Some Way

by Tiffany Jade

  I assume Dean just nods as I hear nothing from him but Grayson continues, his voice completely level.

  "So where were you when this piece of shit was grabbing her?"

  "It's fine Gray," I pipe in, not wanting them to turn their anger on Dean. "We had been in the pool and my clothes were wet. He was letting me change in his room, but other than that he was with me all night. He couldn't have known Aaron had come in here." I assure him, hoping that my words were true, Dean hadn't known Aaron was here right?

  I meet Dean's eyes and he shakes his head.

  "He's not supposed to be here Livi, I don't know who let him in." I nod at him and smile.

  "So you won't mind if we handle this little problem then?" Dax asks, rubbing his hands together with a smirk. A surprising look comes over Dean's face...he smirks too.

  "Oh not at all."

  "LIV!" Jenna's voice shouts from down the hall. "Oh my God what happened?! DAX?! GRAYSON?!" She rushes towards us, looking flushed.

  "The fuck is he doing here?!" she exclaims as she sees Aaron, blocked into the room. Shaking her head she looks back at me,

  "Babe, I'm SO sorry, Liam's dumb ass was trying to walk on the fire in the fire pit and he melted his shoes, cause, well duh but holy shit none of that matters are you okay?!"

  Grayson finally lets me go but his arms are soon replaced by Jenna's as she wraps me in a hug.

  "Yeah, yeah I'm fine," I nod as I give her a hug back and then straighten up.

  Everyone stands in an awkward silence for a moment.

  But now Aaron has three sets of eyes focused on him.

  Grayson clears his throat.

  Aaron jumps.

  "Jenna, can you get Liv home safely?" he asks, not even looking our way.

  "Yes! Yes of course!" Jenna wraps an arm around my waist and begins to guide me past the boys.

  "Wait!" I make her stop.

  "What are you guys going to do? Don't be dumb, come home with us." I wait for Gray to look my way, but he doesn't.

  "Dax?" I ask, almost begging. He looks at me, the normal silliness gone from his eyes.

  He glances at his brother then back to me.

  "It's out of your hands now Liv. Go home, we will be there later."

  My eyes dart around. Aaron looks absolutely terrified at the scene unfolding before him.

  I feel a little sorry for him...I mean, just the teeniest tiniest bit. He totally deserves to get his ass handed to him. I'd actually enjoy doing it myself. But I also am not 100% sure that the three men staring at him right now are just planning to rough him up a bit. And a part of me also doesn't want anyone to be getting hurt because of me, even if it is Aaron's bitch ass.

  "Gray?" I try once again. His jaw clenches again but he looks at me. His eyes are darker than I've ever seen, the hard set of his face letting me know that there will be no talking him out of it this time.

  "Go home, Queen." His voice is so controlled, so ice cold, it’s terrifying. "I'll be there soon." He watches me until I nod my head, Jenna squeezes me a bit before leading me away.

  "Into bed Liv." Jenna pulls back my blankets and motions for me to lay down.

  We had arrived home and she had handed me a couple slices of bread before sending me to shower. Taking care of me in the same way I had taken care of her so many times. Pulling a hoodie over my head, she smirks at me.

  "I know weird right?" reading my thoughts in true best friend fashion, Jenna then lays my blankets on top of me. Leaving the room for a minute she comes back and places a bottle of pain killers and two water bottles on my bedside table.

  "You're an angel," I mumble to her. Between the leftover alcohol in my system and the severe adrenaline crash, I was struggling to stay awake.

  "Oh yes girl, I know I am," Jenna laughs as she turns the light off.

  "Wait!" she pauses before leaving the room. "Have the boys made it home yet?" I blink the fuzz away as she shakes her head no.

  She doesn't have to say anymore, I know she's wondering the same thing I am. Were they even really coming back or had tonight just been a fluke?

  "Get some sleep Liv," she tells me with a small smile. "Everything will be ok."

  Unable to keep my eyes open anymore, I give in and let sleep take me over.

  A crash at the door wakes me up.

  I try to sit up but the pounding headache has set in and I'm not going anywhere.

  "Really you two?!" I hear Jenna whisper yell as sounds of scuffling continue.

  "Who the fuck leaves their flips flops there?" Dax's whisper replies back. I can picture the glare I'm sure Jenna is giving him in my head, and I know that's why his quick apology happens.

  More sounds of scuffling happen, the sound of shoes hitting the floor and then footsteps head for the living room. Thinking the boys are just wanting to crash on the couch for the night, I roll over and try to go back to sleep to quiet the angry little jackhammers in my head.

  The t.v. comes on and Jenna's giggle floats through the apartment.

  Dax is forgiven.

  A few minutes pass and I start to doze when a small squeak sounds as my door is slowly pushed a bit more open.

  "I'm fine," I mumble, assuming it's just Jenna coming to check on me. Silence meets me, then the shuffle of bare feet across my floor.

  Before my foggy brain can wake all the way up my comforter is lifted off of me and a huge warm body lays beside me on the bed. Strong arms wrap around me and pull me close, my back is now meeting a solid chest with a racing heartbeat.

  He had showered before coming over, the scent of his soap still fresh on him. Shaking my head clear of thoughts of needing to wash blood off of him, I hiss as the movement makes my head scream.

  He presses a kiss to the back of my head before gently pulling me up to a sitting position. Supporting my back with one hand, he reaches to the table grabbing the bottle of pills and drink Jenna had left. Making quick work of popping the lid off and counting out three pills he holds them to my mouth, helping me take them with the water he then sets everything back down and pulls me back into his arms.

  "I still fucking hate you," I slur out, as I nuzzle into his chest. This time his lips find the top of my head.

  "I know Queen," his deep, whispered voice makes my body heat up instantly.

  Not the time Liv.

  Not the fucking time.

  I tip my head up so that I can look at him. Even in the little light in the room I can see the shadows under his eyes, like he hasn't gotten a good night’s sleep since he's been gone. He meets my gaze.

  Mad at him or not, I scoot up and brush my lips against his. His response is heartbreakingly gentle as he presses his lips back to mine.

  Slowly, sweetly.

  Tearing myself away, I settle back onto his chest.

  "Like hate you so much, if my head didn't hurt so bad I would punch you in the throat right now," I grumble, but in my state, I'm sure my threat is super scary.

  He proves me right as he chuckles softly as one of his hands gently begins tracing small patterns onto my back and his other rests on my shoulder.

  "I know baby, and you can punch me in the morning okay, I'll still be here."

  Surrounded by the comfort of his words, his arms, and his heartbeat in my ear, I drift into the best sleep I've had in months.

  What the fuck am I doing?

  Her small snores are the only sound in the dark room as I hold her in my arms.

  Drunk ass.

  Really cute drunk ass.

  I can feel the smile tugging at my lips as she snores again and wiggles in her sleep, nestling into me and sighing.

  I had come back knowing what I had to do. And I really had planned on staying away from her.

  Really.

  But the second I heard her scream and walked into that room, I knew it was game over.

  The amount of hate I had felt for Aaron in that moment, the fear of wondering what would have happened if I had not gotten there when I did—my arms tightened around h
er instinctively.

  I had wanted to avoid her for her own safety, to keep her away from the dangerous world I was in. But it seemed like the girl had found her way into her own kind of trouble, and I'd be damned if I left her on her own now.

  What kind of friend would I be if I left her on her own? I had no doubt in my mind that she was strong. I had seen it when she had been in that room alone with him, she wasn't the type to just lay down and let anyone hurt her. But why should she have to fight when I was right here?

  Friends looked out for each other.

  Friends...

  "Gray?" her voice comes out questioning, quiet, and sleepy.

  "I'm still here Queen." I start rubbing her back again and she dozes back off.

  Friends...who the fuck am I kidding?

  She's mine.

  Chapter 12

  When I opened my eyes in the morning I was only slightly disappointed that Liv was already out of bed.

  Stretching out across her bed I notice the sheets are cold, so she's been up for a while, but judging by the ache of my muscles I had held her for a long time without moving. So much had changed in just a few hours, I needed a moment to process.

  Doubts start creeping in again, but I couldn't erase the sight of the relief on her face as she had seen me walk into that room. And the girl could tell me she hated me as many times as she wanted, but that's not what her lips were saying last night when she reached up to kiss me. According to them, and the instant racing of her pulse she did not hate me at all, like not even a little bit.

  "We weren't gone for THAT long!" Dax's voice rises from the kitchen.

  Shit.

  Sober girls that are now calm is going to lead to some questions that have really fucked up answers, and as Dax has already proven, he struggles with keeping his God damn mouth shut.

  Throwing the blankets off of me I rush to get up and head out of the room. As I slide on the tiled floor into the kitchen I'm met by Liv and Jenna glaring and Dax's eyes begging for help.

  Yep.

  Very sober...very fucked.

  Liv crosses her arms and a frown creases her mouth.

  Distraction time.

  He slides into the kitchen with his eyes still slightly puffy and his bedhead running wild. Turning my glare from Daxon to Gray, I add in crossed arms.

  For effect.

  "You're about as intimidating as a butterfly baby girl," his voice comes out deep and scratchy from sleep as a smirk turns up one corner of his mouth.

  His eyes run over me, taking in my short shorts that he seems to like so much and the same cropped hoodie I had worn the last time we had been together. The sparkle in his eye lets me know he remembers the outfit well.

  "You know some butterflies are poisonous right?" I tell him, keeping the glare locked in place.

  He heads for me, walking around the counter island and before I can figure out what he's doing, he's got his arms wrapped around me.

  "Only if you eat them." He winks before planting a kiss on my cheek and heading for the fridge.

  Smooth fucker.

  My brain heading in all kinds of directions I don't need it to right now, I shake my head to clear it. Wincing as, surprise surprise, I've still got a killer headache.

  "Need more pills, babe?" he asks as he looks over the door of the fridge.

  Stay mad Liv, no matter how adorable it is that he's started with all these cute names.

  I make the glare return as I shake my head...gently.

  He chuckles as he looks back to the shelves. "Let me know if you change your mind." He rustles around for a bit before shutting the door. "Uh, you guys don't have anything for breakfast?"

  "Of course we do!" I turn and grab cereal out of the cupboard behind me and set it down on the counter. "Cereal! The only thing I can't burn!"

  Both Gray and D start laughing as I start grabbing bowls.

  "Your girl can't cook Grayson," Dax grabs the bowls from me and places them back in the cupboard while I watch, confused.

  “I'm not his gi—" I'm cut off as Gray hooks his arm into mine.

  "Let's go." He begins to pull me toward the door.

  "We can't go out I'm in pjs!" He continues to guide me out of the apartment, but instead of heading down the hall, the boys just walk to their apartment, unlocking the door and motioning for us to go in.

  Jenna shoots me a look that clearly states she is as lost as I am but we follow as the boys lead us to their kitchen and begin pulling out ingredients from their amazingly well stocked pantry and fridge.

  Jenna and I take a seat at the breakfast bar as we both watch in silence.

  Grayson sets up his phone to start playing music through the built in speakers in the kitchen and as the familiar hums of Kid Cudi begin circling the room, he begins making French toast while Daxon starts the bacon and eggs.

  Finally noticing us girls just staring at them, both boys look at us and smile.

  "What's wrong?" Dax asks as he grabs plates and cups, setting them down in front of us.

  "You guys...cook?" Jenna asks as Gray flips a slice of the toast up in the air and catches it in the pan, throwing in a wink at me.

  "Well yeah. Our sisters always told us girls liked a guy who could cook," Dax tells us as he begins filling our cups with orange juice. "So, being...well...us, we had to learn. But honestly I think they taught us more just so they didn't have to do it anymore." Grayson nods in agreement as they both laugh.

  They both start singing along as they work around each other, clearly they have done this many times before. I can feel the smile on my face as I watch them, one of the few times I've seen them just be silly and joke around. No stress, no guards up, no player smirks, just...normal.

  I giggle as Gray catches my eye and mouths some of the words to me, trying not to look to deep into the meaning of the part of the song he chose. He only used to dream of peace until he found me? But the smile that turns his lips up as he mouths it makes it hard to shrug off.

  Before I can drive myself too crazy looking into hidden meanings, a plate full of fluffy French toast is being tossed onto my plate, covered in butter and syrup. A second plate pushed up next to it with everything Dax cooked.

  I'm absolutely starving, but before digging in I look up with a raised eyebrow. Gray hands Jenna her food and she pauses too.

  "Oh come on," Dax waves towards the food. Jenna and I look at each other and shrug before both of us take a bite.

  "Holy shit, this is the best French toast I've ever had," Jenna states as soon as she is done chewing her first bite.

  She's not lying. Hangover hunger setting in real quick, I say nothing as I eat. Grayson's laugh makes me glance up.

  "Good, Queen?" He's standing across from me holding his own plate, that beautiful real smile on his face as he takes a bite.

  "Amazing," I mumble out, mouth still full. He shakes his head still grinning.

  "Marry me, Dax?" Jenna finishes her bacon and turns to D, wrapping her arms around him and putting her puppy dog eyes on.

  "If you girls are that impressed by breakfast, you should see what we can do for dinner." Dax laughs as he plants a kiss on Jenna's forehead and continues eating.

  "Is that an invite to dinner?" Jenna asks, clearly excited.

  I'd speak too, but like, food.

  Dax starts nodding his head when his phone goes off. He pulls it out of his pocket and the humor and calmness instantly leave his eyes. Grayson notices the quick change and he instantly tenses.

  "Uh, not tonight girls, but soon yeah. For sure," he distractedly tells us as he begins typing furiously. "And I hate to cut our morning short but we gotta do some things." Dax starts grabbing things off of the counter and putting them away.

  Gray grabs his phone off the counter and reads through the messages. As he begins muttering curse words under his breath I take the last bite of my food and stand. Taking our dishes to the sink I quickly rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. Strong arms wrap around me.

&nb
sp; "I'm sorry." His breath fans across my collarbone as he tucks his head into my neck, the light breeze causing goosebumps to quickly rise.

  "Doesn't look like it’s your fault you guys need to go take care of something." My head tips to the side in a natural response to give him more access to my neck.

  His lips reward the response by brushing lightly across my pulse. His arms tighten around me for a second as he lightly nips at me. And before I can respond he has me turned around to face him.

  Quickly glancing over his shoulder, I see that Jenna and Dax have left us alone in the room. Looking back to him I go to speak but before I can get a word out his lips are on mine.

  The gentleness of last night gone, now I can feel the hunger and possessiveness behind the kiss.

  His tongue runs along the seam of my mouth, begging for entrance and when I don't instantly give in he bites at my bottom lip. When I gasp he wastes no time to deepen the kiss and as his tongue meets mine his hands bury themselves into my hair and hold me close to him.

  Completely melting, I give into the syrupy taste of him and lose myself. Without breaking our mouths apart, he turns me around and slides me up onto the kitchen counter. His hands staying on my waist, his fingers dig into me, pulling the center of me to rub against the hardness I can feel under his sweats now. A moan escapes me as he grinds a little bit and gently bites down my neck.

  "That's not what I was apologizing for Queen," he whispers into my ear, his voice husky. A bite on the skin under my ear makes me gasp.

  "Oh yeah, I'm still mad at you," I whisper back, pulling his face back to mine and taking his lower lip in between my teeth. He groans as I bite down and dig my nails into his shoulders. "I hate you remember?" I tug at his hair a bit and run my tongue down his neck, feeling the shivers run through his body as his arms cage me in between them.

  "No you don't," he growls out as I find a spot on his neck that makes his muscles flex. I pull back a little bit and his eyes meet mine, hooded now and dark. I try to not let the hurt in, but as my emotions are already running high, I have no control as I feel the tears in my eyes.

  "You left," I whisper, unsure what it is I am even trying to say to him honestly. I blink away the water in my eyes in time to watch the emotions fly through his. Not one I can name, until his lips land on mine again.