Page 39 of Grayson

I’m not a touchy-feely guy, but for Skye I’d give in to those feelings. I’d tell her every minute of every day that this is not a game to me if that is what she needs to hear.

“Just give her time,” I tell her. “Right now she’s upset, but that will pass.”

“I hope you’re right.”

We stay on the couch, me holding her in my arms until she falls asleep. The weight of her body grows heavy as she gives in to the exhaustion. It makes me wonder how long the two of them had been at it before I’d shown up.

I’d spend the entire day right where we are if it meant she’d feel safe.

26

Grayson Hawk

I flip through the channels, keeping the volume low on the television, not wanting to wake Skye. My right arm is completely numb and I’ve had to take a piss for more than an hour, yet I remain still.

The sound of bare feet against a tile floor gains my attention as I look up just in time to see Tori slip by. She is quiet as she opens the refrigerator and then closes it.

A few minutes later she joins me in the living room. Grabbing a blanket and tucking it in around her she looks at Skye. Her head laying against my chest, her hand on my chest, fisting my shirt almost like she is afraid I’ll leave.

Tori seems sad and it weighs heavy on me.

“She loves you.” I don’t know if it’s a mistake to say anything but I hate this sadness lingering in the air. I want them both smiling.

“You don’t think I know that,” Tori whispers hoarsely. “Just like I know that she gave up everything to take care of me. She let go of her dreams, and settled so that she could give me the best life possible. Just like for the first year after our parents died I’d watch her stay strong all day, putting up a front so I’d feel secure only to cry herself to sleep at night, every night. I know all these things.”

“Protecting you, and loving you is not her burden.”

“But I feel like one,” she confesses, her eyes filling with tears and she quickly looks away. When was the last time she’d allowed herself to feel without trying to hide it from everyone around her?

These girls, damn they are both burrowing in beneath my skin so deep. They’re making me fall in love so fast it’s making my head spin.

“She’s right about the boy.”

“Of course you would agree.” She huffs.

“Because I know how they think.” I ignore her annoyed look. “Because no more than six weeks ago, I was still living with that same mentality.”

“Believe me.” She fakes a shiver. “I know.” She rolls her eyes and I’m graced with the sassy little shit I’ve come to adore.

“Can you do me a favor and stop reminding her of all my bad choices?” I hug Skye in a little closer when I say these words.

“You mean the brothel you ran next door.”

“Tori,” I say in warning and she smiles.

“Okay, okay.” She holds up her hands in front of her face. “I’ll stop, but you need to remember one thing. My sister is not a toy for you to play with!”

“I know.” I brush my lips over Skye’s forehead, kissing her softly. “Can I share something with you?”

“Sure.”

“She’s got me wrapped around her finger and she doesn’t even know it,” I confess.

“You might not want to admit that at the station in front of all the guys. I’m pretty sure they would all have a hay day at your expense.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” But it may even be worth it.

“Just don’t hurt her,” Tori adds, regaining my complete attention. She is looking at her sister not at me with a lost look in her eyes. “I know I give her a hard time, and I’m a handful, but she’s everything to me. She deserves to be happy, she should come first for a change.”

---