In the Gray by Christina Lee

Author:Christina Lee [Lee, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christina Lee
Published: 2023-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

19

LACHLAN

Was I really sitting in my tent in Foster’s guest room? I’d panicked, and it was the only thing I could think of to do besides leaving, which I’d considered briefly before heading down the hallway and digging for the tent in my rolling cart. It was so second nature that it took me no time to set the darn thing up.

Honestly, Foster was right. I should file the police report, just like I should’ve stood up for myself in a more public way against Clint. Even if nothing ever came of either, it was a step in the right direction. But I just wasn’t confident enough. I preferred to walk away or hide.

The guilt made my stomach ache. What if another unhoused person got hurt, or another of Clint’s boyfriends? I likely wasn’t the first.

“I can help make up your bed again,” Foster said, his gaze trailing over to the mattress I’d stripped of sheets and blankets.

My gut churned. “I don’t think so.”

I didn’t feel ready to sleep in that bed again and act like my life was normal. But there was a deep groove between Foster’s eyebrows, and I wished I could make him understand.

I patted the comforter I’d arranged on the tent floor. “But you’re welcome to hang out with me in here.”

My pulse thumped, not only because I was inviting him into my private space, but because I wasn’t sure what he’d think. How pathetic did I sound?

His eyes softened. “You’d want that?”

I nodded, not really understanding where all this trust was coming from right then. I had fled the kitchen because I was afraid. But it wasn’t really of him. It was of being fooled by someone again, and yet he’d quickly batted down that idea by explaining and apologizing. Clint used to offer non-apologies where he’d pin the responsibility of his anger on me. And I took the brunt of it willingly to make things better.

Foster crawled inside and made himself comfortable on the bedding. It was essentially a one-man tent, so our knees were touching, our breaths mingling.

Thankfully, Oscar was busy chewing a bone he’d rediscovered in my room, otherwise it would’ve been way too crowded.

“It’s cozy in here,” Foster said, and I smiled.

“It is.” I twisted the corner of the comforter. “Do you understand now?”

“I think I do.” He reached out, touched a strand of hair near my jaw, then pushed it behind my ear. I sighed because it felt so good to be touched by him.

When he ran his hand along my scruff, I kept my eyes closed, wishing it would never end. “You’re gorgeous, Lachlan.”

“I could say the same to you.” My stomach felt funny as I opened my eyes and our gazes clashed. I reached out to touch his five-o’clock shadow, enjoying the roughness against my fingers. “I want you. Is that wrong to say after the way I acted?”

“No. It’s human.” His lips were only a fraction away, and I could easily close the distance. “I want you too.

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