Two Months Later
I sat in the front of Grayson's truck tugging the strings on my shirt. We were parked at the cafe sitting in silence as we have been for the past 5 minutes.
"Babe, I understand if you're not ready to tell them yet," Grayson said for the 5th time already.
"I don't think you understand. I'm more worried about you than myself," I said looking up at him. "Oh come on I practically grew up with them, I can take a few punches," he said smiling down at me.
I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly for the 3rd time. There were so many thoughts going through my head. I knew for sure Dylan would not be happy. After Grayson confessed his feelings to me I was dumbstruck. I didn't know how to respond and it took me a while to figure that out.
He was patient, but for weeks I still hoped that Liam would come back. Maybe even just pass by so I could see him again, but it never happened. I never heard nor saw him again. It wasn't easy to deal with. There were many sleepless nights. Days when I wouldn't talk to anyone, but despite that all, Grayson was still by my side. He never left, just as he had promised.
Even though at the time I couldn't see myself actually being in a relationship with him, he still stuck with me. Eventually, I realized what I was truly missing out on.
~Flashback 4 and a half weeks ago~
I sat out by the huge tree we had in our backyard. It was dark and gloomy outside and not a soul was in sight. Jason and Jacob were at work. Justin was at a friend's house and Dylan was up in his room although he didn't know I was out here.
I didn't want to stay in my room any longer. It seemed as if I only ever did one thing in there. Just thinking about him brought the waterworks back again. All I could remember was his smiles, his laughs, his jokes, his soft hair, his eyes. It was all too much. I should be over him already its been almost a month. But I wasn't, I couldn't get over him.
I worried if he was even okay. Was he even still alive? I hated not knowing anything at all. A simple message would be amazing right now, but it wouldn't happen. I got up to go back inside before Dylan noticed I was out here.
I wiped at the tears on my face just in case I bumped into Dylan.
"Hey, Lisa!" A voice said.
I rolled my eyes immediately recognizing who it was. I sniffled, wiped my face again and turned around to see Grayson. He was wearing a black t-shirt and sweats.
"'Sup Princess," he said smirking at me which immediately changed into a frown upon examining my face. "Why were you crying?" he asked coming closer to me. I crossed my arms and glared at him.
"None of your business."
"No, tell me. Are you hurt? Did something happen?"
"Aren't you here to see Dylan?"
"He doesn't know I'm here. He can wait. Tell me what's wrong."
I sighed and looked up at him. I could feel the tears prickling my eyes again. Why was I such an emotional mess over one guy? Grayson's frown deepened and he pulled me into a hug. "Come on Lisa..." He whispered rubbing my back.
"I just miss him," I said trying to hold back sobs.
"He isn't worth your time. He isn't worth your tears. He isn't worth your thoughts. He doesn't deserve you, Lisa," he said.
I pulled out of the hug and glared up at him. "Why do you keep saying that!? You don't know that. Stop saying that. I j-just- I just miss him so much," Without even realizing I broke down into tears.
I leaned against the wall for support and slid against it. "Why did he have to leave me? What did I do wrong?"
"Stop!" Grayson said abruptly. "Don't ever think you did something wrong!"
Grayson stooped in front of me so that we were eye to eye. "Lisa please look at me," he said as I tried to avoid his eye contact.
"Please..." he whispered. I finally decided to look at him. Really look at him. "Don't you see what he's doing to you? You haven't stopped crying since. He did that to you, Lisa. This was his fault, not yours. Your a perfect amazing girl and honestly he's stupid for not seeing what he's left behind. He's missing out on one of the best gifts any person could ask for. You. I hate seeing you like this. You deserved better Lisa. Look at me. You deserve better." He finished.
I was speechless. I only stared into his eyes and he stared into mine. "I meant that Lisa. I meant that with my entire heart. You don't have to say anything but I know you feel the same way."
After a few moments, I finally decided to speak. Although my voice was nothing above a whisper.
"I cant...Grayson. I cant feel the same way." I said breaking eye contact.
"Yes. You can. You're just denying it." He said. There was obvious hurt in his eyes but I tried to ignore it. "You're Dylan's best friend and..."
"And...what?"
"I-"
I didn't really know what I wanted to say. What was scary was the fact that I wasn't really denying it either. Did I have feelings for Grayson?
"If you need time I understand, but you cannot sit here and tell me that you don't have any feelings for me."
He was right. I couldn't say it. I couldn't make myself believe that it would be true. Because I did. I did have feelings for Grayson.
"I can wait as long as you need me to Lisa," he said giving me a soft smile. At that moment I realized that Liam and I were never going to work out, because Grayson was here the entire time, from the very start.
~A few hours later~
I got up from the dining room chair ready to leave.
"um...Lisa, are you going to eat that?" Dylan asked eyeing my food. Justin stopped what he was doing and also eyed my food.
"Do you want it?"
"yes."
"then yes," I said sitting back down to finish the rest of my pizza. Dylan glared at me and I smirked back. Justin rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you fell for that again," Justin muttered taking his plate to the kitchen.
"Whatever, I wasn't that hungry anyway," Dylan grumbled.
"Dylan you had 5 slices," Jacob said looking disgusted. Jason sighed and shook his head.
"Man I can't wait till you all move out," he said looking at the 4 empty boxes of pizza.
"Hey, not me," I said giving Jason my best puppy eyes. "Of course not you sweetie," He said kissing me on my forehead on the way out of the dining room.
"Hey, not me!" Justin mimicked in an overly, obnoxious, high pitched voice.
"Shut up. You're just jealous." I said rolling my eyes.
"Of what? You get treated like a baby there's nothing to be jealous of sis," he said laughing. I glared at him and he smiled back.
"Whatever I'm going to bed," I said about to leave.
"Already? It's not even that late," Jacob said. "I know, I'm just really tired. Its been a long day."
"you've been home all day," Jacob said eyeing me. I eyed him back. "I'm just tired okay can I go to my room now please?" I asked exasperated. "Is everything okay?" he asked getting Dylan's attention. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes and nodded instead. "yep just tired that's all." And with that, I went up to my room.
"Finally, peace and quiet," I muttered to myself.
I nearly flew out of my skin when a hand came over my mouth and I heard the door being locked. Before I could do anything else the person turned me around and it was Grayson. I stared at him in shock and horror.
"y-you need to stop doing that!" I said trying to control my heart which was about to beat its way out of my chest. "I'm sorry," he said sheepishly. "Sorry, my foot," I muttered.
"Why are you always breaking into my room!? This is becoming a real problem. One that I could take to the police if I really wanted to."
"You know you would never princess. You won't even tell your brothers." I only glared at him because he was right. "Whatever," I said after a few moments. "Why are you here?" I asked collapsing onto my bed.
He laughed to himself and scratched the back of his head. "What is it...?" I asked looking at him suspiciously. "I thought about what happened earlier today...and I don't care if you say yes or no, or wait actually I do, but I just need to ask, I have to ask," he rambled.
I looked at him expectantly. I watched as he walked over to where I sat and Knelt down so that we were eye level. My heart was racing beyond belief I couldn't believe it.
"I can't stop thinking about what happened to you, even though its been a little while. It puts things in perspective for me. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to miss the opportunity that I am about to take right now. I don't want to never have the chance to ask-"
"-Chance to ask what Grayson you're scaring me."
"I know you haven't given me an answer..and if you decide to say yes we can take things slow or however you wanted to but um..I want to be able to protect you more than I am able to. I want to know how you are feeling every waking moment and there's only one true way I can do that and um- uh-"
"you're rambling," I said but my voice slightly cracked. I wished he would get to the point already.
"Oh right yeah um. Annalisa will you..will you be my girlfriend?"
I stared at him in shock. Did I hear him correctly? There's no way. I was frozen. I was not expecting this not at all! He laughed nervously. "A yes or no would be fine. Preferably a yes."
"Grayson..." I trailed off. How could I let him off lightly? I didn't want to hurt his feelings. We just stared at each other. Him waiting for an answer and me not knowing what to say. I've had so much time to think and I knew deep in my heart I wanted to say yes.
Then why haven't I answered him yet? Why haven't I said no either? "Lisa I'm going to hop out this window," Grayson said grabbing my attention again. I studied his face and I knew what my real answer was.
I can't deny myself anymore. I can't suppress what I know is already there. He was perfect inside and out and now I knew for sure that there was no denying that. I bit my lip knowing what I wanted to say I just needed to say it!
I watched Grayson's eyes trail down to my lips and my heart began to beat faster.
"Say it, Lisa," he whispered. He was considerably closing to me. Much closer. I couldn't find my voice to say it. I found myself leaning in and I could sense he was doing the same. I swear I saw a little smirk on his face just as our lips met~
~Present Time~
"Come on babe if anything I should be nervous. I mean they aren't going to beat you up!" I playfully rolled my eyes and looked at him. "Well smart one, who do you think I'm nervous about? Not myself."
"I'll be fine princess," he said with a reassuring smile. I nervously smiled back. We were really doing this. We were going public so to speak. Telling my brothers would be the biggest obstacle we would probably ever meet.
"Ill be fine," he said giving my hand a light squeeze. I sighed out and nodded. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay I'm ready," I said giving Grayson a reassuring smile.
"Have I ever said how much I loved you?" he asked smiling. "I think I should hear a few more times," I said playfully.
He leaned over the center counsel and kissed me. "I love you," he whispered. He started the car and Sweeter by Gavin Degraw came on.
I couldn't help the warmth that rose to my cheeks. I felt all bubbly inside. This was how it was meant to be. If I could go back I would have come to my senses earlier and picked Grayson. I knew at first my brothers wouldn't be happy. They might even give Grayson a few bruises, but they'll come to see that he only wants to protect and love me.
At first, I was totally against us but after all these weeks and him sticking with me I don't know what I would ever do without him.
I focused on him as he was driving his small smile, his hand intertwined with mine. It was almost like a dream. As we neared closer to my house I became less nervous. They'll accept it. They'll accept us.
We've been on a long crazy journey my family and I. Grayson staying with us the entire time. Crazy parents, stalkers, our own personal problems. And no matter how good things may get from here on out I know one thing for sure...
They will always be Overprotective.
A/N
OMGGGGGGG this is it! This is the end. I can't express all the emotions I am feeling at one time. Excitement, Sadness, Nervousness, etc. I can't believe this is the end. I started this book so so so long ago this crazy that we are at the end.
I can't thank everyone enough for sticking with me. Honestly, you guys kept me going and I seriously appreciate that so so so so much.
I am working on a newer book one that's not very related to this. I'll give a full preview of it soon I'm sure you all will love it:)))
Thank you all so much again and just keep being your amazing selves. I love you all
xoxopeacefulwriting101 >3