Book 2: Chapter 34

***Chapter 34***

Jeremy did so well finishing up the blanket. It turned out better than I thought it would. The white and red went so well together. He even managed to get some letters in there. It was a simple happy birthday with his name, but I loved it anyway. Although I didn't do much work on it Jay would still love the thought. It's a lot harder to crochet than I thought. His mom was super talented.

Now it was the night of the party and I was in charge of keeping Jay outside of the house until it was time to go in. Although Cyrus was on the fence about everything, he still showed out for his best friend in the best way possible. The look on Jay's face when he realizes what's going on will be priceless!

In the meantime, I drove up to the house at the time Cyrus told me to come. I texted letting him know we were there stalling a bit until he answered back. Jay surprisingly let me drive his car for the day. Something he normally wouldn't let anyone do. His car was his baby, but it was the only way to keep him from wanting to come back home. Little did he know, he had a huge surprise coming.

Unbuckling his seat belt, Jay was ready to be out of his car. "Can we finally go in now? I'm getting car sick," he whined.

I laughed before reaching into the backseat. "In a minute, I wanted to give you this," I say handing him the bag. "Happy birthday Jay!"

He looked shocked but smiled softly. "How did you know?" He questioned.

"I found out way last minute through Bradyn of course," it was so embarrassing. "Next time feed me this information. I felt like such a terrible girlfriend."

Jay chuckled pinching my cheek. "You could never be a terrible girlfriend," he says confidently.

I smile before getting excited for him to open his gifts. I had him take the blanket out first because I felt that it was something he wouldn't be expecting. It would also allow him to let out all his tears before getting to the chain which is not as effective. The crochet aspect would remind him of his mom, something I was aiming for. Though his mom would have made something more intricate, the very idea was surely enough to make him feel close to her.

At first, he didn't know what to say as he stared at the blanket. It wasn't perfect but I wanted it to be something special for him to have and be able to use. Of course, Jay is the man that he is making into something that we could use together. However, he loved every part of it.

"Autumn, did you make this?" He asked taking in the softness of the blanket.

I shrugged. "Sort of because I started to, but Jeremy ultimately is the one who did all the work," I admit. "I tried to learn but goodness is it complicated. Your mom is amazing."

He smirked. "Yeah, she truly was," his eyes filled with water but he sucked it up. "The best thing about this is I can see us now cuddled up under it right in front of the fireplace. Maybe a movie on."

"Jason, it's for you to use not me," I remind him.

He scoffed. "Nonsense, now what's the other little gift here?"

Going back into the bag, he took out the small box a little confused. Normally I wouldn't buy expensive gifts but Jay was worth it to me. The chain was also supposed to be a connection between the locket he got me. It wasn't identical since it was missing the engraving, but it made up for that with little diamonds all around it. No wonder it costs so much more money than expected.

When he took it out of the box he looked stunned. It was even more not what he was expecting and I honestly didn't know if he would wear it. I've never seen Jay wear any jewelry let alone a chain. It was a stretch and one that ended up paying off in the long run. Just by the look on his face, Jay was thrilled to have a new piece of jewelry.

"When did you get this? Why did you get this?" That was all he could say with a smile on his face.

It made me happy to see he liked it. "Well, I wanted to get you something to go with the locket you got me," I blushed. "Thought maybe we could match each other."

That made him smile looking at me like he had the best thing on the entire planet. It made me feel warm inside that I had someone to look at me the way that Jay does. You don't get that very often from people.

He took the chain out of the box, putting it on right away. "So, what do you think?" He asked me.

I laugh leaning over toward him. "I think you are the sexiest man alive," I say smirking.

"Mm, I kinda have to be to keep up with someone like you." He winked.

Of course, our perfect moment couldn't end without us sharing a small kiss. It was a bit risky being where others were inside. Mainly Cyrus because he had no idea what was going on. He could walk out here and spot us ruining the whole surprise. We needed to be more careful but thankfully cellphones were invented.

Rudely interrupted, my phone vibrated loudly with a text from Cyrus. That was my cue to bring Jay into the house. Things were running smoothly even though poor Jay was confused. The house was oddly dark and quiet. Everyone was waiting inside the dining room with cake and balloons. To be honest, they scared me a little bit when they screamed but nothing was better than seeing Jay's face. He was priceless.

"Surprise!" Everyone screamed.

Startled, Jay's eyes widened at the sight of everyone here. It isn't something he expected to be happening. The fact that we were able to keep him oblivious was the best part. Seeing his smiling but perplexed face will forever live rent-free in my head. I couldn't stop myself from taking a picture of him.

Though, my heart felt sad afterward. Seeing Cyrus and him embrace each other made my heart ache. The love those two had for one another couldn't even compare to the love I shared with both of them. It was appalling to me that this would all come crashing down sooner or later. All because I couldn't just like one person. I had to be greedy and potentially ruin a friendship. Seeing the two of them so happy together did make me smile.

Cyrus ruffled Jay's hair smiling from ear to ear. "Happy birthday to my best friend in the entire world," he said proudly.

Jay chuckled scratching the back of his neck nervously. "I don't even know what to say. You got me this time." He laughed at Cyrus.

Everyone gradually went up to Jay giving him hugs here and there. Once it was over, Wolf insisted on finally turning on the music so we can truly party. The boys pulled out the drinks and it was a mess from there. There were a few party games we played like beer pong being one of them. We did the guys against the girls again this time making sure we stopped at nothing to win.

It was a close call but we did end up pulling it off much to the boy's dismay. However, things took a strange turn when they decided they were going to play kiss, marry, kill. This wasn't a good game to play when there are drinks involved. Plus, I didn't want to reveal my answers with Cyrus in the room. It felt like it would cause more drama than it was worth but they continued anyway.

Starting with Jules. "Let's see here, I'd definitely kiss Kameron, marry Bradyn, and I'm sorry bro but I would kill Myles."

We all laughed at his answers as everyone started to go as well. It didn't start getting weird until we got down to Cyrus, Jay, and me. Everyone in the room had to be well aware of our situation except a couple of people. Hearing both of their answers was interesting, but the fact that Cyrus didn't kill Jay for his answers alone shocked me.

Jay went first giving his answers. "Shit, uhh I would probably kiss Twila, marry Autumn, and kill Rob." He was honest and boy was I fighting back a smile. He chose me to marry could it mean more?

Cyrus didn't think much of it going on to state what he would do. His answers were interesting too but maybe he chose what he did to save face.

"Alright, I would kiss Bradyn, marry Jenna obviously, and kill Ashton," those answers blew my mind.

Kameron smirked crossing her arms. "Wow Bradyn you're popular," she sounded a bit snooty.

It's true though, nearly every guy chose Bradyn to kiss and or marry. I couldn't blame them Bradyn was hot and the sweetest girl out of all of us. If I were into it I'd kiss or marry her too. Ashton had some competition to look out for evidently.

Now here's the awkward part. It was my turn to go and I felt stuck between a rock and hard place. It didn't help that both Jay and Cyrus were staring at me intently. If Jay were left out he would most likely question me. If Cyrus were left out he would not believe any of the words I've been saying to him. At the same time, if I chose both of them for either thing and not the other they'll get mad about what I chose them for. It was too much to think about. Fuck me.

"You're up Autumn," Jenna looked at me thrilled it was my turn.

I roll my eyes sipping my drink beforehand. "Uhh, we'll for sure I would kill Jenna," I say no questions asked. It got a few laughs. "For the last two..." I trailed off.

I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings but it's not like Cyrus added me to any of his answers either. If Jay is included in mine would he feel some kind of way? It's only fair I don't include him since he didn't do me. However, Jay did and that boy needed to start being more discrete when Cyrus is around. Either way, I made up my mind and was fully prepared for what Cyrus would have to say about it. Sort of.

"I'd kiss Ashton and marry Jay," I say finally getting it out.

Jay was also like me trying to fight from smiling as he put the cup to his mouth. It was risky but I made that choice because Cyrus didn't think about me in this scenario. Why would I include him in mine? Yes, Jay's name was said, but that could also be equated to me knowing him the second best out of everyone. At least where Cyrus is concerned.

That said, I was glad that game was over because I couldn't take another moment of that. Everyone switched gears getting ready to sing happy birthday to Jay. That allowed me to head to the kitchen to grab some plates and silverware for everyone to have cake. Unfortunately, I was stopped by none other than Cyrus. The man I'd been expecting to see. After that silly game of course he'd find me.

Coming over, he helped me reach the plates before talking to me. "That was interesting," he said not looking at me.

I tried to play cool like I didn't see what he was getting at. "It was only a stupid game," I deflect.

Cyrus' eyes snapped at me with a kind of playful grin on his face. "Mm, I don't recall hearing my name. Did you forget?" He was joking with me.

"Oops must've but I didn't forget you not mentioning me either," I softly elbow him.

It's nice to know he didn't take it too literally and I was in the clear. Though Cyrus confuses me now and again. One minute he's questioning my relationship with Jay the next it's like he never had suspicions. It's always hard to tell what Cyrus is thinking in that big head of his. All our bickering over this has been cutting into our time together though. I just wanted to have fun like we used to.

Sighing, Cyrus ran his fingers through his hair like something has been weighing on his chest. "I'm sorry Autumn," he startled me with that apology. "I know I get worked up from time to time and honestly have no right to after my cowardice."

"Cyrus-"

"No seriously, I do have trust issues that need to be worked on and addressed. But it gives me no right to be an asshole to you. I just know that I fucked up last year and could lose you at any second to anyone." Was Cyrus being a human being with me right now?

I tried to interrupt him but he cuts me off again. "Cyrus-"

"I'm sorry for yelling at you and possibly making you feel like shit," he said before snaking his arm around my waist and cupping my cheek with his other hand. "Just know I only get so jealous because I know the mistakes I made and I will correct them. For you."

Well, that wasn't something I was expecting from him. After that game, I thought for sure he was going to come in here yelling at me like last time. Whatever changed his mind I'm grateful too. This was the sweet side of Cyrus that I loved immensely. Lately, he has been letting his anger get the best of him, but it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed. Despite all our dysfunction, Cyrus and I were made for each other.

We smile at each other resting our foreheads together. Before we could kiss we were interrupted by the screams of the others to sing happy birthday. It was best that we kept things fairly PG all things considered. His fiancé was still in the house and after Farah's threat, I didn't need her seeing anything. So, we grabbed the plates and silverware, and sing happy birthday finishing the night strong.