Kill My Mind || DOLLHOUSE Spin-off

10. Grayson

I woke up with a pounding headache. I've been hung over three other times in my life and It was awful. I turned over to grab my phone when I saw it was around 10 AM. I groaned and sat up immediately feeling dizzy. I noticed a water and some meds next to my bed. I smiled knowing Ale put them there.

I drowned the pills then decided to call him. "Good morning sleepy. How are you feeling?" he said cheerfully 

"Dead." he made a tsk noise "Come over"

"I'm already here" my eye brows furrowed "You really think I'd leave you in the state you were in?"

"God I hate how kind you are. One sec" I hung up on him and groaned. I stood up again despite feeling like I'd throw up. I walked out of my room and squinted my eyes at the harsh lighting. I started to turn off all the lights as I walked the hallways.

Something smelled so good. I walked into the kitchen and saw Ale shirtless looking at his phone. He was leaning on the counter. His glasses were low on his nose and his hair was nice and fluffy. I started for a minute and cleared my throat. He looked up "You look like hell" he said with a chuckle 

"Are those my sweatpants?" I asked as I walked past him to get the food behind him 

"Yeah I hope you don't mind I just didn't want to sleep in slacks" I turned to him with toast in my mouth 

"You look great keep them" I adjusted the glasses on his face as he blushed "Thank you for breakfast!"

"You're welcome. I didn't want to experience hangry Gray"

I nodded. Smart man. "So are you staying?" 

He paused "I um- I thought if it was okay with you we'd speak about last night." I felt my heart drop

"Let's just forget it"

"Gray-"

"Forget it" I said as I interrupted him. His hand made a fist and I heard him huff. I knew he wouldn't speak about it if I asked him not to but he looked genuinely mad. The only time I've seen him like that was when he found out about his dad setting up Bella and Enzo "Ale don't be upset"

"I'm not" he said as he turned around and started to clean the dishes. Cute he cleans when he's upset.

He needed to stop letting people step on him and learn how to get what he wants "Speak to me"

"Thought we weren't speaking." I rolled my eyes. 

"Ale just because I don't want to speak about last night doesn't mean you can be upset with me"

He turned around "I'm not!" he took a deep breath "I'm sorry. " I grabbed onto his shoulder and he moved to hold onto my hand "I'm sorry" he said again 

"Don't apologize I should thank you for being so worried"

"It's just that...Gray I gave up a lot to be here with you" Abby. I forgot "Even though I'd do it again if you asked me to last night you said a lot that shouldn't just be pushed down and I really want you to be able to talk about it. I don't want to be here just for you to get it out once and worry me by not speaking about it again."

"You're right. I'm sorry things didn't work out with Abby. I can call her if you want and get her to give you another chance"

He shook his head "I don't think it would have worked out anyway."

"Because you're in love with me?" I said jokingly 

"Because I'm always going to be with you cleaning up any mess you make" I deserved that 

"I'll finish my breakfast then let's go to the gym. It's easiest for me to get out how I feel If I'm hitting things"

"Okay. Then after that we find you a therapist." I rolled my eyes and he chuckled. 

...

Ale had been running on the treadmill for the past 30 minutes. He looked so good. The sweat was dripping down his face and he'd lift his shirt to  wipe it. I couldn't help but stare. I was sitting on the bench fixing my wraps thinking about what I would say to him. 

I don't regret telling him what I told him I just don't know how to talk about it sober. I have to get over my hate for talking about feelings. I heard the treadmill begin to stop and Ale stepped off. He sipped some water before walking over to me. He sat down on the bench and again pulled his shirt up to wipe the sweat. He has a bruise on his rib cage "Anything you'd like to speak about?" I said as I pointed to him. I noticed it this morning but I was too hungover to acknowledge it 

"You know it's from a fight"

I nodded. I forgot he fights a lot. Knowing him you'd think he couldn't hurt a fly but business associates didn't know that side of Ale "Did you win?"

"Always" he was very strong. I think he could kick my ass if we were only fighting with our hands.  He sat up and walked over to the punching bag "Wanna hit it? I'll hold it"

I nodded and walked over to him. I started lightly punching the bag and then building up strength. In my head I was yelling the world hard over and over again. Ale kept the bag from going too far. I looked over at him. His eyes lingered on my abs. I smirked and his eyes went up to my face and suddenly he had a profound look on his face. 

"Thank you for last night"

"Anytime"

"My dad was never home" I hit harder "All I ever had was my mom. She kept me safe. She'd cook, clean, take care of me when I was sick. Typical mom stuff. She always protected me and she protected me from the truth of how awful my dad was." I was focusing on the bag now not Ale "My dads addictions are the reason my mom was killed. She was killed right in front of me when I was 9"

Ale didn't speak. He was waiting for me to be finished "She protected me as she died. It was the last time I was safe because everyone after that hurt me" I hit harder and harder "I learned I have to protect myself because she wasn't here. I guess I picked it up that I had to do it via killing" 

The punching bag almost came off the stand so I stopped "That's it" I added

Ale moved away and came over to me "Gray I need you to really listen to me" I nodded "You aren't every going to get hurt by the people you love every again. I'm so sorry your dad let you down and I wish more than anything I could give you one more day with your mom."

"Ale-"

"I will always be here to protect you. Enzo, Sam, Ally, Bella, even Matt. All of us have your back. We love you"

I turned around "Damn you're gonna make me cry" he chuckled "Thank you."

"Just promise me if I'm there for you, you won't turn your back on me."

"I promise"