Chapter 16
SELENA
Ijust realized that this girl, who I’m pretty sure is Grayson Rhodes’s girlfriend, happens to be Jess’s favorite runway model. She looked familiar because Jess made me watch all the different shows during New York Fashion Week.
I text Jess to double check.
Selena
hey what’s your favorite model’s name?
Jess
that’s not random at all
Selena
just wondering
Jess
lila jane! and if I ever have my own fashion show, she’ll be the first model I ask to walk in it! imagínate?!?!! you know she transferred to TLU last year??
Nope, I didn’t know that.
Selena
I think she’s dating Grayson Rhodes.
also not if, but WHEN you have your own fashion show! *manifesting for you*
Jess
WTF why?! the guy’s a douche
wait how do you know this?!!?
Selena
I’ll tell you later!
“Hear me out Gray-Gray.”
Okay, that’s my cue to leave. Because whatever I think about Grayson Rhodes, he’s my brother’s best friend, and the last thing I want to do is cause any serious problems for him.
Before I can stand, my phone vibrates. I make the mistake of looking at the text thinking it’s from Jess.
Letty
don’t let that blonde bitch move in on your man!!!
When I glance up, I find Letty four tables over. She’s standing, mimicking a throat slashing motion.
Selena
he’s not my man
Grayson sits back, throwing his arm over the back of my chair.
Letty
you were saying??
“I was very clear, Lila. It was a one time thing,” he states, voice flat, face devoid of emotion. I’ve been on the receiving end of that tone and expression. I didn’t like it then and it’s clear she doesn’t either.
“It’s Lila Jane now, remember? But that’s not why I’m here.”
“Why are you here?” he asks.
“You remember how much fun we had, don’t you, Gray-Gray?!” she chirps. She’s pleading, he’s looking bored, and I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.
“I’ll be right back,” I whisper in his direction as I stand so they can figure this out while I escape to the restroom. However, the moment I’m on my feet, Grayson Rhodes wraps one strong arm around my waist and pulls me onto his lap.
“If you don’t mind,” he tells Lila Jane while locking eyes with me, “we’d like to get back to our date.”
Date?
“Date! You told me you don’t date!” she screeches, but Grayson isn’t paying attention to her anymore. “Oh my god, Gray-Gray! I thought that loser asshole was lying about you having a girlfriend!”
My phone vibrates again and I don’t bother checking it. It’s either Letty or Jess. Both are going to yell at me for very different reasons. Besides, I don’t think I could move if I tried. I can’t seem to be able to think either. All functions have shut down actually.
Can you blame me though?! I’m on Grayson Rhodes’s lap. On his lap! My butt is right smack on top of...of some sort of a bulge. A thigh or his...oh my god!
I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. Look, I know he doesn’t like me, but his body is warm and firm and surprisingly nice. Both of his arms are secured around my waist and I can feel myself relax against him until he buries his nose in my hair.
Did I say relax? I meant panic!
What. Is. Happening?!
I want to ask what in the world he’s doing, but my throat is constricted and my arms are all but useless. I’m glad I have my back to everyone inside Leo’s Burgers because otherwise they’d see the blushing confusion on my face.
My phone vibrates once more. Then, it starts blowing up.
“Play along,” he whispers into my neck. “I’ll owe you.” His breath is warm against my skin and my body reacts without my permission, melting into him.
Hold up, what does he mean he’ll owe me?
He hates owing people. I’m pretty sure he just said that not five minutes ago, which means he wants this blonde girl to believe we’re together for some reason.
Honestly, I’m embarrassed to admit I forgot all about her when he leaned back to search my face as if trying to find the answers to an unknown mystery there.
He should not be having this effect on me. It’s so weird, being this close to him, expecting to be uncomfortable and yet feeling the complete opposite.
His hands settle on my waist and I hate the shiver that runs through me. I hate the way my stomach dips when he leans closer. I hate how much I’m enjoying being in his arms.
See, this is where my lack of experience becomes a problem. If I’d sat on twenty or so guys’ laps before, I wouldn’t be liking this so much. It would be old news. Been there, done that. However, I haven’t been there nor done that. This is all new to me. And it feels so nice.
Ew, no.
The fact that Grayson Rhodes is not bad looking is not helping either. To be clear, it is possible not to like someone and yet objectively admit that they’re not hideous. Currently, that’s where I am.
In fact, he’s so not hideous that it’s actually hard to look at him directly. Kind of like looking at the sun, looking at Grayson Rhodes is bad for your health because one look is not enough. And if you keep looking you’re bound to get burned.
“You okay?” he asks, voice gruff.
No. I am not okay. And yet...it’s easy to be distracted by the smooth angles of his face and the hot, hard definition of his body.
“Alvarez?”
“I’m okay,” I whisper, leaning into him. He asked me to play along. What does that even mean? I’ve read enough romance books to have an idea, but when it comes to Grayson Rhodes, I don’t think the usual rules apply.
Forgetting where we are, I reach up to touch his jaw. When my gaze travels up to meets his, the blue of his eyes is as clear and calm as the midafternoon summer sky. One corner of his mouth twitches, like he wants to smile. He doesn’t though.
My focus returns to his lips—full, soft-looking, and so tempting. I’ve felt them before. What if I wanted to feel them again? Just to see if I remember them right.
“Are you okay?” I ask him, but he doesn’t reply. Instead, he smiles that rare smile, unleashing a devastating pair of dimples.
Someone lets out a little moan. I think it’s me.
That’s when he does something I wasn’t expecting. With a tenderness I didn’t think was possible, Grayson tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. My breath catches and my heart might’ve stopped beating, I’m not sure because my brain isn’t working either.
“Can I take you home?” I ask.
I’m not sure why I asked that. All I know is I need to stop talking. He doesn’t seem offended or surprised, he actually chuckles at my question.
“Are you fucking serious right now, Gray-Gray?!”
The shrillness of that voice breaks the spell I was under. I pull away, startled and alarmed by my inane behavior.
“I’m very serious about my girl,” he replies, pulling me to him again, and my eyes snap to his. He doesn’t mean that. I know he doesn’t mean that. Play along, he said.
I was playing along. Which means he’s playing too and this isn’t real. Of course it isn’t.
Obviously, he still hates me. A tiny, little, itty bitty part of me is wishing he didn’t. I blame his warm body—it’s tricking me into enjoying it, into enjoying him.
“Your girl?! Is that right?!” Lila Jane snaps.
“It is,” he breathes against my lips. When did he move closer? Or did I lean in?
Is he going to kiss me? And did he just call me his girl?
Butterflies swirl in my stomach and all I can think about is kissing him. Putting my lips on every single part of him, starting with his mouth.
Pinche Selena, no! The way my brain goes straight to the gutter when he’s involved is actually scary.
From this moment on, I take no responsibility for my actions. Why? Because his fingertips begin their ascent up my spine. Heat unfurls at my core and I can’t prevent the way my body arches into his. My heart is beating so fast now, I’m sure he can feel it.
Play along, he whispered, and he’s certainly playing.
“Party at Gamma this Friday. Bring your little girlfriend.”
“I might,” he replies, still looking into my eyes.
Lila Jane mutters obscenities. “Pretty soon you won’t be able to ignore me!” she whines as she storms off. The windows rattle when she shoves the double doors open.
Once those same doors swing closed, noise erupts as everyone talks at once.
Did you see that?
I didn’t know Grayson Rhodes had a girlfriend?
Who is she?
I think she plays tennis.
Can I sit on his lap next?
I should move away now that Lila Jane left. Sure Grayson has his strong arms around me, but that was all for show. His gaze softens as he searches my face. His lips tilt to one side.
“You should sit in your own chair,” he suggests.
“I should,” I agree. Still, I make no move to get up. Shamelessly, I stay right where I am.
He lifts his eyes to meet mine once more and neither of us says anything. Neither of us does anything either.
“Selena, girl, get off him and talk to me.”
Letty. A burger place full of people. Right. Not alone. Not real.
Blushing furiously, I slide off his lap and back into my own cold, hard chair. Letty sits in the spot Lila Jane vacated.
“What the fuck was that?!” she asks me, then turns to him. “And who was that, Gray-Gray?”
“Don’t call him that,” I say at the same time he excuses himself and returns to the front counter.
Letty wastes no time. “I know you’re not on a date—because you once told me you hate that guy. Uh-huh, yeah, whatever. Anyway, what the fuck just happened? Why did he sit you on his lap? Why are you here together? Are you going to the Gamma party? Can I come too?”
I’m really glad she’s here. Even with all the questions, she’s a reminder of reality.
“I do hate him. Used to. Still do. Whatever. Anyway, I think they know each other from before. He pulled me into his lap to get her to think we’re together for some reason. I was driving him home because he was drinking. I don’t think I’m going, sorry.”
“Bro.”
“What?”
“First, rude. Second, I’ve heard he never lets anyone drive his car. Third, you have to go to the Gamma party! Did you know you have to be invited to be allowed in?”
I laugh. “What are they, vampires?”
“I know right!”
“I’m not going though.”
“Fair.”
“Look,” I sigh, “he was drunk. I wasn’t about to let him drive—”
“Why do you care?” she smirks.
“Because I don’t want anyone driving drunk and ruining their life or someone else’s. So I took his keys away.”
I don’t bother mentioning Trevor, who offered to switch with me so I’d take my brother and his friends home, while Trevor drove Grayson’s car. If I’m honest...I didn’t mind talking to him outside the bar.
“Anyway, I don’t think he’s interested in going to the Gamma party,” I add.
“I’m game if you are,” Grayson replies, taking his seat again.
I was so focused inside my huddled conversation with Letty that I didn’t notice him approach.
“Selena!” Letty laughs, sitting back and slamming her hands on the table. “You have to go and you have to take me with you!”
I look over at Grayson and there’s an amused half-smile on his face. He arches his left eyebrow, as if daring me to say yes.
Gamma parties usually have a theme. Sometimes it’s a costume party. Last year Jess went with some guy and showed me pics of everyone dressed in pink. It looked fun.
Letty nudges my leg with her foot. “So??”
I mean, it wouldn’t actually be a date. He just needs someone to play along. Besides, he helped me the other night, driving me to my brother’s house, so I can repay him with this. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone at the Gamma party who actually wants to have sex with me.
“Alright, let’s do it,” I tell them. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but if it means getting Grayson Rhodes not to hate me, while I find someone willing to take my v-card, then it’s a win-win.