Chapter 5 The Envelope of Secrets

Raelynn

Grayson stares at me from the driver's seat, his window rolled down just enough for the rain to drip onto his arm.

He is completely relaxed, like he did not just scare the life out of me. His gaze drags over my trembling frame, lingering on my soaked clothes, on my white tank top, now practically see-through.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I cross my arms over my chest instinctively.

A lazy smirk tugs at his lips. He looks frustratingly entertained.

"You look like sh*t," he drawls.

"Screw you," I snap, my voice hoarse from the cold and the panic clawing at my throat.

He tilts his head, feigning a pout. "You're the one standing in the middle of a storm, looking like a half-drowned stray kitty."

My fists clench at my sides.

I hate him so much that I can strangle him.

"But if you want me to leave..." He starts the car, fingers drumming against the wheel.

I know he will. He will not hesitate.

"Wait," I blurt before I can stop myself.

Grayson pauses but does not turn off the engine. He watches me expectantly, but when I do not move, he exhales like I'm exhausting him.

"Get in, sunshine. I do not have time to babysit."

I hesitate. Who's to say he will not pull something once I'm in that car?

He clicks his tongue, shaking his head. "You can either decide to get in, or I can sit here and watch you shiver until you collapse." He lifts his phone. "Or maybe I'll just leave you here and let the next creep pick you up."

I stiffen.

B*stard.

He is right. I have no phone, no money. And I do not know where the hell I am.

Plus, the longer I stand in this rain, the harder it is to breathe.

It's not the same night.

It's not the same.

But my body doesn't know that.

The memory claws in my mind like a living thing, sinking its fangs into my lungs.

I grit my teeth. "Fine."

Grayson grins like he just won. I yank the passenger door open and slam it shut behind me, the warmth of the car immediately wrapping around me.

But I do not get a chance to fully relax.

Grayson doesn't start driving right away. Instead, he leans back in his seat, his sharp eyes sweeping over me again.

I dig my fingers into my soaked skirt, refusing to let him get under my skin. But something in his gaze makes my stomach twist.

"So," he muses, drumming his fingers on the wheel, "what did you do to piss off Isabella this much?"

I roll my eyes. "Weren't you both in on this?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. And for a brief moment, the sound almost distracts me. Almost.

I pinch myself.

He is an asshole, Raelynn.

"You do not know anything," he murmurs.

I clench my jaw. "What the hell does that mean?"

Grayson doesn't answer. He just starts driving, the smirk on his lips deepening.

But I know whatever he meant isn't good.

When we reach the school gate, rather than stopping, Grayson passes it, ignoring my confused stare, and comes to a halt in front of a house.

He gets out of the car, and I rush after him.

"Where are we?"

"Did not you hear?" He throws a smirk over his shoulder. "We're staying off-campus."

My stomach sinks.

"You're the Blackwell twin I'm rooming with?"

Grayson grins all teeth, amusement practically oozing off him before he unlocks the door and steps in like he owns the place.

Which he probably does.

Should be glad Isabella isn't my roommate after what happened with her minions.

But somehow, this doesn't feel like a win.

Grayson gestures vaguely upstairs. "Your room's the first one. Your stuff already arrived."

I do not respond. I just rush up the stairs, desperate to pry my soaked clothes off and have a moment alone.

The second I step into my room, I exhale in relief.

Everything's here. My bags. My things.

I peel off my wet shirt and toss it on the floor. The second I reach for my towel...

I feel a presence behind me.

"You should really learn to lock your door." A familiar voice murmurs from behind me.

I spin around so fast my hair sticks to my damp skin.

Grayson stands in my doorway, looking utterly at ease, one shoulder leaning against the frame. But his eyes...those sharp, taunting blue eyes...aren't on my face.

They drag over me, slow and deliberate, lingering on the curve of my bare shoulders before dipping lower, stopping at my chest.

I suck in a sharp breath, heat prickling up my skin despite the cold.

His smirk deepens, amused, unbothered, like he has all the time in the world to just stand there and gawk. His tongue runs over his bottom lip, subtle but unmistakable.

My stomach tightens.

I yank the towel up, clutching it to my chest like a shield, but I know it's too late... He has already seen everything.

"Are you insane?" My voice shakes between fury and something I refuse to name. "Get out!"

He doesn't move. Instead, he lifts something in his hand.

An envelope. My stomach drops.

No, no, no, no.

I stare at it, my blood running cold. My face turning pale

His smirk deepens. "Who is Sarah?"

My heart nearly stops, and my breath catches.

The rainstorm outside feels like nothing compared to the one going on in my chest.

I lunge for it. "Give it back!"

He steps away, holding it higher. "Not so fast, sweetheart."

I swallow my panic growing with each second that passes by. "Grayson, I'm serious."

He studies me for a moment, like he is considering something. Then...

His thumb presses against the seal.

No. He can't.' He can not read it.

If he does, if he sees what's inside... Everything falls apart. It'll be over for Mum and me.

The envelope rips open.