by Jerry Cole
“Okay, but I’m so happy for you,” Hayden whispered as I laughed.
“We still want to do breakfast, but this time we want to try the hotel again.” She smiled, and we easily agreed.
Chapter Six
Hayden
I smiled over at Gray as he chatted easily with some of the party guests. He met my friends easily, making me think we could work.
Ryan knew a lot of people, but he didn’t get along well with them. I found out after the breakup that most everybody tolerated him. We were only together for six months, but he managed to drive away a few people in that time. I was just now getting back in their good graces.
Gray was going to help that. I could see it in how easily he got along with people.
I still worried that Ryan might show up, but it was past midnight, and there was no sign of him yet. Becca could ultimately handle it if he brought up the past, but I knew she was healing. Ryan would do it in front of our friends and put her back in a bad place. I knew that she didn’t tell everyone about her father.
I looked back to think that I made a mistake by sharing so much with him, as well as taking him to the places I was the happiest. I looked over at Gray, hoping that he would be better for me. I didn’t know how much to trust him with versus what I shouldn’t tell him about.
We left the party at one, staying at my place again. Gray had a cousin in town staying with his Gram, so he had some free time. I worked one more day before I had one off, wondering if I’d spend it with Gray. We set the alarm to get up for breakfast, which wasn’t until ten in the morning. The girls wanted to sleep in, and we stayed up an extra couple of hours ourselves.
In the morning, we rested in bed for a while. “I loved having you around my friends. They all liked you so much.”
“They’re good people,” he told me, smiling over at me. “It wasn’t an issue.”
“It has been in the past.” He raised a brow,
“He didn’t show up, did he?” Gray checked, and I shook my head. “Good. I hate the guy, and I’ve never met him.”
I leaned over to kiss him before grabbing the coffee that we were sharing. “I’ll add you to the list.” I sighed and glanced at my phone. “We should get ready. They want to meet us in thirty.”
“Can we come back to bed afterward?” He asked as I nodded. I felt like I couldn't get enough of this guy. We showered together and dressed in jeans and shirts. Gray offered to drive to the hotel, opening my door for me. I kissed him before sliding into the passenger seat, smiling as he started the engine.
We arrived at the hotel, laughing when we walked in to find the girls. Becca just looked tired, but Mari looked like she needed to still be in bed. “Feeling a little tired, Sunshine?” I greeted her as she groaned, sipping water.
“It’s her fault for having a party,” Mari muttered, brushing her hair back.
“I didn’t force the drinks down your throat, Mar. Besides, you had a great time.” Becca smiled at her girlfriend as Mari glared at her.
We ordered coffee while Mari sipped orange juice, asking for fruit to eat for breakfast. We ordered platters of food while she rolled her eyes. She seemed to feel better after a while, even taking a bite of Becca’s waffle. We chatted over breakfast, and when the bill was paid, Becca and Mari smiled at each other.
“So, we were talking the last few days, and Mari plans to move here. She needs to get a job, but she’s going to move into the apartment when that happens.” They were holding hands, and we stood up to hug them.
“Why Washington?” Gray asked as I stared at Becca. I didn’t want to be away from her, and I suspected the same thing.
“Well, I love the ocean. I love living in California, but I need a change. I also know that Becca’s life is here, and I think I’ve fallen more in love with it with each visit. I have a few casual friends there, but not too close. I’ve only lived there for a couple of years. My family is in Massachusetts, so it doesn’t matter where I live. I still need to hop a plane to visit them.” She hugged Becca. “We have an ocean here, and this gorgeous city. I can get a job at an art gallery here, and it’ll rock.”
“It will,” I replied, and we all grinned. “Want to hang out? I don’t work until later.”
“Sure.” We went into Seattle and wandered the streets, grabbing coffee and talking about their life together here. I headed home with Gray to get ready for work, making plans to meet here later since I had the following day off.
I smiled as I walked into the theater, feeling like everything was going to work out. Greeting the crew that night, I headed right to the back to help out since the ticket window was staffed for the night. I loved being in the chaos of set changes and helping the actors out, hoping that the time passed quickly. I needed a day off and a whole one in bed with Gray.
He was waiting outside when I left the theater, taking my hand as he kissed my cheek. “Home?” He asked, and I gazed at him. “Are you hungry?”
“A little, but I can make something at home. Can you stay with me?” He nodded. “When are you in charge of your grandma again?”
“A week. I think you should stay with me and meet her. I’ve told her about you.” He grinned, leaning in for a kiss.
“I’d love that.” We walked to his car, and he drove me home. We headed to the door, unlocking it before he went to check the kitchen for food. I changed into shorts, walking out to see him cooking breakfast.
“You had everything we needed.” He smiled.
“That smells amazing,” I told him, sitting at the counter to watch him. I sipped the coffee that I picked up on the way out, getting lost in an image of us living together down the line. He reached for the coffee, taking a sip as I blinked.
“Fuck, that’s strong,” he said as I raised a brow. “How many of those do you drink each shift?”
“Depends. Usually, two.” Gray sipped it again, shaking his head after he swallowed it.
“Be careful with that.”
“Yes, Dad.” I helped him plate the food, and we ate it on the couch as we watched a late-night TV show. “I love having you here.”
“I love being here.” He wrapped an arm around me, and we snuggled closer. “I love you.”
I gazed at him, knowing that this was moving fast. I knew I should hold back, give it some time.
“I love you, Gray.” He kissed me hard, leaning into me as we both moaned. We moved together, ending up with me on my back as he pressed into me.
“I want so much with you,” he whispered before kissing me again. I spread my legs, feeling his cock against mine, reaching down to grip him through his jeans.
We ended up stripping in that room. I came in his mouth first before returning the favor; then I fucked him from behind. We both professed our love to each other as I came, throwing my head back.
We dropped the plates into the sink, going back to bed once the house was secured. I knew I didn’t have to work, and we could be in bed together all day. We were both tired but made love two more times before passing out in exhaustion.
I woke up with arms wrapped around me, smiling at the sunlight shining through the windows. “I love you,” I spoke first thing, wanting last night to keep going on.
“I still love you. Don’t worry about it.” He laughed as I pulled his arms closer around me. “What do you want to do all day?”
“This.” Gray laughed again.
“I’d like to take you to lunch or dinner,” he told me, kissing my neck. “I think we’ll want coffee as well.”
“After.” I turned to face him, licking my lips.
A couple of hours later, we were heading to my kitchen for coffee. Becca called to see what we were doing, and after a little discussion, we agreed to meet them. Mari had to head home in a couple of days to prepare for her move, and both girls felt sad about that.
We showered and dressed in jeans and shirts for a casual dinner in the afternoon. I felt hungry after sipping coffee all day, rushing us out of the house. We drove to the rest
aurant on the water that served generous sandwiches and burgers and had a great atmosphere.
Gray parked in the small lot, turning to me for another kiss. We exited the car, turning to head inside when Gray’s eyes widened. He grabbed my arm, pulling me forward as I asked him what he was doing. We both hit the ground hard as a car sped by inches away from us, driving through the fence and down the hill just past it.
“Shit,” I gasped as I rolled to my back. “What the hell was that?”
“I hope they lost control,” he murmured as voices came from the building. Staff and guests surrounded us, asking us if we were okay and what happened.
“Hayden? Gray?” Are you okay?” Becca asked, pushing through the crowd to lean over us. “What the fuck was that?”
“I don’t know. I just looked over and saw the car coming at us.” Gray rubbed his face before looking at me beside him. “Are you okay?”
Other than scratched up a bit, I’m fine.” I sat up slowly as Becca watched me with wide eyes.
We managed to get up and sit down on a bench inside the restaurant. They gave us water and assured us that the first responders were on the way for both the driver and us. Becca and Mari took seats beside us, asking if we still wanted to eat.
“I’m hungry,” I replied, and we all laughed.
The ambulances arrived, one helping the driver while the other pair came in to speak to us. They cleaned up our cuts and checked us out, but we were fine other than that. We talked to the police and explained what happened, shocked to find out that it was a young woman in early labor that was driving the car.
We got the information on the driver, deciding to eat once the excitement was over. The girls took us to their booth, where we sipped more water and looked over the menu. Mari told us that she already applied to a few galleries and hoped to hear from one soon. She was well-established at the one she worked at in California after being promoted twice in a year, plus she had a great college record.
Mari was perfect for Becca in many ways. I didn’t tell either of them how relieved I felt that she was moving here, not wanting to sound selfish. I also liked that Gray seemed to like it here and planned to stay.
We enjoyed lunch together as we listened to their plans, parting ways so the girls could go to some local galleries and have some personal contact with the staff. “I like them together.” Gray smiled as he watched them walk away.
“Me, too.” I reached for his hand, glancing over to see the hole in the fence where the car broke through. I tugged, and we walked over, seeing a small grassy hill that ended at a creek. From what we could tell, the car landed in the shallow water. “Should we go to the hospital?” I wasn’t as angry, knowing that the driver was in distress.
“Yes. I want to know how she and the baby are, given that it was too early for delivery.” We chose not to get in the way, and we had already been questioned. We headed to our car, where I pulled up the information and directions to the hospital. Gray followed them, parking a distance away from the brick building and leading me by the hand to an information desk.
I watched as a woman told us they were there, pushing to know if we were family. In his usual charming manner, Gray explained that we were there when she crashed, concerned for her. He wanted to bring her something as well as check on how they were both doing. She softened as he gave her his winning smile, agreeing that we could visit for a short while. Once we had her room number, we made our way to labor and delivery to see her.
Gray tapped on the door once we’d explained the situation to the nurses. A weak voice told us to come in, and I followed him inside to see a small blonde girl in the bed, still pregnant but hooked up to machines. “Hi,” she said, searching our faces.
“Hello. We were at the restaurant when you crashed. We wanted to give you this and check on how you were doing,” Gray said as he set flowers and balloons on a table beside her. She watched with wide eyes before looking at us again.
Something crossed her face, and she looked horrified. “They said I nearly hit two guys. Was that you?” I exchanged a look with Gray for a moment as she covered her face with her hands. “I am so sorry. I am only seven months along, and I was dying for a cone from Penny’s. I didn’t think anything like that would happen.”
“Of course, you didn’t. Are you okay?” I asked as she gave me a weary smile.
“Ava is making an effort to get here early, but the doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to keep her cooking. I’m so scared she’ll get here too early. This pregnancy has been hard as it is.”
Chapter Seven
Gray
We found out that the mother’s name was Vivian, and she was twenty-one and single. The father left shortly after finding out that she was pregnant. She lived with her mom in a tiny apartment after getting dumped, unsure of her future.
I saw her strength as we got to know her. We stayed with her permission as she ate lunch, and nurses darted in and out of the room. She didn’t have a lot of friends after moving here a year ago, just the father.
Vivian worked at a small coffee cafe, or at least she did until today. She was staying in the hospital for observation until Ava arrived, fully expecting to lose her job.
We chatted with her until she was too tired to stay awake, leaving with an invitation to visit her anytime.
“I liked her a lot. Was it just me?” I asked as we returned to the car.
“No. That girl is a firecracker. Can you believe she thought that we thought she intentionally chased us?” Hayden asked, and I shrugged with one shoulder.
“It happens, so no. I suppose I initially thought the same thing.” He looked at me, and I realized that he was right. It did happen.
“Do you want to visit her again?” Hayden asked.
“I think I do.” I smiled.
We returned to his apartment, where I told him that my cousin was leaving tomorrow. They were planning dinner, and I shyly asked Hayden to join us. My family knew about him, but I took it seriously when introducing someone I was seeing to my family.
“Dinner?” Are you sure?” Hayden asked as I nodded.
“He treats us to one of the best steakhouses in the city, and you’ll be included in that as well. Jackson owns a construction company. He does well, and I suspect that he writes all meals off in taxes.” I grinned as he nodded.
“That sounds fun.” He stepped toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist before giving me a soft kiss. “I love you. I could’ve lost you today.”
“We got out of the way. It’s all good.” I kissed him again, leaning over to deepen it.
We managed to shower so that he could change into black slacks and a gray button-up shirt. We went to my apartment so that I could change into something similar. We stood in the hallway for a long moment as I squeezed his hand. “I’m nervous,” Hayden confessed as I kissed him gently.
“They’re going to love you.” I tapped on the door once he relaxed, watching as Jackson opened the door. “Hey. How are you?” We hugged, and I pulled Hayden inside to introduce him to Gram and Jackson, and everyone hugged as Hayden blushed. I could see that Gram liked him, with her warm smile and sparkling eyes, but I told her so much about him already.
We got her ready to leave, walking around her like bodyguards as Gram rolled her eyes. She was growing weaker but still in decent health. She could live fine on her own for a while, as long as I was next door.
I drove us to the restaurant, parking close since it was before the dinner crowd was set to arrive. The hostess led us to a booth, frowning when she saw Hayden take my hand on the way to the table. Jackson chuckled, shaking his head once we were seated at the table. “You broke that girl’s heart.”
“It happens a lot with him.” Hayden grinned at me as I shook my head.
“It happens a lot because of Hayden, not me. Either way, we’re not interested.” We smiled at each other as a waiter brought us all water. We ordered drinks, and Hayden scanned the menu, tensing when he saw the prices.
Gram asked Hayden questions about his job at the theater and his family. He told her all about his job and how long he worked there. He gave me a look when the other part came up, smiling. “My family isn’t close. I have my best friend, Becca, and her girlfriend, Mari, as my family. Now, I have Gray.”
“Blood is not thicker than water, Hayden. I’m not close to Gray’s father due to the fact he’s a hopeless case, but I raised this one like he was my own. I’m so happy that he’s here with me now, and that people like Jackson come to see me.” Jackson kissed her cheek.
“I always will,” he promised her as love filled the room. My family was amazing, even if some of them weren’t around to be a part of things.
We ordered dinner, enjoying salads and appetizers before our entrees. The conversation flowed as Jackson explained to Hayden that he lived in Florida and owned one of the most successful construction companies in the state. While he was a masculine guy, Jackson didn’t care one bit when I came out to my family. He was one of the people in the family that checked on Gram regularly.
We ended dinner with some fabulous dessert. We took Gram home and hung out in her small living room to chat. I asked Hayden if he’d stay with me tonight, smiling when he agreed. We got her to bed, offering to drive Jackson to the airport tomorrow.
“Your place is great,” Hayden told me later that night when we were in for the night. I had a large two-bedroom apartment, and we were on the couch in the living room.
“I like it. It’s worked out great living here.” I smiled, slipping my arm around his shoulder. “Did you like them?”
“Gram is great. I think I’ll let her adopt me.” She mentioned that at her place and Hayden looked happy at the suggestion.
“She was like that when I was growing up. She’d cook for so many people and fill the house. My friends loved her in Oregon, but she moved here when Grandpa died. She’s made just as many friends here.” I smiled as I thought back to my childhood. “I wouldn’t leave her for anything.”
