Book 2: Chapter 18

***Chapter 18***

After shopping, we made it back to the house and decided to go swimming again. We didn't get to do much of it the last time we came. Although we were in for a bit of a treat once we got there. To our shock, the groomsmen, including Cyrus, were all there as well. It wasn’t intentional to run into them like this but worth it. We should be getting acquainted with the other guys. I already knew Ashton thanks to Bradyn who immediately started freaking out when she saw him. The rest of this day could turn out to be lovely.

Without doing much of a check, Jay's eyes quickly landed on me as a smile crept on his face. I waved to him feeling excited that he noticed me so suddenly. It's like he purposefully looked for me even with Cyrus there. It was always a pleasure seeing a shirtless Jay with his wet curly hair resting over his face. Why can't I just be honest with this man so that I could have him whenever I wanted? It was difficult not going over and wrapping myself around him. I also had to remember Cyrus was here and one wrong move could ruin everything.

Either way, the boys stopped whatever it was they were doing greeting us. I hadn’t met everyone but soon learned that the very tall, lanky man's name was Rob, and he was 25. The scruffier-looking guy was Jules with his red hair and green eyes. Wolf was 25 and very fit. Then we had brothers in Stephen and Myles who were 24 and 23, being the youngest of the bunch. It's safe to say they were all very attractive. I had never been around this many good-looking men before and these were the people we'd be walking down the aisle with.

"Ladies, we weren't expecting you to be here," Wolf spoke to us as we put our things down.

"Why are you guys here? Did you do all your shopping already?" Sienna asked.

Jay nodded, getting out of the pool and walking over to me. "We finished hours ago. What took you all so long?" He directed his question at me.

I rolled my eyes not even wanting to talk about how badly we all struggled to find a gift. "Well, when you're buying something for someone who doesn't like you, it's hard," I answer him.

Jenna rolled her eyes at my comment, but I ignored her as she went and greeted Cyrus. I doubt he was paying much attention to her though as I felt his eyes boring into what Jay was doing with me. It's like he was watching to make sure he didn't do anything outlandish. However, Jay isn't an idiot knowing Cyrus was around. All he did was give me a hug and a sideways hug at that. I'm sure he wanted to embrace me the way he normally does, but Cyrus was right there. We had to be careful.

After hugging me, he jumped back in the pool getting me wet in the process. He came back laughing and flashed me a quick wink. I followed him into the water jumping on his back as he carried me over to where Cyrus was. I didn't get off his back either, in fact staying there. I mainly stayed close to him because I didn't want Kameron to talk to him. Call me crazy, but she wasn't stealing this one from me. Jenna already took Cyrus I can't lose both.

Speaking of Cyrus, he looked at me on Jay's back like he had a million questions running through his head. However, he didn't let it show in his words.

"Hey Autumn, how have you been?" He asked with a slight worry in his voice.

I smile waving to him. "Oh, you know, just getting by," I say trying to keep the conversation small since Jenna was right there.

Resting my head on Jay's back, I closed my eyes feeling great being this closely connected. It wasn't much, but he always made me feel calm. Even though we barely said two words to one another, being like this felt right. Like I was supposed to be right here with him. He sure didn't seem to mind either as he held me up with no problems. Maybe we were being too intimate, but no one seemed suspicious of anything.

Anyway, everyone ended up gathering around as Jenna decided we should all play a game. Of course, that game was volleyball. I had no interest whatsoever in playing this again, but I was willing to keep score alongside Cyrus. It would be the boys against the girls five on five. Jenna, Sienna, Ocean, Bradyn, and Twila versus Jay, Ashton, Wolf, Myles, and Stephen with Rob and Kira being referees. It should be more interesting this time around since the guys were here to play along.

Jay carried me over to the side of the pool so I could sit and keep score next to Cyrus. Kira and Rob set up the net and the game was underway! The boys were not only taller than us girls, but stronger so us gaining any points would be hard, but I had faith in my girls. This was also a great way to get acquainted with our fellow groomsmen. Some of us didn't know them otherwise, like me, and they all seemed like great guys. There hasn't been a guy I met in Sunbury who hasn't been great.

The game carried on as we were only going up to seven points. This time the ball was going back and forth for a long time as neither side was letting up. It was hard to tell who would get the first point, but after a few minutes, the guys ended up scoring much to our dismay.

"Do you think you guys could beat us? Come on now." Myles bragged.

I gave him a thumb down, not wanting to be defeated by a bunch of maggots. "Just wait, this is only the beginning," I say sticking up for us girls.

The match continued with the guys getting three points in a row. It was time we got it together and get some points here. It was boring watching Cyrus give his team point after point. It made it worse that they were gloating every time. Never fear though, as their gloating gave us a bit of momentum getting two points back-to-back. We were still behind but at least it showed them we weren't messing around.

"Gloat on that you dicks!" Bradyn yelled at them.

That made them laugh. "Oh, someone's getting competitive huh?" Ashton piped up smiling at Bradyn. That made her blush.

"We're just getting started," Ocean chimed in.

The game continued as the girls got another two points while the boys got two more as well. The score was four to five, the girls closing in on the guys every chance they got. Another round and we tied up making for an intense match. It was even better than the one the girls and I had last year. It was fun getting to do something we did so long ago, but it was even better when the score got tied six to six. There was one more point to be made and we all waited in anticipation to see what would happen.

It was Twila's serve as she hit it as hard as she could. Going over the net, Stephen matched her speed, hitting it again. This time Sienna got it not letting this ball drop. The boys weren't letting up either as Jay got his hands on the ball, nearly spiking it but Jenna got it right on time. It didn't make it over the net though as Ocean stepped in to cover her. A lot more back and forth continued before the girls started running out of steam. Wolf got the ball one last time and just when we thought we would have it, the ball touched the water giving the guys the last point.

"NOOO!" The girls and I screamed.

"YESSS!" The boys cheered.

We gave them a good fight at least even though they still won. They started dancing and gloating more than ever when they scored the winning point. I must admit it was cute seeing them excited the way they were. Especially Jay, the smile he wore on his face was so beautiful that I couldn't be mad that they won. It was fun and helped us bond a little bit, which I was happy about.

After our stunt in the pool, we went into the back where the gazebo was playing music and making a small fire. The night was ending, and it was a nice way to wind down. We were all laughing and drinking with each other. Well, all of us drinking instead of Jay. He was still having a good time either way.

But of course, Kameron made her way over to him and Myles who was talking normally. I sipped on my beer as I watched her dismiss Myles and talk to Jay alone. I tried not to think too much about it, but my eyes locked in on her. What sneaky thing was she up to now? It was impossible for her to get to Cyrus, so she went to Jay instead. The rage I felt inside my body was starting to take over me, but it didn't get a chance to consume me when I was interrupted by Cyrus.

"You sure are always looking when Kameron is with Jay," he said standing next to me. "First you're staying at his house, now you're watching who he talks to. What's going on?"

I knew he would ask questions at some point, but I didn't think I'd get caught doing what I was doing. "Sorry, was I staring?" I knew I was, but I had to lie to him.

It didn't seem like he bought that. "Autumn, I'm not stupid. Somethings going on with you two. You were just all over him at the pool." I can tell he was getting angry.

I scoffed. "Being on someone's back isn't being all over them," I argued. "Jay and I are just friends and only grew closer since I've stayed at his home."

He wasn't satisfied with that answer either but switched topics anyway. "Have you thought about my offer?" He asked me.

It would be a lie if I said I didn't think about it. Sneaking around like we used to sounds fun and exhilarating. Getting to have Cyrus to myself again wouldn't be disappointing. However, he was still an engaged man. Jenna already didn't like me as it was this would only make things worse. Not to mention if she saw us over here, she would undoubtedly have a problem with it. Where was she anyway?

Looking him straight in the eye, his facial expression was very serious waiting for an answer. I can't believe he wanted this to happen. He seemed close to Jenna, yet he was still going after me. This man was crazy as fuck for doing so without much regard for her feelings. It just pisses me off that all of this could've been avoided had he chosen me to begin with. Now he was loathing his choices, trying to win me back any way he could. I couldn't lie and say it wasn't working though.

"I've thought about it," I say quietly.

"And?" He raises his brow.

I shake my head. "It's an insane idea, Cyrus. It could never work," I denied much to his dismay.

He smirks, not seeing a problem with any of this. "It wasn't the first time," he reminds me. "I'd say sneaking around suits us."

That would be his answer. Just because we did it once doesn't mean we should do it again. It only worked last time because we were all in a competition fighting for him. This is different. He's supposed to be getting married, not chasing after me in some twisted game. The thought did cross my mind though. Going out on extravagant dates did sound fun. Getting to connect with him emotionally again would be amazing too. Staying up late talking to each other and boy did I miss his shower. This was a hard decision to make but tempting at the same time. What to do.

He noticed I hadn't answered him, changing his expression. "Autumn, please I'm desperate here," he begged.

"You should've thought about that when making your final decision," I reminded him of last year. "There will be no need for sneaking had you been smart and followed your heart."

Cyrus looked defeated but angry at the same time. "I'm not getting into this with you again. I had my reasons for doing what I did."

"Yeah, well they were shit reasons," I spat.

Everyone was having a good time not realizing we were over here arguing. This shouldn't have been the way we were spending this time together. There is no need to argue over stupid shit like this right now. Whether I answered yes or no, this conversation needed to end. It was getting us nowhere other than petty arguing. Cyrus had no clue how much I wanted to get back to how we used to be, but things weren't how they were back then. It was more complicated.

Sighing, Cyrus looked down at me not leaving without me giving him an answer. "What's it gonna be, Autumn?" He continues to question.

I give him a tight-lipped smile. "I just don't know."

"I need an answer by Friday. You're not getting out of this one." He says before walking away.

Well, fuck.