a baseball hat pulled low on his brow.
He isn’t trying to be as handsome as he is, which makes him simply stunning as he stands there—irritated expression and distrustful eyes included.
“What are you doing here?”
“I heard about Luke.”
“Heard what about Luke?”
“The fight. The picture. The—”
“Goddamn small-town bullshit,” he mutters under his breath.
“Is it true?
He glances over his shoulder before crossing his arms over his chest and shrugging. “What does that have to do with you?”
I open my mouth to say everything and then stop myself. That’s exactly what he expects me to say. That’s exactly who he has painted me to be.
I try again.
“I heard it started because—”
“And like I said yesterday, the world doesn’t revolve around you.” A shift of his feet. A huff of a sigh. Impatience that radiates off him.
“I know it doesn’t.” His snort is one of complete derision. It’s one that I deserve, but I’m here trying to make things right, and the sound frustrates me. “Just once, can you be nice to me? Why is that so hard for you?”
“You tell me why I should be?” Grayson gets the words out seconds before I see something fly by my head. I yelp and flinch.
“Nerf wars!” Luke shouts at the top of his lungs before another foam dart hits me squarely in the chest.
“Luke!” Grayson warns just as he skids to a stop beside his dad. His left eye is a bluish-purplish color, and there’s a scratch on his cheek that makes me feel horrible, but the smile on his face widens when he recognizes me. “Miss Sidney? Why are you here? Are you here to go on a date with my dad?”
I sputter out a laugh that sounds like I’m choking on air and shake my head violently, more than shocked by his question.
“No. I’m not here to go on a date with your dad.” I glance to Grayson, who’s standing beside his son. His eyes are narrowed, and I know he’s trying to figure out what I’m really doing here.
Get in line, because I don’t know what I’m doing here, either.
“In fact, I came to see you.”
Both of them jerk ever so slightly in response. “You did?” Luke asks.
“Yep. I had kind of a weird day, and I thought you might be able to help cheer me up.”
“Why was it weird?” He angles his head to the side. I keep my eyes on his, not looking over to Grayson, because I don’t want to see his response.
