Now or Never

again.
    “Don’t answer it!” Grayson yelled down the hall.
    “I’m surprised it took him so long to find you,” Luna said softly.
    Grayson took a deep breath, realizing her fists were clenched, and slowly peeled her fingernails away from her skin. “Mom said he’s been calling. I totally flaked. I shouldn’t have answered the phone. Now he knows I’m here.”
    “Let’s just get out of here.” Luna turned and led the way.
    They hurried out to Luna’s car, a little two-door sports coupe in cherry red. Grayson settled into the passenger seat, and slammed her head into the headrest a couple of times. She was so annoyed with herself.
    “Are you that worried about Josh?” Luna asked, concerned.
    Grayson shrugged. “I doubt he’ll really come here.” But, inside, she really was freaked out about it. She knew he would cross the country if he thought he could get her back. Grayson was seriously considering making a move to another state. She’d only planned on coming to Tennessee temporarily anyway.
    As Luna turned the key in the ignition, Grayson spoke. “We could always move somewhere together. We could go anywhere. You always said you wanted to go to New York City.”
    Luna turned and stared at her for a long moment; her blue eyes clouded with concern. “Grayson, you’re scared of him. I don’t need twin telepathy to know that.”
    She started to deny it, but knew it was useless. Her twin knew her better than she knew herself. “Yeah, a little I guess. He’s just really possessive and jealous.”
    Luna didn’t back out of the driveway. Instead, she appraised her for a long moment. “You’re not telling me everything. I’ve never seen you scared of someone before, so I know there’s a reason behind it.”
    Grayson didn’t respond. She didn’t want to admit to Luna exactly what life had been like in Arizona. She didn’t want to admit she’d been so weak.
    “We could always tell Ethan and let him take care of it,” Luna said seriously.
    “I don’t want to drag Ethan into my pathetic love life.”
    “You know that’s not what I meant.”
    Grayson tugged on a strand of her sister’s hair. “If he shows up, I’ll call Ethan. Okay?”
    Luna nodded and leaned over to give her a half-hug. “You need a drink.”
    “Or three,” Grayson agreed. Today was not turning out quite like she expected.
    “Where are we going?” Grayson asked as they hit the road.
    “There’s a pub downtown. You’ll love it; it’s small, they make the best drinks, and of course there will be hot guys.”
    As Luna rambled, Grayson tried to get into the mood, but it didn’t quite happen. She wanted to turn around and go home where she could try to piece together what to do next. Just hearing Josh’s voice was enough to send her over the edge. Why couldn’t he just let her go? She would be so embarrassed if he came to her mother’s and made a scene.
    Plus, the way her hands shook proved she was more scared of him than she dared to admit.
    Tonight just wasn’t going to happen , Grayson told herself. She wasn’t quite up to another one-night stand so soon after the last one. She’d sit this one out and watch her sister have fun. That would be enough for her.

CHAPTER 14

    Just as Luna had promised, the bar was small and Grayson liked it immediately. A single pool table took up a back corner, surrounded by a group of quiet guys gripping beer bottles and whiskey glasses. A wrap-around bar was hidden in the corner, flanked by dozens of tall round tables and stools. No dance floor, but a jukebox played a loud Nine Inch Nails song and flashed neon lights.
    There weren’t nearly as many people here as the first bar where she’d met Todd. It was a mixture of guys and girls, and no one seemed to pay Grayson or Luna much attention, which was refreshing. To say being with her twin usually made it hard to blend in was an understatement.
    Grayson followed close behind her sister, who propped her elbows on the bar and flashed the bartender her winning smile as she ordered for the both of them.
    “Don’t worry—it will pick up soon,” Luna said, offering Grayson her glass. “I wanted to get here early so we can watch them arrive.”
    Grayson accepted the drink with a surreptitious eye roll. Her sister was such a drama queen. But people watching was something she could handle, even enjoy.
    About twenty minutes later as Grayson and Luna chatted at a table, the first round of rowdy guys arrived. They seemed younger