Fire and Silk

Chapter Seven

Present Day - Grayson’s POV

That was the best sleep I’ve ever had. Cuddled against Jai’s body, her warmth spreading to me, her smell soothing me. When I woke up the next morning I was alone, but knowing that she had shared her space with me was an incredible feeling. I drop Kandice back at the office before driving to my house to get ready for tonight. I’m so excited to hang out with Troy again, and having Jai there is the cherry on top. I heat up some pizza in the microwave and eat before jumping in the shower. While I’m digging through my closet I hear my front door open announcing the arrival of Kandice. s**t, I really don’t want her to come. She walks into the bedroom and looks confused at my attire, jeans and a flannel instead of my usual suit, but Jimmy’s isn’t a suit kind of bar and I like that. “Are we going to a rodeo?” she asked mockingly before walking up to kiss my cheek. “No, I’m going out to a bar with Troy and Jai,” I respond making sure to not say the word we. Her eyes flash, “Jai?” “Yes, she’s my friend. Oh, Kandice, jealousy isn’t a good look on you,” I sigh, not finding her jealousy as endearing as Jai’s earlier. She leans her head against my chest looking up at me with a pout, “I just hate how she looks at you. It’s obvious she wants you and I want her to know you’re mine.” My heart speeds up, how does Jai look at me? I shake my head, “You’re imagining things.” There’s no way she looks at me. Kandice puffs out some air then steps back, “Very well, I’ll go with you!” I internally groan, but force a smile, “If you would like, but I don’t think it’s your scene.” She rolls her eyes, “I’ll just get changed. You’d be surprised what’s my scene!”

As we enter Jerry’s I feel almost ashamed of the woman next to me. She is wearing the most gaudy get up I’ve ever seen. I tried to tell her it was casual and not western, but that woman doesn’t listen. I roll my eyes as she waltzes into the bar earning countless stares for all the wrong reasons and notice two of them belong to Troy and Jai who are sitting at a table already. They both shoot me exasperated looks and I just shrug and mouth, “Sorry” to them. Troy is out of his suit and in a t-shirt and whitewashed ripped jeans, next to him Jai has lost her dress and is wearing ripped skinny jeans that leave nothing to the imagination and a fitted tank top cut just low enough to tease, my body reacts to her instantly but the circus show beside me makes the girl of my dreams less than happy to see me. I walk over to the table with Kandice by my side and before I can say anything she greets them a little too enthusiastically. “Hey guys! It’s so good to see you again,” she is obviously forcing her excitement and it almost sounds like she’s trying to use a fake southern twang. Jai chuckles, “You know this isn’t a western bar, right?” Kandice glares at her briefly, “I know, I just wanted to fit in.” Troy scoffs shaking his head, “Anyways, we’re just waiting on Mr. Big Shot to get here.” Jai sends him a glare and slaps his shoulder, “Don’t say things like that, especially not when he’s here.” Kandice perks up, “Oh, who else are we expecting.” I sigh and roll my eyes for the upteenth time today, “Jai's boyfriend.” The smile on my girlfriend’s face could power Broadway, “I didn’t know you were dating someone!” Jai just looks at her and narrows her eyes, “Why would you?” Before I can answer there is a ruckus at the door and I know he’s here.