Toxic Girl

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I’m wiping down the counter at work, when Dylan walks in. Things with her have been quiet, even though we see each other around here and there. As she comes and stands in front of me, I have a feeling that’s about to change.

“So, Grayson’s leaving tonight,” she says, with a smug tilt to her lips.

“What do you want, Dylan?” I ask, putting down the cloth and staring at her.

“Just wanted to tell you that I’ll keep a good eye on him while we’re in Sydney,” she says, watching me for a reaction. Grayson is going to Sydney for a few days with his parents. He didn’t mention Dylan was going too.

I control my expression, hiding my hurt. “Desperation isn’t a good look.”

“Don’t care what you think. Three nights with Grayson. He always liked this thing I do with my…”

“Get out,” I demand, my tone icy.

“You’re worried,” she says, smiling. “Good, you should be.” With that parting shot, she leaves.

Later that night, Grayson calls me. I don’t answer. An hour later, he comes over. He has his own key, so he lets himself in and walks into my room where I’m lying on top of the sheets.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I was worried,” he says, storming in. “Is everything okay?”

“Besides the fact my boyfriend is going away with his ex-girlfriend and didn’t have the decency to tell me?” I snap, staring up at him with anger and hurt in my eyes.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, sitting down on the bed.

“Dylan came to my work today and said she’s going with you to Sydney and how I should be worried…”

“And you believed her?” he asks, looking hurt.

“Is she going with you?” I ask.

“I haven’t heard anything about it. If her dad is going, maybe she will tag along. But what does it matter? I would never cheat on you, and I thought you knew that,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. Way to turn this around.

“I don’t want her going with you,” I say in a small voice.

“Babe. Fuck Dylan. I don’t care about her, and I’m never going to touch her again. You have nothing to worry about, and I wish you would believe me,” he says, laying his head on my stomach. I thread my fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp. “I asked you if you wanted to come with me. You think I want to leave your side? I don’t.”

“I have to work,” I argue.

“Aiden will give you a couple days off, I’m sure of it,” he says, sitting up and pulling out his phone. “I’ll ask him.”

“You have Aiden’s number?” I ask, my eyes flaring in surprise.

“Yeah, well, he’s with London now. So,” he says shrugging.

“So what?”

“So he’s not a threat,” he says with straight out honesty.

I give him a look, showing him my unhappiness at that comment. “Chicks love guys in bands,” he continues.

“He’s not in one anymore,” I point out.

“Not the point,” he says, now looking amused.

“Women love rich hotel heirs as well,” I say, just to annoy him. “Especially ones who look like you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” he jokes, pulling the phone away from his ear. “He’s not answering so I’ll send him a message.” He types out the message then puts his phone away. Aiden replies a few minutes later.

“Go pack your bags, babe,” he says, a slow spreading smile transforming his features.

Looks like I’m going to Sydney.

The flight to Sydney is awkward, to say the least. First of all, Grayson bought us first class tickets, which is a whole new experience for me, and second, Grayson isn’t the only one to bring someone. Leah brought Jake. Grayson has been brooding ever since he laid eyes on Jake holding hands with his sister.

“When the fuck did that happen?” he asks me as we walk into our hotel room. “She’s been hiding that shit from me!”

“What’s the big deal? You used to be friends with him, so clearly he has some redeeming qualities,” I say, sitting down on the plush bed.

“You used to give lap dances to his dad!” he growls, putting his hands in his pockets.

“So, it’s not like I danced for Jake. He just saw some photos.”

He curses. “Don’t give me that visual, please.”

“All I’m saying is Leah knows I was a stripper. And she doesn’t hold it against me. She accepts me. I think you should do the same for her and Jake,” I say, hoping he understands what I’m trying to get at. No judgement. Just moving forward.

“Leah knows?” he asks, eyebrows lifting.

“See? She didn’t even say anything. You’re lucky to have a sister like her,” I tell him as I lie back on the bed, feeling tired from the flight.

“Fuck. You’re right,” he says, his eyes softening as he looks at me. “You’re such a peacemaker, you know that?”

My lips tilt up. “Go and talk to them.”

“I will. Do you want anything?” he asks me, leaning over and giving me a closed mouth kiss.

“No, I’ll have a shower and wait for you.”

“Call room service if you’re hungry,” he says, kissing my nose and then leaving the room. I take my time in the shower, enjoying the massive modern bathroom. Afterwards, I jump on the bed and fall asleep.

The next night, we’re all out clubbing. Leah and Jake are grinding on the dance floor, and Grayson looks like he wants to kill someone. Dylan is here with us too, which makes me want to kill someone. I down my tequila shot, not even bothering with the salt and lime.

“You might want to slow down, babe,” Grayson says, frowning at all the empty shot glasses in front of me. I look at them.

“These aren’t all mine,” I say, staring at the seven glasses.

Grayson scowls, stepping closer to me. “Yes, babe, they are.”

“No, they are all of ours!” Really? Grayson tilts his head back and rubs the back of his neck in frustration.

“All yours,” he says.

I shrug. “I’m on holiday.”

He sips his drink and shakes his head at me. “You’re lucky you’re so fucking cute.”

“Cute?” Surely, he can find a better adjective.

His lip twitches. Jake and Leah walk back up to us, sweaty from all the dancing. “Want to dance?” I ask Grayson, feeling buzzed. The room spins a little, but not enough that I’m disoriented. Just the perfect amount. He stands and walks me to the dance floor.

“Do not bend over in that dress,” he growls into my ear, his hands possessively on my ass. My dress is a little short tonight, but it makes up for it by not showing off any cleavage. It’s royal blue body con dress, something I have had for a while but never worn. It fits like a glove. Dylan comes up to us and asks Grayson for a dance.

“Just one dance,” she says, “for old time’s sake.”

Grayson shakes his head no. I’m glad he’s not falling for her nostalgic bullshit. After he rejects her, she goes and finds a new victim. I couldn’t be happier.

“I didn’t get to thank you for talking to Grayson,” Leah says to me when I return to the bar.

“How did you know I spoke to him?” I ask, sucking on an ice cube.

She rolls her eyes at me. “Oh, please, it had you written all over it.”

I try to hide my smile. “He loves you. I just tried to make him see the big picture. You know he just wants to protect you.”

“I know,” she says, smiling down at her drink. “He’s a good brother.”

I nod in agreement. He’s a good man in general.

“Well, I’m going to go to my room and have wild sex with Jake. See you tomorrow,” she says, kissing my cheek and going to find her man. Thanks goodness Grayson didn’t hear that.

“Time to go, babe,” Grayson says as Leah tells him they are leaving.

“Okay. Where’s Dylan?” I ask, looking around for her. I may dislike her but we can’t just leave her here alone.

“She said she’ll come back to her room later,” he says. I shrug and put my hand in his, letting him lead me back to the room. “Are you tired?” he asks as we open the room door.

“Depends on what you have in mind.”

In an instant, he lifts me up and pushes me against the wall. “Get naked in the shower and wait for me.”

“Okay,” I manage to get out, my heart racing. He licks at my lips until I open them, then he kisses me hard, a preview for what’s to come.

“Adore you,” he says to me before he puts me down. I walk into the bathroom, strip down, and jump in the shower. Grayson comes in seconds later, and shows me just how much he adores me.