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Chapter 32

Penulis: Stephie Walls
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2022-10-26 14:23:32
I sat on the floor and struggled to believe I hadn't let him in. He had known I was here, inches away. I'd heard him talking but had chosen not to answer. I needed to let him go, but his loss would have been easier to grieve had he died. Knowing he walked the earth at the same time I did, yet he had chosen not to be with me, wasn't something I could face.

I wasn't surprised when my phone rang again minutes later. He couldn't let me go-he wouldn't. As long as I breathed, he'd keep me connected to him, owning me. Regardless of how strong I was, Gray called the shots, abused my loyalty in favor of playing his version of the game of life. He wasn't pained by my absence unless he believed I'd moved on. He wanted me available on his timeline. He wanted me to remain celibate, to wait at home for him. No one could live like that. I didn't recognize the number on the phone, but there was only one person it could have been.

"Hello?"

"Hey, baby." He wanted to comfort me-to fix things long
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  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 33

    For all practical purposes, Gray had become a whore over the summer. Unfortunately, I still ran into him a good bit because of Topher, Scarlett, and the simple fact we lived in the same town. Every time I saw him, he was with a different girl, each one younger than the last. I talked to him occasionally, and he sent me random text messages telling me he loved me, or he wanted to hook up. Sadly, I usually responded and frequently met up with him. I hadn't dated anyone in the months since Gray. My heart was still his, but since he'd abused it, it was better to keep a distance-I satisfied my carnal needs instead of emotional ones. The sex was still amazing, but the truth was, I would take whatever part of Gray I could get. This way, outwardly, it appeared to be on my terms, that I was the one who had walked away.His friends thought I was crazy. Mine thought I was insane. They both told me all the time I needed to move on, to find someone who would love me the way I loved Gray, but I ha

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 34

    Moving in with Scarlett was a breath of fresh air. I hadn't realized how lonely I was without Gray around, nor how much easier it was to move on when my mind was occupied by other things. With Gray no longer in the picture, I had picked up my workload at Walton's again and taken on more than I should have, but it gave me a sense of purpose and held the darkness at bay. I was good at what I did, not to mention, I could make serious cash on larger projects, which Jack loved to send me in to score for the company. I wasn't just landing the jobs but had taken on an active role in the work itself. I still sent in implementation teams, but I was no longer a face that made appearances. I was working side by side with my teams from a management perspective, but still involved in the day-to-day grind, and it showed in the success of the projects.This was also my final semester in school-I just had to make it through May. It had taken me longer than the typical four years not being able to go

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  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 35

    There were definite benefits to living with Scarlett and being close to Lynn. I shouldn't have wanted to, but it enabled me to keep fairly close tabs on Gray and what he was doing in the eight months since our split without having to ask. I spent a lot of time thinking during my workdays and even more time was spent missing him. Occasionally, I was jealous of my friends who got to interact with him by default, but in the end, I knew it was better that I didn't.The downside was both Lynn and Topher didn't seem to mind sharing things about my life and me with Gray, either. I couldn't bring myself to ask them to stop without losing my Intel on him. Gray had a ton to say about me living with Scarlett-information Lynn freely shared because she agreed with him about the arrangements. Neither Gray nor Lynn believed Scarlett and I should've been roommates, but neither of them paid my bills, so their opinions didn't count for much. It all boiled down to them knowing Scarlett and I did drugs.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 36

    As promised, Gray showed up Saturday morning with his truck and a trailer. I hadn't been sure I was going with him, so I hadn't bothered to pack a thing. Scarlett had gone to work early this morning without me ever mentioning the possibility of me moving out. When I heard him pull into the driveway, my heart sank right before it jumped to my throat. I had hoped with a small portion of my being he wouldn't show, and I wouldn't have to make the decision. Lucky me. Gray was back in prime form. I met him at the door and let him in. He quickly glanced around before he groaned his exasperation. "Annie, why is none of your stuff packed?""Umm..." I stumbled for words and coherent thoughts."Baby, what's wrong?" His eyes were sweet and lovingly sought answers."I didn't talk to Scarlett," I admitted."Why not?" Stunned would be an appropriate word to describe the look on his face. I knew what he was thinking. I had always done what he told me to without question and should have t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 37

    There was no doubt in my mind Gray and I were meant to be together, always. Some unseen force, a connection neither of us could define but was undeniably there, bound us. There weren't words to define my depth of emotion for him, nor were there words to define why, when I felt this way, and knew he did, that I still sensed a nagging need for distance from him.Since I'd moved back in with him two months ago, I'd done everything imaginable to please him. If he asked me to go out with him and his friends, I dropped what I was doing, including schoolwork, to go. I cooked dinner every night, although neither of us denied my culinary prowess needed some work, but I tried. I was always completely available to him, both physically and emotionally. His friends liked me; he loved me, but he didn't seem to be able to escape that feeling that gnawed at him. It was almost like a claustrophobic panic-he tried to hide it, but I knew him too well for him to keep that kind of secret. The irony was, I

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  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 38

    I knew when I walked in, and he saw my bloodshot, puffy eyes, he would assume it was depression related. Anytime I'd had a bad day since he found the prescription, that's where it always went-my depression. Another reason I'd kept my secret-I could no longer have an off day without someone believing I needed to be admitted.He was sitting on the couch in deep thought when I walked in. He zoned in on my eyes and his squinted just slightly in anger-he didn't think I'd been crying-he thought I was high. I hadn't done drugs since the day I'd left Scarlett's, but that's where his mind had gone."Hey, Bird Dog. How was your day?" I shrugged before plopping down on the couch next to him. He lifted his arm, I tucked my body into his side, and the emotion poured out. We sat in silence for quite a while. He allowed me the time I needed to unload, something I rarely did. He folded his arm up to press my head against his chest and kissed me on the forehead. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" I pu

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 39

    Gray walked into the apartment a few minutes after seven, and I was camped out in my usual spot at the kitchen table working on my computer. I glanced over at him when he opened the door but said nothing. I knew how bad I looked and his stare confirmed it. My face was completely washed out, void of any color except the dark circles that surrounded my eyes. When he closed the door, he announced, "We need to talk, Annie," before he sat down at the table. My only acknowledgment was a slight nod. I didn't speak, so he did. "Robbie, Turtle, and Topher are on their way over here to get your stuff. You might want to call Jenny and see if you can stay with her until you figure out what you're going to do. Since most of your furniture is in storage, there won't be much for you to move." I raised my eyebrows at him, my eyes watered, but I refused to let the tears fall. I would not cry over him...not in front of him. There wouldn't be an argument, and he knew I wouldn't try to plead my case

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 40

    I couldn't find the strength to say anything to Gray during the "incident," which was what I had taken to calling it. I wouldn't refer to it as his kicking me out, although that was exactly what he'd done, with no warning or place to go. Thank God for Jenny. She never asked what happened and knowing her, she wouldn't. She had always been that friend who simply accepted who you were. If you wanted to talk, she'd listen, but she would never pry. I texted her when Gray had answered the door to let in his goons. I wasn't mad at them just embarrassed they had been there. Gray could have told me, and I would have left without involving other people, but I think he needed his friends there to ensure he went through with it.Of course, Jenny had said to bring my ass to her house, so that's where I'd gone, with Sean following. Upon arrival, he got out of his truck and helped me drag my things into Jenny's tiny apartment. I followed him out but had no idea what to say, so I'd gone with the only

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2022-10-26

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  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 150: Epilogue

    Our story didn't stop at the courthouse. We had dinner with Brett and Annie that night and hovered around their kitchen table. My best friends allowed me to share Joshua with them and gave life to his memory. I showed them the only pictures I still had while holding Alissa in my arms. She smiled up at me as if she knew. That tiny human connected with me on a level she may never understand, but somehow, she knew-without Joshua, she wouldn't be here. Watching her run around with her friends as we celebrated her birth five years later, I couldn't help but think how foolish it would have been to walk away from all of this. Dan and I would never have children, but what we had was far better for us. Annie and Brett were more like siblings than friends, and their kids were amazing. We got to spoil them, take them anywhere we wanted, and send them home. We had family at holidays and special occasions, and we never missed out on anything either Grayson or Alissa were doing. But at the end of

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 149

    I had called repeatedly, but each try had gone straight to voicemail. Either his phone was off, or it died without being charged overnight. I didn't want to speculate about which it was. I drove as quickly as I could and slammed the SUV in park in the first spot I could find before racing into the courthouse. I followed the signs to the Justice of the Peace, but when I reached the office, completely out of breath, Dan was nowhere to be found. The clock on the wall read 10:11 am. My eyes scanned the room, making sure to identify each person as a stranger before moving on to the next face. Surely, he hadn't left after ten minutes. He had to know I'd come. A guy slammed into my shoulder in his haste to rush out of the office, not even bothering to apologize for nearly knocking me over. But standing stock-still in the middle of the doorway probably wasn't the best idea. I just couldn't believe he'd left. I waited for hours for Matt to show up at the hospital, but Dan hadn't waited ten lo

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 148

    My night had been restless, and just as quiet as the evening after Dan and I had gotten out of the bathtub. He left after dinner and went to Brett's house, but I didn't have the courage to ask him what he'd done while he was there. He returned in the same mood he'd left in, the one he was known for. To an outsider, he appeared unwavering-but I knew with time to think about it, he'd decide he couldn't stay."Did you want to get a new dress for tomorrow?" "For what?""To go to the courthouse? Or do you want to do the whole thing off the wall and wear jeans?" He kept unloading the dishwasher like he had asked what I needed from the grocery store. "I didn't think we were still doing that?" Maybe he'd taken up drinking.He turned toward me suddenly, dropping a dishtowel he'd used to dry his hands with. "What are you talking about? You said Monday. Tomorrow is Monday.""Dan...""No, don't Dan me. Has something changed that you don't want to marry me now?"Oh, for the love of God. I

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 147

    I stood in the spot he left me in when he returned with towels from the dryer. He set them on the counter, turned off the water in the now full tub, and removed his clothes. I watched in a trance until he was before me with nothing on. With my hand in his, he stepped over the side of the bathtub and then helped me in. The garden tub was made for two, and I nestled myself between his legs while he leaned back. The bubbles created a cover, hiding our bodies except for the parts of us not under the water. My fingers fidgeted nervously with the white foam until he took my hand and wound his fingers between mine.He might have been waiting for me to start, but I didn't know what to say. The silence was painful, and I ran through the scenarios of how this might play out...none of which ended well."What was his name?" The words of inquiry fanned out against my skin like a warm blanket. They were gentle and softly spoken, inviting me to open up about a piece of me I hadn't shared with anyon

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 146

    We walked into the sanctuary with two minutes to spare. Brett quickly found Dan, and Annie was in a tizzy. Alissa was nestled into a cradle her dad had created with his arm completely unaffected by her father's helpless panic. "Dude, slow down. What's wrong?"I held Dan's hand in front of Brett, but Alissa had my attention. Just as Brett started to answer Dan's question, Annie came around the corner. Her face was flush, and if I had to bet, I'd say she was roughly two minutes from pulling her hair out.I hadn't heard anything Brett said to my fiancé. The moment Annie got close enough, I saw why she was distressed. Grayson had spit up all over his christening gown...and it stunk, even from here.People started to fill the pews. "What do you need me to do, Annie?"Brett stepped in, suddenly relieved and in control. "Nothing. We're good. Dan went to get stuff out of the car."My brow scrunched in confusion. I had no idea what was going on or how Dan was helping."Seriously, Lissa.

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 145

    The time on my phone couldn't be right. There was no way it was a quarter to eight. Somehow in my haste to get to sleep I either hadn't turned on my alarm or had turned it off an hour ago when it rang. I threw the covers back and practically fell out of bed. The thud of my body on the floor woke Dan whose concern, while well intended, only slowed my progress out the door."Let me go. I have fifteen minutes to get to Annie's house, and I had planned to shower before I went."He didn't relinquish his grasp on me once he got up. "Lissa, calm down. You aren't going to do anyone any good in a panic." I relaxed until I felt the tension in his arms subside and then made my break. "I'll be back. Can you get the gifts out of the closet and throw them in the bags on the kitchen counter? There's tissue paper there, too.""Sure, where are they?"I raced around tearing my pajamas off to put on a bra and some real clothes. As much as I loved Brett, I wasn't interested in him seeing any more of

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 144

    "You look like shit, Lissa. Did you have a baby that keeps you up at night, and I missed it?"I swung my attention to Annie to find her giggling to herself. "You don't look so hot yourself, heifer." The wink I shot her direction ensured she saw my playfulness. "I haven't slept all that well the last couple nights." I didn't need to tell her why."Bad dreams?" She'd become a pro at this whole parenting gig. She never missed a beat with either kid and managed to hold completely coherent, adult conversations while breastfeeding one and changing the other. Anyone else would need more hands but not Annie Ryann. "I don't know what it is. Just not getting a lot of rest."She stopped what she was doing and gave me the eye. The one that told me she didn't believe a word I said. I scooped Alissa up and ignored her."Spill it.""There's nothing to spill. I'm just not sleeping well.""Are you nervous about getting married?"Her question was natural, based on the fact that event loomed jus

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 143

    I'd spent most of the summer with Annie, Alissa, and Grayson while Dan and Brett worked. As my vacation neared its end, I got excited about returning to work. I couldn't wait to be around my students again and the music. I dreaded seeing Rob, but hopefully, he'd be somewhat human now that some time had passed. I hadn't heard from him in the time I'd been off except for the email he sent out to the department today about meetings over the next couple weeks. It would be strange being away from the kids. Annie and I were more like co-mothers, with her taking the lead and the long nights. But I'd spent several of those with her as well. I knew how exhausting one infant was...I couldn't leave her alone with two, and Brett still had to work. Maybe it was an excuse to feel like I was an important part of their lives and their team. Maybe it gave me a piece of what I'd lost years earlier. Either way, I found myself having to be pried away from them. When I told Annie to let me know if I got

  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 142

    The addition of Alissa Danielle to our tribe had been profound. I loved being able to walk across the driveway to relieve my friend in the morning so she could shower, take a nap, or whatever else she was in the mood to do. I didn't care what it was. I'd help her with laundry, cleaning, anything to keep her from experiencing the sleep deprivation that had caused the end of the world I knew. It was twice as bad for her because with each passing day, she became more pregnant and less able to move...or stay awake. I took advantage of the time she granted me with Alissa and tried to maintain the bond the two of us shared. I knew it would change over time, but I hoped as she grew older it would strengthen in different ways. I wanted to be her friend, her confidant, her second mom. In the few weeks she'd been alive, Dan and I both had fallen head over heels for her. But at the end of each day, we got to go next door, have sex as loudly as we wanted to, stay out until all hours of the night

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