Chapter 72
Bedmates
Gray woke up feeling anything but refreshed. His body ached, his mind was foggy, and there was an unfamiliar weight draped over him. Slowly, he realized it wasn't the blanket.
"Shelley!" he yelled, bolting upright, only to get tangled in the twisted mess of sheets. His attempt to leap out of bed turned into an ungraceful tumble onto the floor, landing with a thud.
"Ouch! What are you doing?" Shelley's groggy voice sounded from the bed as she rubbed her eyes, startled but not nearly as alarmed as Gray.
Scrambling to untangle himself, Gray crawled backward across the floor, his heart racing. He'd been dreaming of Riley, imagining her warm body curled up behind him. Now he was staring at Shelley, dishevelled and half-asleep, as she blinked herself awake.
"Oh dear," she said, sitting up and clutching the sheet to her chest. "Now, Gray, don't go assuming anything.
It was an honest mistake! I got up at 2am to use the washroom, and I wasn't thinking.
I saw the bed, looked at that awful couch, and saw you squished against the wall.
Half the bed was empty, so I thought I'd just.. ."
Her voice trailed off as Gray glared at her, his mouth agape.
"You thought I wouldn't notice?" he said, his tone ice-cold. "And you climbed into bed with me? Shelley, if you tell anyone, especially Riley, that this happened, I will get you on a plane back home. Do you understand me?"
Shelley flinched at his words, her earlier bravado gone. "Please, Gray, it wasn't like that. I meant nothing by it! It was a minor mistake. Can't you forgive me?"
Gray tried to control his fury and breathing. He wasn't sure if she was remorseful or putting on an act, but he didn't have the energy to figure it out.
"Let's get ready to go," he muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. "I can't deal with this right now."
Without another word, he stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Shelley sat frozen for a moment before letting out a frustrated sigh. "Damnit," she muttered under her breath. She hadn't meant to oversleep, but that couch was unbearable. Stretching her back with a grimace, she stood and made a silent vow.
This couch-surfing thing has to end. Tonight, she'd come up with a new plan, one that didn't end with Gray storming off. For now, she'd have to work extra hard to smooth things over and get him to see her in a different light.