If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers

Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven

DEFINITELY READ Prologue

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six

Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight Chapter Twenty Nine Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Three

Grayson listened to Ary’s message and sat down heavily on his sofa. When it finished he replayed it, trying to determine whether the cheeriness was false. But no, it definitely wasn’t. It was the Aryanne of a week ago, the giggle said it all. He drummed his fingers on the cushion beside him. What did it mean? He’d watched her sink lower and lower, the shadow over her expression darkening every day. And the way she’d looked when he’d told her he wanted a break? How could she bounce back from that so fast?

He’d been about to escalate his plan, but this changed things. Plus he was curious about where she wanted to take him. He played the message again and this time a smile tugged the corner of his lips. Grandma boogieing down, Jesus. He was tempted to call her right away or drive over there, but decided to wait until morning. Just in case her lapse was temporary. He stretched out on the couch and closed his eyes.

**

Ary sat on the hood of her grandma’s car fiddling with the keys in her hand. It was ten-forty-five a.m. and he hadn’t called so she’d give him until exactly eleven then she was making the trip alone.

She’d gone to the store last night and bought stuff for a picnic that was all packed in her hiking bag, along with a bottle of wine from her grandma’s liquor cabinet. She might have felt guilty about that if there hadn’t been five more just like it, besides if Grayson did turn up he could always replace it.

She glanced at her cell phone. Ten fifty-nine. Oh well, maybe it would be good for her to go alone. She hopped off the hood and got in the car then started it and let it run for a few minutes before shifting it in gear. Just as she hit the street Grayson’s car turned the corner. She grinned and backed back up the driveway.

She got out of her car at the same time he did, still smiling widely. “’Bout time you showed. I was about to leave without you.”

“Yeah, I see that, I forgot about your grandma’s car.”

“Ohh, I see, you were making me sweat a little longer. Good thing it wasn’t too much longer or I’d have been gone with the wind.”

He narrowed his eyes, his lip curving slightly. “I would’ve called and you would’ve turned around.”

“Oh, you think so, huh?”

“I know so.”

She folded her arms across her chest attempting to look serious, then gave it up and laughed. “You’re right, I would’ve turned around, if I wasn’t already there.”

“Bullshit, you still would’ve come back.”

She shook her head, “Nope, you would’ve had to come to me.”

“Bullshit,” he repeated stubbornly.

“It’s an hour and a half away.”

His eyebrows popped up. “Where are we going exactly?”

“Why don’t you hop in my grandma’s maroon beast and find out.”

She started to go back around the car but he caught her from behind. “Oh no, I don’t think so, we are not going anywhere in that.”

She turned in his arms giggling, “And why not? It’s a chariot.”

He laughed, “Yeah, a chariot of fire. You forget I heard your grandma start it once and it sounded like it was going into its final death rattle.”

She turned her lips into a pout, “Oh fine, but I’m just giving you the directions as we go.”

He cocked a brow, “Oh really, what if I do this…” He started tickling her and she struggled against him, giggling helplessly.

“Torture won’t work,” she said between giggles, “I’m made of strong stuff!” She squealed. He stopped abruptly and stared at her.

Her giggles died away, “What? What is it?”

“Are you?”

Her brows furrowed, the sudden intensity on his face had her scrambling. “Am I what?”

He stared at her silently for a few more seconds then shook it off. “Nothing,” he smiled, “let’s go.” He turned.

She landed on her last statement. “Made of strong stuff?”
He turned back and smiled wryly, “We’ll see. Let’s go.”

She blinked a few times before remembering the backpack. “Hold on a sec,” she went to the trunk and popped it, hoisting out the bag. Grayson came up beside her and took it.

“What’s in this thing, it’s pretty heavy.” He started to unzip it and she swatted his hands.

“No, no peeking!”

“Ohhh, a clue, I must.” He unzipped it more and she turned her face into a pout.

“Puppy dog looks hold no sway here,” he admonished.

She pushed her lip out farther and he laughed.

“Okay, fine, have your surprise.”

She followed him to his car and watched as he put the bag in the trunk, making sure he didn’t peek.

He shut it and pulled her into his arms, tipping her chin up. “I didn’t really like our break.”

She smiled, “Good.”

“So what was the scare, you came home and grandma was gone?”

She nodded. “And her car was still here, and the way I was feeling I just jumped to the worst conclusion.”

“But instead she’s partying down with a group of old biddies?”

Ary giggled, “Yeah, and I wish you’d met some of them because,” she started giggling harder, “let’s just say the image of them shaking their booties is better than any antidepressant they have on the market.”

He chuckled, “Just the image of your grandma shaking her ass is pretty good.”

“Yeah, now picture shorter and fatter, taller and skinnier, and everything in between.”

He laughed out loud. “Oh yeah, that’s funny.”

“Mhmm.” She responded.

His laughter faded into a tight feeling in his stomach as he stared down at her. “I’m crazy about you Ary.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” she teased.

“No, I’m serious.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I missed you.” He kissed her again, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

He missed her. She knew he didn’t mean the last sixteen hours, rather the whole last week. When he broke away she caught his face in her hands and met his eyes directly. “I missed me, too.”

He started to smile then realized she wasn’t joking and swallowed. “Yeah, but you’re back huh?”

She nodded, a smile breaking across her face. “I’m back Jack, now let’s hit the road.”

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