Penance - Uncovering the truth, Secrets and confessions, and Twisted pasts

Chapter 5

Grayson didn't even slow down. He didn't need to look at her to know she was still there. She was always there.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, for what felt like the ninety-fourth time.

He had no plans to spend any extra time with her. Really, he had no plans to spend any time with anyone right now.

"Ice cream is the other way," she said, but Grayson pretended he didn't hear her.

He only agreed because it was easier than arguing. Not because he cared about ice cream. Not because he cared about spending time with her.

But then her hand shot out, grabbing his. It wasn't aggressive. It wasn't forceful. But it was... unexpected.

They both stopped.

What the hell? He made sure his face didn't betray him, though. Poker face. He glanced down at her hand, then back up at her face.

"How about a wager?" she explained quickly, catching his attention. "If you can guess my ice cream flavours, I'll do anything you want for a whole day; vice versa. Deal?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took her in—really took her in.

Alison wore a plain blue long sleeve that fit her just right, paired with ripped jeans that fell over her shoes. Her blue eyes looked more gray today—a sad shade of blue. Her dark hair was... well, it looked like she'd started braiding it into two, then gave up halfway, which made him think she looked like she was trying way too hard.

He almost liked the way it looked like she'd given up trying to be perfect.

It made him think of... No. Not today.

Grayson caught himself. No. He wasn't doing this. He wasn't looking at her like that. He was not about to think about that again. Not today. Not ever.

"Why would I care about some dumb bet with you?" His voice was sharp, a little more irritated than he meant it to be.

Alison didn't flinch. Instead, she just smiled, like she'd won something. "Because I know you're curious, Hawthorne. And because I know you like a challenge."

Grayson made a face, rolling his eyes. He barely noticed her hand still holding his, so he let go, adjusting his cuff like it was some kind of reset button.

"What do you say, Hawthorne?" she teased, tapping his shoulder as she passed him, still grinning like she was winning at some game only she knew how to play. "What do you have to lose?"

Grayson sighed, half-annoyed but also kind of curious."Well, for starters, my dignity," he said to himself.

But of course, she heard. Alison laughed, the sound too loud, too free, and for a second, Grayson thought maybe she was just a little too good at pretending.

"Is that a yes then?" Alison waited for him by the exit.

He ran a hand through his hair and made his way to her. "Yes," he muttered, walking past her. In other words, he accepted her bet.

He wasn't sure why he agreed. Maybe it was merely because he was a Hawthorne. Since when has a Hawthorne ever backed down from a challenge?

Alison followed right behind him, still smiling like she'd won. And maybe she had.