12. Chapter Twelve
Between a late lunch, unpacking, and a hike to a nearby pond, the day passed quickly. After dinner, we’d all gone our separate ways for a bit, and I took the opportunity to do some simple stretches in my room. While not a full-on yoga flow, it was enough to relieve stiff muscles and let go of some lingering stress. Since arriving at the cabin, I’d received no less than twenty work messages. I’d ignored them so far but knowing the notifications waited put me on edge.
I’m allowed to take PTO, I reminded myself with every movement, trying to push the notification bubble from my work messaging app from my mind. It was moments like these that left me wishing my internet searches on becoming a yoga instructor were more than idle curiosity and an actual career plan I could pursue.
When I finished stretching, I found everyone sitting at the dining room table, a stack of games and junk food surrounding them.
“I thought we were watching a movie.” I stifled a yawn as I sat at the table, trying to join in the fun but also wishing I could go to bed without being the resident party pooper.
“We are, but that’s not until later. It’s only 9:30.” Tory gave me a smile and wink before gesturing to the games in front of her, a mix of decades-old board games and card games. “What should we play?”
We settled on a card game, and I finally felt the knot in my stomach unwind as we teased and trash-talked our way through the familiar games. By the time we finished and Tory was ready to start the movie, I decided it was late enough that no one could fault me for bowing out.
“Are you sure?” Tory asked as the guys went downstairs to get the movie setup. “It’ll be fun. Promise!”
“I believe you, but I’m beat.” I stretched, my back popping as I arched into the movement, my body clearly agreeing with my need for rest.
Tory pleaded with me a little longer before finally giving in.
“Fine, but you’re watching the movie tomorrow night. I brought superhero movies, and you know I didn’t bring those for myself.” She shook a finger at me, emphasizing her point.
“We both know you didn’t bring superhero movies for me,” I said with a laugh. “Trent would probably hitchhike home if we didn’t watch at least one superhero movie during this trip.”
“True.” She acquiesced, giving me a hug and disappearing downstairs with the guys, leaving me alone to get ready for bed.
I stood at the top of the stairs for a moment, soaking in the quiet before heading to my bedroom. I hated being the first one to call it a night. And yet, I was fully aware this was my identity. I was the stable person who went to bed at a reasonable hour. Why should I change that now?
I washed my face, surprised as always at how different I looked without my makeup. Mom had gone through a makeup artist phase, teaching me how to contour and use a variety of products. I hadn’t really gotten into it until I dated Lyle—he valued having a woman who always looked her best. What had once been a fun, occasional hobby had transformed into my armor and identity. Now I refused to be seen without my perfectly applied eyeliner and foundation, even when staying at a cabin in the woods.
I brushed my hair out, noting that it was time for a hair appointment. When my hair got long, it struggled to hold curl, becoming flat and straight, not the flattering waves I’d learned to style each morning. Grateful no one could see me in my undone appearance, I walked out of the bathroom and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water.
I turned the corner from the hallway into the kitchen and ran into something warm and solid that made an “oof” sound when I collided with it. I stumbled back, shocked to find I wasn’t alone in the dimness of the cabin.
Grey’s hands gripped my arms, steadying me as his ever-present grin filled his face. “Careful! Don’t want any injuries, especially this early in the trip.”
Warmth traveled up my arms at the contact, and I stepped away. Hopefully the dim lighting hid the blush suffusing my cheeks.
“Sorry. I thought I was alone upstairs. I wanted to grab a drink of water before bed.” I babbled, my hand reaching up to run self-consciously through my hair. I realized the gesture drew attention to my undone appearance and forced my hand back down to my side. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.
“Good news, the sink works great and the water’s refreshing. I just checked.” Grey walked over to a nearby cupboard, pulling out a blue plastic cup and offering it to me.
I accepted the cup with a thank you, not sure what to do next with Grey blocking the sink.
Grey watched me for a moment, his head tilted to the side. “You know, I hadn’t realized your hair was straight. You’ve had it pulled up most of the trip. I like it this way.”
My hand shot up to my hair, and I wished I hadn’t completed my bedtime routine. He’d caught glimpses of me the night before in the dark of the room we shared, but this felt different, more exposed. I turned away, hoping he didn’t notice how much of a mess I looked without my makeup. “I know it’s a disaster. That’s why I try to keep it styled.”
Grey studied me, his lips pursed. “It doesn’t look like a mess. It looks nice.”
“That’s because it’s dark. Trust me, if you saw it—”
Grey stepped past me and flipped the switch, filling the kitchen with light before I could finish my sentence. I blinked at the sudden brightness, taking a step back as if distance could hide my lack of makeup and messy hair. Instead, the kitchen lights seemed to serve as a spotlight, dispelling any anonymity afforded by the darkness.
Grey moved to stand in front of me, arms crossed over his chest, his head nodding as he looked me over. “I was right. It doesn’t look like a disaster. It looks nice.” His eyes burned with something I didn’t recognize, but it made my stomach clench with an energy I’d never felt before, not even when dating Lyle.
It was almost like he found me attractive. Which was ridiculous. After all, this was Grey, a guy I hardly knew. Yet, his gaze made me feel seen and, somehow, beautiful despite the fact that I was wearing pajamas and no makeup.
With that simple statement, Grey grabbed his cup and headed towards the stairs.
“You coming?” He paused at the top of the stairs, the shadows cast by the kitchen light hiding his expression as he turned back towards me.
I shook my head, hair brushing my shoulders with the motion. “I need sleep.”
“But it’s one of the best action movies of the year.” Excitement filled his voice, reminding me of a little kid.
“That’s what I’ve heard, but—”
“You haven’t seen it yet?” Grey walked over to me, his expression incredulous, though a hint of mischievousness lurked in his eyes.
As he approached, I caught a hint of his scent, something woodsy and manly that made me want to lean in and take a big whiff. I must be more tired than I realized.
“But it’s incredible,” Grey continued, pulling me back to the conversation at hand. The corners of his mouth twitched, and I found myself biting my lip. He was teasing me.
“The film to define our generation. A pure master—” Grey broke off, a laugh escaping. He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees as the laugh took over. “Sorry, I can’t keep a straight face.”
I shook my head, trying to keep my lips from tilting up in an answering grin.
He straightened, the remnants of laughter still written in the curves of his face. “It’s a good movie, though I think it’s been hyped up. But don’t let Trent know I said that. When Trent finds out you haven’t seen his favorite movie, he is going to lose his mind. He’ll probably come drag you from your bed and force you to watch.”
“Trent? Mr. I-Only-Smile-When-No-One’s-Looking?” I asked, incredulous. Trent had maybe said three sentences to me the entire day, and that included while we had been playing board games earlier.
Grey crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged, making the muscles in his arms flex. “Well, probably not. I’m Tory’s neighbor and have only heard the man speak when absolutely necessary. But learning you haven’t watched his favorite movie could change the man! This could be the thing that transforms him into a chatterbox, obsessed with ensuring the whole world gets to see this epic masterpiece. Save us all the headache and come watch with us.”
“Given that Trent talks a grand total of five times a day, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I stepped farther into the kitchen, opening cupboard doors and searching aimlessly to give my hands something to do. If I looked into Grey’s eyes for too long, he’d convince me to join, and I needed sleep. At least, that’s what the reasonable, predictable part of me said. It was the side that had guided my life and kept me safe through the ups and downs of life, including my mom’s spontaneity and Lyle’s betrayal.
Grey followed me, and I jumped from his sudden closeness. For a full-grown man, he had an uncanny ability to move quietly. I tried to unsuccessfully ignore his presence as I closed another cupboard and picked up my cup from the counter, fiddling with the plastic and doing my best not to look at him.
“Or,” Grey said, “you come down, act as if you’re going to watch, and sleep through the movie on the couch.”
“Why would I do that when I could sleep in a nice, comfy bed all night without being woken up by random fight scenes?” A bed that wasn’t covered in lacy pink pillows and did not include a bearded man who smelled amazing and made me want to reevaluate my stance on dating.
I turned on the sink, filling my cup with water and drinking the contents before refilling it. I would probably have to pee in the middle of the night, but I needed to distract myself from this man and his skills of persuasion. Nothing good came from losing sleep.
“Because then I won’t tease you all day tomorrow about how I can’t believe you went to bed first. If this was a sleepover, that would be an invitation for pranking. You’d probably wake up with a permanent marker mustache.” Grey’s tone was serious, his expression earnest.
“Good thing everyone here is an adult and not a twelve-year-old boy on his first overnighter.” I stepped around Grey, heading towards my bedroom and the promise of a quiet night.
“I just want to note that no good story starts with, ‘Once upon a time our heroine got a good night’s sleep,’” he called after me, causing me to pause in my doorway.
He made a good point. In that moment I could hear all the voices that had called me a party pooper and encouraged me to step out of my routines. But routines meant safety and control, and I wasn’t about to change that now.
“Maybe not, but they also don’t start with, ‘Once upon a time a sleep-deprived heroine sluggishly went about her day because she had a headache and no energy after staying up late watching a mediocre movie.’” I quirked an eyebrow at him, waiting for his comeback. Who even wanted to be a heroine after all? Going on adventures and being the center of a story sounded exhausting.
“Fair enough. Though who knows what you could find by losing a little sleep?” Grey said, heading down the stairs.
I ignored the comment, walking down the hall to bed and pretending like his words hadn’t hit their mark, leaving me questioning my decision.