Chapter Forty

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Wes ~

I was in complete disbelief that Gracie was standing in front of me, reading my letter at the gym. I shook my head a few times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, but there she was, still standing in front of me, close enough to touch.

Maybe Jasper knocked me the hell out and I'm lying unconscious on the mat right now. There's no way this is real.

"You okay?" Gracie asked, pulling me from my own confused thoughts.

"Me? Yeah Never been better."

Shit, this is real.

"Well I'll uh, let you get back to...you know, hitting people. I didn't mean to interrupt." Gracie said, putting some space between us.

But I don't want you to leave.

"No!" I said with more volume than I intended, causing Gracie to jump and smile at my sudden outburst.

"I mean...hang tight for a second so I can shower off and I'll take you to dinner."

My quick correction made her smile grow wider and she seemed to like the sound of that idea.

"Okay."

"Fastest shower of my life." I said quickly as I shot her a wink and darted toward the locker room.

Grabbing my gym bag off the bench I hurried into the shower stepping out of my clothes as I twisted the shower knobs, slinging soap over my body and scalp as quickly as possible.

The water hadn't even gotten hot, but I didn't give a shit as I rinsed myself off and ran a towel over my body.

My hair was still dripping as I yanked a shirt down over my head and stepped into my jeans, fumbling with my belt as I emerged. I breathed out a low sigh of relief when I saw Gracie still sitting there, waiting patiently with a smile.

"Ready?" I asked, trying to hide the excitement in my voice.

I helped her into my truck and jogged around the front end to the drivers seat. Unable to decide what to do with my hands, I stopped them from resting on her thigh the way we used to.

Does she want things to be the way they were or is it too soon? I don't want to fuck this up.

Gracie seemed to be wrestling with the same uncertainty as her hands twitched and changed positions in her lap, moving toward me then away from me in the same motion.

"This is weird." She finally admitted with a laugh.

"Definitely weird, but I don't want it to be." I agreed.

"Where are we exactly? I mean are we back at square one? Do we just pick up where we left off? Give me some direction here, Darlin."

Letting out a sigh, Gracie considered my question carefully without rushing to respond.

"I love you Wes, and I believe you, but I have to be honest when I tell you that the trust I have in you is...well...fragile at the moment."

As much as I loved hearing her admission of love for me, I focused on that last part the most.

"I gotta rebuild that trust. Or at least fortify it." I added.

"With actions. Not words."she corrected.

"Well I'm shit with words so that plays in my favor."

My joke seemed to land, putting a smile on her face as I gently placed my hand in its rightful place on her leg while I drove. She not only allowed the skin to skin contact but she scooted a littles closer, letting my hand rest fully on her thigh.

That's my girl.

The longer we spent together the more normal things became as we fell back into relationship routines and date norms.

Everything felt normal and different all at once, but one thing was abundantly clear - I couldn't keep my hands off of her.

Once she took her seat at the table, I grabbed the leg of the chair and scooted it across the floor so she'd be closer to me.

She smiled and laughed at my antics secretly loving that I was chasing her affection like I'd been starved of it for years.

I took in a deep breath at the sight of Gracie, smiling and content next to me. It felt like my lungs had received the first real breath of air in weeks. I let the feeling wash over me as I watched her order her meal, unable to stop staring at her, praying I didn't wake up in the middle of this dream.

"So what's this I hear about you not going to class and dropping out of school?" She asked, taking a sip of her drink through her straw and arching a brow at me.

Shit.

"I uh...I just didn't really feel like goin." I said, knowing she wasn't going to accept that answer, but unsure of what else to say.

Scoffing at my response with a playful eye roll Gracie, maintained her cute smile, but continued to scold me.

"None of us feel like going. What makes you so special?" She sassed and she had a point.

"It's not like I don't have options. My brother in California has a buddy that's opening up a fighting gym. Wants me to come check it out."

Raising her brows and nodding her head, Gracie seemed to agree that it was a viable option.

"That sounds like an amazing opportunity...after you finish school."

She gave me a playful glare that I loved, causing me to reach down and pull her chair a little closer to mine.

"Who do you think you are, bossin' me around like that?" I asked in a deep voice against her hair before giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Blush splashed across Gracie's cheeks at my words and she took in a swift intake of air before regaining her senses and swiveling her head away from mine.

"Don't change the subject." She laughed, knowing exactly what I was doing.

Can't blame me for trying.

Putting my hands up in a surrender pose, I relented, knowing deep down that she was right.

"Alright then Gracie. Boss me around. Tell me what you want me to do."

Sitting up a little straighter in her chair as the waiter brought our food, Gracie squared her shoulders at me and took in a deep breath, puffing her chest out a bit before delivering her words.

Her small attempt an exuding dominance over me was fucking adorable and I couldn't help but smirk as she readied herself to give me a command.

"You're finishing school." She finally said, pointing her fork at me for emphasis.

"Is that so?" I chuckled.

"Yes. And if that means I have to walk you to every single class to make sure you actually go, I'll do that."

"Now I'm really likin' the sound of that."

My words put a smile on her face as she realized I was agreeing with her.

"So you'll go?"

"Yes ma'am." I agreed.

Gracie wiggled in her chair slightly, excited and proud of herself as she started to eat her meal.

"That was easy."

It was easy because I let you win.

We sat there for over two hours catching up on time lost, laughing and enjoying each other's company. During the time we'd been sitting there Gracie's phone had buzzed against the table at least a dozen times, pulling my attention toward it with every vibration.

"You need to get that?"

"Sorry. No. It's just the girls. We were supposed to go to Luckys tonight to see a live band that's playing. I'll just cancel."

"Don't cancel girls night on my account." I offered, not wanting her to leave but not wanting to suffocate her either.

"It's not a girls night and I don't mind. I'd rather spend time with you tonight."

Her words were music to my ears and I felt warmth gather in my chest at her soft admission.

My phone went off on the table, buzzing and shaking loudly against the hard surface, only to reveal several messages from a group text

Blake: Luckys tonight

Chad: Wes where you at?

Blake: with Gracie

Chad: no shit?

Shaking my head at my screen, Gracie's eyes drifted over then suddenly shot away.

You can read my texts Gracie. I'm an open book baby. Nothin to hide.

Turning my phone to face her, I displayed the texts for her to read, which seemed to relax her slightly.

"Whatcha say? Want to hit up Luckys with these idiots for a little while?"

"Well they aren't going to shut up until we agree to go." She laughed as more texts appeared on her phone as well.

"So it's a date?" I asked with a grin.

"It's a date."

**********

Sorry for the delay. The writers block was real for this story! Thank you for being so patient!


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