Chapter 22: 22: Shattered Glass

BELLE

The moment Grayson left me, severe pain started. I shouldn’t have been surprised. My body knew he was close and was punishing me for sending him away. I wanted him by me so badly.

I sank down into one of the booths near me. Tears came pouring out of me. I dropped my face into my hands and sobbed.

I could feel Grayson’s eyes on me, his gaze feeling like a warm blanket on my skin. Sparks danced along my body, soothing me even though I would have never admitted it.

He was near, probably watching me from somewhere outside. I didn’t allow myself to look for him, though.

After a few long moments, I was finally able to get my crying under control. I breathed through my pain and went to grab my phone.

My hands were shaking when I pressed Liam’s contact and lifted it to my ear. I had no idea what had happened to him.

I knew Grayson was intimidating, but I still hadn’t expected Liam to run away when he showed up.

I remembered him standing in front of me, attempting to protect me when Grayson tried to grab me, but he disappeared after that. And Grayson had gotten to me anyway.

What if he had done something to Liam? What if he’d hurt him?

After ringing for a minute, it went to Liam’s voicemail. I hung up and looked down at my phone in confusion. My worry grew. What the hell had happened to him?

I sent him a quick text, telling him how sorry I was about what had happened, that I was fine, and to call me as soon as possible.

My eyes glanced around the empty diner in dismay. Had everyone just run away when Grayson showed up? How had he cleared the place out like this?

I sighed and grabbed a broom before going over to the broken door, starting to sweep up the glass all over the floor from Grayson smashing it when he’d come in.

I needed a distraction, and cleaning up this mess would have to do.

“What the fuck is going on here?” a voice suddenly yelled.

I jumped, turning to look at my boss, Jerry. He walked through the broken door I was cleaning up, his face furious.

His eyes scanned over the shattered glass door and then all the empty booths before stopping on me. “What the fuck did you do?” he demanded.

Before I could respond, my mark flared with pain. I gasped. I immediately looked back at the window, knowing Grayson was the cause. I couldn’t see him, but I could definitely feel him. My mark could too.

Jerry waved his hand in front of my face, grabbing my attention once again. “Hey, I asked you a question! What the fuck did you do to my diner?”

My eyes widened. “I-I…” I stood slowly on shaky legs. “Some, uh, guy showed up, and he broke the door.”

Okay, so not the best excuse, but it was the best I could come up with, given my current state.

“Some ~guy?~ Did this guy also chase all of my customers away?” Jerry asked. He seemed a little fidgety and nervous. “What did he look like?”

“He…He was my ex.” I swallowed. “I don’t know why he was here.”

Jerry’s eyes narrowed. “You steal from this guy or something? What did you do to make him so mad?”

“I don't know why he was here,” I repeated. “But he won’t do it again. He won’t be coming back.”

Jerry didn’t look convinced. “Can you promise that?”

I hesitated. No, I really couldn’t promise that. In fact, I had no business saying that at all if everything Grayson had told me was true. I could just hope he would stay away from me as I asked. “Well, no—”

Jerry scoffed.

“But I’ll work for free for the rest of the day,” I quickly continued. “To make up for any profit that was lost.”

That made him pause. “The next ~two~ days,” he demanded. “To make up for lost profit and for breaking the door. Or you can kiss your job goodbye, baby doll.”

“Fine,” I agreed. I had to bite my tongue, so I didn’t say anything about his new pet name for me. “The next two days.”

Jerry grunted before walking past me. “I want all of this cleaned up before I come back.

“And go fix your makeup or something before the customers return,” he said, gesturing to my puffy eyes and tear-stained face. “You look like a mess.”

He shook his head before disappearing behind the kitchen doors.

My relief was strong. Grayson may have been back in my life and insistent on ruining it, but at least I wouldn’t be losing my job today.