Love In Colour

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: FRIENDLY BANTER & FAMILIAL ACCEPTANCE

I surface from sleep slowly, consciousness creeping like dawn through heavy curtains. The room is dark, and the air is cool on my skin. For a moment, I'm disoriented, then my arm reaches out and finds the space beside me empty.

Gray?

I sit up, blinking in the darkness. The digital clock on the nightstand glows at 2:27 AM. I've been asleep for hours. The edible has faded, leaving behind a pleasant drowsiness and a thirst that feels like sandpaper in my throat.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I notice that I'm wearing one of Grayson's t-shirt. A black one made of soft cotton. It smells like him and laundry detergent. I don't remember putting it on. He must have dressed me after I fell asleep.

The thought makes my chest warm.

I pad out of the bedroom, the floor feeling cool beneath my feet. The hallway is dim, lit only by the soft glow spilling from the living room. I hear low, murmured voices and the faint sound of the television. Anime, from the sound of it. That familiar cadence of Japanese dialogue and dramatic music.

I round the corner and stop.

Grayson is on the couch, sprawled in his usual spot with one arm draped over the back. Siya is cross-legged on the single couch, and each of them has a bowl of popcorn next to them. They're watching a fight scene from the looks of it, all bright colours and exaggerated movement.

Siya notices me first.

His face splits into a slow, sly and knowing grin. "Well, well," he teases. "Look who's awake."

I feel heat creep up my neck. My cheeks flush as I avoid his gaze, suddenly hyperaware of the fact that I'm wearing nothing but Grayson's t-shirt.

"Shut up," I mutter, but there's no heat in it.

I walk toward the kitchen counter, where my phone sits charging. The screen lights up as I approach, and I see a flood of texts from Bentley.

Ben: So you two just disappeared, huh?

Ben: * side eye *

Ben: I hope you're having fun out there.

Ben: Wait, I can hear you from here.

Ben: THANDI

Ben: GIRL!

Ben: GET IT

Ben: But also maybe close a window or something idk

Ben: Anyway, we're leaving now. Text me tomorrow

Ben: Or don't. I understand if you're busy recovering from the pounding your man is doing. *grin emoji*

I stare at the screen, mortification and amusement warring in my chest. I can't believe I was that loud. I can't believe I was that...hungry. That desperate and completely and utterly consumed by need.

Sex is different when you're high.

The thought settles over me, strange and new. I've never been intoxicated before. I've always been painfully sober, painfully aware and in control. But tonight—tonight I let go. Tonight I wanted without shame, without hesitation.

Tonight, I just felt.

And apparently, I felt it loudly it enough for everyone to hear.

Siya's voice cuts through my reverie. "So Thandi." He's leaning back on the couch now, arms crossed and that infuriating grin still in place. "You know, I always thought you were quiet and reserved."