Third Wheel | EDITING

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The rest of the night passes in a blur, the two of us hand in hand.

Something that I didn't mind at all. 

In all honesty, I didn't know what "this" was, but I wasn't in any rush to figure out a title.

Looking back on the day, it had been a while since I had enjoyed a night out with someone other than Belle and Tony; even if it wasn't expected.

"Do you want to go home yet princess?" Gray asked, swinging out hands back and forth as we strolled past the games again, "It's getting pretty late and I don't want your parents all stressed out." 

"No, not yet. Just a little bit longer. They'll be fine, don't worry." I reassured him, attempting to drag out the night. He nodded before turning to me with a knowing smirk on his face.

"Then, how about we hit some of the games we didn't get to play earlier?" He asked as he dragged me to a game, "I'm about to pull off something really cliche." 

It was a simple tossing game, trying to knock down the teeth of some sort of lion or tiger to win a grand prize; a big fluffy bear.

I laughed, attempted to drag him away.

"No way, these games are rigged." I told him, doubting his abilities, "This isn't a movie Gray, you're gonna lose money and that bear is going to haunt you in your dreams, mocking you. It's not worth it, it's a waste of money."

There was no way he would even come close to making it.

"Watch me." He says cockily, handing the lady a dollar. She laughs and places three balls in front of him.

With his first shot, he knocks three of the five teeth down. Despite being known as 'the football player with a good arm', I couldn't help but look at him unamused. 

His second shot takes down one, leaving only one standing. 

Maybe he could do it. 

After all, if there was anyone who was going to be able to, it would've been him.

Without even realizing it, my unamused face shifts to a slight smile, and I find myself on my toes, hoping that he wins and proves me wrong.

The third ball hits the last tooth so hard that it flys back immediately.

So hard, that it bounces right back up.

"Looks like you still have one standing." The lady gives him a shrug and goes to set up another round for the kids next to us.

"I told you they were rigged." I laugh, "These games are based on pure luck and not talent. If you want the bear, we can just buy it at the gift store."

Gray runs his finger through his hair, teeth clenched, and slightly peeved. It was a game; the fact it had him this riled up amused me.

"Nope, watch me." He seethes, muttering a string of profanities about how that was totally an 'unfair game'.

As I sat and watched for three more rounds, Grayson losing each time, I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I saw that the 7-year-old next to him had beaten the game.

"Mommy! I got it! I got it!" She bragged to his mother, almost intentionally a bit louder for Grayson, whose face had turned serious, to hear.

"Good job!" The mother congratulated, smiling at Grayson and nodding, before pulling her child away. 

"It was super easy!" The kid continued to taunt until the sound of her excitement was out of range to hear. 

"Are you going to continue sir?" The lady asked. 

Grayson nodded as he handed over the cash for a fifth round, his competitive side waking up. 

"This is the last time Gray." I grinned, "You're gonna blow all you money on this stupid carnival game." 

"Just sit back and observe. I'm going to get it this time." He reassured me. 

This time, his first ball knocks down one. He warms and stretches his shoulder a bit, as if it would change the result, and throws his second, taking down yet again one. Gray shakes his head and cracks his neck, clearly getting insanely focused.