Run, Sunshine.

Grayson

The party is already in full swing when we arrive—loud music, sweaty people, and cheap perfumes.

Isa disappears, muttering something about finding her friends.

I walk over to the VIP room, wanting some sort of quietness. Once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the vape from my pocket and take a hit.

The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.

The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room.

This is what I needed. Vaping always happens to cool me off, no matter what's on my mind, which is why, no matter how much Edward whines about it, I don't give a sh*t.

If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn't need a vape in the first place.

Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I'm "damaging myself" or "setting a bad example." Like he's ever given a damn about my well-being. That's his fucking business.

But even the vape isn't strong enough to drown out the thoughts clawing at the edges of my mind.

I lean my head back, staring at the ceiling. And that's when it happens.

Her face flashes in my mind, uninvited and impossible to ignore.

Raelynn.

The image of her standing in the foyer earlier, her stormy gray eyes glaring at me with all the fury of a summer tempest, makes my lips twitch into a smirk.

When I first heard that Edward's new "project" came with a daughter around my age, I didn't care. I looked her up out of curiosity, found out the basics—her school, her grades, her hobbies—but I didn't bother checking what she looked like. It didn't matter.

Or at least, I thought it didn't.

I didn't expect her to look like that.

Like the damn goddess of the sun or something. Her long, wavy blonde hair that seemed to glow under the light, and for a second, I caught myself wondering how it would feel wrapped around my fingers. Would she shiver if I tugged it a bit?

Stormy gray eyes and tempting full lips.

But I especially didn't expect her to be that confident and bratty.

Yeah, sure, she was trembling like a puppy in a storm, but no one dares look me in the eyes, let alone talk back to me—but she did. She stood her ground.

And as much as I hate to say this, it was almost... entertaining.

I take another drag, letting the smoke swirl in my lungs before releasing it. The thought of her makes me want to laugh and punch something all at once.

My phone rings in my pocket. I groan, bringing it out.

Twelve messages from Bridget, ten missed calls.

How the hell did she even get my number, and why does she think it's okay for her to play mom or something?

I keep scowling down at my recent calls, and my gaze hardens when I don't see what I'm unconsciously searching for. Though a part of me knows what to expect.

Zero from Edward.

I shake the thought from my mind as I glance at my hockey team group chat. A sigh escapes my lips as I remember I swore to stay clean this break since we have a competition coming up. But of course, I couldn't even do that.

Fuck it. I'll figure something out.

A knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts.

"Fuck off," I snap, not bothering to look up.

The door creaks open, and Isa steps in, her heels clicking against the floor, her arms crossed.

She flops on the couch beside me, and I scowl at her flushed face. She's been up to something, and my protective brother instincts rise, but I press them down. Neither of us are in a good mood, and I don't need anything adding to my drama.

She eyes the vape with a smirk as I take another hit. "You know Edward's going to have a stroke if he sees you with that."

"Good," I mutter. "Maybe it'll finally get him to shut up."

Isa's face falls slightly. No matter how much she tries to act otherwise, I know she still cares for Edward even after everything he did to our family.

"So," she continues, breaking the awkward silence. "When are you going to begin the plan?"

The plan.

I groan, running a hand through my hair. I have clearly told Isa over and over that I am not going ahead with her petty plan, but she has refused to listen.

I get to my feet, and Isa does the same, her eyebrows raised.

"Let's go then. I'll give you an answer there."

The ride home is pretty quiet. I keep my eyes shut, and I hear Isa tell our driver to go slowly because I'm asleep.

But she has no idea what kind of thoughts are going through my mind, threatening to consume every inch of me.

And I can definitely say none of them revolve around the word "good."

The moment the car comes to a halt, I get out, and Isa follows.

She stops as though she's waiting for the reply I promised her, but I just brush past her and head for the stairs, calling behind me, "Wait here."

I come to a halt in front of Raelynn's room. The door is partially open. Of course, she didn't lock the door. Rookie mistake.

I push open the door and step in. The room is dark, the only light coming from the lamp by her bedside. She sits on her bed, her legs crossed and a novel in her hand.

"You should lock your door," I murmur, and she stiffens at the sound of my voice. "It keeps the monsters out."

"Grayson, I know it's you."

A smirk spreads on my lips as I shut the door with a small click and walk toward her with slow, deliberate strides. "Glad to know I left an unforgettable first impression."

"More like a bad headache," she snaps, her voice steady, though over the light reflecting on her from her lamp, I can see the unease in her eyes. "Just tell me why you're even here."

"I'm here to give you a chance, sunshine."

She scoffs like I'm some delusional kid, and my eyes narrow. "And what exactly is that chance?"

I move without warning, gripping her ankle and pulling her legs off the bed so she's facing me. A startled shriek leaves her lips as she catches herself, hands digging into the sheets.

I lean in, caging her in with my hands on either side of her. Her breath hitches as my lips brush against her ear.

"Run," I whisper. "Run as far as you can. Take your mom with you. Get the fuck out of our lives."

The room is silent. Her fingers clutch the sheets tightly. For a moment, I think I've gotten to her.

Then she lifts her chin, eyes burning with quiet defiance.

"I'm not going anywhere, Grayson," she says. "It's time you accept that."

I straighten, my jaw ticking as I glare at her. For a second, I consider saying something—anything—to wipe that fire from her eyes.

But instead, I turn and walk out without another word.

Isa is waiting for me by the stairs, her lips curling into a satisfied smirk the moment she sees the anger etched across my face.

I let out a frustrated groan, pushing past her as I mutter, "Let's do it."