The Art of Pretending

Chapter Twenty Seven

See you tonight? That's why I actually called. -G

Noah wanted me to ask you if you were still coming to Zack's- G

Yes, I am- B

So Noah wanted to know I was going? Not him, great. Grayson fucking Heart you definitely know how to make a girl feel special.

    I get a text from Natalie telling me she here's. We planned to hangout today, and since my dad was gone we were hanging at my house.

   "Hello my beautiful best friend." She smiles barging in.

   "Hello gorgeous," I smile back.

   "I feel like I haven't talked to you forever."

   "I know, how was your trip?"

    "It was good, but that doesn't matter. Let's talk about the real juicy stuff."

   "Like?"

   "Like how are you going to score Grayson as your New Years kiss."

   "I actually asked him about Ashlyn on text."

   "No way, show me." I pull out my phone and show her the conversation. "I knew it! He so likes you."

   "How did you get that from those texts."

   "It's a sixth sense, trust me." Natalie has been keen on the fact Grayson likes me. After I told her about the conversation between us, she flipped. She thinks that, that was his way of him telling me he liked me. I mean, I kinda agree but I'm still confused.

    "Are you excited for the party?" I change the subject. Zach and Natalie are officially back together.

   "Of course, we are going to drink and party. I'll stay a couple hours, go home, rest, and come back later to get ready."

***

   And she did. Right now,we are almost ready to leave for the party. And guess whose picking us up? The guys. Also Emma, of course. To say I was nervous is an understatement. Grayson and I have been talking since Christmas, but we haven't seen each other.

   We hear a honk, and head outside. Emma is driving Noah's truck, which has three seats in the front and three in the back. Walking up to the car, there's two choices. I could sit in the back with Noah and Carter. Or in the front next to Grayson. Obviously, I'm picking option one.

   Or at least I was going to. Natalie runs past me and hops in the back. She makes sure to look back and shoot me a wink. Asshole. Grayson smiles at me when I hop in. And fuck. It was his real smile. The ones with the dimples. "Hey," he whispers staring at me.

   "Hey."

    "Hey girls!" I turn around and see Noah beaming at us.

   The car ride is short and we are already at Zack's. His house is full by the time we get there.

"I'm going to find Zack." Natalie hugs me before walking off.

"Don't worry girls, we will stay with you." Noah grinned.

"That's very sweet, but I really have to pee." Emma turns to me and asks, "Blair, will you go with me?" I nod and start to move towards the bathroom. "We'll meet up with you guys after." She shouts over the music.

We get to the bathroom and Emma heads in, leaving me in the hallway waiting for her.

"Oh look what the cat dragged in." My body physically cringes at the sound of Kate's voice. I really wish I just went into the bathroom with Emma.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing, just wanted to say hi. How is  throwing yourself at guys?"

"Where's your owner?" I ask her annoyed.

"Ashlyn isn't coming," she mumbled.

"Why?" I know it isn't my business, but I want to pry. I want to know what's going on between her and Grayson. "Is it because Grayson stopped talking to her?"

That earned a laugh from her. "Ashlyn would be talking to Grayson if she wanted to be. The reason he isn't talking to her is because she told him she wanted space. Apparently something happened on Christmas that really pissed her off. She said there was a tramp at his house. It doesn't happen to be you, does it?"

My heart sank at what she said. I don't know why, but when Grayson said they hadn't talked since Christmas, I assumed it's because it was his choice. "Nope," I lied giving her a tight smile.

"Hmmm, apparently Grayson didn't even know the trap was going over to his house. Must be a stalker then." Kate gives me a fake smile.

"Yea, must be." Thankfully Emma walks out of the bathroom and saves me.

"Eww," is her only response when she sees Kate. She rolls her eyes and flips her off.

"Ready?" I ask her. She nods and we walk back to the main room.

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