Chapter 33

Chapter 33

After our small conversation, Cyrus had me put on this blue plaid dress that was spaghetti strapped. When he told me he had something special for me to wear, I didn't think this would be what he was talking about. It was stitched very well though and the white shoes he had me wear were unbelievably cute. Although, it was strange that he wanted to get dressed up because we didn't go far.

In fact, when we were finished getting dressed, quickly and quietly we made our way outside to the far back of the house. There was a little gazebo in the middle of a beautiful field. The grass was green and sparkling as the sprinklers continued to water them. In the gazebo was a blanket, a picnic basket, and some pillows to match. There were rose petals all around the blanket and the ground leaving me standing there in awe. He was such a sweetheart and didn't even know it.

It was a little nerve racking, still being around the house as anyone could spot us. However, he seemed confident enough that we would be ok. Plus, this was much better than seeing him late at night when we're both half dead. This time we were wide awake and could give each other our full attention.

"Do you like it?" He asked excitedly grinning at me.

I laughed, nodding my head. "Like it, I love it!" I say, impressed by his thoughtfulness.

We take our shoes off before sitting in the gazebo on the blanket. Inside the basket he pulled out some fruits with little sandwiches. There were crackers with cheese and of course some drinks. A few bottled juices and water to be exact. It was honestly cute, and it was the first time he didn't go out of his way to spend money on something fancy. This was more my style of date.

I did not hesitate to pick up some grapes and stuff them in my mouth. They were nice and fresh, something I wasn't expecting. The sandwiches were even better the choices being between ham, turkey, and a classic peanut butter and jelly. I chose to go with ham because it was always so good. It also bodes well with the view I had. There was so much empty land. I'm not sure where it ended and where it began.

"You guys have so much land." I said looking around amazed.

Through chewing, Cyrus nodded shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah, it goes on for miles. I was actually thinking of getting a house built somewhere around here." He tells me.

I laugh. "Oh, let me guess, like a bachelor pad for you and Jay to cause mayhem." That sounded exactly like something they would both do.

Cyrus chuckled raising his eyebrow. "You seriously think I'm that kind of guy?" He asked surprised at what I said.

"Well, it's true, right?"

"It was at first." He says not even denying it anymore.

That made me laugh aloud. "What changed?"

"You."

I looked at him intently scanning his eyes trying to find where he was bluffing at. There was no but seriousness in the way he looked back at me. What he is telling me without saying words is that he meant it. My mind didn't know how to process anything that just happened. I was still shocked that I, Autumn Monet, was changing someone in a way that wasn't supposed to be even possible. He wasn't supposed to be making changes to his life because of me. I was only one person and yet he placed so much stake in me.

Looking down, I fiddled with the sandwich in my hand because I didn't know how to respond. That was a massive thing to say to someone. Especially when we weren't even anywhere at the end of the competition. He was so sure of himself which made me in turn more skeptical. There was no way this was going to turn out the way he planned. But even with all my doubts, his words always filled me with hope inside. Hope that in the end I, we will be victorious.

Shaking my head, I looked back at him. "If that's the case, then I don't want it to be extremely big." I joke. "Your house is a maze as it is."

"That's fair, I figured you wouldn't want that anyway." He knew me so well. "I was thinking more ranch style with barn like doors throughout the house. A large house but not like flashy."

His planning really brought some enjoyment to me. "Why large though?" I wanted more answers.

"Because, at some point we will get married and have kids. I know you don't know what you want right now but I've always said one day I'll have at least four of them little fuckers running around." It was always nice having a man that knows exactly what he wants.

Though, his word choice through me for a loop. "The fact that you just called our unborn children little fuckers makes want to rethink this." I joke laughing at him.

He laughed realizing how that sounded. "Ok, maybe not little fuckers but you know what I meant."

We continued to laugh enjoying each other's company. The conversation went to a place I wasn't ready for, but it was nice to know that he already had a clear head. I would be the one to be so confusing and misleading. That job was usually left to the male and now here I was playing games. It was all to protect my heart though. As that was the most important thing to me in the end.

The topic was getting to be a bit much for me, so I decided to change it up. We started to walk around the grass with our shoes off our arms linked together. Having him this close to me was warming. Everything about this afternoon was stellar. Deep down I was hoping we'd get to spend more time out in the open like this. Having to keep hiding our special bond was so disheartening.

Still, our time was always our time and I've been dying to know this since Saturday happened. I was sure he'd have more answers for me than what was shared.

Clearing my throat, I wasn't sure how to bring this us up because I didn't want to give him the wrong idea. But my mind was so curious to know what was up with him.

"So, your friend Jay, he smokes cigarettes." I blurt out being straightforward.

This caused Cyrus' face to scrounge up. "What? Who told you that?" He sounded confused like he had no idea about this.

I widened my eyes. "No one, I saw him."

Cyrus stopped looking at me like he didn't believe that. "Jay hasn't smoked a cigarette in years. I made him quit." Things were starting to not add up here.

I crossed my arms feeling like I said something I shouldn't have said in the first place. It was obvious Cyrus had no clue about this and Jay wasn't supposed to be partaking in such activities anyway. Which was good to know Cyrus was a good friend, but he hadn't been keeping track of it. However, I wasn't lying. Saturday at the ball Jay was smoking and he made it seem like it was an everyday occurrence. Now I'm learning that it's not.

"Did you see him drinking?" He asked me seeing as I knew more than he did evidently.

I shook my head getting nervous that I've done something I shouldn't have. "I didn't see him drinking anything, but didn't he just throw a wild party? He could've been drinking there." I say not understanding any of this.

Cyrus looked down, shaking his head, not pleased to hear about his friend. "If he's smoking cigarettes again, he's definitely drinking." He curses under his breath. "Looks like someone will be having another intervention."

Feeling bad I sighed knowing that I completely messed up. "Oh boy, did I do something wrong?" I asked feeling like I fucked up.

He looked at me coming over to hug me, reassuring me that I did nothing wrong. "No A, don't worry you did the right thing." He stroked my cheek like he always does. "I needed to know something like this before it gets out of hand."

His voice was serious, and he looked really concerned for his friend. I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but it was refreshing to know that Jay had someone like Cyrus. Someone that would look out for him. The question is where were his parents? I know technically he was a grown man, but Cyrus shouldn't have the responsibility of taking care of him. Encouraging him to do better, yes, but looking after him like he was his child was a bit much. However, Jay didn't tell me much and only said he would one day. Ultimately leaving me confused.

Unfortunately, me sharing this information with him made our day end sooner. Not something I was expecting and leaving me a little disappointed. I understood though and let him leave as this was urgent.

"I promise to make this up to you, A. Thank you for telling me." He said pecking my lips before gathering his shoes and leaving.

I sighed, realizing that I had nothing better to do now and the fact that Cyrus just left me to get back to the house myself. I was also worried about Jay. I hope he wasn't drinking again if he wasn't supposed to be. I'm not sure what he's going through, but I do hope he's ok. Deep down he was going to hate me once he realized I told Cyrus. I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret though. However, I'm not sure I would've kept it even if I did know. Why did everything have to be confusing?

Nevertheless, I grabbed my shoes, strapping them back on before walking back towards the house. My mind running a mile a minute thinking of all the possibilities going on with Jay. None of them made any sense though. The way he portrayed himself was completely different than what Cyrus was saying to me. It was safe to say I didn't know him at all because I didn't. but I still wanted him to be ok and all of this be a false alarm. Cyrus knew better than that though. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left so swiftly. Everywhere I go it's always something.

Finally getting back to the house, it would be just my luck running into Farah. She stopped directly in front of me looking me up and down. It was like she was scanning my outfit before giving me a tight-lipped smile. I'm praying she didn't see Cyrus coming from this way. That would not be an enjoyable conversation if she did.

"Where'd you get that dress from?" She immediately asked.

I looked at it, then back at her. "Uh, it was a gift from my mom." I lied. I couldn't tell her Cyrus bought it for me.

She pursed her lips staring at my shoes next. "Wow, you own something that I actually like." She gave me her backward ass compliment. "Good for you."

I didn't know what to say because this was all very weird and uncomfortable. I know I wasn't up to her taste level, but she didn't even try to hide that fact. Her bluntness really disturbed me because it was being directed at the fact that I had no money, not me personally. Her reflection of me was based on materialistic items and really didn't sit well with me. I wasn't going to argue with her because I did enjoy her son and her daughter. Her husband I wasn't familiar with, but I'm positive he was better than she was.

Before walking away, she turned around talking to me again. "I hope your look is as impressive this week as today. You're going to need it to be."

I furrowed my brows. "What's that supposed to mean?" At this point I was annoyed with her antics.

She smiled the fakest smile I ever seen in my life. "This week is the opportunity of a lifetime and I hate to say it, but it'll probably be the only time you get to partake in something like this." That brought her joy. "As I said, you're here to fill a role and you fill that role very well darling. Let's keep it that way mmkay?"