Page 93 of The Spotlight Effect

It takes me back to the feeling in the sound booth where I felt completely melted into him up until Charlie busted in.

“I trust you.” For the most part, I do. He's going to be really close to my body, feeling my body again. I let out a breathreleasing some built-up nerves as I trace over his shoulder muscles. He’s strong and well-built. He feels amazing, like heaven. I move myself closer feeling a spark between us as I do. God, this feels good. I’ve never done anything like this.

I mean, sure, I’ve kissed people. But my first kiss was like two seconds and an accident. My second kiss was horrible, and we don’t talk about each other. I’ve never let a boy this close to me before. I’m surprised I haven’t cried yet.

Shivers and heat overtake my body as his mouth connects with the flesh on my neck as he lightly sucks that I’m sure he’s leaving marks. I grip his shoulders harder, pulling myself into him. Gray’s hands inch up my skirt to my underwear. His fingers feel cold upon my lace panty line and he runs his fingers along them. There's a deep feeling growing in my lower stomach, causing me to gasp. I’m getting a lot wetter, and the sensation is better, causing my skin to prickle a little. “You feel so good,” he whispers, kissing my neck. I lean my head over, giving him more access. I need more of this. I feel dazed. The adrenaline is pumping through me as my heart races, hearing his voice, feeling his hands and mouth on me, and it all feels too good.

I don’t even care about making it to the restaurant. I just want to do this, nothing but this.

Then it stops and I go cold, all the feelings good.

“Hold on.” He pulls out his phone. His phone! I let him go, moving off his lap.

“One second.” He turns away, placing the phone up to his ear. I look around us, trying not to feel embarrassed by what just happened. I want to cry right now, I hate this. Then something catches my attention.

In one of the watchtowers, there’s a flash going on and off, like a camera. Are we being watched right now? If so, they just saw us make out!

Gray grabs his jacket. “Gray?” I call after him, but he ignores it.

“What are you doing?” I ask, running after him, as he leaves the beach, not saying a word to me. “I have to go,” he says. “I’ll send Charlie to get you.”

“Gray, what is happening?” I ask him as he types on his phone. I feel neglected, embarrassed and confused.

“I really have to go, and I'll explain later but right now. I have to. I’ll see you soon,” he says and gives me a quick kiss on the lips before running down the bridge, then I’m left alone.

At least, I thought I was because once he’s covered in the darkness, a swarm of lights, cameras, and people start to swarm me.

GRAYSON

I rush into the hospital, and I spot Beatrix in the waiting room. “What happened?” I run over to her.

“Mom got into a car accident, now she’s unconscious and they won’t let me see her,” Beatrix explains.

“I was at a friend’s and the hospital called, I don’t know what to do.”

“I’ll be right back.” I go up to the nurse at the desk and ask to go see my mom in the back. The nurse says I can, and I explain Bea is my sister and her daughter, so she lets us both come.

She's laying in bed with a tube down her throat. There’s scratches and patches everyone. Bea breaks down running to her bedside crying so now I have to hold myself together. God I can’t lose my mom; she’s one of the only good things I have right now. She’s my only family member other than Bea. I have the band, but this is blood.

I pull Bea into my arms letting her still cry. I let her cry for a few minutes before getting ready to call Alexia when Bridgett'sname pops up on my phone. What could she possibly want? I answer.

“You are brilliant, Grayson Archer!” she screams.

“What did I do?” I ask.

“The girl Alexia, you being with her and then breaking it off before she leaves, this isgeniusthe press is eating this up!” She beams.

I’m sorry, I did what!

“And Shawn leaving Zara at her dance. He would never do that. They are loving this. Listen, we have a management meeting tomorrow with you and Shawn in the morning at ten am at Golden Star. Be there,” Bridgett says before hanging up. What the actual fuck?

I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I intend to find out tomorrow because everything she is talking about, I didn’t do any of it. Nor am I going to put up with this. Fuck the press thinks. I take a deep breath, pushing this aside. Right now, Bea and my mom are the priority, and I need to get food for Bea and make sure she is comfortable and then handle this situation tomorrow.

So much for a good day.

TRAITOR

GRAYSON

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