Fire and Silk

Chapter Eleven

Present Day - Grayson’s POV 

Awakened from my memories by Kandice's extremely inappropriate grabbing of my d**k I can't help but sigh. Jai was gone the next morning before I woke up and ignored my calls for weeks. When she finally answered she said she was just drunk and that she was happy with Trumble. I've never been more disappointed, I was ready for more. I wanted so much with Jai and after she threw us away before we even started I had no choice but to attempt more with someone else. Holding my drunk and ridiculous girlfriend I wonder if I made the right decision. Kandice is a lot to handle and though we've had a lot of fun over the years our relationship is becoming boring. I'm terrified because I know she's expecting the next step soon and I just can't see myself spending forever with her. I think it might suffocate me. I peak over her head only to be caught by a gorgeous pair of green eyes I could pick out of any crowd. Come on Jai, why did you push me away?

Jai’s POV

Trumble is still whining about me dancing with Grayson as we enter our apartment. I roll my eyes as I tell him for what feels like the hundredth time that it was nothing. Deep down I know I'm lying. Being with Grayson is so easy, being in his arms and knowing I'm the sole focus of his attention is enough to make me feel like Cinderella at the ball. He makes me feel butterflies when I know I shouldn't. The night of my twenty-first birthday he cherished me like no man has and pleasured me in ways never experienced after this whiny asshole stood me up. "Trumble enough!" I yell at him angered by my memory and fed up with his attitude. He gapes at me like a fish while I storm into the bedroom and begin to pack. "What the hell are you doing?" He demands after unfreezing and following me. "Leaving, I've had enough. You think I don't know what you do on those business trips? I do your laundry! I've seen the lipstick marks, found the condom wrappers, and even a lovely thong that I know isn't mine. Yet you lose your s**t over a dance!" I'm fuming. I know he's not loyal, Troy knows he's not loyal, everyone knows, but I've stuck with him out of assumed love that I now know isn't there. He gasps, "You wouldn't!" "Oh, I am!" I grab my bag and head for the door grabbing my keys, cell phone, and laptop case on my way. When I reach the door Trumble grabs me, "If you walk out that door you're never coming back. You need me!" I send him a dark glance, "Not anymore. Goodbye, Trumble." I close the door in his face. 

In the Uber I turn off my phone after texting my brother that I'm heading his way. Trumble is already blowing up my phone with angry texts and calls that turned into apologetic texts and then back to angry. When the Uber stops in front of my brother’s building I take a breath finally feeling free and step out of the car. The doorman let's me in on sight and I walk to the elevator taking it to the 4th floor where my brother's 2 bedroom flat is. When he opens the door the concern on his face is obvious, "What happened?" I give him a soft smile, "I left him." He sighs and closes his eyes, "I'm sorry you're hurting, but thank f*****g god!" I shake my head at his lack of empathy before dragging my bag inside and collapsing on the couch, "I need alcohol, lots of alcohol!" I turn to see my brother typing furiously on his cellphone, "What the hell are you doing?" He looks up smiling like the devil, "Inviting over Grayson. Your sanity returning is worthy of celebration." I feel my heart speed up at the mention of Grayson, oh how I would love to see him now that I'm finally free and clear, but he's not. Besides I have the feeling that after what I did the last time we were together he probably has lost all interest, and he and Kandice seem pretty serious. "No, I don't want a pity party. I just want a strong drink, sweat pants, and my bed. Maybe I'll watch TV and drool over a fictional man. They're less dangerous." He rolls his eyes at me, "Too late! He's on his way and for once leaving b***h troll behind. Alcohol and sweats you can have, hell I might even have some ice cream." I giggle at his nickname for Kandice and then perk up at the thought of ice cream, "Chocolate?" He grins, "Of course, but not until Gray gets here." I pout before sighing and getting up to go change into more comfortable clothes. I leave my clothes from the bar in the corner of his hall bathroom and grab out some comfy sweatpants and a tank top. I don't need to be sexy for anyone anymore. I stroll back into the living room barefoot just as Grayson waltzes through the door like he lives here, which given how close he and my brother are he practically does. 

In his hand is a bag with a pint of chocolate ice cream and I quickly run across the living room to snatch it from his hand before nesting on the couch as he and Troy stare at me. “You’re welcome,” Grayson says sarcastically and I just glare at him ripping open the ice cream and grabbing the spoon away from Troy quickly stuffing a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. I moan in satisfaction as the cold, sweet bliss coats my tongue. “Holy hell, what happened to her?” Grayson asks, finally moving from his spot by the door to lounge in one of the recliners. “Broke up with asshole,” Troy responds, “Welcome to the celebration!” He pulls a bottle of champagne out from behind his back and makes a show of popping the cork. Grayson cheers, spurring on his ridiculousness, “Wooh! Finally!” I roll my eyes and continue to eat my ice cream, “It’s not that big of a deal!”