The Boy Next Door

Chapter 38

I pulled into the driveway, my eyes locking on the only car in the Froyer driveway; Mrs. Froyer's. I've managed to ignore my mother and Grayson most of the day, the news coming to the light last night still bothering me greatly.

I know she's at work, but I can't shake the thought of her possibly out somewhere with the married man. Pulling on my gloves, I dropped my stuff inside the house before making my way next door.

The snow crunched under my shoes, it already covering the ground a couple of inches as it continued to fall since it began last night. I pushed down my nerves as I rung the doorbell, continuously telling myself this is the right thing to do.

She deserves to know.

I tapped my foot on the ground, both from anxiousness and the harsh, cold air. "Hi, Cameron." I snap my head up from the ground, her brown hair flowing past her shoulders as she ushered me inside. "How are you, sweetie? What brings you by?"

I gave her a small smile, it not being anything genuine as it barely reached my eyes. "I'm okay. I, um... I wanted to talk to you about something actually."

Concern flashes across her face, it being a natural mother instinct probably, as we stand in the foyer. "Oh. Okay, I was just sitting in the living room if you'd like you talk in there."

"Yeah, that's fine," I said as we walked towards the living room. I doubt I'll be welcomed back in here after today, not that I'm complaining. I fold my arms over my chest, my skin crawling with the fact Grayson could show up at any point right now.

I need to make this quick.

Danielle's book bag was perched up in the chair, her binder and papers sprawled out on the counter as we walk by, my eyes scanning the room for her. "She probably ran off upstairs." Mrs. Froyer said, inadvertently answering my thoughts.

She picked up the mug that was resting on the coffee table before sitting on the couch, my hands laying in my lap as I sat on the single chair. "Is everything okay at home?"

"What- oh, y-yes." I stammered, her brows drawing together more. "Well... there's something I need to talk to you about."

She cupped the mug with both hands and she sipped on the drink, silently urging me to continue. I sighed while resting my forearms against my thighs, as if that was a good form of support. "It's about your husband."

"Liam?" She questioned, "what about him? Is he alright?"

"I... he and my mom were having an a-affair. I'm so sorry, I don't know how long it's been going on." I added on, her eyes blankly towards me as she slowly placed the mug on the coffee table. I couldn't read her expression, her lips only parted slightly as she let out a breath.

"I-I didn't know anything was going on with them, I swear. I found out last night and I know that whole business trip thing he told you about wasn't true because-"

"I know." Her voice was barely loud enough for me to hear, but my mouth was left open as I registered what she said. I was in a state of shock more than she was and now I was the one with questions.

"What?" She knew? Has Grayson told her already? Well, if he had she would've stopped me long before I started to explain the situation.

"I figured," she began while leaning back against the couch. "It's not the first time, Cameron."

"He's done this before?" I asked even though she just told me. I glanced at the door, listening for Danielle incase she was coming down here. "I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but you stayed with him? Why?"

"It's not as black and white as you think," she said while standing from the couch, her heels against the hardwood floor filling the air before she opened a cabinet. She retrieved a wine glass and a random bottle of wine, the red substance filling half the glass before she took a sip. "I had my family to think about."