Page 26 of Losing Sleep
Grey stepped past me and flipped the switch, filling the kitchen with light before I could finish my sentence. I blinked at the sudden brightness, taking a step back as if distance could hide my lack of makeup and messy hair. Instead, the kitchen lights seemed to serve as a spotlight, dispelling any anonymity afforded by the darkness.
Grey moved to stand in front of me, arms crossed over his chest, his head nodding as he looked me over. “I was right. It doesn’t look like a disaster. It looks nice.” His eyes burned with something I didn’t recognize, but it made my stomach clench with an energy I’d never felt before, not even when dating Lyle.
It was almost like he found me attractive. Which was ridiculous. After all, this was Grey, a guy I hardly knew. Yet, his gaze made me feel seen and, somehow, beautiful despite the fact that I was wearing pajamas and no makeup.
With that simple statement, Grey grabbed his cup and headed towards the stairs.
“You coming?” He paused at the top of the stairs, the shadows cast by the kitchen light hiding his expression as he turned back towards me.
I shook my head, hair brushing my shoulders with the motion. “I need sleep.”
“But it’s one of the best action movies of the year.” Excitement filled his voice, reminding me of a little kid.
“That’s what I’ve heard, but—”
“You haven’t seen it yet?” Grey walked over to me, his expression incredulous, though a hint of mischievousness lurked in his eyes.
As he approached, I caught a hint of his scent, something woodsy and manly that made me want to lean in and take a big whiff. I must be more tired than I realized.
“But it’s incredible,” Grey continued, pulling me back to the conversation at hand. The corners of his mouth twitched, and I found myself biting my lip. He was teasing me.
“The film to define our generation. A pure master—” Grey broke off, a laugh escaping. He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees as the laugh took over. “Sorry, I can’t keep a straight face.”
I shook my head, trying to keep my lips from tilting up in an answering grin.
He straightened, the remnants of laughter still written in the curves of his face. “It’s a good movie, though I think it’s been hyped up. But don’t let Trent know I said that. When Trent finds out you haven’t seen his favorite movie, he is going to lose his mind. He’ll probably come drag you from your bed and force you to watch.”
“Trent? Mr. I-Only-Smile-When-No-One’s-Looking?” I asked, incredulous. Trent had maybe said three sentences to me theentire day, and that included while we had been playing board games earlier.
Grey crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged, making the muscles in his arms flex. “Well, probably not. I’m Tory’s neighbor and have only heard the man speak when absolutely necessary. But learning you haven’t watched his favorite movie could change the man! This could be the thing that transforms him into a chatterbox, obsessed with ensuring the whole world gets to see this epic masterpiece. Save us all the headache and come watch with us.”
“Given that Trent talks a grand total of five times a day, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I stepped farther into the kitchen, opening cupboard doors and searching aimlessly to give my hands something to do. If I looked into Grey’s eyes for too long, he’d convince me to join, and I needed sleep. At least, that’s what the reasonable, predictable part of me said. It was the side that had guided my life and kept me safe through the ups and downs of life, including my mom’s spontaneity and Lyle’s betrayal.
Grey followed me, and I jumped from his sudden closeness. For a full-grown man, he had an uncanny ability to move quietly. I tried to unsuccessfully ignore his presence as I closed another cupboard and picked up my cup from the counter, fiddling with the plastic and doing my best not to look at him.
“Or,” Grey said, “you come down, act as if you’re going to watch, and sleep through the movie on the couch.”
“Why would I do that when I could sleep in a nice, comfy bed all night without being woken up by random fight scenes?” A bed that wasn’t covered in lacy pink pillows and did not include a bearded man who smelled amazing and made me want to reevaluate my stance on dating.
I turned on the sink, filling my cup with water and drinking the contents before refilling it. I would probably have to pee in the middle of the night, but I needed to distract myself from thisman and his skills of persuasion. Nothing good came from losing sleep.
“Because then I won’t tease you all day tomorrow about how I can’t believe you went to bed first. If this was a sleepover, that would be an invitation for pranking. You’d probably wake up with a permanent marker mustache.” Grey’s tone was serious, his expression earnest.
“Good thing everyone here is an adult and not a twelve-year-old boy on his first overnighter.” I stepped around Grey, heading towards my bedroom and the promise of a quiet night.
“I just want to note that no good story starts with, ‘Once upon a time our heroine got a good night’s sleep,’” he called after me, causing me to pause in my doorway.
He made a good point. In that moment I could hear all the voices that had called me a party pooper and encouraged me to step out of my routines. But routines meant safety and control, and I wasn’t about to change that now.
“Maybe not, but they also don’t start with, ‘Once upon a time a sleep-deprived heroine sluggishly went about her day because she had a headache and no energy after staying up late watching a mediocre movie.’” I quirked an eyebrow at him, waiting for his comeback. Who even wanted to be a heroine after all? Going on adventures and being the center of a story sounded exhausting.
“Fair enough. Though who knows what you could find by losing a little sleep?” Grey said, heading down the stairs.
I ignored the comment, walking down the hall to bed and pretending like his words hadn’t hit their mark, leaving me questioning my decision.
Chapter Thirteen
I climbed into bed,fluffing my pillow and settling under the cool sheets. Grey’s pleading expression filled my thoughts as I closed my eyes, trying to push his words from my mind. I needed sleep. I didn’t need to stay up until the wee hours of the morning watching a movie I didn’t really care about.
