Page 45 of Losing Sleep
Grey grinned mischievously. “But you admit it was a compliment! I have better ones if you stay downstairs.”
“If that’s your bar for compliment excellence, I understand why online dating hasn’t worked out for you yet.” I laughed,imagining Grey messaging that same line to an unsuspecting stranger on the internet.
“Surprisingly, I haven’t used that one. I’ll have to keep it in mind for the future.”
My stomach clenched at that. I did not like the idea of Grey on dating apps, using cheesy lines and impressive arms to woo other women.
Pushing aside the unexpected spike of jealousy, I considered my options. Grey completely blocked the door. But if I pushed, there was no way he’d continue blocking me, right?
I made a run for it, trying to duck under Grey’s arm. He reacted, dropping his arm down to block my escape.
“No fair!” I said, dodging around him and attempting a similar move on his other side. Instead of letting me past, Grey looped his arm around my waist and pulled me away from the door.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. Thinking quickly, I threw my weight back against Grey, hoping to surprise him and escape his hold. Instead, he absorbed my weight and pulled me in tighter.
I looked into his face, laughter crinkling his eyes, and froze. His lips were only a few inches away and, for the briefest moment, I considered pushing up on tiptoes and finding out what it felt like to kiss a man with a beard.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs was the only warning before Alex appeared behind Grey. We quickly broke apart, but Alex’s lips pursed as he took in the scene.
“Do I want to know?” Alex asked, stepping around Grey into the basement.
“Audrey’s trying to chicken out of our contest. She claims she’s just getting socks, but I know better,” Grey said, regaining his composure quickly, though his lips still ticked up at the corners.
“You’re being ridiculous,” I said, proud I didn’t sound more breathless. “Just let me upstairs. I’ll be back in two minutes, tops. You can even time me.”
“Why don’t you just lend her some of yours? That way she doesn’t have to go upstairs.” Alex stretched out on one of the worn couches, his frame tall enough that his feet dangled off one end.
Grey glanced from me to Alex and back, considering.
“You’ll also have to lend me a sweatshirt. I’m not dressed for arctic temperatures.” I gestured to my short sleeves, grateful my pants were at least warm. Goose bumps were starting to pebble on my arms. I told myself it was from the cold and had nothing to do with having nearly kissed Grey.
“Fine, but if I come back to find you’ve gone upstairs, I’ll take it as proof that you’re the ultimate chicken and unleash the full fury of my pranking ability.”
I nodded, accepting Grey’s terms while also wondering if those pranks could possibly lead to other wrestling matches and near kisses.
Grey disappeared down the hall to The Cave, looking over his shoulder once to make sure I was still there.
“Now’s your chance to escape. Hurry, run!” Alex said, laughter tinging his voice.
“If you think he’s joking about the pranks, he’s not,” I responded, sitting on one of the many couches in the basement, this one a faded green and blue stripe.
“I know he’s not. I was hoping I’d get to witness an epic prank war.” Alex sat up but kept his legs on the couch, and sent me a wink. “Maybe we can try some of those pranks on Trent, help him find his sense of humor. Or he’ll freak out enough that Tory will finally dump him. I’m good with either option.”
I snorted, picturing stoic Trent and his lack of response to literally everything. “I think he’d just glare at you and go back towhatever’s so important on his phone. Or he’d go for a run. All those muscles have to come from somewhere.”
“Got them!” Grey raced back into the main area of the basement, triumphantly holding a pair of socks and a red flannel shirt above his head.
He threw the socks at me, and I caught them, surprised at the pattern.
“I didn’t know they made flannel socks,” I said as I pulled them on, my toes experiencing instant relief as the fabric chased away the cold that had all but seeped into my bones.
Grey shrugged, draping the flannel shirt around my shoulders. “I have a signature pattern. If it doesn’t apply to even my socks and underwear, then who am I?”
I tried to push the image of flannel underwear from my mind as I slipped on his shirt, resisting the urge to bury my face in the collar and soak in his familiar scent. Needing a distraction, I turned to the TV and gaming console that would be my purgatory for the next several hours.
“Are we ready to start this tournament or what?” I asked, reaching for a controller.
Grey grabbed my hand, stopping me. “Not yet. Brad’s making the bracket, and then we’ll start.”
