Grace had always prided herself on being there for people when they needed her to. This was especially true in the case of those who had previously been there for her.

That's how she ended up sitting on Haiden's bed as she wept on her shoulder.

"I don't understand why he treats me like I'm nothing to him." She cried, not even attempting to wipe her tears, "One second he loves me, and the next he won't even answer the phone."

"Is this the same guy from before?" Grace asked.

She nodded her head, "The same disgusting person."

Again, Grace didn't even know she was in a relationship. This time however, she figured she didn't know because they weren't talking like they used to.

Although she thought Haiden was borderline a terrible person, even terrible people don't deserve to be heartbroken and alone.

"You shouldn't let him come back this time Haiden. Don't be someone's doormat."

Haiden wasn't actually concerned with anything Grace was saying, more focused on the real reason she'd invited her over:

So that she could get back the man she was in love with.

Flopping back on the bed, Haiden looked to her friend, "Can you go grab me a water and Tylenol please?"

Grace nodded, sitting her phone on the bed as she went to get what Haiden asked.

As soon as she left out, Haiden grabbed her phone, hoping to find pictures like last time, anything to get him to talk to her.

Her eyes closed in frustration and disappointment when she realized Grace had changed her passcode. When she saw a picture of Grace and Josiah on the home screen, her mind went a different route.

The phone fell back into the spot in which Grace left it moments before she re-entered the room and handed Haiden the items.

Haiden thanked her before asking, "How's Josiah?"

Grace hadn't forgotten how Haiden spoke of Josiah the last time they saw each other, and was unwilling to discuss anything pertaining to him with her, "Let's not talk about him."

"I just wanted to make sure you're still happy is all." Haiden stated carefully, not wanting to push too much and make Grace shut down.

She was always able to control Grace, get her to do basically anything she asked. It helped that since she felt like Isiah was never there for her, Grace went out of her way to be available to those who may need her.

The small changes she noticed in Grace is what made her not like Josiah. It seemed as if more and more control was slipping through her fingers.

"We're great." Grace replied, "Is there anything else you needed?"

"Can you just lay here with me? Spend the night like you used to?"

She knew Grace would say no, which would set her up for her next question."

"I can't. You know I have work in the morning."

"Well can I come to your house? I really don't wanna be alone Grace. You know you're the only person I have right now."

"Your mom maybe? I know you guys aren't on the best terms, but she'll keep you company."

Haiden closed her eyes, "I can't be around her right now. Every time I look at her, I get sad."

"Why?"

"She has HIV."

Grace had actually intended on staying with Josiah tonight like she usually did, but after hearing that, she agreed for Haiden to come over.

The ride was full of Haiden crying, much to Grace's annoyance.

"Are you sleeping in my room or out back?" Grace asked while going up the stairs.

"Is Mason home yet?"

"No, but you can't sleep in his room."

That wasn't why Haiden had asked.

"I'll just go out back then."

Tired from an early morning, Grace bid her goodnight and shut her door.

Haiden never went to sleep, sitting at the kitchen table and drinking coffee until around 5 when Isiah descended the stairs.

His gaze immediately fell on Haiden, "Why are you here?"

The tears started again, "I just want an explanation. Please."

Isiah knew her cries were fake, a part of her manipulative nature, which is what drew him to her. Haiden could be ruthless, and would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

Hence the reason she used his daughter to get to him.

"There's no need for an explanation." He stated while going to the coffee maker, "Whatever that was has run its course."

"Then why do you keep coming back? I don't understand why you won't just leave me alone if you don't want me."

Haiden's age was beginning to show. He wouldn't call her stupid, just ignorant.

The reason they'd even begun associating was because he wanted to know things about Grace, and Grace wouldn't talk to him.

She was the one who fed him nearly all the knowledge he knew about his daughter, even the reason he knew about Mason's addiction.

But now that Grace wasn't speaking to her anymore, she no longer had any use to him.

"Seeing as Grace has seemed to move on from you." Isiah shrugged and took a sip from his cup, "I won't be back."

Rising from her seat, Haiden made her way over to him, getting closer until his back was against the countertop, "Grace couldn't have been the only reason."

Her hands reached for his pants, "All those times you visited me out back, you didn't mention Grace once."

Maybe she did have some use to him.

Isiah set the cup of coffee down, placing his hands onto the counter as Haiden took him into her mouth.

Celina had arrived by that time, and she pretended not to see Grace's 'bestfriend' on her knees while Isiah had his eyes closed in pleasure.

• • •

Josiah watched in amusement as Grace sat down a perfectly cooked dinner and sat across from him, waiting for him to taste it.

He knew she hadn't made it since she forgot to throw away one of the plastic lids.

Deciding to mess with her, he took a bite of the food, and instantly spit it back out, "What is this?" He asked in fake disgust.

Grace looked shocked, "What's wrong with it?"

"This probably the worst shit you ever cooked. What'd you do to it?"

She stammered as she tried to come up with a lie, "I uh, seasoned the shrimp."

"Seasoned it with what?"

"Butter?"

Josiah placed his head down and started coughing to cover up his laugh, "That's what wrong then." He said when he contained it, "And what's this?" He asked pointing a non-existent spot in the food.

Grace leaned to look, "I don't see anything."

"I think it's a bug."

"What kind of bug?" She asked, shrinking away so whatever it was wouldn't bite her.

"It's a new bug. I think it's called 'I know you ain't cook this shit'."

"I hate you."

The whole purpose of Grace pretending she'd cooked was because she wanted to ask Josiah a favor.

Once he was done, she started the conversation, "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"I work tomorrow."

Grace rolled her eyes, "I meant after work."

"Nah. What you wanted to do something?"

"Mason comes home tomorrow and Celina is making his favorite food."

Josiah was waiting for her to continue, so when she didn't he prompted her, "Celina's making his favorite food andddd?"

"We're all having dinner, and I wanted you to come so you can meet Mason." Grace paused, "And my dad."

"Cool." Josiah agreed.

She was surprised at how unbothered he was by her request, "You're not nervous?"

"Nervous for what? Either they like me or they don't. That shit don't mean nothing to me."

That's because he didn't know her family.

_______

y'all thought she wanted grace & the whole time she wanted the daddy back. i'm cackling.

thanks for reading 💕