tricks of time ― grayson hawthorne [the inheritance games]

019. MELTING

Alisa's mouth drops open a little.

"Well, yes, of course, yes, but Leah, you need to think first. You've just been through an extremely traumatic event. How about you go somewhere with your sister? I think she's the best person you should be with right now."

I look at Leslie. Alisa turns from me to her and Leslie nods. "C'mon, Leah," she says, gripping my hand. As we're walking out, I lock eyes with Grayson but I can't manage it and quickly turn away. I can't believe I've let him see me in such a vunreable position.

Leslie locks the door right away after bringing me to her bedroom. She hugs me once more right away.

"I want to shower," I say, still feeling his hands all over me.

"Okay," she says softly. "Go shower."

I hop into the shower and turn the water all the way warm. I pick up a loofah, pour some soap on it, and scrub.

Scrub scrub scrub scrub scrub.

All over my body, I can still feel his hands. Even after scrubbing all over, I still felt the ghost of his hands lingering all over me, too present. I scrub so hard some areas of me start bleeding a bit. But I could care less.

I rub my skin raw till I feel better. Although my skin is red and swollen, I feel better. I take the shorts and t-shirt I was wearing before in my hand and change into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. As I peered out the window, I saw the sky: a combination of pink, purple, and blue streaks. The sun was sinking and casting a golden glow around the grounds of Hawthorne House.

I open the door and make my way to the stairs. Nash is prancing around, heels of his boots clicking on the floor. "Leah," he breathes out.

I don't get to say anything before he grabs me in a tight hug. "If only I knew, Leah, I would've done something to that kid," he says, resting his chin on the top of my head. "I'm so sorry."

I nod slightly, trying to change the topic. "What are you doing here?"

He breathes in. "Ah. Yes. Your sister and your lawyer are looking for you. East Wing." That was a loaded statement if I'd ever heard one.

"Thanks," I told him, but when I made my way up the winding staircase to the East Wing of Hawthorne House, I didn't go looking for Libby. Or Alisa. First stop: the bonfire.

I walk barefoot on the cold and dewy grass lawn. I ask a maid to start the bonfire and I watch the blazing flames: burning fiercely and brightly. I watch them rise for a few seconds, before looking down at the denim shorts and fitted shirt I had worn a hours before. When he was there. When he touched me.

I'm about to throw them in the fire before I hear a voice behind me.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Grayson's smooth voice meets my ears. I turn around at once. I didn't jump, but all my muscles tensed up. I glanced at Grayson as he settled comfortably next to me.

"I just got here," I told him solemnly.

"Yeah?" He seemed distracted. "Tough night?" He asked me casually.

He made my blood boil in the casual way he was speaking to me. Like nothing had happened. But I play along with him. "Something like that," I say.

I watched him extend his legs and his feet knocked against mine. Our eyes meet. "What are you doing?" He doesn't speak and instead sips a Martini I didn't know he was holding. Then I break.

"You know all this between us doesn't change anything, right? Everything with James, my Dad, this doesn't change shit, okay? I don't care that you saved my life. This changes nothing between us. We're never going to become friends. You started this."