𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 ━ GRAYSON DOLAN AU ✓

Chapter 24

April's POV
Grayson and I's engagement party is in three days and I'm starting to freak out a little. We were both fine with having just our parents and the guys in a little gathering, but of course Grayson's mom didn't agree. She likes to go big or go home, and in this case I wish she went home, I wanted our party to happen there anyway.

Thinking about the engagement party, immediately reminded me that I still needed to invite Blake. He's part of our little group now, and even though I'm not glad about being the only girl , I still don't really care.

I scanned my purse for the invitation that I placed there, specifically for Blake. "Aha." I murmured to myself once I found it. "Hunter give this to Blake." He didn't think of it as anything and passed it over to Blake, who was sitting to his left. I could've easily given it to Blake myself, but I'm trying to get them to become friends.

"Grayson when are we getting there?" Brandon groaned from the back seat. "Quit whining Brando! It won't make the car ride faster." We were currently headed to go play laser tag, and I'm really excited but also scared. These guys can get pretty competitive. So that's why I made sure that Grayson would team up with me before we left the house.

"I don't know how I always end up with all the kids in my car." Grayson shook his head as he drove. "You're a kid too." Hunter shot back. "No I'm not. I'm eighteen, I'm considered an adult." Grayson spoke in a matter-of-fact type of voice. "Well you act like a kid. And age is just a number." Brandon spoke next. "I will turn this car ride around, if you Rowlands don't stop bugging me."

"How are you going to have kids if you can't handle these two?" Blake asked. The question quickly stabbed me right in the gut. "We're not." I answered for Grayson before he can speak. He immediately looked me dead in the eyes, making me quickly regret what I said. I could see clearly that I've hurt him with those two words.

After that the air was filled with dead silence. We all spent our time looking out the windows as Grayson drove. We suddenly pulled to a stop as Grayson parked the car. We got out of the car to be met up with Ethan and the guys that came with him. They all headed inside and I followed closely behind, not wanting to be near Grayson at the moment.

Once we all payed, we went down into a room that was all glow in the dark. Immediately items of clothing started glowing. Vests that were lit in different colours, were neatly hung up on the wall. Everyone went over and grabbed a vest that matched the colour of the partner they chose.

I grabbed a green one, as Grayson showed up next to me. "I'll protect you." He still wasn't smiling at me though, but I knew he wouldn't leave me to fend for myself. Once everyone was set up, I glanced around to see my competition.

It was Grayson and I against, Brandon and Jacob, Hunter and Blake, Matthew and Shawn, Ethan and Cameron, and lastly, Jack and Jack. We all listened to the guy as he gave us instructions and explained the rules.

"If you get shot then your vest will turn off for five seconds. After that it will light back up and you'll be allowed to shoot again." They all nodded understanding. He opened the door and let us all in. We all took shelter behind walls and glow up poles that were scattered.

The count down began and I felt like I was in the Hunger Games, and with those guys playing, it probably is. Number one was said over the speakers, and after that all hell broke loose. "April stay behind me!" Grayson shouted over the spy music that was playing in the background. I nodded at him in the dark.

I followed Grayson wherever he went. And whenever we ran across like maniacs, he was always in front of me to get the hits. He acted as if this was war, and I found it quite funny. But if he takes protecting me in a game this far, then imagine how he'll be in real life.