Page 51 of Shattered Mind

After he fucked me stupid against his dresser, he then proceeded to christen every other surface in her bedroom by bending me over it or taking me up against it. I’m not complaining, but my pussy is. And I am pretty sure I’m walking funny.

By round four I couldn’t take it any longer. I didn’t even know a man was capable of round two let alone four, but it seems Grayson may be built different.

Mean in the streets but a freak in the sheets is the new slogan I came up with for him.

If I were any other woman, sex like that would probably be enough to make me fall in love. So, I understand his scepticism now. But, luckily for Gray, I’m built different, too.

I stumble my way into the kitchen with a groan. I feel hungover without even consuming any alcohol. Bella and Daisy pause their conversation and watch me with wide eyes as I pour myself a cup of coffee and gulp it down in one go, relishing the burn against my hoarse throat.

Yep. Pretty certain I’ve lost my voice too. In all honesty, I feel like I’ve had a run in with a mack truck and not just a devilishly hot cowboy.

“What happened to you? You look like you’ve been fucked seven ways to Sunday.” Bella asks with genuine concern, and I can’t contain the laugh that bursts out of me.

“That’s because I have Bells.” I croak, turning to put a slice of bread in the toaster. Daisy chokes on her coffee, spraying the dark liquid everywhere as her best friend just stares at me with wide eyes and red cheeks.

“Oh,” she squeaks, “what time did you get home? I didn’t hear you come in.”

I shrug. “I’m not sure, maybe at around three?”

“Damn, who’s the guy?” Daisy asks, completely out of the loop and Bella answers before I can even open my mouth, “Grayson Calloway.”

I raise a brow at Bella, and she shrugs, “Don’t try and tell me it wasn’t.”

Daisys eyes widen. “Oh my god, I’m meeting with him and Hunter later today about a grooming job. Now I’m not gonna be able to look at him.”

I cackle. “Good luck. Let me know if he looks as bad as I do,” I throw over my shoulder as I exit the kitchen and head to my bedroom to get dressed for my daily run.

My body is in no shape for exercise today, but it’s a part of my routine I’m not willing to break. Besides, I could do with the fresh air.

I pull on my running gear and throw my hair up in a high pony before calling out a goodbye to the girls and taking off down the street. Music plays softly in my ears, spurring me on as my feet find their rhythm against the pavement.

The autumn air is chilly against my face as I run towards town, making me grateful I chose leggings, and a long-sleeved t-shirt today opposed to my usual shorts and vest. I run until my thighs burn from exertion before stopping for a break in the park. I take a seat on an empty bench and gulp down some water from the handy little water bottle backpack I purchased online a few weeks ago.

Children run wild as their parents chase them through the park. Their high-pitched, excited squeals pierce the morning air as they play and interact with their friends. My eyes land on a ginger haired woman as she stands with a darker haired child tucked close to her side. The child’s face breaks into a wide smile, and she takes off running towards a man dressed in dark clothing and a cowboy hat. A man I know intimately.

My brows dip into a frown as Grayson crouches down in front of the little girl and scoops her up in his arms with a wide, unfamiliar smile on his face.

What in the ever-loving fuck?

I sink back against the bench, attempting to make myself as small as possible so he doesn’t recognise me as I watch him interact with their pair. He carries the girl back towards her mum - who is stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful, by the way - before pulling her into an embrace.

I look around the park to see if anyone else has noticed the unusual interaction happening around them, but no one seems to notice. My eyes find them again as I try to think back to Grayson ever mentioning a child but come up empty. No surprise really, since I know absolutely fuck all about the man. Is she his? Who’s the woman? Do they live here? And how the fuck do I not know about this?

A strange feeling takes root in my chest as a million scenarios flash through my head, and I rub a hand over the spot to will it away. Is this why he’s so closed off to love?Did that woman hurt him in the past? I’m not sure why I’m bothered. And maybe a little jealous. I have no right to be. We aren’t in a relationship. Never will be. He owes me nothing. But I can’t help feeling a little bit hurt that he didn’t share this information with me. Instead, I am blindsided.

I pull my backpack over my shoulders and stand, brushing the loose dirt from my ass as I straighten. I cast one last look over my shoulder at the couple and freeze as my eyes land on emerald, green ones. He looks pissed, but I don’t know why. It’s not my fault his secrets just been exposed.

I don’t look away. I don’t move as he holds my stare. He doesn’t move either and I just shake my head at him before taking off running back towards home.

***

I push through the front doors of The Dusty Boot – our towns local dive bar – and storm right up to the bar, throwing my ass down on a seat there.

The place is pretty empty for a Tuesday which I’m grateful for, because I’m in one hell of a shitty mood.

“Hey stranger,” Savannah calls as she grabs a glass and places it in front of me before filling it.

I narrow my eyes at her, snatching the drink up. “You’re the stranger. I’m the best friend you forgot about when you shacked up with your cowboy and got up the duff.”

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