5/22/15

"THREE...TWO...ONE!" Chase shouts as we all down our fourth shot of fireball. The cinnamon whiskey sends heat through my veins and warms my heart.

I smile. "Okay we need a dancing break or I'm going to get too drunk too fast," I tell Chase and Kylie. I grab both of their hands and lead them to the dance floor.

We are at this club downtown that's pretty new, and Easton doesn't get anything new...ever. So it's no shock that the place is filled to the max. The dance floor is crazy packed, but I don't even care in this moment. I have my two friends by my side, and I'm just slightly drunk that I can't wipe this stupid smile off of my face. I'm feeling good and could care less about Cale or Bailey or anyone else right now.

Going wedding dress shopping hadn't been on the plans for today. No, having my birthday dinner with my family was on the docks. Albeit it only being my half birthday, it was still something my family wanted to do with me. But instead Bailey moved her wedding dress appointment up to my day. The one day I wanted to be about me for the summer. I only wanted one day. Every other day is about Bailey and Cale, and I still couldn't have a day to myself.

So tonight is about me. Right here and right now is about me.

The music switches from the bass hitting electronic music suddenly to a song filled with light, upbeat fun. Chase immediately grabs my hand and twirls me around to the quirky and bubbly sound. We dance and spin and scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs until I'm almost out of breath. Kylie grabs my hand now and twists me until I land in someone's arms. Arms I know don't belong to Chase or Kylie.

I gasp at the warm contact, and look up to meet bright green eyes. I can't help the thrill that runs through my body as I look at the man before me. His pink lips turn up into a smirk, and I can't help but smile back. My hands that are still on his chest squeeze around the fabric of his button up on instinct before I pull away flushed. I run my now sweaty hands over the body of my dress trying to calm the sudden nerves that fill my veins.

"Sorry I ran into you," I mumble hating the sudden bat of nerves that flutter through me.

I don't know why he's making me nervous, but on some weird level I like it.

"It's really no prob—"

His words are cut short when some drunken moron slams into the mystery man, and pushes him back into mine. His hands wrap around my body to shield me from the impact. His hands on my lower back, and his body pressed into mine causes butterflies to erupt all over my body.

I quickly pull away again, but not before making sure the man was steadied.

"I guess the world just really wants us together," he jokes lamely.

I roll my eyes. "Do those lines ever work for you?" I ask eyeing him suspiciously after that cheesy one liner.

He laughs with the shake of his head. "Never, but it doesn't stops me from trying."

I can't help but laugh back. "I do like a man who doesn't give up," I admit with a small smile.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asks with his eyes narrowed in on me like my answer to his question means so much.

I look back at Chase and Kylie who are watching with full attention on me. I raise an eyebrow as if to ask them if it's okay to step away for a bit with this guy. Chase smiles and nods, and Kylie obnoxiously throws two thumbs up at me.

I chuckle.

I turn back to face this man who has me standing in a fit of nerves and say, "Yes."

His big hand wraps around mine and leads me towards the bar. There's only one bar stool available and he lets me have it like a real gentlemen. "Thank you," I murmur.

He places his hands on the bar in front of me so that his arms have me caged in. His hot breath brushes against my neck making me shiver. "My pleasure," he whispers.

I hate and love how the hairs on my neck stand up at the deep rumble of his voice. A part of me hates it because I know it's not Cale behind me. But the other side of me loves it because it's not Cale. It's someone new, and I need new.

New and exciting.

"What can I get you two?" The bartender asks as he continues to whip up a mixed drink for some girls down the bar.

Mystery man leans forward to say, "I'll have a beer, whatever's on tap." He turns his head to lock his eyes on mine as he waits for me to speak up.

I wet my lips. "Vodka cranberry is fine."

His eyes have me breathless. His dark hair and lightly tanned skin and pink lips have my attention. But those eyes hold me more than anything, I could get lost in them forever.

He nods at my words, and repeats them to the bartender before he settles back behind me.

I turn my body on the stool so I can look face him and take him in more. "So what is your name Mr. Lame Lines?" I ask with a teasing smile.

He tilts his head and leans in closer. "Max, and you Miss Ego Squasher?" he plays back.

I bite the inside of my lip for a second deciding if I should give a real name or not. But I just decide to go for it, "Grayson."

Why not? I think to myself. He's cute, he seems nice, and it's definitely time to move on.

"Grayson..." he trails, as he tastes my name on his lips for the first time. I like it a little too much I must admit.

"What?" I question.

"The name fits you," he claims.

"How?"

"It's different," he answers with a single shoulder shrug.

"And I'm different?" I chuckle.

"Yes Grayson, you are different," he smiles as his eyes hold me still.

Our heads both turn to the bar when we hear the sounds of glass sliding against the sticky bar. "Here you guys go," the guy states as his eyes are already looking down the bar to see whom he has to serve next.

Max shakes the bartender's hand, and discreetly slides some cash into his waiting palm. Then the busy bartender leaves.

Max turns his attention back to me. "Thank you," I murmur with the straw against my lips. I take a long sip from the drink basking in the chill that slides down my throat, but warms my heart at the same time.

"Are you from Easton?" he asks after a quick swig of his beer.

"I'm from Virginia. But my family has a beach house down here, but I haven't been down here for a long time. School has taken up a lot of my time lately," I explain as my eyes continue to soak in the man in front of me.

"I just moved down here a few years ago. That explains why I've never seen you around before. I would've remembered a girl like you," he drawls.

I shake my head. "Again with the cheesy lines," I scold jokingly.

He laughs. "So where do you go to school?"

"Northwestern," I answer.

He raises in an eyebrow in surprise. "You went a far ways away."

I shrug. "It was time for a change," I say truthfully.

I watch Max's throat as he finishes off his beer. I hate how strong the urge is to kiss my way up his thick neck. I just met this man, and yet the urge to reach out and touch him is overwhelming. He sets the bottle down on the bar before turning his attention back on me. His hands resume their place on the bar caging me in once more. I can see his tongue run over his lips and his bright white teeth, and I can't help but watch every swipe of his tongue.

He clears his throat as my eyes jerk away from his pink lips. He knows I was staring and is enjoying his power over me a little too much. "So what brings you back to town Grayson?" he asks with a small tilt of the head.

It's my turn to drain my drink. "Sister is engaged. Wedding at the end of the summer," I say with a tinge of annoyance coloring my tone.

"Fun," he smiles.

My lips pull to the side in thought. "I guess for some people."

A wide grins spreads across his obnoxiously attractive face. "Wanna get married to piss everyone off and upstage your sister?" he jokes with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

A breathy laugh escapes my mouth at his words. "Wow you really don't stop, do you?"

His eyes graze over my face. "Never," he breathes.

And for that moment our eyes lock and all I can see is Max. All I can see is his dark wild hair, his strong jaw that I for some reason ache to pepper with kisses, and then his green eyes that pull me into a deep jungle of heat. This heat is new and exciting, and at the same time I fear it.

He leans his body into mine until his lips graze my ear. "All jokes aside Grayson. I've wanted to kiss you since the moment I laid eyes on you. And your fiery personality only makes me want you more." His words are deep and hoarse and make me flush.

He pulls away so that his face and lips are just inches from mine. I have to lick my now dry lips to even speak. "Fiery personality, eh?" I joke with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Miss Ego Smasher. I somehow find your personality addicting," he admits.

"Addicting?" I breathe.

He nods. "Yeah, I want more."

"More of what?" I ask quietly in the too loud bar, and yet he hears me anyways.

"You," he whispers before he leans in to press his lips lightly to mine.

But before the kiss can progress to anything more I hear my name being shouted.

"GRAYSON! GRAYSON!" I close my eyes for a second in disappointment. I know it's Kylie shouting my name, and I want to punch her for her timing. But I pull away from Max nonetheless.

"I'm sorry," I exhale.

He nods but pulls away also. "Me too."

I look over to see Chase holding up a drunk Kylie, and waving at me to come over. I sigh, but quickly nod in acknowledgment at his wave.

I turn towards the bar grasping ahold of a random pen and turn back to Max. His eyes squint in confusion, but soften as I grab his hand. I scribble my number down on the soft pad of his hand. My eyes flicker up to Max's blazing ones. The way he watches me makes me squirm and I love every minute of it.

"I wanna finish what we just started," Max grumbles at me as I drop the pen back on the bar and hop off of the stool.

I walk a few steps away before turning back to face him. "Call me and you just might get that chance."

Then I walk away.

But I'm weak and can't help but glance back at Max. He's still standing watching me, and his eyes hold mine as the sexiest smile spreads over his face.

I shake my head and walk towards Chase and Kylie.

What a night, I think to myself.

* * * * *

"Grayson! I love you so much! And I'm so happy we went out tonight! And wow Chase you're just too cute...and I might throw up..." Kylie trails her face suddenly uneasy.

Chase and I are on either side of Kylie holding her up, leading her into my house. "How'd she get so drunk?" I ask Chase. "I wasn't gone that long was I?"

"She just kept wanting to do shots and shots and more shots," he explains. "And yeah you were gone flirtin' it up for a while," he laughs.

I shake my head with a giggle. "He was cute," I say casually.

"Yeah," I hear Chase mumble in agreement.

I ignore his change in demeanor, not reading much into it. "You find any cute ladies tonight?" I ask instead.

We finally reach my room and place Kylie on my bed. We thought it would be better to just take her home with me, so that I can keep an eye on her for the night. She passes out immediately, her body curling into a ball on the edge of the bed. I quickly grab a trashcan and a glass of water and some Advil, and place it on the nightstand next to her. Hopefully she doesn't get sick tonight, but if she's does we are prepared.

"So did you?" I repeat.

"What?" Chase questions.

"Find any cute girls? Anyone who caught your eye?" I clarify.

He shakes his head. "Oh no..." he trails.

"What about Kylie?" I half joke, half truthfully ask.

"No. Great girl but not my type," he says with an uneasy smile.

"What is your type Chase Hasting?" I tease as I playfully punch his arm.

He smirks. "You'll never know."

I laugh. We walk out of my room and to the open from door. "Thanks again for tonight Chase, I had a great time." I pull him into a hug and hold him tightly for a few seconds.

He pulls away and places an innocent kiss on my cheek. "Night Grayson."

"Night Chase," I sigh before closing the front door and locking it.

I walk over to the kitchen wanting a snack before bed when I spot Cale leaning up against the fridge. His hazel eyes hold mine and for some stupid reason I feel guilty. Guilty about giving my number to Max, and guilty about Chase kissing me on the cheek. All of which I shouldn't feel guilty about. But the way he watches me forces the emotion to course through my body.

"Have a fun night?" His words are cold against the warm air.

I look down hating the look on his face. He looks at me as if I've betrayed him and I've done nothing of the sort. Far from it actually. He's the one who betrayed me and I shouldn't be feeling bad about having a fun night.

I lift my chin and push my shoulders back with a new wave of confidence washing over me. "Yes I did. What about your night?" I ask as I push my way around him and grab a cold water bottle from the fridge.

The chill of the refrigerated air causes goose bumps to cover my skin. I close the door to find Cale right next to me. He's so close, yet so far emotionally.

I suddenly smell liquor and turn to face Cale. "Have you been drinking?" I ask suspiciously.

His hard eyes hold mine. "What does it mean to you?"

I roll my eyes with a sigh. "Nothing Cale. I couldn't care less." And it's the truth. If he wants to drink he can, he isn't mine to watch over anymore.

I crack open the water bottle in my hand, and take a swig the cold water washing through me. A single drop of water misses my mouth and run down my neck and into the valley of the top of my dress. It should be something small, something so innocent and insignificant.

But it's everything.

Cale's eyes burn into my skin as he watches the drop of water slide down my chest and into places that once belonged to him. His eyes burn a path until they are on my lips. I hate the thoughts that course through my mind. When I was with Max, Cale was the last thing on my mind. But now Max and all his infectious happiness is gone, and nothing is blocking the raw emotions that Cale brings out of me. And I hate it.

The words that leave his mouth next shock me.

"What would you do if I kissed you right now Gray?" His words are deep and gravely and roll over my skin like silk.

"You're drunk Cale." I try and reason.

"Answer the question," he growls as he takes a step closer to me.

"I would push you away," I say truthfully. Or at least what I want to be the truth. In all honestly I want to have the power to push him away but I don't know if I could. And it makes me hate myself all over again.

"Would you?" he asks huskily.

His body is so close to mine, staking me, urging me to do bad things with him. But I can't. I won't. I love Bailey and I refuse to cross this line with Cale again. But Cale's dark eyes, messy hair, and swollen lips draw me in.

I nod suddenly unable to speak.

"Answer me Gray. Would you push me away?" he pauses to lean his towering body over mine. "Or would you fall into me like you've always done. You always used to moan when I kissed you, do you still do that? Do you still like it when your neck is being kissed?" His lips move to my ear as his dark words continue to consume me. "Do you still like it when I whisper dirty words in your ear?"

I hate how my body trembles at his words, and his demanding presence.

I shake my head but we both know it isn't true. I would give in. I can't help but to give into this man. I want to be a better person. I want to move on and fall for men like Max who give cheesy one-liners.

"Tell me you would push me away," he whispers into the dark.

I'm supposed to be moving on, only focusing on the future. But here I am living for these few seconds of the past So I don't tell him anything like I should. Instead I live in the past for a few seconds longer and say nothing.