Delicate

outside...together

୭ ˚○◦˚. Theo ୭ ˚○◦˚.

"I keep picturin' her lips on your neck, I can't unsee it"

April 4, 2005

I smiled at the girl next to me. Grace was becoming the forefront of pretty much all my thoughts. We were in the corner booth of Biddies lounge. It was Adeline and Declan's birthday's so we were all here to celebrate that.

"Keep touching me like that and I'll be taking you to the bathroom," Grace smirked, referring to the hand I had placed on her thigh.

"Then I'm going to keep touching you," I chuckled, my thumb stroking the inside of her thigh.

The girl knew exactly how to get a rise out of me.

I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips, a small smile appearing on her face after I pulled away.

"Hey, lad," Declan nodded at me, coming to slide into the booth.

"Hey, happy birthday!" I grinned, turning towards Declan.

"Thanks," he smiled. "Been enjoying the party?"

"Yeah, for the most part," I laughed. "What about you?"

"It's grand," he shrugged. "Most of these people are here for Adeline."

He said it with a smile but I could tell he was down. I knew his girlfriend was in the hospital—Grace had left out the details, but I knew enough—so that must've been weighing on him.

"I'm here for you," I smiled. "And so is..." my sentance trailed off when I noticed Grace was no longer beside me.

"You were going to say Grace." Declan laughed. "That girl is definitely not here for me."

"Where is she?" I furrowed my brow scanning the room for my girlfriend, but coming up empty.

"I've got no idea," Declan shrugged.

"She's kind of tipsy," I worried. "I should probably go look for her."

"Yeah, you could ask Addy if she's seen her." Declan offered, pointing to where his sister was dancing with Gibsie.

I gave him a smile and headed to where Gibsie was twirling Adeline around in circles.

"Hey," I blurted out, feeling awkward for interrupting them.

"Hi?" Addy and Gibsie said in unison and then looked to each other and said, "Jinx!"

"Hey, sorry to bug you guys." I muttered, "but have either of you seen Grace?"

"No, sorry, lad," Gibsie shrugged.

"Um, yeah, I think she just went to the bathroom," Addy replied, her tone laced with uncertainty.

I gave her a smile and nodded, "thanks."

Her response did nothing to make me feel at ease. In fact, her uncertainty mixed with the guilt in her eyes only made me feel worse. Grace was still absent from the room, so I took refuge in the booth with Declan.

"So?" He asked me, sipping the fresh drink in his hand.

"Adeline said she's in the bathroom." I shrugged, my gut knotting as the words left my mouth.

Declan eyed me, "you think that's bullshite?"

"Sort of." I swallowed down my anxiety, "it didn't seem very sincere."

I watched Declan's eyes travel to the door where a soaking wet Johnny entered, his eyes flashing with hurt. The sight threw me but not as much as when my eyes met Gracelyn who was also soaking wet.

It was raining.
They were outside...together.

The knot in my stomach tightened, the confusion in my mind changing to realization. They were out there together. I didn't know what they were doing but the sight of their wet hair was enough evidence.

She loved him. She pretended like she was over him, but she wasn't. Asher was right, she was in love with Johnny Kavanagh. It seemed so obvious now, our relationship was built on lies.

Declan gave me an awkward smile, obviously noticing my distress, "I'm sure they were just talking."

"Yeah," I nodded, but I didn't believe that.

Grace had told me she used to have feelings for Johnny. I wasn't an eejit—well maybe I was—I knew them going outside couldn't be as simple as talking. She wanted him and I was positive he wanted her as well.

"Hi," Grace smiled, sliding into the booth next to me. Her amber eyes were laced with guilt and I tried to ignore it.

"Hey," I sucked in a breath. "Where'd you run off to?"

"I needed a smoke," she smiled. "Sorry for disappearing." She pressed a kiss to my cheek and I swear it stung.

It was just a reminder of everything she'd lied about. She didn't love me, she didn't even like me.

Deciding tonight wasn't a good night to make a scene, I pushed the thoughts of betrayal down and forced a smile onto my face. It was her best friend's birthday party, it wasn't the time nor the place for a breakup.

I couldn't help but look to where Johnny was standing with Hughie and Feely, his eyes locked on my girlfriend. It was all very unfortunate. I liked Johnny and I really fucking liked Grace.

I shot a murderous glance at Johnny, before throwing an arm around Grace. I didn't care that I was angry with her, I wanted to prove a point. Tonight Gracelyn was mine.

I smirked when I noticed the clench in Johnny's jaw and the jealousy in his eyes.

He should be jealous.
He deserved it.

Because I knew from here on out, I'd be the jealous one.
So, I took in the moment, knowing Grace and I were soon to be over.

And the worst part was, I couldn't blame the girl. She was just following her heart, and that happened to not be in my favour.

Which it never was.