Grayson

I've got my girl and my son here with me, and I should be happy, but it's just fake. It's not like we are a family the way we were meant to be one.

I sent Allison away, and Dad changed my locks. Knowing I wasted so much time with my own enemy, makes me physically ill. The main player in not just my misery, but Mary Ellen's, was sleeping in my bed.

Mary Ellen seems happier than I remember. The happiness we had together was so temporary. She was happy in my arms, but in reality, her life sucked.

I know things couldn't have been easy through college, since she had no support system at home, but she must have had someone in New York. Since the day she left, I tried to reach her and even sent messages through her school. I had no way of knowing where she lived.

I spent my entire savings that was meant for my survival, to take trips to New York and find her. I even slept in my car and went a few days without eating, so I could put gas in the car.

I worked for Dad in the summers and all my breaks, then when in Wyoming at school, I got a job at a shop near campus. I worked my ass off and even took night classes to rush it along.

Law school was even harder, but at least I was closer to home by that time. I was so proud to have gotten my law degree, but soon found out nobody back home would hire me. Thankfully, I had a friend from college named Paul Alistaire, and his father gave me work with his company.

Then after scrimping and saving, I earned enough to build the home Mary Ellen and I would talk about, and started a small practice out of my house.

I work remotely from home for Alistaire and make a very nice salary, but it's nothing that could support Mary Ellen's lifestyle.

Now she has Preston, a Hollywood bad boy and hearthrob. I'm pretty sure he's nothing like his reputation.

I glanced over at Mary Ellen and it was just like the old days. She stares out the window and wiggles her fingers on her lap. Sometimes I'm scared that she feels as insecure as she did back then, when I'm around.

Yesterday morning was the worst day I've had for a very long time. I have felt even more broken ever since, and I had to swallow it and put on a fake smile for Jacob.

"Do you still go to the cliffs?" Mary Ellen cut the silence.

I shook my head. "No, they're a reminder of what I lost."

She gave me a sad look and a nod.

"Do you still dance?" I really hope she does, she's beautiful. and looks so free when she dances.

"Yes, actually I volunteer at a senior center and teach. I always feel grounded when I'm dancing." She said.

"No more dancing on logs?" I chuckled.

"No, but I still could if I had the chance." She smiled.

That was one of the best days of my life. Right up there with the night I finally got to have her in my bed. then the day I found out about Jacob. Damn, he's a good kid.

"Do you still see Doug?" She asked.

"Every chance I get. He married a girl from school and has twin sons. She's pregnant again and due this fall." I smiled at my friend's happiness.

"Did he end up taking over the hardware store?" She asked.

"No, he's actually a child psychologist and his wife is a pediatrician," I said.

"Wow, they really succeeded."

"Look at you, you've gone about the furthest of anyone." I pointed out, but she looked down at her hands.

"What ended up happening to the others?" She asked with hesitance.

"Like Kathryn and Gabe?"

"Yeah"

She never even looked up.

"Gabe lost his scholarship and works at a sweatshop. Still lives with his parents, although he has a kid, while Kathryn waits tables. She's got a few kids, her husband is a drunk. That was already going to be their paths. Jason ended up being a pharmacist."

She busted out laughing. "I'm sorry, it's probably not funny."

"Are you kidding? I still laugh when I see him behind the counter smiling ear to ear all the time."

We both laughed.

"I miss our time together." She looked over at me, and my chest tightened again.

"Me too, I wish things worked out differently." I said with my last bit of hope.

"At least you have a baby and wedding to look forward to." She said.

"There is no baby or wedding. She lied to you, Mary Ellen. She lied to me for years."

"She was never pregnant?" She asked.

"Not with my kid and that's a fact." I want that point to be made with no question.

"Why did she lie?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "She's insecure I guess. She won't step foot in my home or around our son, that's a guarantee. She should have been prosecuted along with the others." I said.

We pulled in, and Jacob hasn't made a sound. I wonder what's up with him?

"Don't move." I know it's only one day, but I want it to be like when we first fell in love.

She giggled. "Okay, only for you."

Jacob got out and followed me and waited while I opened the door for his mom. Her blue eyes looked up at me from under those long lashes, and my chest tightened like it only does around Mary Ellen, and now Jacob.