Kill My Mind || DOLLHOUSE Spin-off

55. Alejandro

I walked into the kitchen with a smile spread widely across my face and a hum leaving my lips. I noticed Matt sitting by the kitchen island scrolling through his phone. I came up behind him and roughed up his hair. He was quick to jerk away from me and roll his eyes "Let's go out and do something fun today."

He gave me a confused stare and put his phone down "What the fuck is wrong with you?" he said slowly. 

"I've been in a mood for months and suddenly I'm happy and you think something is wrong with me?" I shot back and rolled my eyes. I walked to the fridge and grabbed water before sitting beside him. 

"Yeah yesterday you were all moppy now you're smiling from ear to ear what the hell happened."

I shrugged "Just good things. Life is good." yesterday when I asked Gray to get dinner he hesitated. I could see it on his face he wanted to say yes. He doesn't want me out of his life he's just too fucking stubborn to admit what he wants. It's okay though I could wait. I will wait. "Plus I have high hopes for Gray and I getting back together."

Matteo's head quickly turned to the side finally facing me "You guys spoke? He forgave you?" 

"Well...sort of." Matt rolled his eyes and looked back at his phone "Yesterday, I asked him to get dinner with me and he seemed like he wanted to."

"But he said no?" I nodded "You're like a fucking teen girl Jesus man."

"It's the way he said it Matteo you had to have seen it for yourself."

"Oh he just looked right at me and I swear he's in love with me. We're gonna grow old and I already planned the wedding" he said in a high-pitched voice while curling his short strands of hair "That's how dumb you sound" 

I scoffed and hit him hard on the back of the head. He held onto where I hit him and bit his lip "Are we hanging out or not."

"Fine if you're paying." I nodded "It's been a while since I've been to a race." As soon as he said race a lightbulb went off in my mind. 

Gray had a friend who owned a race track. He took me on one of our first dates. Maybe if we go and his friend is working he'll tell Gray and Gray will know I'm still thinking about him "Fine but were going to a different track. Go get ready." Before Matt could protest I ran upstairs to get ready.

...

We pulled up to the track, and I was already feeling mixed emotions. I felt smiley for coming to a place I knew Gray loved without him, but I was excited to show it to Matteo and talk to Dante again. We made our way close to the track and my eyes scanned the crowds for Dante. 

As soon as I spotted him my eyes shifted to the guy he was speaking to "Shit." I said under my breath. my eyes widened

"Ale did you really fucking bring me to Gray's race." I turned my back to Gray quickly to face Matteo.

"Honestly, I truly had no idea he would be here today." I put my head down "He's not looking here right." Matteo shook his head no. I silently cursed myself over how bad of an idea this was.

"He walked away." I raised an eyebrow at Matt not sure if I could trust him "Seriously he went towards the locker rooms"

I turned back and saw Dante writing stuff down. I took a deep breath and walked over to him "Dante!" He looked up at me and smiled. He held his arms out for a hug and I hugged him. 

"Grayson didn't tell me you were coming! What a lovely surprise."

I tried my best to act surprised "Gray is here?"

His eyebrows furrowed "Uh...yeah. He's racing. You're not here to watch?"

"No, we broke up," I said softly and Dante took a deep breath then held back an opinion and just nodded 

"Sorry to hear." I bit my cheek and smiled at him

"I came because I wanted to show my little brother your tracks." I stepped aside so Matt could step in front of me "This is Matteo. He wants to work at NASCAR one day." Dante shook his hand and started speaking to him about the races. I looked around and didn't see Gray but I did see a betting booth "One-second gentlemen I'll be right back" I smiled and walked quickly over to the betting booth. 

"Fifty thousand on Grayson Knight" I blurted out before the guy could even ask what I wanted. He nodded and took down my information. After some time Matteo came over to me and we went to the stands to take our seats.

...

The race ended in a roar—engines winding down as everyone was cheering for Gray who had won by a long shot. I stood with Matteo, the adrenaline still humming in my veins. Matteo wanted to speak with Dante again and thank him for showing him around before we left.

We saw Dante scribbling down some final notes, so neither of us moved. Instead, we waited together, caught in the moment between the victory and our next move. As the excitement began to die down, Dante approached with a crooked smile. 

"Hey, you know, Gray's been asking about something," Dante said in a low voice. "He heard someone bet fifty thousand on him."
My heart skipped a beat—there was no mistaking the shock that hit me. I had just made that wager without a second thought. I didn't even consider he'd care to know who placed it.

Before I could even process the implications, I saw Gray scanning the crowd. His eyes locked onto ours, and he started making his way over. In that instant, time seemed to slow: Matteo and I exchanged a look, a silent acknowledgment of the inevitable confrontation. And then, Gray was right there, about to speak. "You stalking me Ale?"

I was quick to speak "I didn't even know you'd be here. Just came to show Matt the track." He didn't react he just looked over at Matteo.

"Hey, Teo," he said softly. He always had a soft spot for Matteo. Matteo was so pissed when he disappeared I know he wants to forgive Gray but he won't until Gray and I work out our issues...and that's killing Gray.

"Hi, Gray," he said quickly and unamused. He nodded slightly showing he understood Matt didn't want to talk to him. He looked back at me

"Why'd you place 50 thousand on me?"

"I had no doubt you'd win" and that was the truth. I knew these other people didn't stand a chance against him

"Okay well, you can have what I made off the bet I don't need your money and I don't want it."

"Keep it. You won the race you deserve the money. Matter of fact just keep it all."

"Al-"

"Seriously. I'm not looking for anything. Just keep it. I would have placed more if I had on me." He nodded and said thanks under his breath. "We have to go. I have a fight soon."

"Still kicking ass in those," he asked. My heart fluttered. It was nice to have a conversation with him.

"You should come," Matteo suggested. I was glad he did because I knew Gray would turn me down. 

He once again hesitated "I don't think that's a good idea but thanks for the invite." I nodded "Plus I'd end up giving the money back to Ale. I have no doubt he'd win." Gray flashed the tiniest quickest smile my way and then walked away 

"Okay so there is still hope for you guys" Matteo said as he looked at me

"Told you"