Chapter 58

We all ended up falling asleep in Josh's living room, which was definitely not the best spot to get a good night sleep.

I woke up around six in the morning my neck killing me from the weird angle had I slept in.

Josh was lying down on the ground, Tyler was snoring, his arms and legs wrapped around a pile of throw pillows, Lexi was on the couch, sleeping on her stomach, her hand dangling from the side, holding mine.

And I'd fallen asleep sitting on the ground, back against the couch.

I definitely could have planned this better.

My stirring woke up my Pumpkin, who yawned, stretching her arms, and letting go of my hand in the process.

"Ugh, what time is it?" Lexi whispered, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Six," I replied just as softly.

"This is wrong. I need to fall back asleep immediately. Just not on this couch. My back hurts, and I can't feel my arm," Lexi whined, shaking the arm that had been squished between her body and the couch.

"Josh has a spare room," I pointed out.

"Over my dead body," Josh suddenly said. I guessed he hadn't been sleeping after all. "You two are not going to go hide away to play sniff the clam."

Lexi's reaction was automatic. "Eeeeew, what the fuck?"

"Gross gross sister," Tyler mumbled from the couch, obviously awake too.

"Jesus Christ..." I groaned, pressing a hand to the back of my neck, stretching it, with my eyes closed, slightly discouraged.

"If anyone gets dibbs on the spare bed, it's me," Tyler continued.

"And why is that exactly?" Lexi asked, slightly glaring at her brother.

Tyler was unaffected and grinned back at his sister. "Because I actually knew there was one, because I've slept on it already."

Lexi frowned. "What?"

"As I've mentioned, I've probably been here more often that you," Tyler added, his grin getting bigger.

"It's not a competition," Lexi told her brother, while rolling her eyes.

"You're saying that because you're NOT WINNING IT!" Tyler shouted, pumping his hands in the air.

"Fraaaaack. My poor ears," Lexi whined, covering them.

"Chill, baby, chill," Josh said, grabbing Miss Puss in passing to pet her.

"Only because you asked so nicely," Tyler replied, smooshing his lips at him.

I was the one to roll my eyes at their antics this time.

"You should all leave now, so I can properly sleep in my bed," Josh told us.

"You want us to leaaaave?" Tyler asked a little bit too dramatically.

It was really surprising that these two hadn't started to hang out together sooner.

Maybe this was why it had been so easy to get along with the youngest Grayson. He and Josh were too much alike.

"Yes, I want you all to leave so I CAN SLEEP IN MY BED," Josh yelled too.

"Why is everyone screaming in the morning?" Lexi whined.

"I don't know Pumpkin, I really don't know," I whined back.

"Shoo! Shoo! Out. All of you. Out!" Josh continued, sitting on the floor, but making big hand movements."

"Are you really kicking us out?" Tyler asked, sitting up on the couch.

"Yes, so then I can crawl to my bed," Josh replied.

I shook my head slightly. "God, you're dramatic."

"Takes one to know one," Josh said, and flipped me off.

I just rolled my eyes, not replying to that, and got up. "Fine. We'll leave."

"Finally!" Josh replied, letting himself fall back on the ground.

"Go sleep," I ordered him.

"Will do!"

"Call me when you wake up," I added.

"Suuuuure, Mom."

I drove the Graysons' back to their house. They had texted their father when our little outting had become a sleepover, so at least I would not be in trouble with the shark for keeping his kids out too late.

"Thanks for coming with me to see Josh," I told both of them.

Sure, Josh had kicked us out, but I knew he had been grateful for our presence. The distraction had been good for him.

"You're welcome. That's what friends are for," Tyler replied easily.

After dropping them off, I drove back home. I made sure to take my medication, and then took my shower.

After that, I tried to go back to sleep, but failed miserably, so instead, I just went for a run until it was a reasonable hour to get breakfast.

The house was quiet without Anita.

It was more than just her food that helped this place feel like home after all.

Still, I wasn't complaining, and was quite grateful for the food she had prepared in advance for us.

I heated up two breakfast burritos and went to eat them in my room, while trying to find a book to read.

Even with a fully stocked library, I still felt like I needed new books.

Which made me think about an idea for a date.

I texted my girlfriend.

When you're up, text me back, I have date plans for us.

About an hour later, I got a reply. Date plans? I'm intrigued.

I smiled at my phone and wrote, Tell me when you're ready and I'll come pick you up.

Ready for whaaaaaat?

I kept the surprise to myself. You'll see!

What should I wear?

Just your normal clothes are fine.

This does not help me at all.

I grinned more at my phone. I could imagine in what tone she would be saying that. When will you be ready?

Give me thirty minutes.

I'll be there.

Thirty minutes later, I was walking up to her front porch.

Before I could even knock on the door, Lexi opened it for me, a glorious smile on her face.

For some reason, her hair was a little more curly than normal, and she was wearing a cute green shirt that was just slightly too short, so that it usually covered her completely, but if she raised her arms, I could see skin.

And for some reason, my breath was knocked out my lungs.

My Pumpkin was too pretty for my sanity.

"Hello again," I breathed.

"Alone, at last," she replied, her grin turning wicked.

I chuckled at her comment and hugged her to my side, kissing her temple. "Did you get to sleep a bit?"

"Yep. I crashed the second my head touched my pillow."

"That's a super power I wish I had."

"BRING HER BACK BEFORE SUNDOWN!" Lexi's father yelled from the living room.

"I WILL!" I yelled back, and then asked my girlfriend, "When does the sun set these days?"

She pouted a little bit. "Too early for my liking."

I tried not to be too distracted by the pout. Would I be scolded by the shark if I kissed his daughter in the entry? "Do you want me to stay over tonight?"

Lexi made a face, pushing me outside so we could head to my car. "In the no-fornication house? What a dreadful idea."

"Ridiculous," I chuckled, and hugged her a little bit more tightly to my side, as we walked, kissing her temple again.

She smelled like shampoo and Lexi. I kissed her again.

Lexi wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me back.

We got in the car, and I drove us away, a little disappointed that we couldn't keep on hugging.

"So, where are we going?" Lexi asked, unable to resist her curiosity.

"It's a surprise!"

"Come oooooon," she whined, grabbing my arm and shaking it.

"No shaking the driver, Pumpkin," I said, and because I knew her, raised my hand just in time to block her face, "Or distracting him with your kisses."

My girlfriend made a grimace. "So many rules."

I chuckled and drove us to the nearest bookstore.

"Blake Eaton, are you bringing me to a bookstore?" Lexi asked, when she realized where I was parking.

"I am. You can pick any books you want," I said, and got out of the car.

"Any books I want?" she asked once she was out too, her hand in mine.

"Yep."

"What if I want some fancy boxset?"

"Then you get the fancy boxset," I replied, smiling at her excited face.

"Just like that?"

I shrugged. "Just like that. Have you forgotten your boyfriend is loaded?"

"His parents are loaded," she corrected.

"I have an allowance. And family that give me ridiculous amount of money as birthday and Christmas present," I informed her.

"I really forget that I have a rich boyfriend."

"You're easily distracted," I replied, chuckling, and kissed the top of her head before we walked into the store.

And just to prove my point, I was suddenly forgotten, because my girlfriend was easily distracted and now there were books everywhere.

I grinned at her cheerful expression, and followed her into the aisles.

We mostly stayed quiet, passing books we thought the other might like with the descriptions. Lexi couldn't resist a pretty cover.

Her little pile slowly started to grow.

"I never really thought about what a perfect date would be like, but I think this is it," Lexi eventually said.

"Books?"

"Books, and hot boyfriend who also enjoys the books," she specified, before continuing, "You know, the first time we went to the library together, I thought you really looked hot then. I think you look hotter when you're surrounded by books."

I chuckled at her comment, though it did kind of warm my heart. It was nice to know she found me attractive, even when she found me slightly annoying. "This feeds my ego immensely."

"Good. You need to know I think you're really, really hot," she said, looking at me with wicked eyes again.

I snorted. "Not just my chest."

"The whole Blake."

"I think you're hot all the time," I admitted too. "I get distracted by the silliest little thing about you. Like, that shirt? It hitches up a little. Very distracting."

It was Lexi's turn to snort. "You've seen me naked."

I tilted my head, grinning. "And what a joy it was."

"I mean, you've seen more than a patch of naked skin at my waist."

"Still a very distracting patch of skin," I replied, staring right at it.

"We probably shouldn't feverishly make out in a book store, right?" Lexi asked, her tone dropping.

We looked around. Dropped our books on a shelf, before I pressed her back against it, my lips easily finding hers, my hands going to her hair. Her hands went to my waist, grabbing fistful of my shirt.

Our lips move a little bit too urgently, starting a fire in the pit of my stomach. One of my hand dropped to the patch of exposed skin at the edge of her shirt, fingers digging.

Lexi pulled me closer.

Someone cleared their throat.

We automatically parted, cheeks flushed, both letting out an amused chuckle.

Lexi grabbed my hand, and her little pile of books, dragging me to the next aisle, stars in her eyes and a grin on her lips.

___________________________________________

Happy Monday my little Pumpkins! <3

I know this chapter is going to be on time this week because I'm scheduling it one week in advance. 

I hope you enjoyed the soft date between our two cuties. It was fun to write. :D

Hopefully, I've been uploading Life in Paintings this week. If I haven't, I hope this will make me feel bad about it and push me to actually do it. I want to upload my other stories too, so who knows, maybe I managed to write a chapter of something else too. Here's to wishful hoping. XD It's kinda weird to write these notes in advance. 

Anyway! I hope August is a good writing month so far! And I hope you're still having fun reading about Blake and Lexi. 

Alright! I shall go back to writing now. I LOVE YOU GUYS! See you all next week! <3