If Only

Chapter 9 - Floating

"That's a load of shit. I'm not getting punished 'cause you get no pussy," she sassed, shaking her head in annoyance as she shot a flirtatious look to the girl across the bar.

Suddenly, the girl was walking towards our group. Nia and Marco's eyes widened slightly, obviously not expecting her boldness. The girl was pretty, with bright red hair and a curvaceous build that was nearly spilling from her top, prompting the longing stares of many individuals in the bar.

"I feel like I need a bowl of popcorn right now," Paige suddenly whispered to us, Will and her coming over to stand by our sides as we not so discreetly watched the scene unfold.

Noticing the slight slur of her words, I took a glance towards Greyson, who had a slightly triumphant look on his face. The night isn't over yet, I wanted to say, but he just shrugged. We both knew Marco would have to do an awful lot to catch up to her now, but I didn't want to admit that just yet.

"How are you two doing tonight?" the girl asked, her voice sultry and straightforward.

"As fine as your lookin'," Marco answered.

"Better if you were with me," Nia responded, speaking at the same time as Marco.

They both shot each other annoyed looks as they stared at one another intently, almost as if they were having a silent conversation. Their gazes ripped away from each other and back towards the girl in less than a second it seemed.

"New bar is nice," Nia announced, grinning slightly.

"The bar is nice. I've been a little lonely though," the girl flirted.

"Well you're free to share your company with me," Marco offered, and I had to admit, he wasn't doing horrible at this flirting thing. I think Nia may have been winning though.

"Or you and I could get out of here," Nia remarked, leaning in closer to the girl, who was giggling at her words.

"Let's get out of here then," she responded, but for some reason took a moment to hold eye contact with both of them.

"Sorry, who are you talking to?" Marco laughed.

"Wait a second..." Lizzy began.

"Holy shit, this is the best thing I've seen all month," Zane laughed quietly, and Paige was smacking my arm as her face lit with amusement.

"Both of ya, if you're up to it?" she asked, peering up at them with a sultry gaze.

All of our hands were thrown across our mouths instantly, trying our absolute hardest to muffle the howls of laughter attempting to break free as Nia and Marco looked towards each other with dread. The two of them shot annoyed looks our way, obviously not enjoying the fact that we were using their situation for a source of entertainment.

"Can't you just pick one of us?" Nia smiled, and the girl's demeanor seemed to slump slightly.

"Nope, sorry. Not what I was looking for tonight," she sighed, and the two of them glanced towards each other again. Another silent conversation seemed to take place.

"Oh. My. God. They're thinking about it," Lizzy proclaimed, prompting our snickering to increase.

"Nope, can't do it!" Marco exclaimed.

"I might hurl if I see your dick," Nia responded.

The girl only shook her head, a small smirk adorning her lips as she walked away, hips swaying suggestively. Once she was gone, our laughter was unleashed to the full extent. And it was enough to draw the attention of many, but none of us seemed to care.

"Laugh it up, fools," Marco complained, holding his middle finger out towards us.

"Tell me... just how close... were you two... to agreeing to that?" Paige managed to ask through her laughter.

"Shut the fuck up, Paige! Not all of us have mates to satisfy our every need," Nia argued, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

The word had me raising an eyebrow, never having heard anyone reference anyone else as a mate, except maybe British people on television. Just the thought of the word had my mind swirling, my insides twisting, a phantom tingle of sparks shooting through me. I took a deep breath, not sure what exactly was happening.

"You okay?" Greyson mumbled, leaning so close to my ear that I could feel the breath of his words.

The others were still arguing, paying us no mind, as I turned towards him. Our eyes caught, for what felt like the millionth time. The nearly inhumane, forest green staring at my own hazel and blue ones like they were trying to whisper a thousand secrets. His hand brushed against mine, and I was unsure if it was an accident or not, but the sparks that tore through me seemed to awaken my senses. A memory ripped through me suddenly.

Fuckin' ugly ass eyes. Creepy as hell.

I dropped my gaze to the floor, not only remembering Tyson's words, but also Tyson. What was I doing right now? What happened to change? I needed to get my mind straight, clear whatever fog was taking it over.

"Yeah, yeah...I'm good," I choked out, fumbling with my fingers as I took a step back.

"You sure?" he asked, his tone laced with concern, prompting me to nod my head somewhat vehemently.

"Looks like I may be winning my interest fee back," I blurted, directing Greyson's attention back to the safe topic of our increasingly drunk friends.

"You saw Paige, right?" he joked.

"Yeah, but Marco looks to be taking the missed opportunity harshly," I added, pointing towards Marco, who was currently taking two shots and calling for more to come his way.

"God, he's on Rum. You may be right," he agreed with me, and I laughed at his comment.

"Didn't you all get drunk off of that for the first time?" I asked him, recalling the memory that Zane had shared with me once about the first time they had gotten plastered.

"Who told you that?"

"Zane," I laughed, and Greyson let out a breath of irritation.

"Any other secrets of mine that you know about?" he smirked, and I just shrugged my shoulders mischievously.

"Only the deepest and darkest ones," I answered sarcastically.

"Feel like I'm at a disadvantage. You knowing everything about me and me knowing nothin' about you," he laughed.

"You make it out like I'm a stalker, I don't know everything about you. Besides, I'm not very interesting... honestly," I grinned, but his smirk seemed to lessen a little bit at my words.

"Pretty sure that's not true," he said, but I just shrugged.

"What's your favorite food?" he randomly asked me.

"Pizza... with pineapples," I grinned, my response caused him to scrunch his nose in disgust. The action looked funny on a guy like him.

"See, that's interesting. It's also disgusting though."

"What's yours then?" I laughed.

"Scrambled eggs... with ketchup," he said, and this time it was me scrunching my face in disgust.

"I can't even look at you right now," I admitted, thoroughly repulsed by his answer.

We spent the majority of the night that way, and if I had thought I was light before, then I might as well have been floating when I talked to Greyson. All problems seemed to be pushed away, making room for laughter and conversation that came about dangerously easy.

And as we asked one another obscure questions, discovered random quirks and got to know one another, I could feel the beginning of a friendship building between the two of us.