“You wouldn’t dare,” he says.
“Wouldn’t I?” I back away, and he chases after me. “Grey!” I scream as he scoops me up and tosses me over his shoulder like a lousy sack of potatoes.
“You bite, I bite back,” he threatens, and I consciously rub my thighs together. “That’s what I thought.” He bites my thigh, and I laugh, then moan in pain. He puts me down in front of the door and pecks my lips, holding my chin. “Don’t tease me if you know what’s good for you, princesa.” I frown, and he kisses me, but I keep my eyes open to glare at him. He laughs like a dictator before pulling me from the door and opening it.
We walk back into the party, and it hits us full force. The lights are slightly dimmed. Red cups are beginning to litter the floors along with colorful confetti. Everyone is dancing to some hip-hop song I don’t know the name of. This is going to be a bitch to clean tomorrow. But for right now, we should focus on having fun and enjoying the night.
I pull Grey into the kitchen where the drinks are. He wraps his arms around me. I first think it’s because he wants to be closer to me, but then I notice how every boy I pass looks like they’re about to poop their pants. I roll my eyes but keep walking.
I stop in my tracks when Rose’s eyes lock with mine. She looks a little uncomfortable but is dressed prettier than ever in a red wrap dress and perfect makeup. Grey stiffens behind me as she smiles at us and waves us over.
Oh God.
I haven’t officially spoken to her without running away. I mean, I practically ripped Grey from her hands. They weren’t really a thing, but still, they were something. And I just swooped in and jetted off to another country with him and started something up again. She’s a really sweet girl, and I hurt her. I didn’t ever want to put her through any more pain after what Grey did to her. But I just dropped a truckful of betrayal, and I hate myself for it. What if they were meant to be and I just destroyed everything?
“She doesn’t hate you, bebé,” Grey whispers in my ear. “I told her what happened, and she said she saw it coming. It’s okay.” He kisses my cheek, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
I needed that.
With his helpful words, I finally plaster on a smile and walk over to Rose.
“Hi, guys,” she says, genuinely spirited. Her eyes flicker to Grey, and she nods to him. “Happy birthday, Grey.”
He nods at her and tightens his arms around me. “Thanks.”
A little more awkward silence, then I clear my throat.
“Do you know where the others are?” I ask her, referring to her brother and everyone else.
“Out back,” she says, and I smile, beginning to leave. But her arm grabs mine, making me stop and look into her sad eyes but bright smile. “It’s really good to see you guys together…” She pauses and glances at Grey, then smiles a little bigger. “Happy. You two are really meant for each other.” She sounds like she really means it, and I feel even worse on the inside.
“Anyway.” She clears her throat and turns to the counter. “I was going to bring some out to the others, but I want us to clear up any tension or anything between the three of us.” She holds two shot glasses out to us, looking me in the eyes. “To start over, you know?” I stare at her, then at the shot glass in fascination. How can she be so kind after everything? She’s a truly compassionate human being, that’s why.
“I’d love that.” I take the glass, mirroring her blissful grin. I look over my shoulder at Grey, who is staring at Rose with slightly narrowed eyes. “Grey,” I whisper, and he makes an incoherent sound before taking the glass.
“Sure,” he mumbles, knocking the glass back then sets it on the counter.
She and I giggle at his brutishness.
“To new beginnings,” she promises, clinking my glass with hers.
“New beginnings,” I repeat and down the vodka. My tongue tickles, and I grimace as the hot liquor slides down my throat. Well, here’s to new beginnings…
***
I awake with a raging headache and aching limbs. I slowly lick my dry lips and sit up, wherever I am. I am in a hell of a lot of pain as I move every inch until I am fully sitting up. I open my eyes one at a time and look around. I am in my room, in my bed, and a few of my friends like Mason and Charlotte and Mateo are passed out on the ground, each snoring like hungover bears. I look to my side, hearing a familiar deep snoring closer to me. It’s Grey. He’s shirtless and pantless, but he still has his socks on.
What the heck happened last night? I question myself, rubbing my eyes.
I’m hit with a strong urge to pee. I coach myself to take deep, soothing breaths as I slowly stand. My legs protest like the jelly sticks they are, and I fall to my stomach. My bladder is pressed, and I whine as I try to stand, but my body feels like iron. Strong and sturdy. I drag myself using the very little strength in my upper body and pull myself up.
I walk along the wall to the bathroom, stepping over loose limbs and messy hair from my friends until I’m finally in the bathroom. I pee like I have Niagara Falls in my bladder, then wash my hands. I make the mistake of looking into the mirror. Gross. I grimace at my ragged appearance. Hair that stands up every which way like I was struck by lightning, dry drool on my chin, makeup that is a complete mess, and my dress is fully unzipped.
Seriously, what the heck happened last night?
I don’t remember anything after the few shots taken with Rose and Grey. I know I’m not one to handle my liquor, but geez. You’d think after a while I’d get used to it.
“Ugh,” I groan as I rub my head to conjure something, anything from last night. All I get are buttons bouncing on the floor and gold—that’s it. “I am never drinking again,” I promise myself.
I shower, taking a long time to loosen my aching muscles, rinse out my hair, and brush my teeth until I can’t taste any of the puke I did conjure up while showering. Which was the grossest thing ever, but at least I washed up quickly after. I had to lean against the tiled wall for a good portion of the shower.
Now I feel a tad better, but hell still resides in my head. I’m dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a simple white tank top and Converse. I brush my unruly curls into a ponytail and put on a headband. I take the opportunity to pack all of my clothes into more suitcases. It hurts that I’m not staying here anymore and my mother and I haven’t talked in such a long time since the incident, but she hasn’t reached out to me. So why should I?
After working my exhausted body out, I decide I should reward myself with some breakfast.
I descend the stairs while yawning, when I see him.
“Noah?” I croak and almost slip down the stairs from shock.
He is quietly opening the door but stops at my voice and freezes. “Liv?” He turns around, and I feel my heart skip a beat. His green eyes meet mine, and I feel myself flush as I finish coming down the stairs. What is he doing here, leaving? I didn’t see him at the party last night. But why would he come anyway? It was Grey’s birthday party. And considering what went down between us…well, I thought he hated us—me specifically.
“What are you…I didn’t see you last night,” I breathe, tilting my head.
“I wanted to drop by and talk…” he says, jaw tightening.
“I…d-did we?” I clear my weary voice. “Did we talk?”
He shrugs, looking away. “I don’t remember anything.”
“Me either,” I admit.
He looks at me and stiffly nods. I bite my lip and look away. I hate this awkward, angry tension between us. We were great friends before anything happened romantically between us. I want that friendship back, and I will not stop until we have it.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I finally look up into his eyes, and he merely shrugs.
“I honestly saw it coming,” he says and smiles sardonically. “You never truly loved me. I saw it in your eyes, when we kissed…” His voice breaks, and he closes his eyes.
My heart breaks looking at him, this sweet boy I’ve ruined b
ecause I was so damn selfish and didn’t think about his feelings.
I take a step forward. “Noah, I am so sorry—”
“I gotta go. I’ll see you around, Olivia.”
Olivia?
The door slams behind him, and I am left here, shocked, angry, and heartbroken. And it’s all my damned fault. Why couldn’t I pull my head out of the grey cloud and actually pay attention to him and how this would affect him?
I scream at myself and shake my head. “I fucking hate myself,” I murmur. My skin crawls, and I feel like I’m being watched. I look up but see no one. I shrug and conclude it’s my jittery body. I still feel like I am going to implode. I should get something to eat and hydrate myself before I actually do implode.
I shuffle into the kitchen and make myself some cereal and pour out orange juice. I shovel the Lucky Charms into my mouth, silently wishing I could be a better person. I wish I could go back in time and just be better.
“Hey,” a strained voice says behind me.
“Morning,” I reply when Mason sits on the stool beside me.
Silence.
“Do you remember anything from last night?” I ask him, curious.
He juts out his lip and shrugs. “A little, but not much. We partied pretty hard last night.”
I hum in reply, shoveling more cereal.
“You?” he asks.
I shake my head, my mind stuck on Noah’s defeated face and words.
“Nothing.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Grey and I left the minute he woke up and found his clothes. Oddly enough, they were hanging off the chandelier in front of the stairs. He had to use two brooms taped together to get them down. I wondered how they got up there, but my brain, once again, betrayed me and offered absolutely no memory. I just don’t understand how my mind draws up a complete blank sheet whenever I try to find memories of last night. It’s like someone dragged an eraser over the foggy details.
I spent that day dealing with the worst hangover I have ever experienced. I felt a little disconnected overall, but especially with Grey. I didn’t mean to, but after my little interaction with Noah, I was left stunned and unsure of myself. The guilt that hit me in the gut was overwhelming; it still has me reeling back for balance. I was so focused on Grey, even when Noah and I were sort of a thing, I didn’t take into considerations how he would feel. I truly never meant to put him in any pain or make it seem like I didn’t care about him; I did and I still do. I just wasn’t done with Grey and forced him into my life. I was selfish.
I want to make things all right between us. I won’t be able to move on without repairing our friendship. It wouldn’t be right if I just went on about my life with him feeling so angry and hurt by me. I am not the type of girl who fools around with boys and leaves them in the dust after I grow tired of them. I develop feelings and care for people.
Plus, Noah deserves to know why and how hard it was having Grey re-enter my life after I thought he and I were done. I had no idea we’d reconnect the way we did in Venezuela. If I could go back in time and warn him, I would. And I would also warn myself of the feelings bursting to life once again that nearly rendered me incomprehensible.
It is now the morning after my horrid hangover, though there are still some remnants, like the slight headache and dryness of my mouth. But I guess I deserve to suffer for hurting someone so close to me who didn’t deserve any of the heartache I caused him. I just rub my temples and take yet another pain medication.
I lean on the kitchen counter, staring at my phone, pondering over the text I have typed to Noah.
Liv: Can we please talk? At the very least, I would like to fix our friendship. Xxxx.
The question is: Is it good enough? Would he even reply? Judging how he left before I could utter a word of explanation, I would say no. But I also know him well enough to assume that he did feel something for me. And it didn’t even have to be romantically. We were friends, and I know somewhere deep inside of him, he wants an explanation, even if he thinks it’s BS. I just need one chance to speak to him, to explain.
“Hey, you okay?” Grey’s raspy voice breaks my thoughts. I look up. He struts into the kitchen, yawning, and I quickly hit send. Now, all that’s left to do is pray he lets me talk to him properly.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I smile, but he doesn’t seem to buy it.
“Sure you are. Really, what’s up?” He leans on his elbows and exhales roughly, dark eyes watching me, examining my features.
I play with my charms and shrug noncommittally. “There is nothing up,” I answer him, and he hums, tilting his head. “Nothing but the, uh, s-sky,” I accidentally stammer. I’m sorry, but I crack under pressure when he is staring at me like this.
“Very funny,” he says, and I spare a glance at him. He’s chewing on his cheek but sits down on the stool and lets out a deep breath. “What’s for breakfast?” he asks, gratefully changing the subject.
I knew there was a reason I loved him.
“You’re looking at it.” I point at the ceramic bowl of Frosted Flakes in front of his folded, tatted arms.
He looks down at it and pushes it away with a look of disgust. “Yuck. I was expecting more of a glamorous meal for your glamorous, hard-working boyfriend.” He raises his arms and looks at me pointedly, like he’s disappointed.
I narrow my eyes at his expectation of me cooking at his whim. I am not a housewife, but his girlfriend. There is a major difference between the two. “Too bad. There is barely anything in the fridge, so your glamorous breakfast will have to wait until the fridge is stocked with food I can actually work with, because ketchup, an onion, and a box of popsicles aren’t going to cut it.”
“Fine.” He draws the word out and digs in his jeans pocket. “Have fun shopping.” He places his car keys on the counter next to my hand.
I lean over and flick him in the head, causing him to groan. “You’re coming with me, jerk.” To think he thinks I’m his maid. I glare at the audacity and round the counter.
“Prude!” he calls after me.
I hold up my middle finger. I speed up to the bedroom when I hear him running after me. I squeal and move to close the door after me, but he has fast reflexes and grabs me by my waist, tossing me over his broad shoulder.
“What was that, princess?” he questions, pinching my butt.
“Ow! Let me down, you barbarian!” I demand, biting back the laughter.
“Okay.” He drops me onto the bed.
“Rude!” I shout at his back as he strides out of the room.
“Nerd!” he sing-songs back.
I stick my tongue out at him and roll it rapidly like a temperamental child. I can practically hear the skid marks as there is a pause.
“What was that?” He comes back in the room with a crazed look, but I don’t miss the smile ghosting his lips.
“Nothing! No! Grey, we have to get ready!” I scream, but it goes unheard as he picks me up, and all of my worries and hangover vanish the second he makes me come alive with his silliness.
***
“Grey, we do not need a pack of gummy worms,” I say for the millionth time as he brings them over to shove in my face. I kind of wish I had never learned he loved them as a child. Now that obsession has exploded up again, right in my face. That’s what I get trying to be a good girlfriend.
“You may not need it, but I certainly do,” he says, tossing the huge bag in the grocery cart. He ignores my glare as he leans against the cart, watching as I pick up a large bottle of milk. “Are you cold or am I so good you’re just turned on by my presence?” he asks with a cocky smirk and an even cockier waggle of his eyebrows.
I look down at my thin white t-shirt and gasp, covering my chest. “Shut up. We’re in the frozen area.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” He winks at me.
I blush and thrust the long list into his hand. “Go get the items that are in the next aisle while I get the others, please.”
“Fine,
” he groans like I’m sending him off on a mission to trek the Sahara Desert. He walks over to me and kisses my cheek. “You’re lying about the nips, and we both know it,” he whispers in my ear, and I gasp.
“Leave, Grey!” I push him away, and he bursts into laughter. He winks at me one more time before disappearing round the aisle. I can still hear his obnoxious laughter. With flushed cheeks, I grab whatever is left I need from this horrid section and wheel out of the aisle.
I hum a random song as I guide the cart down to the meat section. I tap my chin as I check out every meat I want and decide on a whole chicken, ground beef, steak, and a few more things. After that, I venture out to the junk food aisle with much distaste. I would much rather munch on lettuce or bite into a fresh apple than eat these processed…things. But Grey loves chips and these types of foods, so who am I to turn down getting them for the house? I pick up a few of his favorite chips, candies, and other assortments I have never heard of. He is quite the junkie; you would have never expected it by taking a single glance at his ripped muscles.
I enter the aisle that has pasta when I accidentally bump into another cart.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I am quick to say. “I didn’t see you—Noah?”
Am I hallucinating, or is he really standing in front of me?
Noah’s eyes widen when they meet mine. “Liv…what are you doing here?” I squint my eyes and glance at my filled shopping cart. He looks at it too, then laughs. “Right.” I glance at his half-filled cart then look back into his assessing eyes. “You’re living with him now, right…?” It kind of sounds like an accusation.
I feel myself blush. “Something like that, yeah.” I nervously play with my charms, and he smiles with a nod.
Silence lingers between us while I try to figure out what to say. Obviously, there is a lot, but none makes sense. Finally, I find two words that should get the ball rolling.
Grey: The Reconnection (Spectrum Series Book 4) Page 26
