Chapter 18

Chapter 18

I still can't believe at the party I made a move on him. What was I thinking? Oh right, my mind wasn't functioning straight because, uh hello, liquor. However, there wasn't any part of me that regretted it. Mainly because we spent the whole night cuddling and exchanging kisses. It was different for us. Different for me. This wasn't something I was expecting to be doing so soon with him. The tension between us just couldn't be fought. We were connected in some strange way that I have yet to figure out. But we were enjoying what we built so far, and that part was great.

Cuddling him some more, I looked up at him still trying to figure out the events the night of the party. Even though it was clear what happened between us, things still seemed foggy. I needed more context so there was a clear understanding. Did I randomly just bring it up or did something happen for me too? How did he get me home? Nothing really made sense but I'm happy it led to this.

Laughing, he pulled me back into him, squeezing me tight. "I told you twelve times already, A." It's true, he gave me the run down about twelve times now.

I sat up looking at him in his beautiful chocolate eyes. "Yeah, but it doesn't make sense. What about the other girls?" I had so many questions.

He sat up as well leaning his back against the bed frame. "They were fine, I made sure Jay watched over them while I got you home safe and sound." He reassured me for the millionth time tonight.

I couldn't help how worried I was. Not only was I worried about the girls being there alone, but what if they had seen us? We weren't dating or anything like that. Just fooling around but even that had consequences and if they saw we would be in huge trouble. Mainly me and after these past couple of events, I didn't want to leave. My mind was made up to continue getting to know Cyrus.

The thought of getting sent home at a time like this was scary. Old me wouldn't mind getting sent home early. Now new me dreads the thought of that happening. The only thing keeping me collected is knowing that Cyrus was on my side and reluctantly Jeremy. It was his choice though.

Cyrus rolled his eyes at my worrying. "Would you stop worrying every time we're together? It's really not necessary." He was tired of me being afraid.

"How could I not worry when we shouldn't be doing this? Also, I just embarrassed myself in front of you cut me some slack." I argued.

He laughed shrugging. "It wasn't even that bad. I barely noticed." He said nonchalantly.

I squinted my eyes at him. "Bullshit you barely noticed." He was sitting right next to me; it would be hard to miss.

"Ok, I noticed but still you need to relax." He comforted me. "We don't have much time together after this until our date. Enjoy it."

He was right. It was only Thursday, and I wouldn't spend my time with him until Saturday morning. The more I sat here worrying about things that don't matter the more time I wasted being with him. We should be talking and getting to know each other. Though the cuddling and kissing was fun for me. There were so many other things that I didn't know about him. Things that wouldn't ever be discovered if I kept sitting here bitching.

Sighing, I rested back against the bed frame just like he was trying to calm down. At least there was no vomit tonight. That I should be grateful for. I also managed to put on some pajamas, so my body wasn't sitting exposed under a robe. Much to Cyrus' dismay, but he was still enjoying my company no matter how many clothes I had on. Sounds weird right?

Breaking the silence, I crossed my arms smiling at him. "This is going to sound crazy but what's the story between you, your mom, and Jenna?" This was something I've been dying to ask. His mom liking Jenna was off putting.

That didn't intrigue him in the least. In fact, it disgusted him. "Ugh, don't even get me started on that train wreck." He loathes just thinking about it.

I laughed finally finding something to talk about. "I smell tea brewing!" I said excitedly. "Tell me, what's the deal? Your mom has this strange favoritism towards her, and I want to know why."

"Her parents and my parents have been trying to set us up for months now. I've been turning it down while she, Jenna, has been wanting it this to happen since who knows how long." He explained to me not sounding so happy about it. "Thus, this competition is happening."

That all made perfect sense. No wonder his mom was always trying to push her to the forefront. This whole thing clearly was a set up for Jenna to win. But what if he didn't want to be with Jenna? Not saying he wanted to be with me. There was still Bradyn, Ocean, and Sienna on the market. Twila being out of the picture. It made me wonder what kind of tricks his mom was going to pull just so Jenna could beat everyone out. What would be the point of this whole thing if that were the case?

"Wow, that all makes sense now." I nodded understanding the situation. "This whole thing was for you to spend time with Jenna but instead, you've been spending it with me." I blushed a little.

No matter how much his mom tried, she couldn't force him to be with someone. The moment he turned it down should have been enough right there. Of course, mothers take things too far and now she potentially has girls getting their hopes up for nothing. All for Jenna to win and the rest of us look stupid. Her comments to me about filling a role started to click more than they first did. I wasn't just filling a role because I'm poor. I was filling a role because she already had her winner. This was horse shit!

He sighed, with this soft expression on his face. "I don't want a fabricated relationship ya know, A? I want something organic. Something where I don't feel like I'm forced into it." He began to rant. "I've been forced to do things my whole life. The one thing I never thought I would be forced into was love. I don't know...it's like my feelings don't matter to her."

This was the first time I saw some humility in him. The emotions that he showed me were different. He wasn't being his normal, overconfident self. This was the real emotion he was feeling. Something that unfortunately I couldn't understand. Regardless of how much my mom and I fought, she always made sure she heard me out. Even if I was wrong. It sounded like his parents just ignored that making him do things he didn't want to truly do. Things that make him happy to be doing them. My heart ached for him.

Not knowing what to say, I scooted over to him, grabbing his hand. I squeezed it lightly, letting him know that I was listening to him. It wasn't much but that was all that would come to mind. Even if there was nothing to be said, it wasn't going to stop me from being there for him. We were building a bond and he was going to know that he could talk to me whenever he felt like no one else was listening. I'll be there.

Squeezing it back tightly, he smiled caressing his thumb on the top of my hand. There was nothing that needed to be said. He got the message as soon as I grabbed his hand. Everything was going great. We had a spectacular night together and he showed me a more human side to him. That was more that than I could've asked for.

Of course, the moment was short lived as he abruptly got up and started putting his shoes on. I took this as he was getting ready to leave and it saddened me. I didn't want him to go because it felt like he just got here. Though it was late, and we shouldn't even be together to begin with. Still, his leaving was going to make this bed feel super empty.

"Leaving so soon?" I questioned hiding the sadness in my tone.

He turned to look at me that classic smirk spreading across his face. "Gunna miss me?" He winked at me. And the human side is gone.

I rolled my eyes, "now that you said that, no I won't." I stuck my tongue out at him.

That made him laugh leaning over to kiss my forehead. "It's ok, deep down I know you will." He smiled walking over to the door.

"How so!" I called out to him.

He looked at me one last time that smirk never leaving his face. "Because I'll miss you too."

That made my heart flutter.

"See you Saturday, A." He said before quickly walking out the door.

Until Saturday.