When Our Worlds Collide (Our Worlds #1)(93)

When we get into Graham’s car he stays silent as we make our way back to my house. His radio’s turned down to the lowest of whispers. I hum along to the songs looking out the window. I’ve learned Graham’s silence isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes it’s the worst kind of thing.

“Are you going to say something?” I ask reaching over grabbing ahold of his hand. If he pulls away then I will know that my fears are true.

“About what?” Graham questions as if nothing is bothering him. His fingers latch onto mine. I let out the breath that I’m holding.

“I know that you didn’t want to introduce me to your mother and I understand why.”

Graham pulls his car over on the side of the road throwing it into park. I turn to face him, but he keeps his eyes on the front window. He doesn’t even bother to look at me when he speaks.

“Is that what you think, that I didn’t want you to meet my mother?” Graham keeps his hand linked with mine. Still a good sign.

“Isn’t that why you’re upset?” I ask trying to act like I’m not completely devastated at his dismissal. Is he ashamed of me? Am I not good enough for him to introduce me to his mom?

He finally turns to look me in the eyes. “Kennedy, I’ve been wanting you to meet her, it’s just hard. I’ve been afraid of bringing you over to the house because of my dad. I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I didn’t want you to meet her,” Graham explains patiently. He runs his free hand through my hair stopping at the nape of my neck.

Naturally I lean into his touch as he pulls me closer to him connecting his lips with mine. “I don’t want to know your father, Graham. I’m not sure that I could be around him knowing what he is doing to you.”

“He hasn’t done anything since the night I showed up at your house,” Graham lies. I know he’s lying. I think before saying anything because I don’t want to argue with him. Going with my first instinct, it’s better to argue with him than to not say anything at all.

“Graham, don’t lie to me. I think I know you better than anyone else. I’ve noticed the way you wince when I hug you too tightly or the unexplainable bruises and the cut lip last week. I’m not stupid so don’t act as if I am,” I argue beginning to get angry. I just want him to trust me enough to be honest. There would be no judgment from me. None of this is his fault.

“It’s really none of your business. You don’t understand why I let it happen. You don’t understand anything about it. Let’s not pretend that you do. You have parents that would do anything for you, so please don’t pretend that you can possibly imagine what it’s like for me.” Graham pops the car into drive finishing the drive back to my house. I stay silent not knowing what to say or what to do. It isn’t lost on me the way he releases his grip on my hand turning the radio up in defiance.

“Graham…” I reach for his arm before he can get out of the car. He turns to face me with sadness in his eyes. “It’s just that I worry about you. I know that you can handle it on your own. I just…I worry about you.”

Graham watches me for a few seconds before saying anything. He brushes the loose hair from my face tucking it behind my ear. Cupping my face in his palms he leans in giving me the sweetest kiss imaginable.

“I know you do and I love you for it, but I’m fine. It’s been this way for long enough.”

I let the topic go once again. Arguing with Graham isn’t something I want to do for the rest of my night. He likes to close people out when he’s angry. I don’t want him to do that with me. When we get inside my parents are sitting at the kitchen table getting ready for dinner. Apparently they changed their mind about going out tonight.

“Oh Graham, I didn’t know you were going to be here. Are you staying for dinner?” My mother asks getting up to grab an extra plate. Graham looks to me for the answer. I nod at him. A little disagreement isn’t going to screw up the rest of the evening.

“Yes ma’am, if that’s okay with you,” Graham answers politely just like he always does with my parents.

“You’re always welcome here. You know that.” She smiles over at him.

My mother is becoming rather fond of Graham. She had her speculations after asking around about him. Somehow he managed to prove himself to her and my father even after everything they had heard. It wasn’t pretty when they demanded answers from me. I had to admit to his undesirable reputation.

Dinner is easy with simple conversations, nothing too heavy. This is what Graham and I need after our disagreement in the car today. As I watch him from across the table at how energetic he is talking to my father about baseball and other “manly” things I can’t stop my mind from wandering to what dinner is like at his house. Did his father bother to ask him how his day was before he smacks him across the head? Can they even make it through dinner without arguing?

I’m a million miles away and Graham notices. He smiles at me reassuringly.

Graham has the world at his fingertips. He has a future that’s full of promise. He’s being hindered by his own father, the one who is supposed to support him and love him unconditionally. His father is putting such doubt inside his head without Graham even noticing the hold he has over him.

After we help wash and dry the dishes from dinner I drag Graham to my bedroom to watch a movie. He sits down on the middle of my bed as I climb to straddle his lap. I want to say something to him and I hope maybe he won’t try moving away from me if I have him in a distracting position. He skims his fingertips along my bare thighs as my mesh running shorts ride up my legs. I just look down at him in awe.