Bring Me To Life

Why Don't You and I

Slowly I begin to realize
This is never gonna end
But about the same time you walk by and I say 'oh, here we go again'
----Why Don't You and I, Santana ft.  Chad Kroger

October 2016

As the song ended, Grayson reached a finger beneath Cait's chin and lifted her head to look into her eyes.  He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, someone slammed into the two of them.

"Heeey, G,"  Brennan slurred out.  "How's the birthday boy?"

"Technically, it's past midnight, so my birthday is over,"  Grayson sighed.  Before he could look back to Cait, Luke was throwing his arms around both of them.

"Look at my two best friends," Luke yelled loud enough to affect Grayson's ability to hear out of his left ear.   A faster song started and Jack spun Cait away from him before Grayson could drag her off that dance floor and probably make a big mistake.

*****

Grayson was finally getting around to reading some of the birthday texts he'd gotten the day before.  He was feeling out of sorts and he knew exactly the reason.  He's spent most of the night staring at the ceiling in his room, alternating between being annoyed with the interruption and realizing that Brennan and Luke had probably done him a favor.

One text caught his eye as he scrolled aimlessly through them.

Marsh

Happy 21st, Baby Boy! 
Call me once you sober up tomorrow.

A slight smile came to Grayson's face.  He couldn't talk to any of the guys on the team about this, but Marshall was removed from the situation.  He wouldn't have to worry about Marsh blabbing to Cait.  He quickly punched up his contact information.

"GEEEEE," Marshall bellowed into the phone.  Grayson held it away from his ear.  He'd forgotten that Marshall only had one volume.  "HOW'S IT FEEL TO FINALLY BE LEGAL?"

"Geez, Marsh, dial it down a notch, will ya?"  Grayson groused.

"Sorry, bud.  I guess you're probably just a little hung over, huh?"  He could hear the amusement in Marshall's voice.

"Not really,"  Grayson sighed.  "We went to Shooters, but I didn't get too fucked up."

"G, that's wrong," Marshall snorted. 

"Yeah, well I got totally shitfaced a few weeks ago, and I wasn't ready to repeat the experience," Grayson explained.  "How's New York?"

"It's great, G.  I love the City and playing at MSG, dream come true.  How are things at Duke?  You guys should be loaded this year, right?" Marshall asked.

"Hopefully, we can get, and stay, healthy,"  Grayson answered without a whole lot of enthusiasm.  Marshall noticed.

"What's up, G?  Talk to me,"  Marshall ordered.

"N-nothing.  Just . . ."  Grayson trailed off.  He really didn't know how to start this conversation.

"Grayson James, knock it off.  You're acting strange.  Tell me what's going on.  Are you hurt?  Are the freshmen a pain in the ass?  Is Coach on your case?  Are you worried about the media again?"  Marshall started rattling off questions, not even giving Grayson a chance to answer.

"Slow down, Marsh," Grayson snapped.   "I'm not hurt and the freshmen are fine.  Coach isn't on my case any more than usual.  It's just, well, there's this girl . . ."

"Well, it's about goddamn time,"  Marshall breathed.  "I was starting to worry that you were gonna wind up hooking up with Luke or something.  Lord knows, that boy is pretty indiscriminate.  So, tell me about her!  Are you dating?  Is the sex hot? I want details, man!"