The Boy Next Door

Chapter 9

Past

Grayson and I were currently the only two in the kitchen, everyone else talking and laughing in the connecting living room. "So," I cooed while opening the stainless steel refrigerator, "How was the first day?"

"There isn't that much to tell." Grayson replied while shrugging his shoulders. Closing the refrigerator door, I gave him a bored look while raising my eyebrows. "I'm serious."

"Mm hmm, sure you are." I said while twisting the cap off the water bottle, not really believing him. "Oh, but I do have another question."

"Shoot." He leant against the counter, his defined arms crossing over his chest.

"Have you always lived in Virginia? Like you just moved houses or was this a big out of state move?"

Only knowing the guy for a few days, I didn't expect to know his life story, but I honestly didn't know anything about him. Not a single thing.

"Yeah, just a couple of cities over. We're about six or so hours from my old town."

I nodded my head in understanding before we fell into a comfortable silence. "Do you miss it?" I asked while finishing the remainder of my water. He shook his head 'no' just as a small ding went off.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone before muttering something under his breath. "Everything okay?" I questioned as he stuck his phone back deep in his pants.

"Yeah, my mom was just wondering where I was. I guess I should get home before she has something else to complain about." He said with a fake laugh, my brows furrowing right after.

Get home?

"It's not that late is it?" Glancing over at the digital clock conveniently programmed into the microwave, the time reading eight forty-nine.

"Apparently it is when you accidentally miss dinner without any explanation of your whereabouts. . . at least according to my mom." He mocked while rolling his eyes. "Do you know how to get home from here?"

"Yeah," I said while walking over to the trash can to toss the bottle. "Actually, I should get going, too. Just follow behind me, again."

"Thanks."

I gave a small smile before we walked into the living room. I grabbed my purse from beside Damon as Grayson thanked Kristen and Hayden for letting him come over.

"No problem, man." Hayden called from the couch, his eyes never leaving the television screen as Adeline curled herself up against him with a blanket. He and Tyler were engulfed in a serious basketball game as neither of them truly acknowledged our presence.

"Are you leaving?" Kristen asked, standing up from her spot on the couch.

I leant down and kissed Damon while nodding, "yeah it's getting pretty late. His parents are getting worried."

"Don't leave me." He mumbled into my neck as he peppered kisses there. A few giggles escaped my mouth at his actions before cupping his face in my palms. I stuck out my bottom lip before kissing the tip of his nose, his green eyes boring into mine as I pulled away.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."

Kristen abruptly locked her arms around my shoulders, taking me by surprise. I gave her a regular hug before waving a goodbye to the rest of my friends, walking out the front door toward my car.

"Grayson!" Damon called just as we stepped outside, the warm summer night air circling around us as we turned our heads back towards the house. "Keep her safe, please."