Page 27 of Losing Sleep
Another voice joined Grey’s logic, this one with Lyle’s distinct deep timbre.
“Stay a little longer. You’re no fun. I know it’s late, but what’s a few more hours? You never stay late.”
My breath hitched as I thought about those distant conversations. They had usually happened on a weeknight when I needed to be up early for work, something Lyle ignored anytime I brought it up. If he had an early meeting, I was out of his apartment by 9:00 p.m. so he would have time to prep and get to bed. When the shoe was on the other foot, I felt like I waswaging a war, trying to justify my need to do well at work, climb the corporate ladder, prove to everyone I had what it took to live a stable, successful life. A safe life. A life where I could work nine to five instead of being at the beck and call of a store, restaurant, or cafe manager.
I rolled over, trying to silence my thoughts. There was nothing wrong with getting a good night’s sleep. And yet, my thoughts continued to churn, arguing the pros and cons of a late night.
I didn’t have work tomorrow. In fact, I didn’t need to be anywhere in the morning except right here. What would it be like not to be the party pooper, for once? Not to be the responsible one? What if the movie really was good? I’d been meaning to watch it but hadn’t made the time when it was in theaters. Why not join in, be social?
After a few more minutes of tossing and turning, I sat up with a groan, realizing that once again, Grey had won. His gentle teasing and persistence had convinced me to leave my comfort zone behind, listening to my inner voice of fun that I so often ignored. Grabbing my blanket and pillow, I stomped downstairs. Just because I was going to have fun didn’t mean I had to be happy about it. Or maybe, more precisely, I didn’t have to let Grey know I was happy about it.
The lights were off, the TV providing the only source of light in the dark space. The opening scenes filled the TV screen, casting a blue/green glow over everything. Tory and Trent sat on the loveseat, not seeming to mind the smaller seating area as they cuddled. Grey lay sprawled on the large couch, an American flag blanket draped over him, one arm flung above his head.
“Move.” I nudged him with my leg.
Grey sat up, a huge grin splitting his face. “Couldn’t stay away from me?”
“Hardly. I didn’t trust you not to stick my hand in warm water if I didn’t come down,” I grumbled, putting on a front.Grey didn’t need to know he’d given me the permission I hadn’t realized I needed to let loose and enjoy the moment. I could always go to bed early tomorrow.
I sat on the end of the couch opposite Grey, laying my head on the armrest and curling my legs into the middle cushion. The couch dipped in odd places, testifying to its many years of use. Yet, it was oddly comfortable as I settled in, draping my blanket over me in an effort to stay warm in the frigid basement. I’d forgotten socks and was careful to keep my feet covered as I settled in.
The motion on the screen held my attention for a moment as I tried to follow the storyline. But it wasn’t long before the last few days caught up with me, dragging my eyelids down as I drifted off to sleep to the sound of gunfire on the TV.
I woke to shuffling sounds and whispered voices, music playing faintly in the background. I tried to roll over, snuggle back down into my cozy cocoon of sleep, but a warm hand on my calf stopped me.
“Careful there. I was happy to let you stretch out a bit, but I draw the line at getting kicked.” The voice was deep and amused.
With a start, I sat up, drawing my legs out of Grey’s lap. My cheeks heated with embarrassment as I looked around the room.
“How did…what…?” I stuttered, my thoughts scattered and lost in the lingering fog of sleep.
“You stretched out about halfway through the movie. I didn’t have the heart to wake you up and make you curl back into your tight ball from earlier.” Grey spoke softly, his hands outstretched as if trying not to spook a wild animal.
“What time is it?” I rubbed my forehead, still processing what had happened.
I was guaranteed to look a mess: my hair a tangle of bedhead, my cheek covered in crease lines from the couch. Thankfully, I could hide most of that in the dim light of the basement.
Grey looked at his phone. “Just after one in the morning. The movie just ended.”
I flinched at the late hour. The last time I’d been awake this late, I’d been helping my mom manage the pain from a broken collarbone and other injuries following her car accident. I looked around, noticing Tory and Trent had disappeared at some point, leaving me alone with Grey in front of the TV. It emitted a faint glow as the end credits scrolled across the screen.
“Trent was a bit bugged you didn’t even make it through the first fight scene. But after two days trapped in the car with me, no one could really blame you.” Grey winked at me and then pushed up from the couch, stretching as he stood. “I’m calling it a night. There are rumors of a video game tournament tomorrow night, and I want to be well-rested.”
“Goodnight,” I said, trying to wake myself up enough to make the trek upstairs.
“Goodnight,” Grey said over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hall into the room he was sharing with Trent.
I stayed on the couch, shaking my head as I tried to make sense of the night. I hadn’t intended to sleep through the entire movie. I’d planned to watch a few minutes and then bow out again if I started to get tired, proving to Grey I wasn’t a stick in the mud and getting to bed before the wee hours of the morning. How I’d ended up with my feet in Grey’s lap, comfortable enough to sleep through the entire three-hour movie was beyond me.
I was making a habit of sleeping with Grey, and I didn’t know how I felt about it.
Pushing up from the couch, I gathered my blanket and pillow. My gaze snagged on the spot Grey had occupied, my cheeksheating as I thought about how I’d sprawled across him as if he was more than the friend of a friend. Any other guy, and I would have been too tense to relax enough to enjoy the movie, let alone fall asleep. But there was something about Grey. His presence was somehow simultaneously stressful and soothing. Like he knew how to push my buttons, but just enough to get me out of my shell, convincing me to stay up for a movie or visit a cheese outlet.
“‘Not all who wander are lost,’” I muttered with a shake of my head, the barest hint of a smile tilting my lips. In fact, wandering downstairs to watch the movie had been a good thing. I’d spent time with people and watched the beginning of a movie. The detours on this trip had proved enjoyable so far, getting me to try new foods and spend time with Dot and Hank. Maybe I’d find the courage to do a bit more wandering on this trip, particularly if Grey led the way.
Chapter Fourteen
I woke to sunlightstreaming through the blinds in my room, the exhaustion in my bones telling me I hadn’t slept nearly enough. I stretched and rolled over, surprised I’d managed to sleep until almost seven. While this constituted sleeping in for me, I had a feeling I’d be the only one awake for at least another hour.
