torn • g.b.d

III//even out the playing field

"Rise and shine, babe," I heard in my ear.

I woke up facing Grayson and Jack's bed, Ethan's arms around my waist, and him kissing my cheek.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"9:30."

"What?" I yelled. We were supposed to be on the road by 8:00! I was gonna make them get up at 7:00 and have them want to murder me! Ugh!

"Chill, Bri," Grayson came into view, brushing his teeth. He walked into the bathroom to spit out the toothpaste. "Were not traveling today."

"What?" I shouted again.

"Sweetheart, you've been on the road for two days," he sat down next to me. "Your mom will be alright."

"You don't know that," I said, putting my head in my hands.

"Hey, hey," he whispered, taking my hands into his. "If she's anything like you, she's a fighter. She'll push through."

"Exactly. Aubrey, you are the strongest, most independent girl I've ever known. You'll get through this, your mom will get through this, everything will be okay," Ethan reassured me.

"They're right, Bri," Jack came in from the hallway. "We'll see her in two days. I'll make sure of it, if these losers don't," he chuckled, nudging both of them.

"I love you guys," I smiled at all of them.

"I love you too," they each chorused.

-

"Who knew hotel breakfast buffets could be so amazing?" Ethan mumbled.

"Whoever made this heaven on a plate," Jack answered, stuffing another cinnamon roll in his mouth.

"You are all pigs," I chuckled. I took a cinnamon roll of Jack's overflowing plate of junk food.

"How could you?" He cried. I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed my own plate. I served myself some fruit, a waffle, and a chocolate muffin.

I looked up to see the guys staring at me with their jaws dropped. "What?"

"You're so healthy. It's disgusting," Ethan scrunched up his nose, laughing.

"Now you know why you're all so fat and I'm skinny," I joked, smirking. I swiftly turned and sat down at a table.

Grayson walked over to me and slammed his hands on the table. "You're gonna regret that."

"Alright, but can I finish my breakfast first?" I asked, shrinking below him.

He just smirked at me.

-

"Grayson! I love you, please, please no!" I shouted, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

"Eth, get her legs!" He shouted. Ethan ran over and helped him. They were swinging me side to side on the edge of the pool.

"Guys! Please! I'll do anything!" I screamed. They stopped.

"Anything?" Ethan asked.

"Well, I mean-"

And then they threw me in. Bet before I hit the water, I grabbed Ethan's shirt, which startled him, and gravity took its course. Before we hit the water, he put his arms around me.