43. Aspen
Chapter 43
Aspen
“ S o, was that supposed to be a grand romantic gesture?” I ask later that night as we’re cuddled up on the couch, drinking alcohol-free wine in front of the crackling fireplace. Meeko is lying in Grey’s lap with her two front paws resting on my leg. I’m happy she likes him, don’t get me wrong, but, damn, I’m kind of feeling like he stole my cat.
“Was what supposed to be a grand romantic gesture?”
“The police chase.”
“Oh yeah, that. Technically, it was a security guard chase. You’re making it sound way more epic than it was.”
“Epic isn’t the word I’d use.”
“Legendary?”
“No.”
“Extraordinary?”
“Nope.”
“Superhuman?”
“‘Stupid’ would be my pick.”
“Ah, that was my next guess,” he jokes. “But to answer your question, no, I didn’t really plan on doing that. So I don’t think it was supposed to be some big romantic thing. I just wanted to talk to you so I came over.”
“To declare your love for me,” I add, nodding like the stunt he pulled earlier was the most normal thing in the world.
“I believe my words were ‘I think I’m in love with you,’” he amends. “If we’re really getting into semantics.”
I raise my eyebrow at him, skeptical. That’s not how I remember it.
“I was trying to play it cool,” he defends. “You try declaring your real love to your smoking hot fake girlfriend, Jordan, it’s not as easy as you think.”
“So, you love me?”
“Obviously. I’m sitting here drinking alcohol-free red wine when the literal only redeemable thing about red wine is the alcohol.”
“You don’t like red wine?”
“Not really.”
“Why did you say you wanted a glass then, when I asked?”
“I assumed it was alcoholic. I thought it would take the edge off, taser-burn-wise.”
I get off the couch and head to the miscellaneous-things drawer of my kitchen and pull out some ibuprofen, tossing it to him. “This might work better.”
“Thanks,” he grunts, tossing a couple back with a sip of wine.
“I just can’t believe you risked your bike for me,” I reply, returning to the couch and curling back into Grey’s side. “It could’ve gotten seriously damaged when it ran into my gate.”
Luckily, Grey’s bike only had superficial injuries—a broken side mirror and some scraped paint. It’ll be back to normal after a couple days at the shop.
“I’d risk anything for you, Jordan.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve already agreed to being your real girlfriend.”
His tone is flat. “Oh, I never asked you that.”
“What?” I ask, leaning back from him.
“Don’t you think that’s moving a little fast?”
“I—Well, it's—no,” I stammer.
Grey belly laughs, making Meeko rock in time with his heaving breaths. “I’m just kidding, I’m just kidding! God, Jordan, you really make me feel so bad for cracking jokes.”
I pretend to pout. “That wasn’t a funny joke. I believed you.”
“If you can’t tell by now how obsessed with you I am, especially after my speech today and the security chase, that’s on you, babe.”
I huff and stand, hoping he’ll pull me back and shower me in apologies. He does just that, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me back down on top of him, Meeko scrambling out of the way just in time.
“I’m so sorry, baby, how can you ever forgive me, my perfect”—he kisses the area right below my ear, making me giggle and squirm—“smart”—another kiss—“breathtaking”—another kiss—“funny”—another kiss—“girlfriend.”
“Oh, I never agreed to being your girlfriend,” I joke.
Grey faux-wrestles me until I’m horizontal on the couch beneath him. “Say you’re my girlfriend,” he insists, his scruff tickling my neck.
“No.” I laugh, fighting him.
“Say it!”
“No.”
“Please.”
“Fine.”
“Say it,” he insists, still fighting to tickle me and hold me down.
“I’m your girlfriend!” I scream through my laughter.
“Was that so hard?” he asks, replacing his fighting with kisses along my collarbone.
“Yes.”
“You’re lying.”
“I am.”
“Well, I should get going,” he says, climbing off of me.
“You’re joking.”
“Nope. I have an early day tomorrow with Brock.”
My mouth opens and closes a few times, searching for words.
“I’ll see you again soon, girlfriend. I’m sure of it.”
Once Grey leaves, I waste no time calling Willow.
“It’s official,” I say as soon as she picks up.
“What is?” she asks. It sounds like she’s walking somewhere in the city, I hear honks from cabs and snippets of random conversations.
“Me and Grey.”
“ What? ” she cries excitedly. Then a muffled, “Aspen and Grey are together.”
“Riley or Heena?” I ask.
“Oh please, I’m not that predictable,” she replies. “But Heena.”
“Hi,” I hear Heena say into the phone.
“Can I put you on speaker?” Willow asks. “We just grabbed dinner and are walking home now.”
“Yeah, put me on speaker. Tito’s with you?” I ask. Tito is her long-time guard, like Edgar is mine.
“And Cole. And Justin,” she says, listing two more guards.
“Where’s Riley?” I ask.
“Staying late in the studio tonight. He works on two-time speed, I swear. He’s still putting the finishing touches on this December album, but he’s already written like a dozen more songs for the next one.”
“He has a good muse.”
“I guess so. Wait, enough about me. Tell us what happened, how you’re officially together now.”
“I know I’m on speaker, but the guards can’t hear, right?” I ask.
“They’re spread in a perimeter around us. And I can hardly hear you over the street noise,” Heena replies. “You’re fine. Spill.”
So I do, sharing the whole dramatic story of how Grey led a high-speed chase through Hidden Hills before crashing his motorcycle and leaping over my gate.
“Holy shit,” Heena awes. “That’s badass.”
“Very bold and hardcore,” Willow chimes in.
“And stupid, and over-the-top—” I start.
“And incredibly romantic,” Heena finishes. “Damn, when is it my turn to be happy?”
Willow laughs. “Shut up, Heena. You have a whole roster of people who would die to be with you. But back to Grey, I guess that’s the type of thing you can expect when you date James Bond.”
“Come on, Aspen. You have to admit that was pretty hot of him,” Heena goads.
“I admit it. But it was also insane. He’s a special creature.”
“Your special creature now.”
I smile. “I know.”
“Have you told Mom and Dad yet?” Willow asks.
“Nope, you were my first call.”
“Aw, you’re so sweet, Aspy. When do you plan on telling them and Maple? I only ask because we’re almost home and they want to do a family game night.”
“I’ll call them next. But act surprised when Mom tells you, like I know she will.”
Heena chuckles. “Okay.”
“Bye, guys, I love you.”
“Love you too,” they answer in unison.