Love Me Not? (I)

Chapter 9

9

Reece

Slowly and groggily, I started to wake up. I groaned and turned over so I was flat on my back. How long have I been asleep? That dream seemed to only last two seconds, but I know I've been sleeping longer than that.

Hushed whispers reached my ears. I could make out three, maybe four voices. Who all is in my house? I opened my eyes and sat up, kicking the blanket off me. Before I got up, I pulled my shirt back on. As I walked to the kitchen where the voices were, I rubbed my eye with the heel of my hand.

I froze at the entrance way to the kitchen, my hand still on my eye. Rorie was leaning against my stove, Shelbie sitting on the counter next to him, Lana resting against the fridge, and Asher was on the other side of the kitchen against the wall that led to my room that Shelbie is sleeping in.

Why is Asher here? Who let him in?! I slowly started to back up, hoping none of them saw me. My cover was blown when Asher looked up suddenly.

"Reece." At the mention of my name, everyone turned their head to look at me. I stopped my retreat and waved hello to them, taking the hand on my eye off.

"Hello..." I mumbled to them, but avoided all eye contact with Asher. "How is everyone?"

"Reece," Shelbie hopped off the counter and walked over to me bringing me into a tight hug. "Are you alright? Do you need anything? Do we need to turn the heat up? Down? What about-"

"Shel, I'm fine. Really." I cut her off. "Just trying to wake up." To prove my point, I yawned. She laughed and pulled back.

"If you're fine, I won't bother you unless I need to." She went back and stood beside Rorie, completely ignoring Asher, and for a good reason. I could tell she was still angry at him for spraining her wrist.

"Hey, Reece," I looked over to Rorie. "You feeling better?"

"Yeah," I yawned again. "What time is it?"

Asher pulled out his phone before anyone else. "4:15." I nodded once to show I heard.

I opened my mouth to say more, but was cut off by the sound of the toilet flushing. Who...? I counted the four people in my kitchen, then looked back to the bathroom. Who else is in my house?!

The door opened after a few minutes and a tall, well built man stepped out. "There's no towel in your bathroom." He said as he wiped his hands on his jeans. His skin was well tanned and his messy black hair got in his eyes. When he looked up at me, I was caught in his dark gray eyes.

"Hello." He greeted.

"H-hi..." Who the hell is he?!

"I'm Jayden," He held out his now dry hand and walked up to me.

"R-Reece..." I shook hands with him and slowly backed away. First Asher, now this guy?!

A low growl sounded from behind Jayden. "Jay, get away from her." It was Asher.

Jayden rolled his eyes and headed back in the kitchen and stood beside Shelbie. "Yeah, yeah. I know. She's yours so I gotta back off."

My eyes narrowed at Jayden. "What did you just say?"

"I said you were his. You're bound together by- OW! Shelbie..." She'd elbowed him in his ribs.

"Hush up, Jay." I watched those two closer. Jayden had snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. I was stunned into silence.

"Oh, right." Jayden sighed. "She doesn't know." I was going to ask what I didn't know, but my brain refused to connect to my mouth to get it to work.