Breaking Me Slowly

Fourteen

“Alright, kids,” Rebecca says, glancing between Grayson and I, “one more time and then we’ll call it a day.” She steps away from us, gesturing to Vern to start the music.

The music begins and Grayson leads us through the dance.  

“This all seems too familiar,” I joke.

Grayson cracks a smile.

“Your mom is really good at this.”

He nods and says, “When she was younger, she was a dancer.”

I don’t know why I’m surprised by this, but I am. “She was?”

Another nod. “Among many other things.”

“Shoulder back, Juliette,” Rebecca calls out. I do as she says. “Grayson, at least pretend like you’re enjoying yourself.” He throws a glare her way and I hear Vern smother a laugh.

“It’s not that bad,” I say.

“I’m not a huge fan of dancing.”

“I can tell.”

Soon enough, the song ends. Grayson and I come to a halt. We both glance at Rebecca, waiting for her dismissal.

“Alright, you guys are done for the day.”

Grayson and I begin making our way towards the doors with Vern trudging along behind us when Rebecca calls back out to us. The three of us stop and turn to look at her.

“Don’t forget we have reservations tonight!”

Three nods and were making our way back upstairs. Once we’re far enough and out of ear shot, I turn to Grayson.

“Reservations?”

He doesn’t look at me. “At seven.”

“I’m guessing it’s somewhere fancy.”

“Monet’s.”

Somewhere very fancy then.

Vern throws her arms around us. “Well, I’m very excited for dinner tonight. I’ve never been.” She looks at Grayson, waiting for a snide remark. Surprisingly, he says nothing.

We come to a stop at Grayson’s door. “Alright, well, I’m going to shower,” he says, dismissing himself. He walks into his room, shutting the door behind him.

“What’s with him?” Vern questions.

I shake my head, still staring at his door. “I have no idea.”

“Weird.” She links her arm in mine, pulling me away from the closed door. “Since Grayson is in a bad mood, what do you say to some girl time?”

A phone rings before I get the chance to answer.  

It isn’t until Vern gives me a weird look and says, “Are you gonna get that?” before I realize that it’s my phone ringing.

“Oh, right.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket, wondering who would even be calling me. I see Sydney’s name flash across the screen. “I have to take this,” I say and rush to my room.

“Hey, Syd!”

“Hey, Juliette.” Her voice sounds raspy and tired. “Sorry it took so long for me to call you.”

“Don’t even worry about it. I’m just glad you’re feeling well enough to talk.”

“Finally,” she jokes, and I chuckle. “So, how is everything?”

I bite my lip, knowing I shouldn’t bring up any of my draw. So, I settle with an “It’s good” instead.  

“From the sound of it, it doesn’t seem good. What’s really going on?”

“It’s really nothing,” I quickly say. “I don’t want to impose on you.”

“I wouldn’t call unless I wanted to hear your drama, so, spill.”

“Alright, where to begin…”

I tell her about everything. I tell her about Isabel and what she said to me at lunch just a week ago. I tell her about Madeline, my missing teddy bear, and even Grayson and how he acted earlier today.

“Hmm,” Sydney says, mulling it over. “I don’t trust her.”

“I don’t either.”

“Have you told Grayson?”

I sigh. “No.”

“Why not?”

I throw myself on my bed. “I don’t know.”

“Do you trust him?”

“Who? Grayson?”

“Yes, Grayson. Who else would I be talking about?”

Another sigh escapes from my lips. “Of course, I trust him.”

“It’s okay to admit if you don’t. The Mitchell family does seem to have some dark secrets.”

“What do you mean?”

It’s quiet on the other end.

“Sydney?”

“I don’t know! I’m just saying you’re not all that crazy for still having doubts about Grayson and everything else.”

“Do you know something that I don’t?”

She sighs. “If anything, you know more than I do.”

“Is everything alright, Syd?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m just…” Another sigh and then, “I’m just tired.”

“Oh.” I’m surprised but I don’t push it. “Okay. Well, um, get some rest then.”

“I’ll call you later,” she promises.

“Sure,” I say and hang up, wondering how that conversation had taken such a wide turn.

We left the house promptly at six fifteen in order to make our reservation by seven. As soon as we walked through entrance of the restaurant, the host took us to our table right away. It seemed as if the staff knew the Mitchell's very well. I guess they dined here quite often before I came into the picture.

Everyone begins to take their seat at the table; Sterling sits at the very end where a single chair resides while Rebecca sits to his left and Ernesto at his right. Jensen and Vern take a seat on the same side as Rebecca leaving one seat open for Isabel. It isn’t until I’m pulling the empty seat between Nydia and Grayson when Nydia slams a hand down on the chair.

“I’m saving this for my Isabel,” she says.

I glance at Grayson, hoping he’ll jump in and tell her something, but he doesn’t. Instead, he suggests that I just sit across from him this one time.

Hesitantly, I agree and take the empty seat next to Vern. She gives me an odd look as if to say she’s just as surprised to see me sitting next to her rather than Grayson. I simply shrug, grabbing the swan folded napkin and place it in my lap.

A round of waters is immediately brought to the table while everyone looks over the menu. It’s mainly in French and I look to Grayson for help but he’s too busy reading his to notice me. I turn to Vern instead.

“Do you have any idea what this says?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I was just going to order the same thing as this guy.” She points to Jensen. As if on cue, he looks up from his menu, a bewildered look on his face.

“Did you say something to me?”

Vern and I giggle, causing that bewildered look to turn into one of irritation.  

“Nothing,” Vern tells him.

He narrows his eyes for a brief moment before going back to his menu.

When it came time to order, the waiter started with Rebecca and went on to Jensen who flawlessly ordered his food followed by Vern who simply said, “I’ll have the same.” The waiter then looked at me and all I just piped in with a “me too”.

It wasn’t until everyone had ordered and the waiter left when Nydia decides to speak up. “So, Juliette,” she says, and the entire table falls silent. “You and Grayson plan on having kids any time soon?”

I almost choke on the water I’m drinking. I look at Grayson hoping this time he would at least help me out but he’s staring down at his water, leaving me on my own. “Um, we actually haven’t thought that far ahead…”

Nydia laughs until she realizes that I’m not joking. “You’re serious. You haven’t talked about it?”

I shake my head, feeling the heat rising up my cheeks. Any day now, Grayson, would be great.

“Surely you must’ve had some conversation about it.”

Another shake of my head. “We’re just taking it day by day.”

She’s looking at me as if I’m crazy. “But you’ve had to talk about this before deciding to get married. After all, it’s nearly impossible for a human to have our children.”

Everyone is silent. I use the opportunity to excuse myself to the restroom. I feel six pairs of eyes on me as I leave. It isn’t until I’m in the bathroom, standing in front of the sink when I’m able to catch my breath.

The bathroom door swings open and I expect it to be Vern but instead it’s Isabel. She walks over to one of the other sinks next to me, setting her purse down on the counter. She opens it and pulls out some lipstick. I watch quietly as she uncaps it, leans in closer to the mirror, and paints her lips a bright red.

“You know, it’s true what she said,” Isabel says, still looking at herself in the mirror.

“It’s a little rude to say, don’t you think?”

She shrugs me off. “She’s only voicing that everyone is thinking.”

“And how would she know what everyone is thinking?”

Isabel tosses the lipstick back into her purse, snaps it shut, and turns to me. “Think about it. Grayson will literally be in charge of an entire region of werewolves. Eventually he’ll grow old and need someone to carry on his job.”

Truth is, I have thought about it. Not often, but it’s crossed my mind. I’ve just been trying not to think about it because it could be the one thing that breaks us apart.

“I think we’ll manage,” I finally say.

She snickers. “Maybe for now, so enjoy it while lasts. Soon he’ll realize what he’s losing by marrying you.”

I glare at her. “And what, you’re the better pick?”

She turns away, walking to the bathroom door. Her hand is on the knob, when she turns to me with a smirk on her face. “At least I can give him what you can’t.”

She walks out of the bathroom, leaving me feeling stunned and angry.