Canvas & Keys

3. Call Me Crazy

Chapter 3

Call Me Crazy

I woke up the same way I'd fallen asleep – cuddled up to Drake with his fingertips tracing patterns along my back.

It took me a few moments to realize he hadn't left, staying with me the rest of the night. I knew it should have been awkward, but it was anything but. I was far too comfortable and well-rested to care.

He must have known I was awake, shifting slightly under me. "Good morning," he said quietly, kissing the top of my head.

Smiling, I leaned my head back, seeing him staring back at me. "Mornin'."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That Southern accent of yours is strong when you first wake up, Miss Hattie."

"That's somethin' you haven't been able to hear, huh?" I asked, laying it on thick. "And it's wasn't somethin' I wasn't expectin' you to."

"Yeah," he admitted guiltily. "I kind of fell asleep in here. I wasn't planning on it, but I didn't want to move you."

"Sure, you didn't."

Giving me a look, he sat up with me still leaning against him. I didn't want to move just yet, though, falling back against the pillows. He turned his head to look at me again and all I did was stare back, waiting for him to do or say something. It felt like forever, but all he did then was push away the covers and stand up.

"Go ahead and get ready. I'm going to go take a shower and get dress, too. I know you'll want to go check on Ash if she's up, so I'll see you later, okay?"

Eyebrows furrowing at his sudden stand-off approach, I sat up and reached for his hand just as he started for the door. "Drake, wait."

"We'll probably meet in John's office in an hour or so. Like I said, though. Get dressed, go see Ash, and I'll see you then, okay?"

"Hey..."

But he was already gone, closing the door with a quiet clicking sound.

So...that went well.

After taking a much needed shower and getting dressed, I left my room and headed toward Ash's. Violet was just leaving, quietly closing the door behind her with her medical bag slung over her shoulder.

"How's she doing?" I asked, looking toward through the doorway at Ash. She was still in bed and had turned onto her side. By her slow, rhythmic breathing, I knew she'd gone back to sleep.

Violet nodded, smiling. "A lot better this morning. I gave her some medicine for the pain, so that's going to make her sleep."

"For how long?"

"Give it a few hours. She'll probably be up by the time you guys get ready to leave. I know she wants to see you before then."

Violet gave me another smile and squeezed my hand before heading back down the hallway.

I followed the hallway, hearing John and Emmy speaking quietly on the other side of their bedroom door and Cruz getting ready in his. Drake's was next, the door slightly open. When I passed, he was just pulling on a t-shirt, covering up his well-muscled chest and stomach...that I obviously couldn't stop staring at.

And, of course, he had to catch me just as I blushed scarlet.

"Hey," he said as he opened the door wider. A slow smile spread across his face as he pointed to mine. "I like that color on you. Were you planning on catching me half naked?"