Fire and Silk

Chapter Two

Grayson’s POV

We continue clearing the catastrophe that has become the basement, but I keep catching myself sneaking glances at Jai. Her earlier giggles have changed into a silent sobriety and I can’t tell what is the cause of the change. Did she want it to mean more? Surely not. As we finish up Troy and I gather all the filled trash bags and tote them upstairs while Jai finishes sweeping the floors. After throwing the bags in the can Troy punches my shoulder, “What the f**k dude?” “Don’t kiss my sister.” The anger in his eyes is intense and I don’t understand why he’s suddenly become so protective, “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” Troy takes a deep breath before looking at me, that fierce brotherly love still raging in his eyes, “Look, don’t tell Jai I told you this, but it meant more to her than it did you. One, you were her first kiss, who the f**k saw that coming with all the guys she’s constantly fighting off. But most importantly, you’re her first crush. She’s had it bad for you since we were kids and I don’t want her getting hurt. No offense dude, but you’re not who I want my sister to be around. I know you too well.” My eyes widen as I listen to him rave. I fight off the unexpected anger at other guys fighting for Jai’s affection, but it’s quickly nullified by the shock that she’s liked me for years.

“She has a crush on me?” I whisper completely ignoring the fire that once again flares in his eyes at me ignoring his warning. “Had a crush and I don’t want her to be sucked down that vortex again. We both know what you’re good at. Love ‘em and leave ‘em. Man I’m the same way, but I’m not letting you do that to my sister.” I frown, “How do you know I couldn’t be different?” Troy rolls his eyes and sighs, “We both know it’s not your style.” I sigh and shake my head, “No it’s not. Regardless, Jai is Jai. I don’t see her that way.”

“Are you guys going to stand out here all night?” A quiet voice takes us both by surprise and I see Jai with a sweater wrapped around her curvy body, her black tank top perking up her breast and her legs on full display in her shorts. I realize silently that this isn’t the first time I’ve checked out this hot girl, but I don’t know when I started. Troy shoots me a sideways glance and I can see the warning in his eyes. Jai c***s an eyebrow, her green eyes shining in the street lights and her red hair blowing in the breeze. “Nah, we’re coming in now,” Troy says as he makes his way back towards the door and his sister moves to let him pass. She looks over her shoulder at me, “You too? Or do you prefer the raccoons to your favorite pair of twins?” She flashes me a sexy smirk and I’m drawn to the door like a puppy. “The raccoons have nothing on you,” I whisper as I pass her and follow Troy up the stairs to his room.

Jai’s POV

Oh my God! I got my first kiss. Not only my first kiss, but I got to kiss Grayson. It’s like the universe decided to give me a birthday present, and I couldn't be happier with it. That was until he made it clear that the excitement was purely one sided. I tried to push down my heartache as I watched him and Troy talking, telling myself over and over that my childhood crush has been gone for a while and that the flutter is just from being kissed. Secretly I know that it wouldn’t have felt the same if it hadn't been Grayson. Your first crush will do that to you.

As I follow the boys up the stairs I decide that I don’t want to be alone in my room while they party away in Troy’s room so after taking a quick shower and changing into a t-shirt and short pj set I march across the hall into my twin’s room. I walk in to find them on the floor in front of Troy’s big tv, typical boy tiny bed HUGE tv, playing video games. They both look up when I walk in and I can’t help the skipping of my heart when I look at Grayson. I glance only a second, but it’s enough to take him in. He is the definition of hotness. He has a rockstar athletic body that is proudly on display as he sits in basketball shorts and nothing else. His abs and muscles are smooth, but defined and his skin is tanned from his long practices on the football field. He is a golden boy in all ways physically with blonde hair and the most beautiful amber eyes, the color of the whiskey my dad used to drink every night. I shoot them both a mischievous smile before sitting cross legged on the bed and making a show of looking at my nails. “Uh, what the hell are you doing?” Troy asks, shooting me a look. I look up and draw my eyebrows together as if not understanding what he means. “Oh don’t give me that look you little cat, why are you interfering with bro time?” I roll my eyes, “Bro time needs a woman’s touch, and I didn’t want to be all alone in my room while you two are in here being idiots all night. I can’t cheer for you if you’re too tired to run the ball.” My darling brother puffs up his cheeks before blowing out the air, “Whatever.” I squeal with my victory and climb off the bed going to recline on my knees next to them, constantly fighting myself when I feel the need to look at Grayson.

Grayson’s POV

Considering my confusing new outlook on my best friend’s sister I was both thrilled and terrified when Jai barged in insisting that she get to stay the night with us. I tried my best to focus on the fighting game Troy and I were playing, but I’m sad to admit that he won a few more rounds than normal. As we all laid down to sleep on the plush rug on his floor having grabbed a huge blanket and pillows I found my thoughts circling around the fiery redhead just feet from me. She’s always been around and always been cute, but when we were around fifteen Jai became more than cute, she became gorgeous, beautiful, hot. I think about when I see her cheering on the sidelines of the games and how f*****g sexy she looks in the little golden uniform of our school’s team. Why haven’t I ever considered her? Troy snored next to me, reminding me of why. Best friends and sisters are off limits, his words from earlier come back to me. I steal a glance over a Jai and see her peaceful face turned towards me on the other side of her brother. Her eyes are closed and her lashes are casting shadows on her pale cheeks and her rosy lips are slightly parted as she breathes. Off limits, damn.