Chapter 20 I Expected To Freak Out
Gracie
I wake to the sound of an alarm. What the hell? Why is my alarm going off? I don’t need one this morning. I go to reach for my cell to turn it off, but soon realise it isn’t even mine. It makes me more confused until I remember I am not at home, and I am not alone. I am at Ryland’s place, sharing his bed. I honestly thought I would freak out when I woke up, but I am not freaking out at all. I slept better last night than I have in a long time.
“Ryland, why do you have an alarm set?” I groan, pushing him.
“Because I needed to wake us up before my mom came in.”
My heart pounds in my chest, panic taking over me. “I forgot about that. Should I hide in the bathroom or the closet or something?” I ask, looking around for somewhere to hide.
“No, she will only come in and check on me for a second. Hide under the covers.
“How do you know when she will come in?”
“Because she comes in at the same time every morning, which will be in a few minutes, you should get under the covers.”
I can’t believe I am doing this. I laugh and slip under the covers. I can hear him laughing. “You behave under there, Miss Gracie.”
I prod his side, and he groans, grabbing my hand to stop me from doing it again. The sound of his bedroom door opening makes me freeze. I bite down on my lip and stop from laughing or making any other noise.
“Are you heading to work?”
“Yes. What are you doing awake at this time? You are usually asleep.”
I decide to have a little fun of my own. I prod at his sides and trace my fingers across his stomach and chest. I bite my lip to stop from laughing as he tries to stay still.
“I am going back to sleep. I don’t know what woke me up.”
“Okay. I will be back about five.” His mom says and exits the room.
I wait for a moment before I descend from the covers. Ryland stares at me with a raised brow the second I appear. I flash my most innocent smile at him.
“Oh, don’t you play innocent with me,” he laughs.
I bat my lashes and try my best not to laugh. The look on his face is priceless.
“I didn’t do anything.”
A devilish look appears on his face. I swallow hard because I sense that he is up to something. He is planning something to get back at me for what I did.
“Admit you were naughty.”
I shake my head, refusing to say the words. The next thing I know, before I have a chance to move, he starts to tickle me. Oh God, no! I hate being tickled. I squirm and squeal, a few giggles too, as he does. I prepare myself to jump off the bed, but he must have realised it is my plan. In one swift movement, he is on top of me, sitting on my stomach and continues to tickle my sides.
I continue to squirm and laugh. “Ryland, stop. I am sorry I didn’t behave.”
Ryland laughs loudly and stops. He doesn’t move, though. He keeps his position on top of me.
“I honestly thought you would have been gone by now.”
I can understand why he would think that. He knows what I am after all the times I have walked or run away from him. I thought I would have been gone too, but here I am. I am in no hurry to get home.
“I expected to freak out when I woke up, but I didn’t. To be honest, I am in no rush to go home.”
Ryland reaches down and pecks my lips. “Then don’t rush off. You can stay here for as long as you need.”
My dad will be at work anyway. He usually leaves the door open, so hopefully I can get back home. I don’t know how he can keep a job with the amount he drinks, but he still managed. He likes to pretend heis a helpful, hardworking guy, but in reality, he is the opposite. He will be at work from 7 to 3. After, he will go to a bar and return home, wasted at midnight. It keeps him out of my way. I will make sure I am in my room with something against the door when he comes in so he can’t get to me. I really need to get a lock for my room, a deadbolt would be best.
“I am sure you have better things to do than spend your time with me.”
“I don’t mind.”
I nod. I may as well stick around because I don’t have anything planned for today.
“Then sorted. You are stuck with me again. We should get some more sleep.”
“I agree. More sleep sounds good.”
Ryland climbs off me, taking his spot next to me. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. I don’t mind. I like it. I don’t even need to ask him in the same way I didn’t need to ask last night. I have no idea what is brewing between us. One thing I do know is that there is something about him that makes me feel safe. It is a feeling I am not used to, one I haven’t felt in a long time.