Grayson (12 page)

From what I recalled about schizophrenia, the city was the worst environment to live in. The constant stimulation wreaked havoc on a brain that was already working double time. Why would he not take his meds? He seemed to be so highly functional. He knew he was ill, he’d told me so himself. The medications would help to dampen the noises in his head and untangle his twisted thoughts.

I opened the door to my apartment, crept inside quietly, and shrugged out of my jacket. Walking by Jenny’s room, I decided to peek in to make sure that Anna was still asleep. She’d always been a late riser and it was only after eight am. I eased open the door and stuck my head in. There was no sign of her. She was gone.

I called out for her, growing more and more concerned as time ticked by.
Where the fuck could she have gone?
She didn’t know anyone in the city and didn’t have money to get home. I used the bathroom quickly, then entered my room and pulled up short, spotting the clothes I’d worn to the party last night. I thought of my sister snuggled up on Charles’ lap.
Oh my God!
If she was with him, I was going to fucking kill her!

I snatched up a pair of jeans and hopped into them, swearing vividly when my zipper got stuck. I was so angry I could spit nails. The more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed she’d be with Charles. He was a total jerk. The way that asshole had smiled at me, as if he was responding to a dare when I told him Anna was off limits, left no doubt in my mind that he’d go after my sister. I was pulling a T-shirt over my head when my cell phone rang. I spotted it on my night table and dove for it. It was my father.

“Hey, glad I caught you. I called earlier, but you didn’t answer.”

I blew out a long breath, trying to slow my racing heart.

“Must have been still asleep.”

“What time should I pick up Anna?”

I gulped. “Uh. Geez, we’re having so much fun.” I bit my lip. “The later the better.”

“I think Barb is taking her somewhere. Hold on,” I heard him shouting to my mother and her answering voice in the background before he returned to the phone. “I’ll be there in an hour.”

Fuck!
How was I supposed to tell him I’d lost my little sister? Although I had a pretty good idea where the witch might be. I hung up the phone then tried calling Anna. Her phone went straight to voice mail. Swearing harshly, I grabbed my keys and headed out.

I pulled open the apartment door, prepared to go loco when I finally found the wench. I was already walking on the edge of an emotional tight rope, barely keeping my balance. My sister wasn't making things any better by wiggling the rope. The morning’s events still had me very rattled.

Anna was standing in the hall as I pulled open the door, her hand reaching for the knob. I heaved a noisy sigh of relief coupled with agitated frustration, then I pulled her roughly into the apartment.

“Are you okay?” I asked quickly.

She raised her brows, regarding me as if I’d gone mad. I noticed she was still wearing the same outfit from last night, but it wasn't unusual for Anna to hop out of bed and into the same clothes she’d worn the previous day.

“Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn't I be?”

“Where the fuck have you been?” I was annoyed by her cavalier attitude. “You weren’t in your bed! Where you with Charles?” I narrowed my eyes, my gaze roving over her body, looking for
just-fucked
signs. I wanted to cry. This was my baby sister. She was still innocent…well, kind of. Mostly. She’d once confided in me that she’d given a bunch of blowjobs and handjobs, but had never gone all the way.

“I wish I’d been with him.” She shot me an accusing look. “Thanks to you, he probably wants nothing to do with me.” She plopped onto the couch in a sulk.

Relief sighed through my body, but I was still suspicious. “Then where were you?”

“Down the hall helping Kim and Diane clean up from the party. The apartment was a mess. I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep.”I stood there, silently studying her, my hands at my hips. I’d seen her throw bullshit coated with maple syrup at my parents a million times. I was trying to figure out if she was feeding me the same.

“
Jesus Christ!
” She exclaimed, throwing up her arms. “My hymen is still intact, if that’s what you’re afraid of! Wanna check? Just ask Kim and Diane if I was there.”

“I was just worried, that’s all,” I said, seeing how upset she was getting.

She stood and faced me, giving me more attitude. “Meanwhile, I should ask you where
you’ve
been!”

I knew my face must have instantly reddened because she pushed up her lips and gave me a long melodious, “
UmmmHmmm
.”

I turned away, aware that her gaze was assessing me for the same
just-fucked
signs I’d scanned her for. I also knew she’d find them with arrows and neon lights all over my body. My hair was a mess, my chin grazed from Grayson’s stubble, and I knew of at least one vivid love bite on my neck. I’d seen it when I’d used the bathroom.

“Dad will be here soon. You better get ready,” I tossed out, heading toward my room.

I could feel her gaze digging into my back, but I was done talking. I had too much to think about.

As soon as Anna left, I showered, changed, and headed back to the house as fast as my legs would take me. My mind was in turmoil and I was on edge with worry about Grayson. I had to make sure that he was all right. I practically ran through the maze of debris, knocking over a pile in the process. I didn’t care. I was going to be the one to clean it up, anyway. I passed my oasis and walked right up to the door.

It was locked.

I swore like a drunk sailor and stepped back. I should have known. I now noticed that the sign with all the crossed out words was gone.
Fuck!

“Grayson!” I called, pounding on the door. “Grayson!”

Nothing.

Fuck!
I tried the stairs in the kitchen. Same thing. The door was locked. I pressed my forehead against the cold wood and let my tears come.
Was he okay? Was he still in pain? Why would he not let me in?
We’d had an amazing night together before everything else happened. I’d thought we’d really connected.
Had I not told him—shown him how much I cared about him?
Did he not trust me?
He’d asked if I was plotting with Charles.
Did he believe that?

“Grayson, please…let me in.” I hiccupped.

Nothing.

I went back to the main room, and although my heart wasn’t into it, I slowly started to sort through an old pile of thick hardcovers. I worked for several hours, finding a kind of solace in the monotony of the task and the knowledge that Grayson was close by, upstairs. I hoped that he would come to me, or at least open the door so that I could go to him.

I was so tired from the emotional tumult and from being up almost the entire night, that I must have fallen asleep with my head on the table. When I awoke, it was late evening and darkness had snuck into the large room and smothered it. I tried both doors again before leaving, and my heartache was renewed with each disappointment.

I idled outside on the patch of lawn before I left, staring up at the second floor. I felt bereft. My body ached to hold Grayson, to be flooded with his sunshine. My heart wept with my feelings for him. I told myself I was stupid for being so worried, that I was stupid for caring so much. Grayson had been here alone for God knows how long. He’d been dealing with his illness for half of his life. He was fine. He was probably upstairs dutifully pecking at his keyboard, as always.

If he had no interest in me, I should forget about him. He was just a hot old man I’d fucked, I thought churlishly. No. Big. Deal. I forced myself to turn around, to go home, to put one foot in front of the other.

The next day, I worked a twelve-hour shift at the hospital. I was surprised when one of the doctors asked me out on a date. He was a resident, just finishing his training. He was nice, with beautiful blue eyes that reminded me of Grayson’s. I said, ‘No,’ giving the excuse that I was in a relationship.

As I walked home, I thought about that. I was in sort of a relationship. Only too bad the other party might not know it.

On Monday morning, I went to the house early. I gave a frustrated sigh when I tried the doors and found they were still locked. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.
This man was so fucking frustrating! Crazy fucker!
I immediately felt bad for thinking that, but I was now teetering between indignant anger and wretched heartbreak. Had our time together meant
nothing
to him? Why did I think that we’d had a special connection? We hadn’t even known each other for that long. Why did I have to equate sex with emotion? I knew better. I wiped away more tears, feeling my insides crumbling.

I took a break for lunch. I needed to get out of the stuffy house and feel the sun on my face. I walked along the avenue, somewhat bewildered when I found myself in front of Charles’ building.

I hovered outside for a moment, then went in and had the doorman announce me. It was Rudy. He seemed as surprised as I was that I was going up to the apartment, but I had a lot of questions circling in my head. Perhaps Charles could answer some of them.

Charles welcomed me with a bright smile. He reminded me of a baby shark with too many teeth. Although I had more respect for the shark. He had on a pair of sunglasses and looked like he was just heading out.

“Sorry to show up unexpectedly,” I said.

“You know I’ll always make time for you.” He opened the door wide and ushered me in. The penthouse was immaculate. Gorgeous. Unrecognizable.

“Wow,” I said, scanning the room. “What a big difference.”

“Not a fur-ball to be found, or a crumb to be brushed,” he grinned, alluding to our initial conversation here.

Maybe not, but I’d bet there were still some panties tucked somewhere.

“I lost Jack’s information, and I need it,” I lied.

He pouted, giving me an exaggerated sad face. “Is that the
only
reason you’re here? I was hoping you’d come to see me.”

“I need to call him, to set things up. You said to do that, right?” I ignored his antics.

“Yes. He handles the estate.” He took out a pen, found some paper and started scribbling.

“I see. Do I have to go through him for everything? Does he make all the decisions?”

Charles looked affronted. He straightened and squared his shoulders. “No. Well, I have to approve things. Was there something else that you needed?”

I shook my head. “No, just wondering, in case I needed more supplies.”

He shrugged, handing me the piece of paper. “You can just let him know.”

I tilted my head and regarded him. “Am I the only one who’s been at the house to clean?”

His forehead pinched and he took a minute to respond. “Why do you ask?”

“A few days ago, I found some mops in the kitchen that looked kinda new. Just wondering.” I lied.

He shoved his blond hair off his forehead. “Well, I did have a crew in there a few months ago, but my father scared them away on their first day. I told you, he’s very particular, and he doesn’t like people in the house. I think you’re the only one he hasn’t run off.”

“Oh.” I bit my lip, feeling my stomach churn. Hadn’t he told me he didn’t want to hire a cleaning crew because he wasn’t sure how his father would react? Yet, he’d already done it. Why the lie? “I see.”

“The man’s paranoid. He thinks all sorts of crazy things.”

“I’ve made a lot of progress.”

“Great. I’m hoping that by the end of the summer the house will be ready.”

My belly did a strange flip-flop. “Ready?”

A small smile touched Charles’ lips. “Yes. You know, more habitable. I’m hoping to have all the stuff cleaned out and then start repairs. My dad can be safe and won’t have to live in a place that looks like it needs to be condemned.”

“That’s very sweet of you to do this for him,” I said.

His smile widened to a boyish grin.
Baby shark.

“That’s me. As sweet as pie.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And just as tasty.”

Eew.
“Gotta go. Thanks,” I said and headed through the door.

Jack Collin’s office was on the thirtieth floor of a glass and steel skyscraper. He seemed to be more than a little surprised to see me when his secretary showed me into his office. He stood and shook my hand, smiling. He was a short, stocky man, balding, with kind, perceptive eyes.

“Thanks for seeing me,” I said, taking the seat opposite his desk.

“No problem. You could have just settled what you needed over the phone with my secretary. You didn’t have to make a trip here. Were you able to arrange the refuse removal with her?”

My gaze traveled out the glass windows behind him, taking in the sleek buildings nearby that jutted up to the sky. I thought for a minute before I responded. I, myself, wasn’t quite sure why I was there.