Choosing You

Chapter 7 💃🏼

Elise Layton 👠

"You thought I was Elise? You mean Elise Layton who came here with me tonight, as my date?" Blake asks, angrily.

I see the fire ignite in Kai's eyes and he flies at Blake. This time Blake lashes out and actually hits him first. I think everyone is shocked when Kai falls back and hits his head on the closet door.

Thankfully the boys around us jump into action. Vince takes hold of Kai and holds him back from Blake. Eastman (I really need to find out his first name) rushes through to Blake and holds him back against the wall.

"Are you both dumb?" Vince asks, directing his question at Blake and Kai.

"You think I'm going to let you both fight in my house? I'll kick both of your asses out. Does it look like Elise is enjoying you fighting over her?"

They both look to me and it's only then that I register I'm crying. The fear of them fighting has caused salty tears to make their way down my cheeks.

Vince lets go of Kai and pushes him into the kitchen. He walks through the hallway and wraps me in his arms.

"You okay?" He asks me, taking both of my cheeks in his hands. I nod between his palms and he wipes my tears with his thumbs. I hope he's fixing up my make-up because I must be a mess.

"You look hot tonight. Go and have fun away from these dumb asses, alright?"

I nod and pull him into a tight hug.

"Thank you." I whisper and he leans into my ear, "I get why they're fighting over you. You are a vision in that dress. If I didn't think it'd cause you more stress I'd chase you myself." I laugh and push him away. That's the last thing I need.

"Thanks Romeo, but I'm at the end of my tether." I look to Jack who took my drink at some point and pull it from his hands. I tip the drink down my throat in one go and his eyes widen.

"Let's party." I demand and we head into the kitchen to get another drink.

~*~

My brain is a little frazzled from the alcohol but I'm having so much fun. I've managed to avoid talking to Blake and Kai for the last few hours. I saw Vince outside talking to them both and I'm curious to know what he said to them. I'm focusing on my self right now though. I'm sick of them fighting. I've actually been going around and talking to people, which has been nice.

By midnight there are only a few people left at the party and Vince comes in from the garden to announce that we're going to have a game of truth or dare.

I think the last time I played truth or dare I was fourteen and playing now seems a bit lame. Maybe it'll be fun though.

I find a very drunk Jack and take him outside with me. We're both giggling over nothing like a couple of idiots and try to find seats with everyone else. We end up in a circle around a crackling fire pit. I have a glass of rum and coke in my hand, sipping it occasionally.

Vince announces that he'll be the first to question or dare and then it'll carry on with the next person doing the same to someone else. He starts with Blake and he chooses dare. He dares him to let him take a photo of him kissing a girl called Courtney and then set it as his profile picture on all his social media.

Something about his request makes my stomach drop and I look over at him. He's sitting across the circle from me, beside a guy I don't know and he's staring back at me intently. He takes a sip of the beer in his hand and shakes his head angrily.

"I'm not doing that man." He states with conviction and Vince nods.

"Truth it is then." Vince smirks and I feel uneasy.

"Are you a virgin?" He asks and Blake bites into his bottom lip. Everyone in the circle is waiting in anticipation and eventually he looks at the floor, "yes." He replies and all I hear are gasps.

The girl beside me is a cheerleader I recognise from school and I hear her talking to the girl beside her. "How embarrassing is it that he's our quarterback and he's a fu*king virgin?" She questions in disgust.

I actually feel sick listening to her and watching a few of the guys in the circle snickering at Blake.

I stand up and with strong conviction I cross the circle to get to him. He still has his head down in shame and my heart breaks for him. I take a seat on his lap sideways and immediately his arm goes around my back to steady me.

I smile at him, put my thumb to his bottom lip and pull it down slightly. It's a promise of what's to come and he looks at my thumb in return. I lean in and our lips connect.

I hear people in the circle begin to whoop and holler, but I stay focused on Blake and kiss away the embarrassment. The kiss heats up and he moans.

I pull away before things get too heavy and I put my forehead to his.

"I'm so proud of you. I've got you...don't forget that." I tell him, staring into his eyes.

He presses his lips to mine again briefly, "thanks Peach."

"Anytime Coleman."

People in the circle settle down and the game continues. Blake dares Jack to stick a hot Cheeto in his nostril for five minutes and we all laugh at him screaming that it's burning after the first couple of minutes. He can't take the heat and snorts it back out.

I'm still on Blake's lap and he wraps his arms around my front, pulling me into him. I kiss his cheek and look over to the side of the circle. Kai's watching us and looking defeated. He looks away and focuses on the fire, frowning.

I wonder if he knew what Vince was planning to do. I'm going to confront him about it but not tonight, i'm too tired, too drunk and too emotional.

After a few more truths and a couple of dares, I decide it's time to leave. I'm quite cold in my approach when I say thanks to Vince for inviting us.

Blake and I help Jack out to the car while he tells me, very drunkenly, that we should have a karaoke session in his room.

Because I'm sure my Aunt and Uncle would love that at 2am. I roll my eyes at the thought.

He's had far too much to drink and we end up having to lay him across the back seat. He informs us before he passes out that he's become a human domino and can't sit up. Blake tries not to laugh at him but I know he finds it funny.

We buckle up and Blake drives off slowly down the street.

"Thanks again for what you did back there. You might have just saved my reputation." I put my hand on his leg and squeeze his thigh in reassurance.

"You shouldn't have to care what people think of you but I understand why you do. It can't be easy having all of these expectations just because you like to play football."

We fall into a thoughtful silence and I look at the glowing streetlights as we pass.

"Blake, would you help me with something in return?" I ask him. He pulls the car to a stop at the side of the road and takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together.

"Anything." He says, waiting for me to reply.

"Even if it could have an effect on your reputation?"

"For you...anything." He strokes his thumb in circles over the back of my hand and I watch in awe.

"I wanted to come here and help people. I messed up pretty bad back in London and I wanted to come here and put things right. Do you think you could help me, even if it means helping nerds like Ben?"

"You've got me in the palm of your hand right now sweetheart. Seriously, i'm wrapped around your little finger. I'd do anything to make you happy."

"Thank you. I'll come over tomorrow and we can make a plan?" I question.

"It sounds good to me." He takes my hand and kisses the back of it, before we continue on home.

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A/N-
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Comment to let me know what you thought.
Love,
Stace 🍑 xx❤️xx