Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,10

it go. Becca accused me of craving it, but I could say the same about her. Mari was the one person that she seemed to fall for over the last few years.

When he finished, we collapsed to the bed together. Both of us were panting heavily, soaked in sweat and thirsty. I jumped up naked to get him some water, running back in from the kitchen. Gray drank half of the bottle in one gulp as I did the same with mine. “You were out at a bar?” He asked, and I made myself smile.

“We went dancing after I got off work. We do that often when Mari is here since they met at a music festival doing the same thing.” I smiled at the memory of the event I attended as well, just to wander and listen to some music. I thanked myself for bringing an extra tent since she and Mari took the one she brought with us.

“The one in Seattle?” He named the one we were at, and I nodded. “I was there. It was amazing.”

“I know. I found some good bands to listen to.” We finished our water, and I moved against the pillow. “Can you stay?”

“I’m not going anywhere. I think we’re both tired now,” he replied as I nodded in agreement.

“We can do breakfast tomorrow again if you want. It’s something the girls do when Mari is here.” My voice was soft as I closed my eyes, snuggling into the pillows.

Chapter Five

Gray

I woke up before Hayden, blinking as I looked around. Something roused me from sleep, and I realized it was his phone on the nightstand. It kept vibrating, making me think that something was going on. I pushed my hair back, walking carefully around to lift the phone. It felt like I was invading his privacy, but I also needed to know if I should wake him up. I saw Becca’s name on the screen a few times, but there was also another name.

Ryan.

Was that his ex? Hayden had seemed distracted, and I knew that he wasn’t drunk. I wondered if something happened with them since he initiated sex the second I got in his door. It was also one in the morning, and that’s what made sense at the moment. I went there for sex as much as I did to see him.

I knew I was awake and set the phone on the carpet so that it wouldn’t bother him. Based on the night I spent with him, Hayden didn’t sleep in late. I went to the kitchen, figuring out how to make coffee before I sat on the couch to look through my phone. Doubt filled my head, and I pushed it away. Hayden wanted this. He told me so, and I wasn’t going to let Corey affect my thinking this long after our breakup months ago. I didn’t mention it to Hayden, but I was there with my now ex-boyfriend. I thought we were happy, but it seems as though he was sleeping with other guys.

I needed to let it go. I didn’t date for months due to what he put me through. Hayden was not Corey. I heard footsteps to see a groggy man rubbing his eyes. He dressed in shorts as I did before walking out here and held his phone in one hand. “Morning. Have you been up long?”

“Just a bit. There’s coffee in the kitchen,” I told Hayden as he read it.

“Becca messaged. They’re going to breakfast in an hour if you’re in.” He walked over to give me a kiss, headed to get coffee afterward.

“Sounds good. Where does she want to go?” I asked, sipping from my cup.

“Eclairs and coffee.” He smirked as I laughed. “Mari is going to be fancy and save a table for us.”

“I can’t decline that.” We smiled at each other, deciding to take a shower.

He dressed in clean shorts and a shirt, offering me the same, but I changed before coming over. We decided to walk since the weather was unusually nice, and I took his hand.

He didn’t mention Ryan. I didn’t know who Ryan was, but it was safe to say that it could be his ex. Why was his ex calling him?

Fuck.

“Are you okay?” Hayden asked as I blinked, forcing myself back into reality.

“Yeah. Great. How are you?” I knew that we had great sex in the shower but didn’t talk too much past that.

“I am a little tired, but maybe I can slip a nap in before