***Elik's POV***

What a total turn around. WOW! After our lunch, Jamie did a complete 180. A totally different guy presented himself.

He works harder and is pleasant to be around. I did notice he was using his phone a bit more than necessary. I just let that roll. I took it as a win regardless.

That night, I came home and Dek was exceptionally cheery. He went on and on about how excited he was to watch love bloom between Jamie and Marcus. I just hope all goes well. After Dek explained Jamie's past, my heart hurt for him.

I will never understand cheating. Like, just fucking leave. I don't get why people think the grass is always greener on the other side. The grass is greener where it is watered people. Seriously!

It could have been a classic symptom of Shiny Car Syndrome. A lot of people love the smell of new cars. The paint shines and brings a lot of attention. But, I guess they forget, something can only be new for so long. After that, your right back where you started from.

Eventually, you have to find something that fulfills a deeper desire. The fact is, if you find yourself constantly unhappy with things, then things aren't the issue. You are.

Okay, rant over.

Either way, we had a choice to make. We could stay upset with the broken hearted boy, or we could help him mend. We chose to mend. That's who we are.

So, here I am planning an impromptu barbecue. Well, I'm not planning it. I'm literally just vetoing the shenanigans.

Dek is going all out. He bought a new grill and invited all kinds of peeps from class. He invited my parents. They have really taken to him, much to my approval. I'm not shocked. Deklyn Jackson is a real charmer. He literally charmed my pants off. (Wink!Wink!)

Dek has a volleyball net set up on the beach outside our home. He ordered enough alcohol to prep for another prohibition. We had to make two trips on two different days to get enough groceries for the shin dig.

We woke up super early this morning to hang decorations, help Ana and finish up Jell-O shots. By 9:30 I am ready to eat the damn shots. Dek is a full blown wreck. I had never seen this side of him. He barks orders and snaps his fingers. God forbid the streamer wasn't twisted exactly correctly. Don't get me started on the levels in the jello cups.

Shaking my damn head.

"Babe!" Dek whined.

"Yes, my handsome love?" I quirk my eyebrow, waiting for the ridiculous complaint that is sure to leave his lips.

"I asked if you would go to Starbucks?" Dek bats his long lashes at me.

I point to my lips and tap my finger across them.

Dek comes bouncing over and pecks them.

Not enough!

I grab his neck and slam his mouth onto my own.

That did it. He relaxes into my chest, tangling his fingers into my hair. Then he goes all aggressive and devours my breath.

Mmmmm.

I pull away and suck air in thru my mouth as fast as possible.

"Jesus, have mercy!" I coo.

"I love you." Dek whispers as he strokes my jaw.

"You just want coffee." I laugh.

"That too." Dek pats my butt as he gallops off to yell at someone.

So, like the whipped puppy I am, I pull through Starbucks and order nine specific coffees. I rush home and disperse the hot goodness to our friends, one for our precious Ana and the last for myself.

DoucheCanoe: It's almost time. I'm so excited.

Me: you don't have to be here right at eleven. If your ready, come on.

I roll my eyes at his childishness. Then I change his name back to Jamie in my phone. Yeah, I'm that type of guy. I snicker as I remember putting his name to that the day he met Dek.

"Baby, your coffee, my king." I gave Dek his venti White Chocolate Mocha. He smiles, takes a sip, yells a thank you and rushes off to god only knows where.

I take my own Cafe Mocha and head to the pool side.

"He is really going all out." Chance laughs.

"You're telling me." I chuckle and shake my head.

"He's just excited. Dek has always been a big party thrower." Yani plops down in the seat next to me. She sips her Frozen Coffee and smiles.

"God, remember junior year. He threw the big end of the school year party. Mary White showed up with claws ready to dig into his Calvin Klein's ." Chance laughs a throaty sound.

"How'd that work out?" I smirk.

"Oh, drunk Dek is a lot less subtle than sober Dek. He literally cringed when she touched his bicep. I thought he was gonna throw her into the ocean." Broady waltzes in and jumps into the story.

"She got all pissy and made a puppy dog face. So, Dek walks out of the room and returns with a collar and leash. He tells her if she's gonna look like like a dog, she has to wear the props." Broady guffaws.

I spit my coffee right out in front of me.

"Savage." I smile while wiping my hand across my lips.

"No, no. That was the prelude." Yani giggles.

"She continued to molest Dek throughout the night." Yani announces.

"Oh, God." I chuckle.

"She needed a hint. He gave her one." Broady states.

"What happened?" I'm way too interested in this high school story.

"Well, Dek grabs the microphone from the DJ. He makes a huge show. He starts his speech that had everyone cackling: For those of you that don't know, I'm Deklyn Jackson, your host for the most epic party thrown, EVER. As many of you know, Mary White, here. He points to the poor girl. Has been trying to suck my dick all night. Now, where is the issue you may ask. I will tell you. I like dicks not clits. You're swimming in the wrong pond sweetie. Then Dek winks, does a back flip into the pool and Mary, looking mortified, finds a ride away from the party." Chance explains the shit show of Dek completely destroying that poor girl.

It was a dick move. But, it was funny all the same.

"Wow, what an asshat." I chuckle.

"Shit, that crap floated thru the whole summer. Mary heard about it for the whole first week of Senior year." Yani smiles.

"Please tell me this chick was a bad person." I groan thinking of the little misplaced crush.

"Fuck, she was the school slut. Sinking your cock in that was like throwing a hotdog down a hallway. We started calling her the human vortex. Her mouth sucked more cock than a pornstar." Broady guffaws

"Well, that is comforting." I chuckle again.

As we sit and I hear yet another story of priceless Dek under the influence, we are joined by Jamie and Marcus.

"Thanks for the invite." Marcus greets me.

"Glad you came." I pat his shoulder and he takes a seat along with Jamie beside Broady.

I lead the introductions and conversation picks up where we left off.

"I knew that man was feisty." Jamie confirms as we hear about the time Dek rejected the Captain of the Soccer team.

"To be fair, it wasn't the first time Dek turned him down. The guy couldn't take no for an answer. He had a mad crush on Dek. Shit everyone did. Gay or straight. Dek was a hot ticket item." Broady explains.

"You seem a little less than innocent." I accuse Broady.

"I'm Bi." Broady breaks out.

I choke on my coffee. Not that I'm shocked, it's just he hasn't ever come out to me.

"Well, fuck. I guess that offer for Dek is off the table." I joke.

"No backsies." Broady grins.

"Fuck you." I warn.

"Any time, any place." Broady winks over at me.

"You did this to yourself." Chance bellows.

"Yeah, yeah." I shoo them off as I stand.

"You two want a drink?" I ask Marcus and Jamie.

The two nod their head in reply.

"Alcohol or soda?" I clarify.

"Definitely alcohol." Marcus winks over at me. I wink back and the man blushes adorably.

I head to the kitchen and fix two gin and tonics. I slice a line and attach it to the two tumblers. I see Dek and grab him by the waist, pulling him to my side. I place a kiss on his temple.

"The place looks fantastic my love." I softly praise him.

"Thank you. Are those for Jamie and Marcus?" Dek questions.

"Yeah. I guess you let them in." I state.

"No, Ana did. I caught them on the way to the pool. Here, I will help you." Dek offers as he grabs a beer in one hand and a tumbler in the other.

I follow suit and grab myself a Corona. I quickly pop a lime on each of Dek and my bottles before following him out. I look around at the slew of food, snacks, alcohol and drinks that litter the set up tables.

He could plan parties. It was perfect.

We head to the pool deck and pass the boys their drinks.

Soon enough, people start showing up. My parents walk in at 11 o'clock sharp. I smile. They are always prompt. My mom informs me she brought some Long Island ice tea. I smile wider.

This shit is going down.

"Dek, baby." Mom smiles all toothy as she snatches Dek into her awaiting arms. She covers him in kisses and snuggles up to his side.

"Mags, let the boy breathe." My dad chides.

"Oh hush, Zay. Dek loves me." My mom squeezes Dek and he rubs her arm.

We stand and chit chat while Dad starts prepping the grill.

"Need some help?" I ask while walking over and handing my dad a Sam Adams.

"No. We don't want the fire department called." Dad jokes.

"Very funny." I elbow him in the ribs.

"You doing okay? You two getting along well?" Dad questions. His hands fiddle with the charcoal and he starts checking connectors on the gas grill. He puts the meat on the smoker.

"Yeah. Perfect. Actually, I think I'm ready." I confess to my father.

"Ready?" Dad raises his brow, a smile playing on his face.

"I'm gonna ask him." I nod in confirmation.

"About fucking time." My dad laughs.

"It's hasn't even been two years. I didn't want to rush it." I excuse myself.

"When you know, you know." My dad pulls me in for a hug.

He leans down and speaks softly into my ear. "He's a keeper. You two will go the distance. No second guessing. Cherish that boy. He knows you hung the moon."

I wipe a tear from my eye as I glance over to the love of my life.

He may think I hung the moon, but I feel like his very existence is the reason for the stars.

I walk away from my dad and pull my mom to the kitchen with me. She follows blindly after I detach her from my handsome man's arms.

"Mom, I wanted to talk." I start. I turn to her and see her filling trays with Jell-O shots and Long Islands.

"I'm listening." Mom smiles brightly at me.

"I want to ask Dek to marry me." I confess.

"Finally." Mom giggles.

"Not you too." I groan.

"Baby, I knew the minute I met him. He is so special. You deserve to be happy with him. I'm not pressuring you. I'm just letting you know. I approve." Mom pats my cheek and leans in and kisses it.

"Good. Thank you." I nod at her.

"Well, no time like the present. Show me the ring." Mom pushes.

"Nope." I smirk.

"You don't have one?" Mom asks shocked.

"Of course, I do. It's at the office. I didn't want Dek stumbling upon it." I explain.

"Oh. That's understandable. Anyways, I'm proud of you. I'm so excited. He can call me Mom." My mom claps giddily.

"Mom." I whisper.

"Yeah? Sweetie." She looks at me confused.

"Don't get offended if he doesn't. His parents didn't pass too long ago. That may not be something he's comfortable with." I softly explain.

"I won't." Mom kisses my cheek a last time before she walks away with drinks in her hand.

I noticed the soft tear glistening as she walked away.

It's hard to think that I never got to meet them. It's hard to comprehend that I won't get to watch his dad walk him down the aisle.

Life hasn't always been fair to the boy who holds my heart.

I just hope that my presence eases the pain a small amount.

I grab the other tray and head back to the full backyard.