~ "I think every girl's dream is to find a bad boy at the right time, when he wants to not be bad anymore." - Taylor Swift ~

THE NEXT DAY...

My confusion and sexual frustration churned as I made my way downstairs. I gritted my teeth and folded my arms tightly against my chest, trying to mask the emotions simmering beneath the surface. All morning, my mind had replayed Grayson's words from the night before, over and over like a haunting echo. I still couldn't understand why he was stuck in my head, why his presence seemed to pull me in ways I didn't want to admit.

"Hey, Maya, sit down, sweetie," Rachel greeted me warmly as I entered the kitchen and dining area. I forced a small smile and took my seat. Everyone else was already gathered around the table.

"Have any plans for today?" Theo asked, glancing at me as I poured myself a glass of orange juice.

"Yes," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Kayla and Gracie invited me for a girls' day out."

Before anyone could respond, the front door opened, and in walked Grayson. My stomach flipped involuntarily, and I quickly averted my eyes, pretending to be focused on the girls and the giggling they were doing as they stared at their phones.

"Ah, Wells, you're here early," Theo said, standing to greet him. I glanced up cautiously, but instead of just Grayson, I saw a little girl with dark brown eyes and long blonde hair clutching his hand. My heart stuttered as I watched the two of them.

"Um, yeah," Grayson said with a shrug, his tone a little off. "Thought I'd get a head start."

"Oh, hi, Evelyn! What are you doing today?" Rachel asked warmly, addressing the girl.

"I- is it alright if Evelyn is here? If not, I can figure something else out." Grayson said quickly, his words tumbling out in a way that caught my attention. Grayson, stumbling over his words? This wasn't like him at all.

"Of course it's fine," Rachel assured him with a quick smile. "I can watch her today."

Grayson crouched in front of the girl, taking both of her small hands in his. His voice softened as he spoke, "Eve, stay with Mrs. Rachel, behave, and do everything she asks. I'll be in after a while and check on you, ok?"

Evelyn nodded, her expression brightening as Grayson gave her a warm smile. He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The tenderness in his actions sent a strange pang through me, something I couldn't quite place.

Rachel took Evelyn's hand, and Grayson stood offering her a brief, almost shy smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Miller," he said. Then his eyes flickered to me for a fraction of a second before he turned to follow Theo.

"Now let me show you where I'll need you to be working today..." Theo said, gesturing towards the back door.

"Thanks again," Grayson murmured to Rachel before walking out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgxdv3GeKi4

He paused briefly at the threshold, the energy tangible, his eyes meeting mine one last time. Something unspoken passed between us, and then he was gone, leaving me to grapple with a thousand questions swirling in my mind. 'Who was Evelyn, and why had Grayson been so uncharacteristically awkward and kind?'

"Evelyn, why don't you come and sit at the table? Are you hungry?" Rachel asked gently, slipping seamlessly into a maternal role.

Evelyn nodded eagerly, her small face lighting up with a smile.

"Maya, we should probably go and get ready," Kayla said, breaking me out of my thoughts. She motioned towards the stairs, her tone light.

"Right," I replied, snapping out of my daze. Pushing my feelings for Grayson down, I grabbed a few mini muffins and my orange juice. Forcing a smile and nodding at my best friend, I said, "Later Jacob. Have a good day at work."

"So I'm thinking we all wear sundresses," Kayla suggested once we were inside her bedroom.

"I totally agree," I said, my heart pounding, and I hesitated for a moment before adding, "So who is Evelyn?" I tried to keep my tone casual, though the question had been gnawing at me.

"That's Grayson's sister," Kayla explained with a smile. "He's always been protective over Evelyn. Anytime you see him with her, it makes you smile. It's a much different side from how he usually acts. He loves that little girl more than anything in the world. And he'd do ANYTHING for her."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? Woah- I had no idea," I murmured, taking a deep breath as I tried to process this new side of him. I never expected him to be a brother.

"Yeah, I know, right? You'd never expect it from Grayson, but what did you think, that was his daughter? He might be a bad boy- but I'm pretty sure he's not that bad."

We both laughed, and I commented, "Yeah, that is pretty surprising."

After we helped each other pick out outfits, the girls settled on a short purple sundress for me. I glanced at myself in the mirror, nervously smoothing the fabric. My thoughts drifted back to Grayson again. 'Would he even look at me in this?'

"You look so pretty," Kayla said with a warm grin.

"I'll meet you downstairs," I told them, needing a moment alone as I left the room. In my room, I paused, sitting on the bed for a second. Sighing, I collected my thoughts, applied some lipstick, and grabbed my purse.

Downstairs, Evelyn was sitting at the table, coloring, focused on the picture in front of her. It brought a smile to my lips. She really did look like him.

"That's a pretty picture you're drawing," I said, approaching her.

She looked up, her face lighting up, "Thank you! What's your name? I'm Evelyn, Grayson's sister."

"Maya. It's very nice to meet you, Evelyn." I said warmly.

"You can call me Eve," she replied, her smile growing even brighter. Then, out of nowhere, she added, "You're the girl Grayson was talking about this morning."

My heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened as I turned towards her fully. "Really?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady. "And what did Grayson say about me?"

Before she could answer, the back door creaked open. Evelyn immediately went mute, she didn't even look up from her coloring. Grayson didn't even glance my way. Instead, he walked straight to Evelyn, crouching down to meet her at eye level.

"Hey, Eve," He said gently. "That's a pretty picture, thank you."

She handed him the drawing and folding it carefully into his hand, "I just came in to check on you. If you need anything, I'll be right outside, okay?" 'The way he spoke so gently to her, would he treat me the same way?'

Evelyn nodded.

"Don't move for any other reason. Understood?" He added firmly but kindly. She nodded again, and he kissed her forehead before standing. Only then did his eyes flick to mine briefly, lingering on my sundress just a moment too long, making my cheeks flush. I stared at his lips, my heart pounding at the thought of them against mine; they held my attention for a moment. Then, his captivating eyes locked with mine one last time, and he smirked slightly, turned, and walked out.

'Okay. Not the reaction I was expecting or hoping for.' I frowned, thinking to myself.

"Maya, let's go," Kayla called from the stairs.

Startled, I turned towards see her and Gracie waiting for me. My straight hair fell forward around my face as I hurried to join them, shoving my feelings down once again.

"Bye, great to meet you, Eve," I said with a small wave.

"Bye, Maya!" Evelyn called back cheerfully, making me smile as we left.

(Grayson's P.O.V.)

"Hey, Grayson, go to the front yard and trim the bushes first!" Theo called out to me, so I started walking toward the yard when I saw Maya emerge from the house.

Her smile did something to me- something I couldn't quite explain. She didn't look at me, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her. The sunlight caught in her hair, turning it into a cascade of vibrant red silk against the soft purple of her dress. She was breathtaking- so much it made my chest ache.

I took a drag from my cigarette, forcing my gaze away. I had no right to look at her like that, not after what had happened last night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaG25bcSyq4

Maya raced out the door as I called after her.

"Maya!" Afraid of waking the neighborhood, I didn't continue.

She didn't stop. She didn't even turn around. I wanted to chase her, to grab her hand and make her stay.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered, throwing myself onto the couch.

"I'm such an idiot," I hissed, punching the nearest pillow. The pain in my chest was sharper than I wanted to admit. Maya was incredible- kind, funny, gorgeous. So why did I go and fuck it up?

I scoffed at myself. "Why should it even matter?" I muttered. Maya and I are nothing alike. Theo's threats made that crystal clear.

But then again, she did sneak out to check on me. 'She came for me. But she shouldn't have; you saw how quickly she fell in the depths of your ocean eyes.'

A smirk tugged at my lips as I remembered her and the way she looked at me. I wanted to kiss her so badly. But, as always, I managed to screw it up.'

Shaking my head from my daze, I watched as they drove out of sight. 'Will I ever get my chance? I'm sorry for fucking this up, Maya.'

(Maya's P.O.V.)

"So, I saw the way Grayson watched you as we left the house," Kayla teased, her voice dripping with curiosity. She eyed me playfully as we rummaged through a rack of clothes. "He likes you, doesn't he?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up my cheeks. "You're imaging things," I said, biting my lip.

"Ah ha! I knew it!" Kayla's triumphant tone made heads turn in the store. She pointed at me dramatically, drawing unwanted attention. "I knew it! And you like him too! Don't you!?!"

Gracie snorted in amusement, and I gave Kayla a look, "Alright, keep your voice down!" I hissed, covering my face from embarrassment.

"So, something is going on," Kayla said, her grin widening.

"Fine," I muttered, lowering my voice. "I'll tell you- but not here."

"Ooooh Maya- try this on, it would drive him mad!" Gracie exclaimed, holding up a stunning sapphire blue velvet two-piece set, complete with a deep V-neck crop top and a flowy skirt that flirted above my knees, adorned with gold beading.

"Grayson? Girls, I don't know if you're right about that. Besides, I'm pretty he's the kind of attention I don't want." I bit my lip, my heart pounding at the thought of his eyes on me in this outfit. 'Would he look at me twice in this?'

Kayla scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Are you kidding me? Maya, he stared at you in that today." She gestured toward the outfit I was wearing.

I swallowed hard, remembering how his gaze had lingered on me, but the moment of his initial reaction still had me bewildered and taken aback. 'They didn't see his first reaction.'

"I'll try it on," I finally relented, taking the set from Gracie and draping it over my arm as I continued to search for more pieces. I also grabbed a short red velvet dress, a few crop tops, and a purple skirt to try on.

As I sifted through the racks, I noticed Kayla holding up a flirty floral sundress. "What about this one?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's perfect for summer!"

Gracie chimed in, "Definitely! Plus, it'll highlight your curves. You'll look amazing in it!"

Kayla grinned, tossing the dress over her arm. "Okay, I'll try it on! And what do you think of these black high-waisted shorts?" She held up a pair of ripped denim shorts that would hug her figure perfectly. "They'll go with a lot in my closet, like my mesh sparkly black crop top!"

I nodded, feeling the emerge of our shopping trip lifting my spirits. "Those are cute! You'll rock them!"

Inside the dressing room, I stared at myself in the blue set, anxiety swirling in my stomach as I slowly began to dissect every part of my body. "God, why can't I look like the girls he likes?" I groaned, muttering to myself in frustration.

"Maya! We wanna see the blue set!" Kayla knocked excitedly on the door. With a resigned roll of my eyes, I huffed and opened the door to reveal myself. Their faces lit up with grins, and they nodded approvingly.

"Are you sure? It doesn't seem to suit my body type." I asked, studying my reflection with doubt clouding my mind.

"What? Maya, it's gorgeous on you, and it makes your eyes pop," Gracie chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious. "And that skirt? So playful! You'll turn heads."

'Will I turn his head? I'd give anything to feel his eyes on me again.'

"And while it's not about what the boys think but how you feel in the clothes, I know Grayson wouldn't be able to stop staring at you in that," Kayla added, giving me a knowing look accompanied by a smug smirk. "Plus, the gold beaded detailing around the neckline and the edge of the skirt matches those new gold sandals you just bought!"

I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of anxiety and encouragement from my friends, "Okay, I'll get it."

Fifteen minutes later, we were seated at a small Italian restaurant.

"Okay," Kayla said, leaning forward like she was interrogating me. "Spill. Now."

I sighed, glancing at Gracie for backup, but she just smirked, waiting for me to spill.

"Fine," I said, giving in. Lowering my voice, I told them everything- meeting Grayson, Theo's threats, and my little sneak over.

"Woah- woah. Woah." Kayla, clearly taken aback, stared at me wide-eyed. "You snuck over, and she helped you?"

We laughed as Gracie shrugged. "I couldn't help it, I think you two would be a good match."

"So what are you two now? Boyfriend and girlfriend?" She hummed, leaning closer.

I rolled my eyes, but her teasing made my chest tighten. "Um, no actually. I don't think it's going to work out between us."

"What? Why not?" They looked equally shocked, their voices rising in unison.

I shrugged, trying to play it off, "He's a jerk. Let's put it that way." I said flatly. Though my heart clenched at the words.

'Is he really worth my time anyways? Why did his demeanor shift so quickly last night? What did I do wrong?'

Kayla narrowed her eyes. "What EXACTLY did he say to you?"

I sighed, avoiding her gaze. "It doesn't matter anymore," I said quietly. "It's not going to happen. Theo was right; he is bad news, and I SHOULD stay away." I shrugged it off, hoping they would stop digging for answers.

Gracie tilted her head, her grin softening into something knowing, "But you don't WANT to stay away."

"Can we please just let this go?" I begged, the ache in my chest growing. "It doesn't matter anymore- I'm over it."

HOURS LATER...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgJFqVvb2Ws

"We'll meet you outside," Kayla said with a wink as she and Gracie carried their bags into the house, leaving me to grab the rest from the car. I adjusted the straps, balancing the weight of the bags, and headed inside.

The sight that greeted me made me pause mid-step. Grayson was crouched next to Evelyn, his body relaxed but his focus entirely on her.

"Who's this?" he asked gently, pointing to a drawing she had just finished drawing.

"Maya," Evelyn said simply, her little voice matter-of-fact.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat as Grayson's jaw tightened. His expression shifted subtly, but I caught the way he gulped before asking, "And who's this?"

"You." Evelyn shrugged as though it was obvious before leaning over to start her next masterpiece. Grayson stared at the drawing for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes, before standing and carefully placing it on the fridge, alongside her other masterpieces.

When he turned around, his captivating, deep sapphire eyes landed on me, and his body went still.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop," I said quickly, feeling the sudden weight of his gaze like a tangible thing.

"No, you didn't interrupt anything," he replied, his voice low, his tone unreadable.

I gave a small nod and turned for the stairs, hoping to escape the tension that seemed to have settled in the air. But I'd barely made it three steps when his voice stopped me.

"About last night," he said, his tone softer, the words heavy with meaning.

I turned back slowly, my pulse quickening as he stepped closer. He moved deliberately, each step shrinking the distance between us until I could feel the heat radiating from him.

"I'm sorry," he began, his voice dropping. It was captivating, like it was a confession only meant for me. "I didn't mean what I said to you or how I acted. Helping you wasn't a chore. I don't pity you, Maya. I just... I saw that you needed someone, and I couldn't stop myself."

I opened my mouth to respond, but he wasn't finished.

"I shouldn't have acted like I don't care," he admitted, his tone rough with emotion. "Because fuck, that was a lie. I do care- more than I should." His jaw tightened, his struggle to hold back evident, but then his expression softened, raw and vulnerable. "I fucked this up because I don't want you getting hurt."

His confession left me breathless, my heart thundering in my chest. Before I could even begin to process his confession, his hand found mine. His touch was tentative, hesitant at first, like he wasn't sure if I'd pull away.

When I didn't, his thumb started moving in slow, deliberate circles over my skin. Each gentle stroke sent ripples through me, stirring a quiet desire in me. Upsetting the butterflies in my stomach and replacing them with pure, unspoken longing.

"I care about you too," I said finally, my voice barely a whisper.

He froze for a moment, his gaze locking onto mine as though he needed to be sure he'd heard me right.

"I just..." he started, his voice catching slightly. "I don't want you getting hurt."

His words carried an edge of desperation- like he was battling with himself. I could see it in his eyes- fear, longing, and a captivating darkness. Something hidden deep inside. My breath caught, pulling me into a gravity I wasn't sure I could escape.

"What are you so afraid of?" I asked softly, my voice trembling, just enough to betray the storm swirling inside me. The bags in my free hand slipped to the floor with a quiet thud, as if surrendering to the pull of the moment. My fingers instinctively brushed against his rough skin- it was coarse yet grounding, feeling inexplicably right. He didn't pull away. Instead, his free arm rose slowly, his hand enveloping my wrist.

His gaze flickered down to where our hands were joined, his fingers tightening ever so slightly around mine. The movement was subtle, yet it sent a jolt through me, my pulse quickening. When his eyes lifted back to mine, they burned with something raw. It felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us; the tension was so thick that it was suffocating.

I couldn't look away. What was this boy doing to me?

The sound of the door swinging open shattered the moment. Rachel's voice rang through the house, cheerful and oblivious, pulling us back to reality.

Grayson dropped my hand almost immediately, the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin like a ghost. It was as though the sudden interruption had jolted us out of a trance. My hand fell from his face, his from my wrist, leaving a strange emptiness in the air.

He crouched down and scooped up my bags in one smooth motion, holding them out to me with a small, almost sheepish smile.

"Here," he said softly, his voice calm, though his eyes still carried the weight of what had just passed between us.

"Thanks," I murmured, my fingers brushing him as I took the bags. The simple touch sent one last spark through me, a current that left me breathless. Without another word, I turned and bolted up the stairs, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Behind me, the weight of his intense gaze followed, lingering.

When I reached my room, I shut the door and leaned back against it, struggling to catch my breath. My chest rose and fell as I replayed the moment, the way his touch had sent a fire through me, igniting a desire I'd never felt before.

"Woah..." I whispered to myself, my fingers brushing the spot where his hand had traced those soft, deliberate circles. His touch lingered, a phantom warmth on my cool skin, and I couldn't help the grin that stretched onto my face.

I bit my bottom lip, leaning against the door, letting out a soft laugh that carried equal parts disbelief and exhilaration. Grayson was definitely something else, intoxicating me.

Shaking my head to clear the thoughts swirling in my mind, I moved to get changed. Slipping into my deep, shimmering blue full-body, adorned with delicate lace butterfly decorations and featuring a simple butterfly-shaped cutout at the center of my chest. As I dressed, I tried to push the lingering memory of his touch to the back of my mind, but it all lingered like an unshakable echo.

As I prepared to meet the girls outside at the pool, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright, and there it was- an undeniable smile that refused to fade. It was as if my body betrayed me, wearing the memory of him like a secret I couldn't hide, no matter how hard I tried.

(Grayson's P.O.V.)

I watched her race up the stairs, her hair bouncing with each step, and the air between us still thick with everything unspoken. She was stuck in my brain, a vibe, an inescapable presence I couldn't shake.

"Grayson, would you like to stay for dinner?" Mrs. Miller's warm voice broke through my thoughts. She was balancing bags of groceries, her smile inviting.

Quickly snapping out it is, I stepped forward to help her place the bags on the counter. "Thank you for the invite, Mrs. Miller, but Eve and I need to get home early. I'm actually cooking dinner for my Mom tonight."

She nodded understandingly, her smile never faltering. I called for Evelyn, letting her know it was time to go, and began collecting her pictures from the fridge.

"Wait!" Evelyn cried out, her smile hands grabbing at one of the drawings in my hands. She held it tightly, her eyes lighting up with purpose. "I made this one for Maya!"

Before I could say a word, she turned and bolted up the stairs, her little feet pattering against the wood. With a small sigh, I leaned against the counter, a half-smile tugging at my lips. She was determined, just like her big brother.

(Maya's P.O.V.)

A soft knock sounded at the door just as I finished pulling my hair back. Curious, I crossed the room to open it and was greeted by Evelyn's wide, eager smile.

"Hello," I greeted, my brows furring slightly in confusion as I squatted down to meet her face to face.

"I made this for you," she announced, holding a picture she'd drawn out towards me.

It was a simple sketch of a guy and a girl holding hands. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at it, recognizing the messy lines that somehow captured the familiarity of Grayson and me. I didn't have to ask; I knew exactly who the figures were supposed to be.

"That's Grayson and you," Evelyn confirmed, her tone matter-of-fact, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Thank you, Evelyn," I said, a genuine smile breaking across my face as I accepted the picture. "I'll keep this forever."

She beamed at my words, then leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as though she were sharing a secret. "My brother thinks you're pretty, he liked your dress today."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and before I could say anything, I heard Grayson calling her name from downstairs. Evelyn hugged me quickly, her small arms wrapping around me in a fleeting gesture of warmth.

"Bye!" She called, already dashing down the stairs but pausing to turn and wave at me.

"Bye," I murmured, waving back before shutting the door softly behind her.
I stood for a moment, staring at the picture in my hand. There was an unexpected tenderness to it, the kind of innocence that tugged at my heart. Walking over to my bulletin board, I carefully pinned it up, smoothing it with my fingers.

I couldn't help but smile as I stepped back to admire it.