by Tay Marley
She was out of the car first. Her dark hair, much like Gabby’s, was in a braid that fell over her shoulder. We’d been told to dress in blue—for the Dallas Cowboys—but Camilla said that the color didn’t compliment her and opted for a green long-sleeved dress underneath her thick coat. Nathan still looked miserable because he knew that we were here as Cowboys supporters that night. He tugged at the blue beanie on his head, the only blue that he’d agreed to wear, and lingered behind Gabby and me as we went up to the front-door landing and rang the doorbell.
Ellie, Drayton’s mother, greeted us. She was head to toe in blue cashmere, and perfect dark-blonde waves framed her face.
“Come in, come in.” She was all smiles and Cartier bracelets jangling as she waved us forward. “Dallas, hello again.”
“Hey, Mrs. Lahey.” I was pleased to see that she was more relaxed than she had been the last time we’d met. We stood in the immaculate foyer, tiles gleaming and the water feature drizzling. “This is Nathan. Nathan, Mrs. Lahey.”
“Ellie,” she corrected as she and Gabby exchanged cheek kisses. Weird, but not unreasonable, I supposed. Gabby spent a lot of time here. “Lovely to meet you, Nathan. Drayton has told me so much about your history at the school. And you must be Camilla?”
Nathan seemed proud and Gabby’s mom snapped her head toward Ellie. She’d been immersed in the perfection surrounding her. “Yes. Hello. Your home is sensational.”
Ellie touched a hand to her chest with appreciation and wrapped an arm around Camilla’s. “Let me show you around.”
That left the three of us, and we wandered through the first living area, which led to another living area that was twice as large with two huge sofas and armchairs. The flat-screen television was theater sized and had Nathan salivating.
A catering table was laid at the back of the room, and there were more snacks to choose from than at a convenience store. Leroy had an old school–looking blue football hoodie on. It had his name and number across the back of it. He had a beer in hand and was focused on the sports highlights on the television until he heard that he was no longer alone. He turned around and regarded us with his usual flat stare. We hadn’t spoken since he walked in on Drayton and me in bed, and it seemed that his impression of me wasn’t great.
“The kids are in the dining room,” he said.
Gabby piped up with a nervous appreciation. “Okay, thanks.”
She gripped my elbow to drag me out of the room, but I didn’t want to ditch Nathan. It was a misplaced concern, though, because Nathan walked toward Leroy and offered his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir. Nathan Bryan.”
Leroy shook his hand and I could tell Nathan would be happier here, talking with an adult rather than hanging around with the teenagers. Gabby and I went back the way that we’d come, past the kitchen where we could hear Ellie and Camilla, and entered the dining area.
It looked beautiful, sure. A long table was elegantly decorated with rustic placings, little pumpkins, floral designs, and expensive china. But my focus went straight to the corner of the room where Drayton, Maxon, Austin, Emily, and Becca were standing beside a table of chilled beverages.
“Oh, is Josh upstairs?” Gabby asked.
Drayton nodded but he watched me.
“Ew,” Emily sneered when she saw me. Her scowl moved over my outfit—a simple blue hoodie that was snug, a white beanie, and a pair of black jeans. No matter how hard she tried, she could never make me feel inadequate—I would have to care for that. “What is she doing here?”
Drayton stared at her with so much hatred that if the other three hadn’t been watching me with interest, they would have known that there was something going on.
“She came with me,” Gabby interjected with a small voice, pushing her glasses up her nose. I appreciated her defense, despite being nonconfrontational. “I’ll be upstairs, Dal. Want to come?”
“No.” I smiled at the group of athletes in front of me. “I’m good here.”
She left and Drayton mouthed Sorry before the rest of them could notice. I tried not to stare at his muscular frame underneath his blue shirt—the sleeves rolled up to his elbows—and jeans. He leaned against the wall with a bottle of beer in his hand and watched me approach the drinks table.
“Come on, Becca,” Emily ordered as I stood beside her and poured a soda into a glass. “This event just got kicked from classy to crap.”
I kept my head down but laughed at her pathetic attempt to insult me. She and Becca wandered off arm in arm, and I quietly hoped that they would leave altogether.
“How’s it going, Cheer?” Maxon gave me a teeth-baring grin, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Drayton stiffen. “Nice blue nails. Spirited.”
“Please don’t call me that.”
I saw Austin’s devious stare move to Drayton, but I didn’t look or give it mind. “Only Dray gets to use that name, right?”
“No one does,” I snapped. I wanted to know what they were doing here in the first place, but I was the new one. This was probably a long-standing tradition, and I had no right to get upset.
“Excuse me.” I turned around and left the room, hearing the sniggering male voices behind me and Drayton telling them to shut it.
The afternoon just became duller from there. Everyone else was having a good time. We all sat around the exquisite table and the food was five star, but I’d come with the idea in mind that Drayton and I would be able to relax and be ourselves. Instead, it was as if we were at school. Nathan and Gabby sat on either side of me. They were both immersed in conversation, though. Leroy and Nathan had been chatting all afternoon, and Gabby was focused on Josh. Drayton sat on the opposite side of the table with Maxon on his right and Austin on his left.
As hard as I tried, I couldn’t stop looking up at him, and he was always watching me first. His hands clasped in front of his chin, his leg shook. His movements were restless throughout the entire meal and at one point, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and tapped the screen.
“Drayton,” Ellie scolded with a spoonful of soup hovering in front of her mouth. My phone vibrated in my pocket while she was talking. “No phones during the meal. We talked about this last night.”
His bored stare was directed at his plate as he ran his hand through his hair. It was obvious that he’d sent that text to me but after watching Drayton get scolded for using his phone, I wasn’t about to check mine. He gestured with wide eyes but I subtly shook my head and pushed beans around on my plate. This hiding thing sucked, but it was for my benefit, and I was grateful that he didn’t just come out and expose us in front of the she-devil at the end of the table.
After the meal, Leroy let us all know that the Cowboys game against the Miami Dolphins would be on in the theater room. I thought the television in the living room was large enough. Gabby and I helped Camilla and Ellie wash up.
Gabby stood at the island and wrapped leftovers. She whispered, “Josh said that Becca and Emily weren’t invited. Maxon and Austin brought them.”
I smiled and nodded with understanding as I scraped scraps onto one plate. I supposed I could check the text now, but I finished with the washing up first. The moms poured themselves some wine, and Gabby and I went and found Josh in the rec room, where there was gaming and a pool table. The girls were nowhere to be seen, and Maxon and Drayton were playing pool while Austin gamed.
I sat down on a single armchair and checked my phone. I could feel Drayton watching me as I opened his message.
I didn’t invite them. Mom always invites Maxon and Austin. They brought the girls. I’m real sorry. Go upstairs? I’ll come up after?
I closed the message and leaned back in the seat. The game would be on soon, at four, and I wasn’t upset with Drayton. We could wait until everyone was gathered in the theater, and no one would come and look for us. I met his piercing stare and shook my head but smiled. He
looked frustrated. Gabby and Josh excused themselves and disappeared, again. After a few minutes, Austin looked over at me.
“Come and tap in to a game, Ch—Dallas?”
I stared at the bloodshed on the screen and frowned. Gaming didn’t interest me, but I shrugged and stood up, wandering past Drayton, who leaned over the pool table with his cue lined up. I bumped into him and quickly apologized.
“It’s all good,” he said. I hoped that I was the only one who could hear the teasing in his tone.
Austin showed me the ropes of the game but it was still hard. Each time that I died, it affected him because we were on a team or something. I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I was just tapping buttons and attempting to aim the gun. Each fail that I made, Austin became more restless, his tone shorter, and I was sure that the pace at which he was sinking his beers was not helping.
“Fucking hell, man.” He shot up out of his seat and dropped his controller. I watched him with amusement. “It’s not that hard to get. Are you stupid?”
“Dude,” I said. “Calm down. It’s a game.”
I looked at Drayton and Maxon, who were watching their friend throw a tantrum. Drayton’s knuckles went white as they twisted around the pool cue.
“Exactly, it’s a game. Not rocket science, you idiot.”
I stood up. “Get a grip. Childish brat.”
“Shut the fuck up,” he scoffed and sat back down. “Dumbass.”
“Bro, relax,” Maxon said, amused.
“Quit talking to her like that.” Drayton sounded dangerous, like he was attempting to keep in control.
“It’s fine,” I said.
“Fuck off, Drayton.” Austin started setting up a new game, without me in it. “She’s an idiot. The hell are you even doing here? Piss off back to the diner, grease girl.”
I exhaled, jaw clenched, and leaned down to rip the controller out of his hands before storming over to the console and switching it off.
He stood up fast and stormed straight for me. For a moment, I wondered if I’d taken things too far. “You fucking bitch. That loses progress.”
He stopped in front of me, towering over me, and I couldn’t believe it when he shoved my shoulder. Was he seriously this worked up over a game? He opened his mouth, no doubt to spill more insults, but he didn’t get the chance because he was grabbed around the back of the neck and shoved into the wall.
“Did you just touch her?” Drayton held him by the throat and my heart sped up at how fast things had taken a turn.
Sort of hot, though.
Drayton looked so angry. I hadn’t seen him like this before. Not even after the incident with Nathan. He shoved Austin back into the wall. “Don’t ever put a hand on her again, Austin. I swear to God—”
“Dray.” Maxon stood beside them and tapped his shoulder. “Come on. Ease up. She’s all good.”
“That’s not the fucking point.” Drayton shoved Maxon back with his free hand and pointed at Austin, who was struggling against Drayton’s grip, staring at him with rage. “Talk to her like that again, touch her like that again, and I’ll fuck you up.”
He let Austin go and stepped back. Austin rubbed his neck and the two of them locked in a menacing stare as Austin wandered off. He passed me and raised his hands with a taunting wave before he gave me a light shove in the shoulder again. It wasn’t aggressive. It didn’t hurt. But testing Drayton’s promise wasn’t the best idea.
Drayton took one step forward, gripped Austin’s shirt, and punched him so hard in the jaw that he went straight down, collapsing on the floor.
“Bro.” Maxon knelt beside Austin and started helping him up. Drayton watched them, unfazed.
“You can fuck off out of my house.”
Maxon supported Austin, who looked dazed as a red welt started forming on his cheek and jaw. “I’ll drive him home.”
“Bye.”
The two of them were gone before Drayton turned to me and his anger morphed into a splitting grin.
I shook my head with amusement. “I’m sort of aroused.”
I wasn’t sure where Becca and Emily were, but I was relieved that neither of them had seen that. Drayton approached me, fast and swift, and pulled me in at the waist. “Well thank fuck we’re alone.”
He kissed me and I raised myself on my tiptoes to deepen it, sliding my fingers into his hair. The way that he handled himself never ceased to amuse me. He was so protective and fierce. It made me swoon and feel safe. We heard someone clearing their throat behind us and turned around to find Gabby and Josh.
“Just saw Austin and Maxon leaving,” Josh said, his mouth lifting at the corners. “Looks like we missed something.”
“Something.” Drayton shrugged as his hand slid down my spine and came to rest above my bum. “We’ll be fine when he’s sober and apologizes.”
Gabby looked confused but didn’t ask. I would tell her later. “Where are the girls?”
Josh gestured behind him. “Flirting with Nathan in the theater. It’s embarrassing. Want to watch?”
I nodded and went to step forward, but Drayton kept his hold tight and tucked me into his side. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
They left us in the rec room and we reveled in a little time alone before we joined the others to watch the Thanksgiving game. It was one of the best holidays that I’d had.
Chapter 19
On the afternoon before my audition at CalArts, Nathan and I were sitting in the hotel restaurant eating an early dinner. The hotel that we were staying at was the Hilton Garden Inn. It was nice and just six minutes from CalArts. Palm trees covered the grounds and there was a pool—although I doubted that we’d use it. The outdoor court was nice at dusk. Blue fairy lights wrapped around the palm-tree trunks. There was a small gym as well, which I considered using for a light workout before the audition.
Nathan sat across from me in the cozy establishment. The carpet was a patterned brown, the room was long, and dark wooden tables sat in rows. Windows stretched along the left wall and offered a view of the enchanting outdoor court. I glanced up from the open-faced steak sandwich in front of me and found Nathan grinning at his phone screen.
“What?”
He snapped his head up.
“What’s so amusing?”
“Oh,” he chuckled. “Nothing. I have a date tonight. That’s all.”
My shoulders fell and my glare narrowed. “We’ve been here for four hours. How?”
“I’m prepared.”
“You’re a ho,” I mumbled, shoveling a forkful of focaccia bread and steak into my mouth.
His laugh was disbelieving. “A ho?”
“I have to be at the school first thing in the morning. Are you going to be there?”
“Yes.” He seemed confused that I would even ask.
I was disappointed that we’d come to California together and he had already organized himself to go out and leave me alone. We finished our meal with a significant drop in conversation and he suggested that we wander the grounds for a while. The Christmas lights were festive. It was light-sweater weather. I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. No snow was a serious reprieve from home. A text from Drayton popped up.
It’s so cold here. My balls need their own tea cozies. Come back and cuddle me soon. Okay? Good luck for tomorrow. You’ll nail it. Just like you nail me. HAHAHA. I’m done. I swear. Miss you x
The message made me giggle. He was such a goof. But it warmed me all over to know that he was missing me as well. I knew that I’d messed up the no commitment plan—not that we’d talked titles—that I had in place. But with Drayton, I sort of had no choice. He was impossible not to love.
“Is that Drayton?”
I nodded.
“How’s that going? King and queen of the school yet?”
“No.” I gave Nathan a brief s
ide-on glance as I tapped out a response to Drayton. “No one knows.”
“What?”
“We’re not out. Or public. Or whatever.”
“Why?”
I groaned. “Because my cheer captain is a huge bitch who wants to dictate the happiness of others. That’s all.”
The conversation came to a pause when we arrived back at the hotel reception. We headed through the reception area and out into a square court. Our room was on the bottom floor of the two-story hotel. The room was nice. Clean. There was a narrow space between the end of the two double beds and the dresser. A desk, a computer chair, and an armchair sat at
the end of the room beside a small window. It was enough for one night.
Nathan closed the door behind us and I fell back onto one of the beds. It groaned in protest, but it wasn’t uncomfortable, which was a relief. I needed to be well rested for tomorrow.
Nathan sat down on the corner of his bed beside the window. “What’s the deal with the cheer captain?”
“She’s a bitch,” I mumbled, staring at the ceiling. “She’ll screw my chances of getting CalArts if she thinks that I’m dating Drayton.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” I sat up and began shuffling through my duffel bag. There wasn’t a whole lot of space in the room but I’d use what I could to practice for the audition. “I need to get CalArts since, you know, I didn’t get an audition for SMU or Colorado College.”
“You didn’t?” Nathan almost followed me into the bathroom until he realized that he was following me into the bathroom. He seemed somewhat distressed.
“I didn’t,” I continued talking from behind the bathroom door, pulling off my jeans and shirt, and pulling on the shorts and T-shirt. “I’m not sure why. But it means that I need this to go well tomorrow.”
“How come I didn’t know about this?”
“You’ve been sort of distracted. You’re out a lot. Plus, it’s not news worth talking about. If I don’t get accepted into CalArts, college gets pushed back another year. I’m focusing on the positive.”