Fall From Grace(45)

“He is going to be relentless, isn’t he?” I asked laughing.  Why was I feeling a little happy about this?

She nodded, “Gray, the entire population of women in the Tri-State Area would kill to have Shane Maxton call their cell and give them the attention he’s giving you right now.  He’s not used to girls not being affected by his charming ways,” she laughed.

“I don’t get how anyone can find him charming.  It’s all just about how he looks, I don’t really see too much of a personality there.”

Lea tilted her head, “Shane’s really cool when you get to know him.  I’ve had a ton of heart to heart talks with him.  He’s really smart and talented.  I think he just got his heart broken once and he’s just protecting himself.”  She yawned loudly, “There’s a lot more to Shane than meets the eye, but he’s definitely not someone who you could have more than a short fling with, it’s not in him.  Unless, maybe...”

“Don’t even think another thought.  I agree, Shane is um, very tempting, but I’ve been saving myself so long for something that is so much better than Shane.  I will not let myself be led off my path.  So stop it.  Please.”

My phone exploded with sound again.  I touched the screen to see Shane’s number staring back at me, again.  I fingered the answer icon.  “What do you want, Shane?” I asked.

“Who is Brianna?” he asked.

Lea made stupid goofy faces at me, a few obscene hand gestures, and called it a night.  I listened to his breathing on the phone as he waited for my answer.

“Um, the stunning blonde you picked up at the bar and danced with,” I replied, walking into my room.  “She went in the ambulance with you, Shane. How could you not know who I’m talking about?  Anyway, why are you calling me and asking about it. More importantly, who gave you my number so I can plot their slow death?”

“Oh, man.  I thought her name was Lori,” he laughed.  He seemed to hesitate for a few moments, as if he was trying to formulate his next sentence carefully.  “Did you get upset when I was dancing with her?”

I leaned the phone on my neck and started undressing.  Rummaging through my drawers, I found the only clean sleepwear, a tiny tank top and matching panties.  Thank God, Conner wasn’t staying over tonight, I desperately needed to do laundry.  “Shane, why in the world would I care if you danced with someone?  Is that why you called me?”

He chuckled which irritated me to no end.  “No,” he sighed the word.  “I just wanted to see how you were doing.  It’s not every night that someone attacks you, right?”   Not in this lifetime, anyway.  Hold on.  Is this his attempt at being sincere?

“I’m absolutely fine, exhausted, but fine.”

He suddenly sounded remorseful, “I programed your number into my phone when I called you on Lea’s phone looking for Tucker.  I didn’t think you’d mind.”  His tone lifted immediately, “I was about to grab something to eat and then go to bed, what are you doing?”

I exhaled slowly.  I didn’t want him to think I was about to jump and get something to eat with him if I said I was hungry and about to get something to eat myself.  “I’m climbing into bed right now,” I yawned and sank into my cool cotton sheets.

“Oh.”  I could hear him smiling at me through the phone.  He never lets up, does he?  “That’s a thought that’s going to last me all night.”