I am on cloud nine.

I need a shower, my hair is probably a wreck and I'm not going to walk right for a day or two but I've literally never felt more satisfied in my entire life.

It's been quite some time since I woke up in Dray's bedroom but today the sun doesn't bother me, I welcome it. The winter shine streams through the window, warming the room up with its beaming rays.

I stare out the window and smile at the feeling of Dray's naked chest pressed against my back, his arm slung over and clutching my waist. I'm being spooned by Dray and it's as perfect as I'd imagined it would be.

Happiness isn't even the right word for my current state of emotion. It doesn't matter that there's still a lot we need to talk about. Things need to be said and truths need to be revealed. But right now, I want to bask in the aftermath of one of the best nights I've ever had.

"Morning." Drayton's husky morning voice startles me out of my daydream, his arms tighten around my waist and he softly presses his lips to the skin behind my ear.

"Hey." I chew down on my lip as his toe-curling kisses travel down the side of my throat. It takes very little from him to erupt that carnal need that bursts under his touch. So I'm mildly disappointed when his lips stop and he turns me around to face him.

"Last night was perfect Cheer." He brushes his fingers along the length of my forehead, tucking my hair behind my ear as his eyes travel my face.

I don't think I've ever seen this smile before. One that looks so elated and genuine. There's no cocky arrogance behind it or smirking indifference. It's beautiful. My mind wanders back to last night, the memory causing an ache between my legs but the words forming a knot of hope in my stomach.

"Don't think this doesn't mean anything to me... it means everything to me."

As much as I don't want to, I know that we have to talk about Emily. It's inevitable. I want to feel guilty for sleeping with someone that's in a relationship, but I just don't. I'm more worried about the fact that he cheated on her.

"We should probably talk about Emily..." I smile sheepishly as his brows furrow, the gorgeous smile dissipating before my eyes.

He sighs loudly, a thoughtful but worried expression contorts his face. He leans up on his elbow, the bedsheet falling further down his chiseled torso and draping across his hips.

"I need to tell you something cheer. But I'm gonna need you to stay chill, okay?" His hand gently sails across the side of my waist, up and down in calming, soothing strokes.

"What is it?"

"Emily and I - we aren't together. We never have been." My eyes widen at his admission and surprisingly the first thing I feel is relief but it doesn't take long for the disbelief and confusion to stroll on in. "Just wait, hear me out. The night of the homecoming, she saw us outside. And it wasn't a coincidence. Her psycho ass followed me. But afterwards she pulled me aside and told me that if I didn't play along with her fucked-up little game then she'd kick you off the squad and ruin your chances of going to CalArts."

The fact that she'd really go as far as to fake a relationship for two months, just to see me miserable, is beyond my level of comprehension. It's so fucked up that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. But when my eyes meet Drayton's waiting expression I manage to calm the internal storm, smiling at him with understanding, because above all else, I am genuinely so relieved that he's not really with her.

"Why didn't you just tell me. I could have gone along with it?"

A small but puzzled smile lifts his lips. "I wanted to. But I also know that you wanted a clean break from me. Because of California. I thought it'd be easier for you to let go, if you hated me."

I slowly nod, understanding his logic but still feeling disappointed that we wasted so much time because of one evil psychotic bitch.

"Do you forgive me?" Dray asks with so much hope in his tone that my chest feels like it's going to burst.

How can I not forgive him? He'd put up with Emily for the last few months purely for my own benefit. There's so much about that, that tells me how much he truly cares.

"Yeah. I - I get why you did it," I tell him with a quivering voice. It's a good quiver, the kind that you get when you're nervous or flustered because what you feel for the person in front of you makes you a little breathless.

He looks relieved, the genuine smile finding its way back on to his gorgeous face. I'm about to ask him how he feels and what this means for us, when he pecks my cheek and dives off the bed, scooping my naked body into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck for security.

"We're having a shower." He shrugs, kicking his bathroom door open and setting me on my feet before he switches the water on.

It doesn't take long to heat up and he pulls me inside with him, closing the glass door behind us. The showerhead is one of the widest I've seen, it's a square shape and the water stream easily covers us both with a perfect pressure. I'm not sure how I'll ever go back to my everyday average shower now that I've experienced this level of luxury.

"Go for a ride with me today?" Drayton asks, sweeping my wet hair behind my ears and shoulders. "We should talk."

"I have a small something that I have to do first," I tell him, thinking about the mission that I've laid out for myself today. "But afterwards, I'd love too."

His broad smile touches his eyes as he wraps his arms around my waist, our naked wet bodies flush against each other.

Something's shifted with him. His entire demeanour is lighter, his smile a little brighter, his eyes a little less tortured than they always have been. It's as if telling me about his sister lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders, maybe even our time together last night, had something to do with his new and improved mood. I suppose I'll have to ask when we talk later.

I wish I could hurry off with him right now. But what I have to do first is important. Now that I know Dray isn't actually a cheater and his loyalties have never laid with Emily, I look forward to kicking that bitch so hard off her high horse, her head spins for a week.

My head still can't quite fathom that I'm in a shower with Dray. I can't believe that after all these months of back and forth, hot and cold, we've finally made it here. It's still a total mystery as to where it goes from here, but at this point, I just want to enjoy finding out.

After a very lengthy, very hot shower, I change into last night's clothes and Dray and I head downstairs.

"So you're not going to tell me what you're doing?" he asks again. When I thought he and Emily were in a relationship, I'd felt an obligation to tell him about her indiscretions. Now that I know it was purely an attack against me, I'm going to handle this entire situation, the way I want too. Without a single opinion from anyone else.

"Nope!" I smile. "I will tell you when I get back though!"

"Woah, WHAT THE FUCK." Spencer's voice blares from the kitchen as Dray and I wander past the entryway and soon the pitter-patter of her bare feet signals her fast approach.

"What are you doing here?!"

I turn around and meet her eager expression. I can practically see the symbols floating above her head as she puts the clues together with an excited bounce in her step. 

"I'll leave you guys to it." Dray grins with amusement as he throws me to the wolves. "I'll see you in a couple hours."

Before he disappears, he surprises both Spencer and me, by giving my lips a chaste kiss. I'm not typically a sappy individual, but the affection is giving me some major vibes right now. Cute, adorable vibes.

"Did you guys- did you-"

"Yes," I answer with a grin that I can't and don't particularly want to hide.

Spencer sucks in a sharp breath, bouncing on the spot as she claps her hands together and steps closer towards me. "How was it? Was it amazing? What about Emily? What does this mean for you guys?!"

"Okay, I want to talk about it Spence, like I really do." I nod with wide eyes. "But maybe not in his entryway?"

"True!" She snaps her fingers. "Let's go out for coffee. GRAY, IM GOIN-"

"No no no!" I cut off her bellowing as I wave my hands in front of her face. "No, I have a- I have a mission right now. It's important."

"A mission?" She raises a brow.

"Yes. And I'm going to take a leaf out of your eccentric book and dress the part so I have to go home and change. But I promise, we'll talk about it later."

"Okay." She complies with my request with a small nod. I can tell it's killing her though. She's not the most patient individual. "Gray is cooking eggs bene, you sure you don't want any before you leave?"

"That sounds so good." I glance past her shoulder towards the kitchen with a slither of regret but quickly shake my head. "Na I have to go. I'll call you."

We embrace in a quick hug before I step out into the icy cold morning air and jog towards my car. I hadn't even considered that it could have snowed last night and buried my car so it's a relief that I can actually get it started and drive home.

As soon as I step inside, I notice Nathan's got his Dad stance on. The fire is burning and the curtains are drawn to keep it warm, which I'm grateful for because my hands are almost popsicles at this point.

"Where have you been?" he asks, cradling a coffee between his hands. "You didn't come home last night?"

I dash over to the fireplace and stand in front of it, letting the flames heat the back of my legs and back. I know that with the sun out and the snow melting, it'll heat up a little throughout the day, but I'm still not sure that I want to go for a motorcycle ride in these freezing temperatures. But I don't bother kidding myself. I'll go, because it's been way too long and I can not wait.

"I got caught up at Drayton's last night." I look down at the floor as I speak but when nothing but silence follows the statement, I glance up to find Nathan staring at me with a downturned mouth and furrowed brows.

"I don't want to hear about your night." He turns on his heel and walks to the kitchen. "Not one bit of it. Nothing. Tell. Me. NOTHING."

"Sounds good to me," I answer back as I make a beeline for the corridor so I can escape this horribly awkward situation.

When I've closed my door and shaken off some of that lingering embarrassment, I turn my attention to the mission at hand. I need to dress like a bad bitch, but I need to dress warm, and that's a lot harder than it sounds.

I decide to think over an ensemble while I do my hair and makeup. The look I go for is a nude lip but smoked out eyes with sharp wings and long lashes, my hair pin-straight down my back. I don't know why I'm putting so much emphasis on my appearance for this little showdown. But it seems essential. Like I need to embody a girl who won't be messed with.

In the end I decide on an outfit combo that I'm pleased to say, I'm proud of.

I've put on a pair of black thigh-high boots and a tight navy blue, long sleeve, body con dress, which peeps out underneath the long, warm, black winter coat. It leaves a about an inch of skin to show on my thighs between the boots and coat and the whole ensemble looks daring, which is good enough for me.

•

I've been to Emily's lavish mansion on more than one occasion. Team events or practices are the main reason that I'd ever step foot into her not so humble abode. The home looks more like it belongs in Malibu rather than Archwood, Colorado. It's three stories high, with French doors that open out onto intricate decking around each floor. It's so crisp white that it reflects the winter sun and burns my eyeballs but that doesn't deter me, nothing will. 

My hand raps the frosted glass doors at the front of the house and I wait with impatience to have a much-awaited showdown with the evil bitch who has been so determined to suck the happiness out of my life in any way that she can.

The door opens to reveal an elderly man, clad in a butler outfit with a clean trimmed beard and smoothed white hair. A deranged part of me wonders if he's got a fairy tale relationship with Emily. Maybe she melts like butter around him. Perhaps they share secrets and confide in each other. Then I remember that Emily is two-thirds she-demon and that's confirmed when I hear her squawking from behind this sweet old looking man.

"Who is it Barry? I shouldn't have to do your job for you! Say hi or bye."

She flings the door open and scowls when her gaze lands on me. "What the hell do you want?"

This is my moment. I'm not going to cower or let her take charge of any part of this encounter. Not to mention I'm freezing and I can feel the warmth from inside so I'd rather verbally impale her while I'm comfortable.

"To talk." I smile and push past her, walking straight inside.

"You're excused Barry." I hear Emily hiss as her heeled feet clack along behind me. I stroll into the first sitting room on our right and sink into the suede black couch as if I own the damn place, enjoying the sight of Emily's total bewilderment. "Dallas what in the hell do you think you're playing at."

"I don't get this room," I tell her as my eyes sweep the area. "It's not your main living area, it doesn't have a television or nothing. It's just couches and pretty decor. What's the point? Does anyone actually use it?"

"It's where our guests wait when Barry invites them in," she barks with obvious impatience and I have to smother a giggle that bubbles under my lips. "Now. What. Do. You. Want?!"

"A whole room, for.. waiting?" I recoil with wide, sarcastic eyes. "I will never understand rich people."

"Dallas, I swear to G-"

"Oh sit down and shut up," I wave my hand flippantly, "I wanna talk."

She doesn't sit, she just folds her arms and continues to scowl. I shrug my shoulders and meet her glare with a wide smile. It's moments like these where I wish I had my own personal camera crew following me around. This is almost too good to go unseen.

"So I just came from Drayton's," I grin as she flinches with obvious fury, "yeah, we had sex last night. Like, all night. And then again this morning. It was, fantastic!"

The smile I'm now wearing is no longer for her benefit, it's just a natural reaction to the memory. My stomach flips and my core aches as I think about it.

I don't think I've ever seen a human turn the shade of red that she's currently adorning - it might be my new favourite colour - her mouth curls down and her brows knit into one. She opens her mouth, no doubt to rant and rave and spill a series of threats and what have you. But I cut her off with a raised finger while I slip my phone out of my pocket.

"Before you tell that me I'm not on the squad anymore or my dreams of California are over, bla bla bla," I stand up and stroll towards her as I open the pictures in my camera roll, "I thought you should see this."

Her eyes stay narrow and glued to me as she reaches out and snatches the phone, reluctantly bringing her gaze down on the photo. And then it happens, the moment that I've been waiting for, she's been outmanoeuvred and it is a beautiful sight.

She stares at the photos with wide eyes and a parted mouth but of course Emily, being the queen of facades, quickly masks the fear with indifference, as if she's actually got a move to make after this fucking checkmate.

I mean, what's she going to do? Tell her Mom? No, because that would mean confessing that she's sleeping with the assistant coach.

"Don't think about breaking my phone," I warn with a victorious smile. "Or deleting it or whatever little cunning plan you think you're coming up with. I've already forwarded those pictures to every device I own. Hell, my vibrator probably has a copy at this point!"

She rolls her eyes and shoves the phone into my chest. "What do you want?"

"Well at first, I wasn't going to give you a chance to buy your way out of this. I was dead set on telling the principal, no matter what you offered. But then I realised that if this picture came out, you'd have nothing to lose and I couldn't risk you sharing Drayton's secret, which by the way, you're disgusting for even attempting to use that information to your advantage."

My hand twitches with the strongest urge to deliver the biggest slap of her life straight to her cheek. But I'm going to refrain from violent tactics. It'll go so much more in my favour if she can't spin some assault story on me.

"So here's the deal. You're going to stay the hell away from Drayton. You're going to let him move on and be happy. You're not going to breathe a word about his sister to ANYONE. And I'm taking team captain."

"W-what?" she mumbles at that last piece of information. I was fairly sure that would have stung the most.

"Yeah. I'm not taking orders from you any longer. Plus being captain will look even better on my college applications. You can stay on the team though. I'm not a total monster."

"You don't even wanna be popular! You just want team captain out of spite!" she bites, tears welling in her eyes. That actually comes as a surprise. I wasn't sure she even had tear ducts.

"It's not about being popular Emily," I scoff. "It's about the fact that I can do it while still being fair and reasonable to everyone. Plus it really is going to look good on my applications. But I'm warning you now, if you break this agreement, I'll take this photo straight to the head of the school. It'll ruin your chances of college, it'll be a permanent black mark to your name and you'll be responsible for the downfall of the assistant coach. So think about that wisely huh."

I pat her on the shoulder and step around her defeated figure. "Good chat Em."

I'm not going to crumble, I'm not going to feel bad. She's made it her personal mission to see me miserable any chance she gets. Taking team captain from her is getting off lightly in my opinion.

When I step outside I feel... elated. I feel like I just conquered something that's been weighing me down for far too long. Part of me wants to know why she had it out for me so bad or why she was shacking up with the assistant coach. But the less I know the better. That girl is a compulsive liar, I'm not going to give her the chance to feed me some sob story about why she's such a manipulative cow.

When I'm in the car, I start heading towards Drayton's house, glancing over to the motorcycle helmet on the passenger seat. I'm a mix of pent up excitement and nervous anxiety. The thought of going for a ride on the bike after so long is thrilling and exhilarating. But there's still the fact that I have no idea what we're going to be talking about. What does he have to say? What's going to happen now?

I can't wait to find out.

• • •

Thanks for your patience while I got this chapter out guys 😍❤️

Much love. Until next time. x