With an evil grin, Owen sends the pic in a message to Grayson, with the caption ‘Showing your girl some love’
I shake my head at him but I can’t help but laugh. “Don’t blame me when he gets you in a headlock on Monday and refuses to let you out.”
Owen laughs. “So worth it to wind him up.’
“How’s Ems?” I ask him, and he drops his smile and sighs.
“She’s okay. It was hard for her to see her dad like that. I think that night really scared her. But more than that, I think it shattered the idealistic view she has of her father and she doesn’t know how to process that.”
I nod. Ems had returned to boarding school this morning. She had been reluctant to go back. I could tell she didn’t want to be away from Owen that long.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” I say, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.
“Jeez, thanks Ev. I might be a terrible flirt, but it doesn’t mean I’m incapable of developing feelings for someone.”
I put out my bottom lip and wrap my arms around his neck. “Owen, I of all people know that when you love, you’ll love fiercely. It’s just new seeing you all loved up.”
He fights a half-smile. “Damn, you’re good at digging yourself out of a hole.”
Owen’s phone pings and I step away from him as he pulls it out of his phone. Whatever he reads makes him laugh out loud. He holds out the phone to me and I see it’s a message from Grayson.
‘If you value your balls, I suggest you step away from my girl.’
Owen must be in a playful mood because he hits the video call button, and he yanks me into his side and as Grayson answers, he licks up the side of my face with his tongue.
“I’m going to annihilate you on that rugby pitch on Tuesday.” Grayson warns as he comes on the screen. My breath catches in my throat at how handsome he looks in his tux.
“Hey baby,” he says to me with a sexy smirk. “You look good enough to eat.”
I’m about to reply with some flirty response that ensures he only has thoughts for me, when a manicured hand lands on his upper arm.
“Grayson, my dad wants to introduce you to someone.”
I freeze as I see a flash of blonde hair in the edge of the frame. Grayson sighs in frustration. “One sec.”
He turns his face back to the camera. “I got to go. You keep your hands off my girl, and Manchester,” he pauses, winking at me, “I can’t wait to spend the day with you tomorrow.”
My heart immediately melts. Why am I worrying about this girl? It was clear for all to see how much Grayson St. Clair loves me. I need to stop being paranoid and trust in what we have.
I smile wide and blow him a kiss. “Until tomorrow, Posh.”
Owen makes gagging noises as he ends the call. “Okay, we’re doing shots!” he announces, and all the boys at our table roar in encouragement. Guess who is going to have a hangover tomorrow?
I WAKE THE NEXT MORNING and groan when I open my eyes. Is it morning already? It feels like I’ve only slept for two to three hours. Owen is a bad influence on me. I’d let him convince me to have far too many shots last night, and now my poor head is paying the price. I need a coffee and Paracetamol.
I sleepily make my way downstairs and find Dom and Izzy hunched together over the kitchen island, their heads bent together, clearly having a disagreement. I pause in my steps, unsure whether I should interrupt.
“Should I come back later?” I ask hesitantly, and they both whip their heads around in surprise.
Izzy looks at me with sympathy on her face. She turns back to Dom. “Show her,” she demands.
Dom glares at Izzy and rubs at the back of his neck. He paces away from the island and then back again. “Look,” he says to me, “before I show you this, I just want you to remember that not everything is what it appears.”
“Okay,” I reply, with a sick feeling pooling in my stomach.
Dom taps his phone and holds out the screen for me to see. It’s a photo of Imogen Hilton and beside her fast asleep in bed is Grayson. He’s clearly naked because the cover is placed just over his hips, concealing his manhood. Imogen is sitting beside him, posing into her camera. I reach out and take the phone out of Dom’s hand so I can examine it closer. The caption that goes with the insta post makes my world drop out from beneath me.
‘I’ll let him sleep, he deserves it after he rocked my world last night.’
This is followed by a wink and a love heart emoji.
I feel as if everything around me comes to a grinding halt. I can’t even hear myself breathing. I stare at the picture, willing myself to un-see it, hoping to look again and realise that it isn’t Grayson in her bed.
“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” Dom protests, sticking up for his best friend.
Izzy scoffs and they both glare at each other. “It would have to be a damn good one to get past that photo.”
Dom pries the phone from my hands. “Look, just call him and talk to him. I’ve known Grayson most of my life and I know how he feels about you. He wouldn’t do this.”
I lift my head and meet Dom’s eyes as a lone tear streaks down my face and drops onto the pristine white floor. My worst fears have come true. Beautiful Imogen with her perfect body and perfect life had been too tempting. Once a player always a player, right?
“I need to shower,” I declare, walking past them to head back upstairs.
Izzy reaches out and grabs my hand. “Everly, are
