Now
GRAYSON
NEW YEAR’S EVE
A new beginning.
I stopped creating resolutions for each year because I ultimately end up abandoning them. It’s not because I choose to. I simply forget about them as time goes on.
This year is going to be an awesome year because I’ll be entering my senior year at Sunset Cove University and finishing up my sport business management bachelor’s degree along with my nutrition minor.
I’ll be heading into my final season as captain of the SCU Stingrays basketball team, which I’m in denial about. I remember when I joined the team my freshman year.
Along with my education and extracurriculars, I’ve been focusing on spending time with my mom.
Since she lives with Laura now, it’s been easier to visit her without having to worry about any restrictions and time constraints.
I can tell how much more relaxed she is living there.
I’m happy she has friends that are taking good care of her.
Tonight, I’m spending New Year’s Eve at the apartment with Noah, Xander, Dani, Bella, Sage, and Violet.
My girlfriend is going to be there. Fuck, I missed calling Violet my girlfriend so much. I will never get tired of saying it.
Everybody is in the living room. Noah and Dani are sitting next to each other on the sofa. Bella and Xander are sitting across from each other on the plush chairs, while Sage is sitting on the floor near Bella. Violet and I are standing next to each other, closest to Xander.
“How much longer until the ball drops?” Xander asks.
“Fifteen minutes,” Noah says.
I wave my hand in the air. “Violet and I are going to head downstairs in about five minutes.”
“You’re not going to be with us when the ball drops?” Dani clarifies.
“Not in the same physical space, no. Can you blame us for wanting to have some alone time together?”
Dani kisses Noah’s cheek. “As two people who love their alone time, we sure as hell don’t blame you at all.”
Sage rolls her eyes. “I only agreed to come because you didn’t want me to be alone on New Year’s Eve. Enough with the mushy love shit, alright?”
“You’re not the only single person here, Sage,” Bella points out.
“She’s right,” Xander agrees.
Sage breathes in and out. “I know, but it still grosses me out.”
“We’re going to take our mushy love shit outside now,” Violet says.
“What time is it?” I ask Violet, rubbing her back with the palm of my hand.
“11:50 p.m.”
“And that’s our cue,” Grayson says.
Guiding Violet out the front door, we head downstairs and sit inside the bed of my truck parked in one of the parking spaces closest to the building.
I hug her tightly from behind, placing my chin on top of her shoulder.
“Hello there,” she says.
“What’s cooking, good looking?”
“Promise me you will never say that to me again.”
“Why?”
“I think I cringed a little bit.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re so mean.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. It’s not fair. I can’t stay mad at you for that long because you have cute privilege.”
“I’d be worried if you were mad at me for a long period of time.”
“You never have to worry about that.” I glance at my phone, and the clock reads 11:59 p.m.
“Good.”
I study the freckles on her face and how her blue eyes sparkle. “I always knew you’d come back to me, Violet Prescott.”
Shouts come from the apartment, and I hear Noah and Dani counting down.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
My lips claim hers in a matter of seconds, a kiss that leaves us both breathless in the end.
“Happy New Year!” they scream in unison, blowing their noisemakers and disappearing from the window.
“Happy New Year, Violet.”
“Happy New Year, Grayson.”
At this moment, I know we’re locked in for the rest of our lives because I cannot survive without her by my side. I met Violet Prescott when I was twelve years old, and I fell in love with her when I was fifteen.
We went through a lot together, and I wouldn’t take any of it for granted because it made us stronger as a unit and individually.
We watch the fireworks light up the sky with all the colors of the rainbow. The loud booms rattle my ears with the kind of noise that provides joy.
She places her head in the nape of my neck. “I love you, Gray.”
I wrap my arm around her. “I love you more, Vi.”