Chapter 2 All Shades Of Messed Up

Ginger’s POV:

My heart thunders in my chest as I watch the now-empty hallway.

What are the odds that Grayson stopped right before his father showed up?

“You knew he was coming, didn't you.” It's not a question.

“That's debatable, depending on who's asking,” Grayson says, crossing his arms. Those same hands that had been down my—

Nope. Not going there right now.

The rest of his words sink in.

“Oh—You asshole!” I turn on him, shoving his chest. “You did that on purpose to fluster me right? To get back at me for leaving. Did it work? Are you satisfied now?”

Of course the man is built like a brick wall and doesn't even flinch.

“Relax Ginny.” Grayson rolls his eyes. “It's probably because of the announcement.”

“Announcement?” I stop short. “What are you talking about?”

Grayson stares down at me for a few unnerving seconds, his intense grey clashing with my forest green ones.

“It wouldn't be much of anything if I tell you now, would it?”

When I don't respond, Grayson brushes past me.

“I’ll see you at the table,” he says, then adds as an afterthought, “Try changing into something less...distracting.”

My face heats and he chuckles, closing the door after him. I groan and head to the bathroom to clean up again, snatching a different pair of panties and a bra.

“Sorry I'm late,” I say, taking my seat across from Grayson who intently watches me.

Thankfully, our parents don't notice. Too absorbed with themselves to pick up on the tension.

We eat in silence for a while, with me digging into my food. I hadn't realised how hungry I was.

Probably because I was too busy trying to avoid you-know-who.

Roman clears his throat halfway through dinner, drawing our attention.

“As you both know, Gwen and I have been together for a while now,” he starts by saying, looking between Grayson and I for emphasis. “Over the course of these trying months, she’s shown me far more support than I could have hoped to find in a partner.”

He turns to my mother, his usually gruff voice taking on an emotion I haven't heard before.

“Gwenivere, you've redefined the meaning of love for me,” he says, “And now, I hope to do the same.”

My stomach knots, not liking where this is going.

Roman drops to one knee, presenting a diamond-encrusted ring. “Would you walk this path with me?”

My mother cups her chin, hands shaking. I can literally see the love in her eyes. “Yes Roman. Yes I will.”

He slides the ring onto her finger and stands, grinning.

“It's official. Gwen and I…We're getting married.”

Meanwhile the air seems to have thinned around me.

I stare at them disbelievingly, “This has to be a joke.”

“Oh trust me stepsis, this is as real as it gets,” Grayson cuts in.

If this was any other scenario, I probably would have been flaming red at the mere depth of his voice, but right now I'm too pissed to think.

I slam a hand down on the table, pushing out of my seat. Appetite long forgotten.

“I can't believe this.”

“Ginger!” Mom latches onto my arm warningly.

“Don't ‘Ginger’ me.” I snatch my hand from her grip, shifting my gaze to her new fiancé.

“Congratulations ‘Dad’. Hope you're happy now that you've wormed your way into my mother's life.”

Mom is hot on my heels the next instant; calling my name. I ignore her, but she catches my wrist just as I get to the foot of the stairs.

“Oh no you don't,” she says. “You're coming with me.”

Keys in hand, she practically drags me all the way down to the garage. “Get in. Now.”

I don't need to be told twice. I've only ever seen my mother this angry a couple of times. Tonight is one of them.

She doesn't say anything all through the ride, but somehow, I feel some of her anger dissipate. Driving’s always had a way of calming her down when she's furious.

She eventually parks at an arena, tapping on the window when I don't leave my seat.

The air out here is a bit chilly. Paranoid, I scan for Grayson, knowing how much he tends to frequent this arena.

There are only about seven players at the rink—I'm guessing a few humans who have no idea they're close to werewolf territory—but no Grayson, thank goodness.

“Now honey, what was that about earlier?” Mom demands after a beat, her voice even. Controlled. Measured. Like she's always been.

I look at her. At her copperry red hair much like my own, conflicted. And my eyes water.

It's about how I can still feel Grayson's touch on my skin mum. How his tongue has done things to me. Things too unholy to describe.

About how the scent of him—the mere thought of him—makes me heady.

And now, you’re marrying his father?

Grayson's bad news for goddess’ sake!

I want to tell her all that, but I don't.

I Can't.

“You didn't even stop to think about it,” I say instead, not liking the crack in my voice at the end.

“Probably because there was nothing to think about,” mother shrugs, frowning in concern. “What is this really about Ginny?”

Ginny. The five letter syllable that somehow sounds so different—sinfully different—when he says it.

“You've been acting weird ever since I mentioned coming back.. Is there something I should know?” she probes. And then.. her face grows pale.

“Or… Did Roman try something?”

“Something?” I don't follow.

She swallows, “I mean, did he…”

I blink. Oh.

Oh! She thinks Roman and I have some funny business going on.

“God no,” I grimace, giving her a weird look. Although, to be fair, Roman is literally just an older version of Grayson. The same dark tousled hair, the same calculating eyes, the same level of arrogance… You get my point.

Mum exhales, crossing her arms.

“If Roman didn't do anything, why then are you against our union?”

“I don't know…I just—” I pace, throwing my hands up in exasperation. “Truth is, I don't know.”

“Oh honey..” Mum dissolves, pulling me into a hug. I let her.

Her citrusy scent cuts through my chaotic thoughts, helping me think better.

Maybe it's because of Roman’s devil-may-care son who cares so little about boundaries and morals.

Or because I'm taking Dad's absence too hard; leaning on the attention a certain dark-haired sin is giving me.

But none of that is fair to mum. She’s finally found the one man who makes her genuinely happy since Dad. I wouldn't be the one to shit on her parade.

I pull away finally, “I needed that.”

The players skate across the rink, punctuating the silence with the sound of their sticks kissing the puck.

“You are right,” I admit. “It was wrong of me to get in the way of your happiness. I'm sorry.”

“No,” she breathes, “No, you had every right.”

A pained look crosses her features. “I know it's been…hard since your father left us, so I understand it's gonna take some time for you to warm up to the idea of someone else.” Her arms wrap around me comfortingly. “But all I ask is that you keep an open mind, for me. Okay sweetie?”

“Alright mum.” I manage a smile, trying to convince myself I can do this.

But then I look over her shoulder, and I see Grayson.

Geared up, eyes locked on me.

And I know. I just ‘know’ my life's about to turn all shades of messed up.