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.