Page 28 of Grayson

“Get your head out of the gutter.” Tori scowls at him. “His bedroom is back-to-back with mine and the walls are thin.” Then she looks back at me with furrowed brows. “Are all your friends this bright?”

This time I laugh, because how the hell could I not. “Meet my neighbor,” I tell the guys.

“She’s a human tornado,” Braxton states and it’s the first time since she entered the apartment that she smiles.

“More like a category five hurricane.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “So about that ride.”

I’d spent the last hour listening to the guys carrying on about Tori. I filled them in on my first encounter with her, then all the others that followed. They left my place holding their sides wishing me luck which I’m sure I will need.

Pausing outside the door to Skye’s apartment I do something I’ve never done. I smooth my shirt, run my fingers through my hair, and take a moment to slow my racing pulse. I don’t get nervous, not when showing up at any woman’s house.

But this is different and I still have no fucking idea why. She came out of nowhere. This woman I can’t shake. A weird, unexplainable connection, that was triggered by a half smile.

Lifting my hand, I knock and rock back on my heels as I push my hands into my pockets.

The sound of footsteps can be heard on the opposite side just before the door opens and I am met with not one but two eager teenage girls.

“Glad to see you found your way,” Tori says with a smile. I got a smile. “Rachel, this is Grayson, Gray meet Rachel.” She points to her friend and said friend stares up at me with her lips parted slightly.

“This is your annoying neighbor?” Rachel asks, still staring at me.

“Yep.” Tori nods.

“Annoying?”

“You are.” She wrinkles her nose.

“He’s hot,” Rachel says. “Like really hot.”

“Oh my God,” a complaining growl comes from behind the two girls and I peek over their heads. All I can see is two feet peeking out from beneath a blanket on the couch. “Kill me now.”

“Stop being so dramatic,” Tori interjects and I do what I always do, just stand there and stare.

“She’s hammered,” Tori states. “When I told her I went to your place to ask for a ride she put the wine away and switched to vodka. She’s such a lush.”

“Tori will you please shut up!”

“Is there something I should know?” Rachel asks, looking at Tori then behind her to the seat of feet.

“My sister has the hots for flaming boxers here.” She juts her thumb toward me and my heart races. What? “She won’t admit it, but she does.”

“You are so grounded,” Skye whines.

“Okay boozy.” She rolls her eyes. “If you remember any of this tomorrow then we’ll talk about it over breakfast.”

“I’m thinking we should put this trip off until she’s thinking straight.”

“It’s okay,” Tori assures me. “Vivian is on her way over, she is sober with a capital S and she’s up for a painting party. However that one won’t make it another thirty before she passes out. So you’re off the hook.”

I’ll admit, I’m a little disappointed.

“She really that drunk?”

“She only had two shots, but empty stomach probably isn’t helping.” There’s a thump, followed but a grown of pain.

I move quickly, brushing passed both of the girls and find Skye sitting on the floor between the couch and coffee table. “Ouch,” she says, holding her knee.

Bending down in front of her I push the hair back away from her face and she tilts her head back, looking up at me. “You okay?”

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