Page 44 of Grayson

Without warning Gia comes forward and presses her lips to the corner of my mouth. Quickly I jerk away holding up my hand.

“What the hell?” Pissed I glare at her. “Get out!”

“Come on, Gray.” She attempts to reach out for me and I push her hand away.

“Go!” I’d never hit a woman, but I was raging. My patience was slipping faster and faster the longer we stand there.

My face must have said it all because Gia steps back and turns around walking toward my front door, where I see Skye waiting. Any amount of strength I’d had left disappears as my entire body feels weakened by the sadness in her eyes.

29

Skye Simmons

I’d heard the banging around through the walls coming from Gray’s apartment. I’d worried that something was wrong. He’d had a hard day and I was worried. The news covered the fire, they’d interviewed others that were on scene. It was horrible, and I wasn’t even there. I can’t imagine what Gray and the other firefighters were feeling.

My first instinct was to check on him.

Now I’m wishing I hadn’t.

My chest is on fire, I can barely breathe.

Gia looks up, and the very second her eyes connect with mine the corner of her mouth tips up in a satisfied smirk. Movement over her shoulder gains my attention and to see the red lipstick smeared on the side of Gray’s mouth makes me feel sick to my stomach.

When Gia reaches the door, me standing just outside, she leans in closer. “I knew it was only a matter of time before he got sick of playing house. He’s not the kind of guy that can stay committed to one person, he never has been.”

Stepping out into the hallway she turns and starts to walk toward the stairs, walking with a confidence that I hate.

“Skye.” Glancing back I see Gray walking toward me and I hold my hand up, making his steps falter.

“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t.”

Backing up I turn and start moving toward my front door. My mind is racing, my heart feels like it’s split in two, and I can barely breathe.

“Baby, please.”

I couldn’t hear his words but honestly I just needed some space. I had to think, I may even need to cry, but I want to be alone when I do.

“Will you wait, it’s not what you think.”

“Maybe she’s right,” I say without thinking.

“Give me a break here.” He lifts his hand to catch my front door as I attempt to shut it. Following me into my apartment he closes the door behind him and I spin around to face him.

“You got pulled into a ready-made family.” The words rush from my lips. “Maybe you’re afraid to admit that it’s not what you want. Maybe you’ve wanted a way out and someone that knows you would have been able to do that. Maybe I don’t know you like she does.”

“You and Tori are exactly what I want,” he confesses. “Jesus will you slow down for a fucking minute.”

I don’t want to do this right now, I can’t. I feel so raw.

Turning around I try to retreat to my room only to be stopped when he grabs hold of my wrist and holds me in place.

“I’m not going to let her plant these doubts.” He turns me back around. Only I can’t look at him. “This is bullshit.”

It’s not how I’d imagined our night going. I’d hoped that he ended up coming over and that I’d somehow be able to make him feel better after the night he’d had while on shift. But he’d found comfort in Gia instead.

“Nothing Gia said is true. I don’t want to run, I’m not waiting for a way to escape. I’m right fucking here.” His hand comes out in front of us as he points to the floor. “Right where I want to be, with you.”

Tears pool in my eyes and I blink feeling them run along my cheeks.

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