Damaged -Grayson Dolan-

Chapter Forty-One

"Look who it is," Ethan said as we came back through the doors into the hotel room. "Get everything you need?" Both of them were sprawled out on their beds, phones in hand.

"Oh yes," Mina answered with a smirk. "Wouldn't you say so, Al?"

"Shut up," I hissed at Mina as she chuckled. "Did you guys find something to do?"

"Started an epic game of football on the beach," Grayson answered. "There were like, twenty of us playing at one point."

"See," I told him. "You survived. Did you guys pick a place for dinner?"

"Yep," Ethan said from his seat on the bed. "We can go as soon as you guys put your stuff down. It's already six."

"Sounds good," I answered, entering our room.

Once we were out of earshot, I spun around to Mina. "How am I supposed to do this? You and Ethan will be here."

She rolled her eyes. "I already have a plan for that. You just have to trust me, Alanna."

"True," I said and then shook my head. "You're literally setting up a time for me to have sex with my boyfriend. What is wrong with this picture?"

"Nothing. I'm just being a good friend and letting you have some quality time with him."

"Yeah, I'm not sure what your definition of quality time is, but-"

"Are you guys ready?" Ethan called from the other room. "Because we're starving."

"Coming," Mina yelled back. She lowered her voice. "Just trust me, okay. And have fun." With that, she yanked open the door to the other room. "Alright, let's bounce."

We went down to the boardwalk again which was basically where everything was along the strip of beach from shops to food and games. The twins had picked a small burger place which they claimed had "the best fucking burgers you will ever taste".

We decided to sit outside and enjoy the fading sun. I watched as it dipped low over the water, leaving a trail of dripping crimson and gold in its wake. A slight breeze blew off the ocean, making my skin prickle with goosebumps. Grayson reached over and rubbed a hand up and down my arm as we waited for our food.

"Look," Ethan pointed out to the water. "Dolphins." I followed his gaze and saw as one leaped out of the water, twisting in mid-air before landing with a splash.

"That's pretty sweet," Grayson said as we continued to watch the animals play, diving in and out and around.

"I want a pet dolphin," Mina announced.

Grayson burst into laughter and she glared at him. "What?"

I punched Grayson in the arm. "Nothing, Mina. You just keep dreaming."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I do. I think it would fun. And they're so adorable."

"I agree," Ethan sipped his water.

"No you don't," Mina told him. "You're just saying that because you're my boyfriend. But thanks for trying."

Ethan looked at her. "I just can't win, can I?"

"You did win," She replied with a smirk. "Because you have me."

Ethan opened his mouth to say something that probably was not dinner table appropriate but was interrupted as the waiter returned to our table with our food. Once we were all settled with our burgers and fries in front of us, we dug in.

I took a bite of my hamburger. "Holy shit. This is amazing."

"See? I told you," Grayson said with his mouthful.

"Yeah, you were right." I took another bite.

"Sorry, what's that? It sounds like you just said I was right." Grayson grinned at me.

I shook my head, taking another bite of my burger.

"Come on," he coaxed. "Say it again."

"I'm not saying it again," I informed him. "It just slipped out the first time."

"Mmhmm. Sure it did." He went back to his food.

We finished up our dinner, leaving the restaurant. We opted to walk along the beach on our way back because Ethan said, "The boardwalk is just wooden planks and I want to be a basic bitch and walk on the beach."

We wandered down to the where the waves washed up on the sand. Mina and Ethan were a little bit ahead of us as Grayson and I trailed behind. "Look," Grayson said suddenly, pointing to the ground. A small object was darting along the sandy floor. I peered closer. "It's a crab," I told him.

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, thank you. I know." He scooted forward, snatching up the small animal in his hands.

"You're going to get pinched," I said, watching as he struggled to keep his fingers away from the little claws. Grayson held it in his hands as he spotted another one scuttling along to his left. "Grab that one too. I have an idea."

I shook my head and bent down, scooping up the little creature. It was cute. Kind of.

"This is our revenge for being shoved into the river," Grayson whispered to me and then glanced up at Mina and Ethan holding hands. I suddenly realized what he was thinking. "Hell yes," I said. Grayson grinned at me as we caught up with the two lovebirds in front of us.

Ready? He mouthed to me.

I nodded and held back a laugh as I yanked Mina's shirt back and dropped the crab down her back. She screamed as she felt it fall down her shirt and spun to face me. "What the fuck is in my shirt?" She shrieked.

Ethan had almost the same reaction, jerking away from Grayson. "It's biting me, holy shit, it's biting me, Grayson!"

"Get it out!" Mina yelled.

I was laughing so hard, tears were running down my face. I fell to the ground, landing on my hands and knees in the sand. Grayson landed next to me, holding his stomach as he collapsed onto his back. "I-I can't- holy shit."

Ethan stripped his entire shirt off, throwing it to the ground in a bundle before yanked Mina near him. He held the bottom of her shirt away from her back. The small crab fell out onto the sand, scuttling away into the dark.

Both of them turned towards us. "You asshole," Ethan said to Grayson as he shook his head.

"It was payback for shoving us in the river," Grayson informed him when he finally caught his breath. "And it was totally worth it."