All I Have Left by Shey Stahl

from what Ethan says but she won’t say and Ethan is protecting his sister.”
    I knew there was more to it as well. I just hoped it wasn’t as bad as my mind played it out to be.
    “I just—” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I don’t understand why she would turn to someone like him. How did she even meet him, where were you on that one?” I pressed, seeming to want to blame everyone but myself.
    Usually she was protective of Evie just as Ethan and I were. She always needed a little extra help most of the time.
    “You know, you really piss me off sometimes. You left her, just disappeared and here I was, Kelly, Josh, Ethan, we all had to pick up the broken pieces of her heart.” I hated what she was saying because it was the truth. “How dare you criticize us for her not falling to your feet the moment you’re back in town.”
    It just pissed me off to hear that.
    “Well fuck…I’m sorry…it’s just that, I can’t understand why you would let her be with him of all people.”
    “As though I had a say, Grayson,” Frankie snapped. “By the time I knew they were dating she was wrapped up in the romance of the whole thing. I could tell she wasn’t serious about him but it was fun and new in the beginning. After a few months, his true sides began to show. He tried to tell her who she could be friends with and all that. I think now she is just trying to get away from him but I can’t be sure. She won’t talk to me about it,” Frankie said leaning back in the chair she was sitting in, bringing her knees up to her chest. She handed me a bottle of water that she brought out.
    “Why did you get out early Grayson?” she questioned, watching me.
    “No reason.” I grumbled toying with the bottle.
    She shrugged blowing off my dismissal. She knew I didn’t want to talk about it. “Wait…what the hell is that from?” she asked pulling my hand toward her.
    She examined my hand for a minute before looking at me with obvious shock at what she was seeing.
    “It’s nothing. Let go.” I jerked my hand away to hide the scars. That’s definitely not a conversation I wanted to get into right now.
    “Grayson,” Frankie sighed in disapproval. “Judging by the many scars on your body I would say whatever happened over there was intense but if you’re not ready, you’re not ready.” Gently she rubbed my back. “I really think you should come with us tonight.”
    “No,” I growled. I wanted to see everyone but I didn’t want to see Shane and Evie together again. Ever . Who knows what would happen if I saw him again.
    “Come on. I know you’ve missed her, but let me remind you, that you left us too. We all missed you.”
    I groaned pulling at my hair again with one hand. Frankie knew that I missed them too but I wasn’t about to put myself in her way again. I can’t keep hurting her.
    I went back inside and immediately headed up to my room to avoid Josh and Ethan who were having an all-out PlayStation war that I was sure would end in bloodshed.
    When my head found my pillow, I could still smell her scent on my pillow and sheets. I laid down and curled up to the pillow, wishing she were here with me. A day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t thought about the moment when I should have told her how I felt, told her that I loved her, promised her forever together like it should have been with us. I had so many chances and I just let them all slip away.

    “Grayson, wake up, asshole!”
    That’s not the voice I wanted to wake up to.
    I grumbled to myself while I peeked an eye open—only to see a pillow flying at me.
    Shit, I fell asleep.
    With a dramatic sigh, I rolled over to look at the clock, already six o’clock.
    “Dude! Come on, we have to leave,” Josh bounced on the bed beside me. “You’ve been sleeping all damn day. Get up.”
    “No!” I covered my head with the pillow like a child. “I’m not going.”
    Shaking the bed, he laughed. “Don’t make me send Frankie in here. Your sister