Heard it Through the Grapevine

Chapter Eleven

I awoke to a chime on my phone. It was a notification from @slobaddiesoffical on Instagram having tagged me and the rest of the Honeyboys on a lengthy post.

Breaking News

The Drama at the Hive seems never ending... especially after last night.

For those who haven't heard, Nathan, the so-called newest member of the Honeyboys, seems to be caught in a complicated love square. Who could miss the longing looks Ari, Matt and Grady gave Nathan? No wonder they were so quick to accept him into the band? Apparently Matt and Nathan kissed at the annual band sleepover only for Nathan and Grady to kiss in the Jeffery house bathroom. Even Lucas, Ari's ex, couldn't keep his big mouth shut about his jealousy! Who knew the saxophone player had so much rizz?

XOXO @SLOBADDIESOFFICAL

My heart stopped and I felt my stomach drop. I didn't need the rest of SLO to know my business, even I couldn't stop myself from reading this post. How did @slobaddiesoffical even know all of this? I felt so bad, I was ruining the Honeyboys, how could I ever fit in with them if all I do is cause drama? It wasn't supposed to be like this. Why did Car Pool have to sell me to the Honeyboys?

I needed to find the others, I couldn't have been the only one who had read the post. I ran downstairs and in the living room was Nick and Reese, who were speaking in hushed tones. As they noticed me entering the room, they looked at me with soft, worried eyes. "It's okay," they assured me but it didn't feel okay.

"Where are the others?" I asked. I was afraid to face them but I was afraid that if I didn't this would be the end. I felt like I was going to throw up. I just had my first kiss a few days ago and now I am being branded as the campus slut.

The boys told me that Matt had stormed out of the house a while ago. They weren't sure when or if he would be back. Meanwhile Grady was still asleep, having cubed all night. It was probably better for him to rest rather than deal with all of this. Ari was in the garage and with that I headed in.

As I walked into our rehearsal space, I saw Ari. he was sitting on the couch in a beautiful robe covered in a colorful design with his chest peaking out through the neckline. He looked nervous, drinking his tea and staring off into space. He is probably just as confused as I was. What would happen to the band with all of this drama?

"I just saw the post," I said nervously. My feet felt stuck to the floor, I felt like I was on the verge of panic. Ari looks over, as if finally noticing my presence. "Everything is okay Nathan." His words didn't ease me.

"I am so sorry. I didn't know any of this would happen. I just got caught up in the moment, with everything, with everyone."

"Nathan," he sighs, "I promise, it's okay. You deserve a chance to explore your feelings but I know you'll make your way to me" Although he was joking I couldn't help but notice the seriousness behind his voice. Ari wants to protect me and protect the band from the spectacle we have made for ourselves.

"I am just afraid I am going to ruin everything. I couldn't even make it through our show yesterday and now I am the cause of this post. How can I even continue with you all? I am not a Honeyboy and I never will be."

"Don't worry so much," Ari smiles, ruffling my bed head. "Did I ever tell you the story of how I became Ari Singer?" I shook my head, looking into his beautiful orbs that seem to change color with his mood. "Before I was Ari Singer... I was... Ari Dancer."

"Dance has always been my first love, I have done ballet ever since I was little. I was amazing, better than the entire Cal Poly Orchesis. But one day I slipped and tore my ACL. The doctors told me I would never be able to dance again. I could have gone pro!" Ari laughed but he had a longing look across his face. Turning to me again, "I know what it is like to lose control over what you love. Life isn't as black and white as we seem to believe." Ari flashes me his classic grin, "Listen, I know being a Honeyboy is scary and it doesn't come with a lot of privacy but everything happens for a reason."

Ari reaches for my hand, holding it in his like he did just a few days before. After a minute he gets up from the sofa and returns into the house, leaving me alone.