Chapter 42

Grayson

I have already had six cans of beers and was currently on my seventh when Mitchell brings the cake to the table.

It’s a wide, rectangular cake, vanilla frosting with chocolate shavings and it had eighteen lit candles on top of it.

“Happy birthday man.” He says, placing it down.

“Thanks man.” I say.

Not only am I thankful for the cake that he bought, but I am majorly thankful that he didn’t sing the birthday song, otherwise I would have also made it my death day.

“Yeah, happy birthday dude.” Says Jonah.

“Happy birthday Gray.” Brock clapped me on the shoulder.

“To the birthday boy!” Diego holds up his beer and clinks it with mine before taking an eager sip.

We have barely been home for thirty minutes and I am already starting to feel drunk. Then again, I have always tended to get way more rowdy on my birthday.

Mitchell grabbed a knife from the kitchen and handed it to me. I take it in my right hand whilst holding my can of beer in my left and I cut a slice of cake for myself.

Delicious.

“Great game today!” My teammate named Henry said some time later, playfully punching me on the arm as I finished off my eighth can of beer and scrunched it in my hand.

“Thanks, man.” I say, setting the scrunched up can aside and reaching for another one.

“You played amazingly, today.” Said Aisha.

She was dressed-to-kill in a satin blue dress that accentuated her curves as she approached me.

“Thanks.” I smiled.

She placed a hand on my arm and slowly traces it over my skin, travelling upward towards my forearm, then over my shoulder, then to my neck.

She slowly leans in, and so I lean in to meet her halfway. Our lips collided, and her hands are travelling to my hair.

Dallas

Grayson was liplocked with Aisha Johnson.

I couldn’t help but wonder how long this might have been going on for. When he wasn’t with me, was he with her?

Who am I even kidding?

We have barely been a thing for that long. Of course he would be making out with a girl he once went on a date with. I think sarcastically.

This is just embarrassing. Utterly embarrassing, so much to the point that I wanted to erase myself from this earthly plane.

I shouldn’t even feel this way.

It’s not like we said we were exclusive.

I slightly stumble backwards, accidentally bumping into someone. “Sorry.” I say before turning around and making my way outside and into the rain.

Grayson

I should not be kissing her. I told her that we weren’t a thing anymore, to which she surprisingly agreed, but now we’re making out?

I pulled away from her, and I stand awkwardly, averting my gaze.

I can’t hookup with her. I’m with Dallas.

Dallas…

I can’t believe he forgot my birthday.

Then again, it’s not like I told him that today was my birthday.

Still, I assumed that he knew.

Aisha seemed taken aback by my withdrawal. “What’s wrong?” She asks.

“Uh.. I-uh…” I couldn’t form words.

I peek a glance behind her, then back to her, then behind her again.

I know that sweater. And that hair.

Dallas?

He’s headed outside in a hurry.

Shit.

Did he see me?

Fuck!

“I gotta go.” I tell Aisha, panic in my tone as I hastily make my way through the crowd.

God, this entryway is so goddamned packed. Like, why are there just people standing around like idiots?

There’s an entire house to stand around in!

When I finally make it to the front porch, I scan the lawn for Dallas.

Where the hell did he go?

Dallas

“Dal?” Hannah catches me off guard. “Are you okay?”

I was panicking. “Uh, yeah I’m fine.” I tell her. “I’m,” I pause to take a quick breath. “I’m headed home.” I rush past her and Jake, hastily starting towards the sidewalk and down street.

When I reach the crossroads and turn right down another street, the rain starts pissing down.

My hair is drenched, as are my clothes. Even my shoes are filling up with water.

I knew it was a mistake to get involved with Grayson. A stupid, colossal mistake.

I should not be surprised.

Nor should I even be upset by the fact that he was making out with me yesterday and today he was making out with someone else.

It’s totally cool.

I am so chill about this.

As I cross the street to walk on the other side, a vehicle with it’s high beams on drives past at a speed that is most certainly over the speed limit.

Idiots.

“Dal!” His raspy voice cut through the harsh sound of falling rain.

Ignoring him, I continue walking at a slightly faster pace.

He catches up to me and places each of his hands on my shoulders. I shove him off and try to walk past him. He stops me in place by latching his hand around my wrist.

“Please let go.” I tell him, my voice is faint.

His chest is rising with every breath as he tries to form words.

“No.” He says.

I look him in the eyes. “Let go of me.” I tell him again.

“Please, just let me talk.” He says, out of breath.

His wet hair is drooping down over his forehead and he’s wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt that is completely soaked as he tries to catch his breath.

He releases my wrist and starts to say something before I cut him off.

“It’s fine, Grayson.” I tell him, taking in a deep breath. I reach into the right-hand pocket of my pants and pull out the watch that I had bought for him. “Happy birthday, by the way.” I hand him the watch, my gaze averted.

“Thanks.” He says.

“Anyways, go and have fun at your party. I’m sure Aisha is waiting for you.” I move to walk past him.

Again, he latched onto my wrist, holding me in place.

“Grayson. I just want to go home.” I tell him.

“Please don’t. I, I’m sorry about Aisha. I never should have kissed her.” He takes a deep breath.

“But you did.” I say, dejectedly. “It just proves that we shouldn’t be together.”

“Dal.” His tone is desperate.

“Goodnight, Grayson.” I say, placing a hand on his arm. “And, happy birthday, again.” I continue the cold and wet walk home.