His Trouble Maker

Chapter 147

Chapter 147

JESSICA

“Seriously?”

:

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Riot barks a laugh somewhere to my left, but I barely hear him. Grayson’s too close. When he broke down earlier, my heart shattered in a million pieces.

Seeing him cry for me makes me question if I deserved him. I’m too fucked up for Grayson Westwood but he didn’t care about that.

He’s always there for me, saving my ass. I didn’t believe him when he said to me that he loves me because I saw many versions of love but his version always makes me go back to questioning my love for him.

My eyes flicked to him once–stupid, stupid–and he was already there, already looking at me like he’s so afraid I’ll just run away from him like I always do.

What did I do to deserve him?

Sometimes I wonder if I prayed so hard or that he just loves me. Whatever it is, I think I’ll take it.

“I…I don’t really think you should tie Riot-”

– Tighten the rope!” Grayson shouted and I licked my lips, trying to stop myself from tearing this…beautiful

reunion.

He saw us. It will take a fool to know why he’s acting like this. He saw me and Riot earlier.

“Grayson, he’s fine-”

He looked at me and when he did, all the reasons that I loved him were gone. Sometimes, it’s like I’m loving two versions of him. Grayson is too soft for me but cruel to others. “Why, Jess?”

“Huh?”

I said it without thinking. I knew what he meant. Of course I did. But I couldn’t say it. Couldn’t answer while my throat burned like that. While he looked at me like he already knew and was still asking anyway.

I swallowed hard. My hands went cold. My jaw clenched, like if I just held it tight enough I could stop my whole face from falling apart.

“Don’t,” I whispered.

everything,” he said, softer now. “But I can never

That tore through me.

forward. His face broke a little, just a twitch, just enough to

9:38 Thu, Sep 4

Chapter 147

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thing he does, breathing through pain like it doesn’t matter as long as I’m okay. But I could see it. In the pinch

was wrecked. Like he was trying to understand something

out. Because I had let Riot hold me. I let myself

thing I could say. The only thing I could offer without falling apart. “I was scared. I wasn’t

let it happen,” he

“Please don’t look at me like

sharp, like

barely louder than a breath. “Or was

body heat but didn’t touch him. I was afraid he’d pull away. He

it,” I

to realize

Moon goddess, please.

the ground for a second. Then at me. Then

you could be anything,” he said. “You could be a storm. You could be my undoing. You could burn this pack to the ground and I’d still

My breath caught.

to me again, and I’d still come back. You could break me in half, Jess. And

shaky. He

the shit out

“Grayson…”

He stepped in then.

could ruin everything, Jess. This pack. My name. My future. And the worst part?” His voice dropped. “I’d forgive you. I’d clean the blood off your hands and pull

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Chapter 147

mine.”

hot at the corner of my eyes. I tried to blink

don’t know how to stop loving you,”

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I touched him. Just the edge of his shirt, two fingers curling in like I was asking

He let me.

you doing?” I broke. “What are you saying,

He cupped the side of my face, fingers slipping into my hair. “I think you’ve known this for a long time,

breath. Hold it. Let it out like it hurts to even speak. “I

“You’re wrong.”

“You’re confused, Jess. Between Riot and me, I think you’re