The Gray Effect - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

S O P H I E H O N E Y
THE RESTROOM DOOR swings shut behind me, muffling the low hum of conversation from the café. My breath is uneven, my fingers tight around my phone as I move toward the sink, gripping the cool porcelain edge like it might ground me.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I twist the tap, watching the water rush out, but my mind is still stuck on the last few minutes. The way my body reacted to his texts. The way my insides twisted at the sheer command in his words, at the fact that Theo told me to come here and-God-I actually listened.
I brace both hands on the sink and exhale shakily.
Could I be close to my period?
That could be a possibility.
Maybe this was all just my bloody hormones, messing with me. Maybe that's why my stomach clenched so hard remembering the way he told me to leave, the way my fingers fumbled to obey like I had no control over myself.
Was I... into that kind of thing?
I'd read plenty of books where the guy commands the girl-where he's all dominant and growly, his voice sharp with authority-and I'd always found it hot when written well. But that was fiction. It was different when it was real. When it was him.
But why him? Just why.
Why did my stomach flip when I first spotted him sitting in that booth, the way his presence alone seemed to suffocate the air around me?
Why did I feel electric when I glanced up to find him already watching me, looking like he wanted to tear Scott's arm right out of its socket?
And-God-why does it feel so much worse now that I listened to him?
I need to think this through. I need to be sure.
But how can I?
I don't even get the chance to work through that thought, because a deep voice cuts through my spiraling.
"What are you thinking about?"
I jump, heart slamming into my ribs as I whirl around, my hand flying to my chest. "What the fuck?"
Theo stands there, leaning against the door he just locked, one hand still resting on the knob, his thumb brushing over the metal like he's debating whether or not to turn it again. His eyes are dark, watching me, studying the way I react like he already knows what's going through my mind.
A flush spreads across my skin.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" My voice is breathless, my heart racing for no reason-or maybe for every reason.
He shrugs, stepping closer, his gaze unwavering. "Wanted to check up on you."
I take a step back, gripping the edge of the sink, trying to ignore the ridiculous thrill that shoots through me at his presence.
"I'm fine." I force the words out, but they sound unconvincing even to my own ears. "Please leave."
His lips twitch, like he's amused by the very idea of me ordering him around.
I narrow my eyes, reaching for the one thing I can throw back at him. "And, oh-please don't say things like that again."
Theo's brows lift slightly, his head tilting just enough to look amused. "Things like what?"
His voice is so calm, so unbothered, like he has no idea what I'm talking about. Like he hadn't just threatened to march up there and drag me out of that booth.
I scoff. "You know what you wrote, and I won't say it."
He steps closer, slow and deliberate, until the air between us is practically nonexistent. His gaze flickers over my face, searching, calculating, like he's looking for something. Some kind of answer.
"I don't exactly remember what I wrote," he murmurs, voice low, almost thoughtful. "Maybe you could remind me."
Oh, he's testing me.
My stomach tightens, a pulse of something electric snapping through my veins, and I force myself to meet his stare. The problem is-holding eye contact with Theo Gray feels a hell of a lot like playing with fire.
And I am not fireproof.
"You're playing some type of game, Gray." My voice wavers slightly, and I hate that he hears it. "Just stop it and please leave. Someone could walk in."
His lips twitch. "I locked the door."
Of course, he did.
"And maybe I am playing," he adds, his tone dropping an octave, his eyes darkening, "but I need to figure something out."
I swallow, my chest rising and falling too quickly. "Figure out what?"
His gaze dips-just for a second-to my parted lips before snapping back up. My insides clench so hard I nearly whimper.
Body, please. Fucking calm down.
I swear after this, I'm never reading smut again.
I lie to myself again.
"Hmm." He tilts his head slightly, and there's something dangerous, something wicked in his eyes. "I'm trying to remember the chats."
My breath catches. "That's good for you-"
But then he leans in.
Too close.
His breath skims over my skin, warm and teasing, and I hate how fast my eyes flutter shut, how instinctual it is to tip my chin up just slightly, my body betraying me before I can even think.
"I'm trying to remember which chat I sent that made you go red."
A shiver racks through me.
"I.... have no idea what you're t-talking about." I could feel his lips form a smile because of my white lie.
"You lie too much, soph." He says. "It's getting out of hand."
"I'm not l-lying-"
"Was it the part where I said he looked like he wanted to kiss you?" His voice is smooth, taunting, like he knows exactly what he's doing to me.
I exhale shakily, pressing myself harder against the sink as if I can somehow disappear into it. "Theo-"
"Or maybe it was when I asked if you wanted him to? Hmm? Answer me, Honey."
My stomach tightens, heat creeping up my neck. I shouldn't be reacting like this. I shouldn't be standing here, letting him toy with me like I'm some kind of challenge he's trying to figure out.
Theo then exhales, a quiet hum of realization, and my stomach flips. "Oh, I think I know it now."
I gulp. "No, you don't."
But the smirk that tugs at his lips says otherwise. "You went red when I praised you, didn't you? Didn't you?"
My throat dries, and I shake my head quickly. "No-o, I never-"
"Liar." His tone is low, edged with amusement. "You liked the fact that I called you a good girl."
Heat floods through me so fast I feel dizzy.
And then-his lips brush against my ear, barely there, but enough to make my knees feel weak. "Sophia, honey, likes to be called a good girl. Admit it."
"You're full of shit," I snap, needing to regain some kind of control.
"Am I?" His fingers brush the edge of the sink on either side of me, caging me in. His body doesn't touch mine-not yet-but the space between us is so thin it's suffocating.
I swallow hard, refusing to look at his mouth. "Yes."
He hums, like he's considering it, but then he leans in again, tilting his head slightly. His nose skims the edge of my jaw, not quite touching, just hovering, teasing.
"Say it. Say you like being called a good girl and I'll leave this minute."
I make a strangled sound, gripping the sink behind me like it's the only thing keeping me upright.
"Theo-"
"Say it."
I shake my head, even as my body betrays me. My breath is shallow, my pulse a frantic beat against my skin.
He's so fucking close.
Too close.
And worse-I don't want him to back away.
Theo chuckles, low and knowing, like he already has me figured out. "Come on, Soph. Just say it."
I grit my teeth, shaking my head, but he's relentless. His fingers trail down my arm, light, teasing, and my skin burns in the wake of his touch.
"You already admitted it once. Just say it properly."
"I-" I press my lips together, resisting the way my body is reacting to him. "I like it." I finally say.
"What was that?" He teases. " I didn't hear anything."
I groan, frustrated, flustered, and something else entirely. "I just admitted it!"
Theo tuts softly. "Not completely. I want to hear you say it." His voice dips, rough and demanding. "Come on, Soph. Say it for me."
I don't know what kind of drug has taken over my body, what kind of reckless desire is making me listen to him, making me want to say it.
But I do.
"I like being called a good girl."
The second those words leave my lips, his body pulls away, and the warmth that was pressing into me vanishes instantly.
Coldness crashes into me, followed by a sharp wave of realization.
"See? That wasn't so hard." Theo's voice is maddeningly casual, like nothing happened, like he didn't just pull something straight out of my deepest, most secret thoughts and make me say it out loud.
And it annoys me.
And then he just walks away, heading for the door as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, I'm standing here, still trying to process what the hell I just admitted to him.
He pauses at the door, glancing back at me with a smirk. "See you back at the apartment. And-" his gaze flicks to my lips, still parted in shock, "-close your mouth. Don't want anything flying through there."
The door swings shut behind him.
I snap my mouth closed immediately.
What. In. The. What?
My whole body is buzzing-heart racing, skin burning, mind scrambling to piece together what just happened. It doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense.
I turn to the sink, gripping the edge like it'll somehow ground me. I flip on the tap and splash cold water onto my face, onto my neck. Then, impulsively, I rub some against my ear, as if I can wash away the ghost of his lips brushing against it. But it's still there. The heat. The tingling. The way his voice slid under my skin and curled around something deep in my stomach.
I groan, frustrated, and grab a paper towel, dabbing at my face before forcing myself to get it together and leave the restroom.
The second I step out, my eyes flick toward Theo's booth. I don't care if he's still there with his friends-I refuse to look for too long.
Instead, I focus on Blair and Alex, who are getting up as soon as they see me.
"Finally," Blair sighs, linking her arm with mine. "I thought you were never coming back. Was there a problem?"
Yes. Theo was the problem.
The thought screams in my head, but I force a casual shake of my head, lifting my phone as an excuse. "Oh, my mom called, so I had to answer."
Blair and Alex nod like that explanation makes perfect sense.
"Hey, Soph."
I turn, and there's Scott-still sitting in the booth, still waiting.
Blair and Alex exchange a glance before looking back at me. "We're heading out. You coming?"
Before I can answer, Scott speaks again.
"I was wondering if you wanted to stay and hang out... with me."
For a second, I just stand there. Scott is watching me expectantly, his easy smile in place, but I can feel the weight of another gaze on me-burning, intense. I know without looking that Theo is watching.
I swallow, my grip tightening on my phone. Why does this feel like a test?
Blair nudges me. "You good?"
"Yeah," I force out, shifting awkwardly on my feet. "Um, actually, I think I'll just head back with you guys. I'm kind of tired."
Scott's smile falters, just for a second, before he nods. "No worries. Maybe next time?"
I nod, forcing a polite smile, but my heart is still beating too fast, still tangled up in the last ten minutes of my life.
Blair and Alex loop their arms through mine as we head for the exit, and I let myself sink into their chatter, trying to focus on anything other than the weight of Theo's stare on my back.
As we step outside, the afternoon sun beats down, but it does nothing to cool the heat still simmering beneath my skin. I'm way too aware of every inch of my body, like Theo's words are still pressed into my skin, refusing to let go.
I inhale sharply, shaking it off. Get it together.
"You okay?" Alex asks, adjusting her sunglasses as she looks at me.
"Yeah," I lie, forcing an easy smile. "Just a weird afternoon."
"Tell me about it," Blair groans, scrolling through her phone. "Scott was so obviously flirting with you. You totally could have stayed."
"Yeah." Alex pulls her car keys from her pocket and points them at her car. "I thought you were into him-before, you know, the whole Stephanie situation."
I let out a laugh, but it feels forced. "Not anymore. I don't think I ever really was, to be honest."
"Good," Blair says as we all slide into the car. "Because I don't think I'd let you date him anyway."
"Me neither," Alex adds, starting the engine. "He's been acting weird. And I noticed how uncomfortable you were when he got too close to you."
Blair turns in her seat, frowning. "Yeah, I was too caught up in my own conversation to notice at first. But then I saw you texting, and he just kept hovering around you."
I sigh, leaning back against the seat. "Yeah, I wasn't feeling it. But it's fine."
"Still," Alex says, her voice laced with concern, "if you ever feel uncomfortable, you have to tell us, okay?"
"Yeah," Blair nods. "Sorry we didn't pick up on it sooner. Maybe we should come up with a code word or something-so next time, you can let us know right away."
I raise an eyebrow. "A code word? Really?"
She grins. "Yes! We should have a rescue code-something just for the three of us, in case we ever feel uncomfortable or in danger."
"That's... actually a good idea," Alex says, nodding in approval.
Blair beams. "Of course it is. I came up with it, after all."
I chuckle. "Fine. So what's the code?"
Blair taps a finger against her chin, deep in thought. "It should be a fruit name. No one would question it-just think we're weird."
Alex considers it. "Okay... which fruit?"
"Banana," Blair announces confidently, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Alex and I groan in unison. "No."
Blair pouts. "Come on! What's wrong with 'banana'?"
"It sounds ridiculous," I say, shaking my head.
"And suspicious," Alex adds. "Imagine yelling 'banana' in public. People would think we lost our minds."
Blair crosses her arms. "That's the point! It's so weird, no one would take it seriously-until they should."
I laugh. "Yeah, no. Try again."
"Ugh, fine." She huffs dramatically before perking up again. "What about... mango?"
Alex scrunches her nose. "Too normal."
"Okay, picky people. Papaya?"
I snort. "Why are we stuck on tropical fruits?"
Blair gasps. "Because they're exotic and mysterious-like us!"
Alex and I exchange a look before saying, "No."
Blair groans, flopping back in her seat. "Ugh! Fine. You pick, then."
I grin. "How about blueberry?"
Alex nods. "I like it. Subtle, easy to say, not totally ridiculous."
Blair sighs dramatically. "Fine. Blueberry it is. But if we ever need a code emergency, I'm still yelling banana."
I roll my eyes. "Of course you are."
Alex chuckles as she pulls out of the parking lot. "At least we'll know you're serious."
Blair smirks. "Exactly."
"You really do love bananas, don't you?" I tease.
Blair grins. "I definitely do. They remind me of Mr. Jones." She shrugs.
"Mr. Jones?" I tilt my head, confused. Then it clicks. My eyes widen. "Blair!"
She bursts into laughter. "What? You asked why I love the fruit, and I gave you an honest answer."
I shake my head and turn to Alex, who's smirking like she expected this. "Alex, how do you even manage her?"
Alex sighs dramatically. "You see what I deal with? But don't worry, I'm surviving, aren't I?"
"Hello!" Blair waves a hand between us. "Still here, you know."
"Oh, we know," Alex says. Then she glances at me. "So, do you guys want to head back to the dorm? Soph, should I drop you off at your apartment?"
'I'll see you back at the apartment.'
The memory of Theo words flashes in my mind, and I shake my head quickly. "No... um, let's just go back to you guys dorm room."
Blair hums, as if considering something. "Or..." She drags out the word, making me narrow my eyes.
"Or what?"
She grins. "We could make a little detour. I want to pick something up-for you."
"For me?"
She nods. "Yep. I'm feeling generous. Thought I'd get us a little something." She waggles her eyebrows, and I don't trust whatever's brewing in her mind.
Then she leans over and whispers something into Alex's ear. I watch as Alex's eyes widen before she bursts into laughter, shaking her head.
"You better hope she doesn't freak out when we get there," Alex says, making a turn, clearly heading toward whatever Blair has planned.
I sit up. "Wait-where are we going?"
Blair places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Relax, Soph. You're gonna love it."
Oh, I really hope so.
Alex drives around for about ten minutes, which suggests that wherever Blair told her to go isn't exactly close to our area. When she finally pulls up to a stop, Blair practically bounces out of the car before the engine is even off.
"Come on, Soph," she says, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. "Your gift is inside that shop."
That sounds vaguely terrifying. But I step out of the car anyway, curiosity and mild fear battling it out in my head.
The shop in front of us looks normal enough-except for the overwhelming amount of pink and black décor. It's freaky yet stylish in a way that makes me uneasy.
"Is this... a salon or something?" I ask, eyeing Blair suspiciously.
"Nope," she says, still practically vibrating with excitement. She opens the door, gesturing dramatically for me to enter. "Go on."
I hesitate, glancing back at Alex. She just stares at me with an expression that screams sorry in advance.
Taking a deep breath, I step inside-and immediately freeze.
Oh. Oh no.
My mother would actually pass out if she knew her daughter had set foot in a place like this.
Lining the walls, displayed in all shapes, sizes, and horrifyingly creative designs-are dicks.
Not just dicks.
Toy dicks.
More specifically, dildos and other forms of sex object that burns my eyes.
"B-Blair," I stammer, my eyes bulging as I take in the absurd variety of them. "Is this... a sex shop?"
"Yes!" She claps her hands together, looking way too proud of herself.
"But why?"
She frowns like I just asked why we need air to breathe. "What do you mean, why? We're here to get you a Mr. Jones too!"
I whip around to Alex. "A-Alex-"
She winces. "Sorry," she whispers.
And just like that, I know I'm doomed.
Before I can protest, Blair loops her arm through mine and starts pulling me deeper into the store.
"Come on," she sings, practically skipping. "You'll love it, I promise!"
I highly doubt that.