Page 27 of Property of Gray

He smiles as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“Get up, pipsqueak, and get your stuff packed up. Need to take the tent down.”

“Or you could get naked.” I bat my lashes at him.

“I wish. Come on. We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”

“Meanie,” I grumble accepting the coffee.

“I’ve been called worse.” The tent flaps close and I’m left alone with my coffee and my thoughts.

I yawn and take a sip. I don’t want to move. The tent flaps part and Madz sticks her head in.

“Let’s go, sleepyhead.”

I groan and she smiles big. “Someone had a good time judging by your hair.” She laughs as I touch a hand to the rat’s nest that is my hair.

“It up. I’ll help you tame whatever is going on with all that.”

“Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Are you still drunk?”

“Maybe a little.” I pinch my fingers together.

“First, let’s sort out that hair. Then we will do something for that hangover.” Madz sits behind me, running a brush through my hair, and I wonder if this is what it would have been like had my mother given me an older sister and not a bunch of stinky brothers.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“I mean, I’m kind of with the guy you’ve got a thing for.”

“I admit it’s a little weird seeing you two together, but I don’t know. He’s different with you, and I want him to be happy, even if it won’t ever be with me.”

“That’s really sweet.”

She holds the brush in front of my face. “Don’t go spreading that around.”

I laugh. “I promise. As long as you don’t go telling anyone about Gray and me. We’re taking things slow.”

“What you two do is your business.” She parts my hair and parts it into four braids. Two rows on each side of my head.

“How did you get so good at braiding hair?”

“I grew up in the system and we didn’t have much. I learned to do hair, and the cheerleaders at school would pay me to do their hair before games.” She shrugs.

“You’re really good at it.”

“Thank you.”

The tent flap opens, and my brother looks in at us and glowers. “You’re not even dressed.”

Madz and I share a look, and we both burst out laughing.

“Hurry it up. I’ve got shit to do.”

“Yes, sir.” I salute him.