Forever in Grayscale

Forever in Grayscale: Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen – Carmen’s POV

            It had been such a wild night, I was ready to go home. I stood by Xavier, watching as Kade slammed the car door behind Grayson with a little more gusto than needed and sped off. I turned to my date.

            “Well! This was fun, we’ll have to do it again some time!” I laughed sarcastically. Xavier frowned.

            “What, that’s it?”

            I stopped smiling. “Those guys in the bathroom? I’m starting to think you know way more about that than I even do, Xavier, and I’m not demanding any answers from you! I’m tired and I don’t know why any of that happened so –”

            “Okay, okay. Can we go now? I don’t want to linger here any longer than we have to.” He looked around nervously and made a small step towards his car.

            I shrugged and followed, but a grin crept onto my face. “Poor Grayson. Kade looked about ready to throw a hissy fit.”

            “Sure he did! This is a serious situation!” But I saw a quick smile flash onto Xavier’s face.

            Getting in the car, I thought the drive home would be tedious. Xavier seemed to be on the edge of his seat with thoughts of what had just happened at the bowling alley and I wasn’t prepared to interrogate him about those men quite yet. At this point, I was ready to get home and sink into my bed, even if I wouldn’t be about to sleep.

            However, the state of current events did not turn out to be what was on Xavier’s mind, as I soon found out.

            “I’m just really wondering if I should ask you if you wanted to come to our place, because we possibly just had the shittiest first date ever and I can cook.”

            I straightened. “Well…” I was caught off guard. “Sure. But I can’t stay long.”

            Xavier let out a long sigh of relief. He seemed to be calmer now, smiling lightly and he drove to the pack’s house.

            Xavier might be calm, but I’m suffering a shit storm of nerves right now.

            Dating.

            I’m dating someone.

            How do you manage to date someone without even knowing it? When he had asked me to the bowling alley, was I supposed to interpret that as a date? But here he is, saying that it’s a date! I’m not mentally prepared for dating. I need days to get ready for this. But no! He just flings on me!

            But I’m surprised to find my seething dies down rather quickly, though there is an uncomfortable squirming in my stomach and I’m hoping that the rest of the pack is home to make this less awkward.

            I steal a glance at Xavier. He seems so happy, brown eyes calm and bright, tapping his thumbs on the steering wheel to the sound of the radio. I find myself with a light smile, and thinking, Maybe I can be fine with this.

            Definitely fine with it, I think as I recall the moment when Xavier had rescued me and carried me against his warm chest. My face reddens at my own thoughts and I stare furiously out the window again, determined not to flip my shit over Xavier. It’s just another date with another guy. Carmen, you’ve dated guys before. It’s not that hard.

            It doesn’t take long to reach the pack’s house. It’s not exactly small, as one might guess considering our whole werewolf pack is supposed to live here. Clambering out onto the street, Xavier walks up next to me.

            I’m blushing again. Damn it.

            I stare up at the house, hoping for a few lights to be on. Not disappointed, I see the living room and two bedroom lights through the night.

            “What do you want to eat?” Xavier asks, pushing open the front door. What’s-his-face is on the couch, watching a movie. He looks over, directly to Xavier before his eyes drift towards me. Staring at me, he doesn’t seem to recognize me, until suddenly his eyes flash with realization. Yeah, I should probably make more of an effort to get to know my pack mates. It’s just that I haven’t really had the desire to be around any of them until… well, Xavier, and whatever this weird little friendship I have with Grayson happened.

            Following Xavier to the kitchen, I notice What’s-his-face turn back towards the TV.

            “What can you make?” I ask, turning my attention back to Xavier.

            He shrugged. “Spaghetti?”

            I nod.

            “Cool. You want to help?”

            “Sure.”

            He opens the fridge, handing me a few tomatoes. “Can you handle these?” He flashes me a grin.

            I nod. Make conversation!

            “Do you think Kade and Grayson got back yet?” I ask after a moment of silence. Xavier looks at me.

            “Hmm. Not sure. Hey, do you think anything is going on between them?” he asks curiously. I contemplate the possibility, glad to focus on someone else’s love life other than mine, if this even counts.

            “It’s hard to say… I don’t really spend time around them both at once, you know?” I stick a piece of tomato in my mouth.

            “Understandable. I don’t either.” He turns towards me. “Well, then what about us?”

            I almost choke on the tomato. “Sorry?”

            Xavier has a nervous smile on his face. “I’m just asking, you know, if you like me?”

            I set my kitchen knife down rather quickly. “Do you want to go outside? To talk?” I ask. My stomach feels hot and bubbly and my mind is numb.

            “Oh, uh.” He takes a look at the seriousness of my face and nods quickly, sparing the half prepared spaghetti one final glance as I pull him outside.

            Outside, the air is windy and cold. Xavier stands in front of me, expectantly. I don’t know what to say and my mouth is making movements without producing any sounds. I give up on trying to speak and step forward close to him. He looks down at me, surprised, and I sink into his chest. It takes a moment before his arms wrap around my waist and my eyes slide close.

            “Sorry for acting so crazy,” I whisper into his chest. His thumbs are rubbing little circles on my back and it feels so good. For a moment, the heat in my stomach dies down a little bit and a moment of clarity reaches my brain. I raise my head from his body.

            He lowers his head to meet mine and we stand like this for half a moment, foreheads held against each other, just in silence, before I close the gap and press my lips against his. His reaction is instant. His arms tighten around me, drawing me closer against him. His kiss is soft and gentle and sweet and I can’t get enough of it. I want to know what they would be like rougher but for now this is enough, our mouths moving slowly against each other. I pull away to breathe and he’s grinning.

            “It’s only our first date Carmen.”

            Another quick press on the lips and then I’m laughing into his chest.

            “What are we doing?”

            “I don’t know,” he breathes, smoothing back my hair. “But it’s nice.”