Page 69 of Always Been You

Hannah rolls her teeth over her bottom lip like she is pondering what to tell us. She takes a big breath and lets out a sigh, as if she’s decided.

“A little over a year ago, Grayson had made it seem like he was interested. We went out to dinner a couple times, and it seemed like things were progressing. We had plans to go out to dinner one night, then I walked into a supply closet and found him going at it with another nurse from my department. I was mortified. He made it seem like it was nothing, like we should still go out to dinner, despite the fact he’d just been sucking face with someone else. I on the other hand, did not think that was a good idea, and he played it all offlike it was nothing. So, ever since I have tried to avoid him. Yet, everywhere I go, to work and my personal life, there he is. He’s always flirting with the nurses. I’ve heard from other people about his sexual escapades, and it’s just kind of gross. I just wish he had some more respect and some common decency for other people.”

I look around at my friends and nod, taking in all that Hannah just shared with us. Hannah’s not an overly emotional or sensitive person, so this must’ve really done something to her if she is still wound up about it a year later.

We grab our coffee orders and make our way outside. The guys are sitting at a picnic table, chatting away. The girls and I all look at each other when we spot Grayson and plaster smiles on our faces. We walk up to them. I hand Josh his coffee with a smile and Matt looks at me with a big grin and asks, “Where’s my coffee?”

I grin back and say, “Inside, you just gotta walk up to the barista and order it. She’s pretty cute. Maybe she’ll give you her number and you can have a new fuck buddy for a while.” His grin drops a bit before it’s back on his face.

“So, my best friend gets coffee from my sister, but not me?”

I place a hand on Josh’s shoulder and squeeze. “Well, Josh is doing the driving for this trip, which means I can nap, and he’s letting me play my music. So yes, I bought him coffee.”

Grayson looks between the two of us and squints his eyes. “He’s letting you play your music?”

“Yup,” I say, popping the p.

He looks to Josh with mock offence on his face as he clutches his chest. “Josh, man I thought we were friends, you never let me play my music in your car.”

“That would be because you have some shit taste in music,” Josh retorts.

The guys all start laughing like Grayson’s taste in music is some inside joke. Grayson’s cheeks pinken a little as he rebukes, “It was one time and it wasn’t my fault.” There has got to be a good story behind this.

Zoey scoots into the free space beside Matt and places her chin on her hand as she says, “Please, do tell.”

Surprisingly, Caleb is the first to break. “At poker one night about a year ago, Grayson went to hook his phone up to Josh’s speakers and One Direction started blaring through the system. He swears it was some chick and that it wasn’t his.” Hannah is covering her mouth, trying to hide her smile and the start of a laugh. “But when we scrolled through the playlist, it was riddled with boy bands and teeny-bopper songs.”

Eliza, Zoey, and I let it loose and Hannah joins in. I have a feeling that Hannah may have been behind the incident. I’ll have to ask her about it when we get to the campground.

The announcement asking everyone to return to their cars comes over the loudspeaker, and we say our goodbyes and head to our cars. When we get into the car, I ask Josh, “What are the chances that we can skip going upstairs for breakfast with everyone and stay here in the car?”

He reaches over and squeezes my thigh. “Babe, not a chance in hell. If Zoey and the girls don’t come looking for you, it will be Matt. Might as well head up there and avoid the hunt.”

I know he’s right, so once we park on board, we head up to the cafeteria. We order food and find a table big enough for the eight of us.

“Do you know how difficult it’s going to be going a whole weekend not sleeping beside you, not being able to kiss you when I want, not being able to touch you?” Josh asks softly beside me.

“I know, but I was thinking, maybe after your game on Tuesday, we could go to dinner with Matt and tell him about us.”

That has a big grin spreading across his face, and he reaches for my hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “Yeah, I’d love that.”

“You’d love what?” Zoey asks as she slides in beside me. I didn’t even see them coming.

Josh and I let go and I turn to her and my friends, making sure that the rest of the guys aren’t nearby. “Josh and I are going to tell Matt on Tuesday after their game.”

I get a variety of looks from the girls. Eliza looks shocked, Hannah looks excited, and Zoey looks happy. Zoey grabs my hand and squeezes. “It’s going to be great.”

The guys show up shortly after and we dig into our breakfast. Once we are done, the girls and I go clear our trays and drop them off. I walk back to the table and wrap my arms around Matt from behind. “I’m going to go walking around with the girls. I’ll see you when we get to the campground.”

I release Matt and look at Josh. “I’ll meet you at the car when the announcement goes off.”

He nods and I start to walk past him. He reaches out and grabs my hand before I can fully make it past him. “Keep your phone on you, Olivia.” I nod and make my way back to the girls, pulling my phone out of my pocket and shooting him a quick text.

Liv:Yes, sir.

MY MAN:Careful or I might need to find a secluded spot tonight to spank the snark right out of you.

Liv:What if I don’t want to be careful?

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