Shattered (26 page)

He laughed. "And you do?" I guess he had a point there. "I've always wanted a big family. Being an only child and going through what I've been through, I envision a large house with tons of kids running around. I don't ever want my kids to have a dull moment or to be lonely."

Grayson's words struck me and everything he said made sense. Just as I snuggled into him and the documentary was starting back up, the doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting anyone. I stood with curiosity, walked over, and opened the door.

"Heeeeyyyyy, Dallis. Oh. My. Gosh. It's sooo damn good to see you."

My eyes bulged and a solid lump quickly formed in the back of my throat. I swallowed feverishly to rid myself of it and lowered my eyes back to normal before saying, "Hi, Hailey." She pulled me in for an all-consuming hug and I felt the life being squeezed out of me.

Chapter 16

Hailey finally let me out of her grasp, her long, golden blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her blue eyes lit up, showing off the love that she had for me.

"Wh…what are you doing here?" I stammered, completely taken by surprise at the fact that she was standing in front of me.

"Jeez, a girl can't come by and visit?" Her face contorted as she stood anxiously awaiting an invitation into the house. "I finally got some time to come home, so as soon as I got off the plane, I stopped over here. Where is my brother anyway?" she asked, pushing me out of the way.

I turned around and slightly shut the door. Grayson stood in front of the couch, inquisition spread across his face at the intrusion of Hailey into the house. Their eyes locked and neither of them said a word. They just stood, gaping at one another, thick air choking the life out of the room. Finally, Grayson stepped from around the coffee table and walked over to where we were standing.

"Hi, I'm Grayson," he said, holding his hand out for Hailey.

She held her confused stare, but eventually held her hand out to shake with Grayson. "I'm Hailey…"

Seeing that this awkward situation was only growing more and more uncomfortable by the second, I walked over to Grayson and stood next to him, showing Hailey that this was what she thought it was.

"Hails, Grayson is my boyfriend. Colby and I haven't been together for a while now."

Hailey's eyes shut as she quickly tucked her hair behind her ears. "I feel like the world's biggest dumb ass right now." Her head shook. "I guess this is what I get for not being in contact with anyone. I'm so sorry, Dallis."

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't know."

"I know, but… I better get going. This has been awkward enough." She turned and headed for the door. After swinging it open, she turned back to face Grayson and me. "It was nice to meet you, Grayson." He smiled politely. "Let's do lunch or something, Dallis. I'm in town for the next month."

Looking back to Grayson, I decided it was best to walk Hailey out. "Hey," I called after her as she stepped outside the door. "I'm sorry you found out this way… in such an uncomfortable way."

"No… like I said, it's my fault. If I kept in touch, this wouldn't have happened," she replied, furiously wiping away at her hair.

"Well, we definitely should get together. We do have a lot to catch up on."

"Yes we do," Hailey said, grinning awkwardly. She nodded her head, then raced back out to her car. I could see the embarrassment and confusion written all over her face as she started it up and pulled off.

Walking back into the house, Grayson had settled himself back down on the couch, looking every bit as confused as Hailey had. I swallowed a couple of times as I flung my hair over my shoulders. There was nothing to be concerned about, but the whole scenario had played out in a most perplexing way and looking over at Grayson, I knew he was looking for some sort of explanation.

"So, that was Hailey, Colby's older sister. And she hasn't been in the country for a while now…"

A smile paired with hooded eyes graced Grayson's face. My mouth hung open as I watched him. His look was certainly unexpected.

"Why are you so flustered? You think I'm mad or something?"

I stared at him for a second. "I don't know. I just know that I felt like Hailey's appearance sucked all of the air out of this room, and…"

"It was a tad bit awkward… for her. I'm sure she wasn't expecting to see some other guy sitting casually in what she presumed to still be her brother's house. But whatever. I'm here and he isn't."

"I know but…"

"Why the but? You must be mistaking me with an asshole who would give two shits about a surprise visitor. I'm pretty confident in the fact that I have you, and your ex's sister showing up won't change that." His words and confident demeanor impressed me. "Now, tell me about Hailey. She obviously means something to you."

A shy smile graced my lips. It wasn't often that someone could render me speechless, but Grayson had done just that. After tucking more hair behind my ears, and staring affectionately into his striking blue eyes, I went on to explain the mishap that was Hailey's visit. "Hailey is a doctor. She's been out of the country for a while now working with Doctors Without Borders and we rarely hear from her." Grayson sat listening, his expressionless face never changing. "This was probably a big shock for her. But…" I looked into his eyes again, but could feel nothing. "I never want you to feel uncomfortable."

"I don't get uncomfortable, Dallis. Look at me. I usually make other people uncomfortable." Grayson smiled and motioned for me to take a seat next to him. "You don't have to walk around on egg shells with me. I've been through enough shit in my life to want things out in the open. I can handle more than you give me credit for."

"It's not that…"

"Then what is it?"

"I just don't want you thinking that somehow my past is going to ruin what we have. I'm happy with you. Happier than I've been in a long time."

"Then just be happy with me and stop second guessing and worrying about shit that doesn't matter. We're solid. I told you, I need one hundred percent of you, and I finally feel like I've gotten it."

Relief hit me as Grayson pulled me into him, kissing the top of my head. "Well, I'll be calling her to get together. I do miss her."

"Have at it. You'll never find me being a jealous asshole. I know who I am and what I can do." His eyes lowered into a scandalous stare. "I've got you…from that red hair in my face to those pretty ass fingers in my back. I don't think you'll be going anywhere anytime soon."

A tingly feeling struck my body again, with the concentration focusing in between my thighs. Grayson was unbelievably good looking, but the level of confidence he mixed with it was much more attractive than anything on the outside. I was quickly learning that there was a major difference between arrogance and confidence and it was a clear representation of what I'd had and what I currently had sitting before me.

After waking up in Grayson's loving arms, I found that Hailey had left two text messages asking me out for coffee. I snickered looking at her suggestions of places to meet up, with Ada's being one of them. She'd heard that the place was a nice little hang out and thought we could enjoy a relaxing conversation there. I quickly let her know that while I was happy to meet up, Ada's was out.

Grayson hopped out of bed and walked into the bathroom. Wearing nothing but a white pair of boxers that hung low on his small waist, he stopped in the entrance, looking back at me, hoping I was staring at him as he sauntered off. Shamelessly, I was. He had incredible features that made me want to lick him up every time I saw him. And him in nothing but underwear that barely covered anything on him…it definitely made me want to devour him.

"Put your damn eyes back in your head. You're making me feel like a piece of meat." His grin spread as he dropped the boxers a little lower.

"Well you shouldn't be enticing and tempting a hungry lioness. It's been a few days since I've eaten." I bounded out of bed and wrapped my arms around him. He laughed wildly as I tugged at his boxers, slightly tickling his well-defined V that led to his generous package.

"Hey… hey… hey…"he said through laughter as he finally grabbed hold of my hands. "You have a coffee date and I have work to get to. You start this up and I can't promise that either of us will make our engagements," he leaned down and kissed me, "and I know you want to see Hailey."

I pouted a bit, but slowly untangled myself from him. "You might be right. But you really shouldn't walk around like that. You don’t have the slightest clue what that does to me."

"Oh I think I do. You're a rabid nympho. I'm going to end up drinking all of my damn profits just to keep up with you."

"Well, drink away, babe."

He puckered and shifted his lips to the side. "Speaking of which, are you meeting her at Ada's? Free drinks for you."

I stepped back. "No. She mentioned it, but I suggested we go elsewhere."

Inquisition pierced Grayson's face, but whatever he was thinking, he didn't say. Instead, he walked further into the bathroom and started up the shower. I jumped in with him and together we indulged in a few quiet moments of the crashing water and our mutual attraction for one another.

Sunshine laced with intermittent clouds welcomed me as I stepped out and into my Jeep. Grayson walked me out, holding his hand on my ass the entire way and not letting go until I was sitting down in the driver's seat and his hand could no longer linger there. A pout fixed on his lips as I forced his hand away, but he quickly replaced it with a smile as I leaned and kissed him goodbye.

"Dinner at my place tonight?" he asked.

I lightly nodded my head. "I'll be there. Call me when you get home. I won’t be working much today."

Grayson reached for my hand and placed a key in it. "Make yourself at home," he said before hitting the side of my Jeep and walking away.

I sat amazed for a minute. Had Grayson and I crossed some imaginary threshold that had us now sharing our living spaces? We'd been sleeping over at one another's homes for a while now, but to hand over keys was a big deal, one I wasn't quite sure I was ready for. I placed the key down in the center console and drove off in search of some new coffee shop in the Pike marketplace that Hailey had finally settled on.

When I walked in, Hailey was sitting at a round table towards the middle of the shop, reading a magazine and chomping on a muffin. "Surprise!" I yelled, startling her out of her seat.

"Hey, girl. Oh. My. Gosh. You scared the hell out of me." She wrapped me in a Hailey style hug and motioned for me to take a seat. "You want anything to drink?"

"Sure. A vanilla frap would be nice."

She motioned for the server and gave my order, then took another bite from her muffin. "So, obviously a lot has changed since I've been gone. I heard from my parents that your mom passed. I'm really sorry, Dallis."

I inhaled and exhaled heavily. "Yeah. It was rather sudden, but the important thing is she's no longer suffering." I looked around the shop, feeling an unwelcomed level of unease take hold of my body. "How has work been?"

"Awesome. I wish I could get more time to be with, or at least communicate with family, but overall, I love it. I just love being able to help those that would otherwise go without."

"That's awesome, Hails." Listening to her speak and watching the gleam in her crystal blue eyes as she spoke about helping people who would die without medical care contrasted drastically with her brother and his outlook on life. Hailey was such a loving and compassionate soul, and it hurt a little knowing that she would no longer be a large part of my life. "How long did you say you were here for?"

"I'll be here for a month before I head out on a new mission. I'll be doing that for a few months and then I'm coming back home to work in a hospital… probably Seattle Regional."

"You're not going back to Bellingham?"

Hailey's eyebrows rose as she looked over at me. "Did
you
go back there, Ms. Kick Ass Photographer?"

"I guess not," I said, laughing. The waiter brought my drink out and we both suddenly got quiet. Colby was nowhere to be seen, but his presence was hovering over us as we sat, awkwardly trying to figure out how to skate around the topic. Unfortunately, with the encounter that we'd had the day before, it wasn't going to be possible.