Worlds Collided |g.d.|

chapter ten

-Jana pov-

I was running late the next morning. I pressed snooze one too many times, forgetting everything I needed to do, none of which got done. I only had time to get dressed and throw my messy hair into a ponytail before grabbing a bagel and running downstairs. Jenson was already waiting for me, a smile on his face as usual.

"Good morning Miss. Jana!"

"Morning." I slammed the door shut behind me. "Sorry for being a little late."

"No worries at all, I run on your time, not my own."

"Ah good, I hope you weren't waiting long."

He just gave me a knowing smirk, already guiding the car smoothly through the streets. "No-."

"Ugh!" I threw my head back against the seat. "You definitely waited."

Again with the smirk. "Maybe, maybe not."

Once we arrived at the house Jenson bid me goodbye and I went inside, immediately met with Dave.

"Oh! Good you're here, we have a lot of work to do..." Dave grabbed my wrist, pulling me into his office.

"Is everything alright?" I groaned, remembering the night before. "I should have stayed later to help!"

"No, no." He waved me off. "Don't even say that, you deserved a night in." He took a seat behind his computer. "It's the time of month where we have to do taxes and budget for the upcoming month, so I'll be showing you the ropes."

I took a seat as well, already dreading the work ahead of me. "I'm horrible at math."

He laughed, pulling out his laptop for me to use. "It's easy! And plus, if you're with me you don't have to be with the grumpy boys..."

I relented. "Okay fine, but let me get a drink first." I pushed away from the desk, going out to the kitchen. I slowed as I heard Grayson talking.

"Yeah, today won't work, I can't get away..." No one responded, tell-tale sign he was on the phone. "He'll get suspicious. Yeah, okay, love you too."

I waited a few more seconds before entering the room, crossing my fingers that I didn't walk into anything. I stopped short when I realized I had walked into something, just not what I expected. Grayson was leaning against the countertop, holding a bowl of cereal, shirtless. I've seen pictures of him without a shirt before but it was nothing compared to what stood in front of me.

He was impeccably defined, each muscle popping and perfectly toned. His golden skin glistened in the gentle sunlight, he must have just gotten back from a run. I found it difficult to lift my eyes from his six-pack, not allowing myself to drift any further down...to his short and very thin running shorts, and his huge thighs.

My eyes widened at his sudden snort. "Done undressing me with your eyes?"

I scoffed, pushing past him to get a cup. "Not possible, you're practically undressed already."

He hummed, chewing on the spoonful of cereal he had just put into his mouth. "Not completely."

I felt my cheeks grow red, turning away from him to get water from the refrigerator. I could feel his dangerous eyes on me as I filled my glass, the tension within the room a strange mix. He was just telling his girlfriend he loved her and now he's flirting with me? I didn't understand what that meant. I ducked my head once my glass was filled.

"Dave and I have a lot of work to do," I said, offering a sort of goodbye as I turned to leave.

"Wait-." Grayson's hand was on my arm, a sudden deja vu. "Do I make you uncomfortable Jana?"

I forced myself to meet his intense gaze. "No, now I really do have to go." I removed my arm from his grasp, leaving the kitchen.

I made sure to close the door behind me once I got into Dave's office. "Okay, let's get to work."

Seven hours later I dragged myself out of Dave's office, planning on stealing some of the twin's snacks before taking a nap in the living room as I waited for Jenson.

However, now Ethan was waiting for me in the kitchen, looking very tired. He stumbled around, seemingly confused as he opened and closed cabinets and mused his already messy hair.

"Hey," I greeted, purposely stepping loudly into the room.

He turned, startled. "Oh! Hey Jana, good..." He glanced at the clock. "Late afternoon I guess."

I laughed. "Did you stay up late playing video games again?"

"No, I was on FaceTime with somebody." He yawned. "Bad planning on my part since Gray and I had a lot of shit we needed to get done."

I started searching through the cabinets. "Oh yeah, I heard him talking about that."

I couldn't see Ethan's reaction to my words but his tone took an interesting cold turn. "Talking to who?"

I shrugged, pulling a bag of chips off the shelf. "I don't know, someone over the phone."

He hummed lightly, turning away from me as I went to face him again. "What else did he say?"

I froze, feeling slightly trapped. "I-well that's all I heard."

"That he and I had stuff to get done today?" He confirmed, his tone still cold.

I nodded, swallowing the urge to tell what else I heard, but something deep down nagged me to keep it to myself. It felt like I intruded on Grayson's personal life, a part of his life even Ethan didn't see. "Yeah, that's it."

"Okay." After a few moments Ethan turned back around, a new smile on his face. "Go relax Jana, I know you love surfing all of our different streaming services."

"Really?!" I exclaimed, shocked that he was willingly giving me such a big break.

"Yeah, I've helped Dave with taxes before, it's a big bummer." He grabbed his water bottle, moving to go outside. "Enjoy yourself, Jenson shouldn't be here for a couple more hours."

"Thanks!" I waited till he shut the door before grabbing more snacks and heading to the living room. Time to finish the show I started last week. Today had been a stressful and strange day, I deserved a break.