Shattered Asylum

Chapter 71

We're standing right outside the door when I hear Grayson's voice. "Stop looking at me like that. You're creeping me out."

Noticing the door isn't fully closed, we push it open just enough to peek inside.

Grayson is leaning against his dresser, a towel slung dangerously low around his hips. Kristina is sitting on his bed, staring at him like she's just now realizing what a man looks like.

What the hell is she doing here?

"Kris, get out." His voice is flat, already irritated.

Kristina doesn't move. "Just change, I don't care."

Grayson exhales sharply, his jaw clenching. "Yeah? Well, I do."

She grins, slow and lazy. "Relax, I'm not looking at anything I haven't seen before."

His expression darkens. "You're my brother's girlfriend."

Kristina shrugs. "So? You're twins. You're basically the same, right?"

Grayson scoffs, pure disgust flashing across his face. "I didn't want you back then. I sure as hell don't want you now."

That one hits. Kristina's smirk falters for a second before she pushes herself up from the bed.

She takes a step toward him, swaying slightly, her eyes locked on him like she's testing how far she can go.

Grayson shakes his head and turns away, yanking open his dresser drawer, clearly done with the conversation.

That's when she does it.

Her fingers trail down his back, slow and deliberate.

Grayson goes rigid.

"I can change that," she murmurs.

It's instant. He spins around so fast that Kristina stumbles back, eyes wide.

"The hell you can," he snaps. His voice is sharp, final, laced with something close to disgust. "Don't ever touch me again."

Before she can respond, Amy and I knock lightly and push the door open more. Kristina jerks back, looking caught, while Grayson stands there, his breathing sharp, his expression like he's two seconds away from throwing her out himself.

"So... what's up?" Amy asks, strolling in like nothing's weird.

Grayson immediately puts more space between himself and Kristina, running a hand down his face like he's trying to scrub the whole interaction off of him.

Kristina, on the other hand, acts like nothing happened. "Just trying to get Grayson to hurry up so we can smoke."

Grayson scoffs. "You're unbelievable."

Amy ignores the tension. "Well, let's go back downstairs so he can get dressed." She grabs Kristina's wrist, tugging her toward the door.

I start to follow, but Grayson stops me with a look.

"Stay. Close the door." His voice is lower now, still sharp, but there's something else in it.

Kristina glances at me before Amy drags her out, giving me a look I can't quite place.

"I'll be down in a minute," I say, my face warming.

Amy grins. "I'm sure it'll be longer than that."

I shake my head, face flaming, and quickly shut the door. Just to be safe, I lock it.

Grayson exhales hard. "That wasn't what you think, I swear. She wouldn't leave."

"I know. Amy and I caught the tail end of it."