The Gray Family: Let The Games Begin✔️(Wattpad version)

Apple orchard fun

Josie

Markus picked up Britt and me to take us to the apple orchard since I didn't know where one is around here. We walked out to the car, and I saw the others in another vehicle, including Payton. I waved, and he looked at me but didn't wave back. Okay, I guess I waved to the air.

Once inside the car, we drove to an apple orchard, which is busy. That was new. I didn't think it would work, but then again, it was the end of September. All of us got out of the cars and walked inside, paying for bags to collect apples. I stayed close to Markus and Britt as we walked to the orchard.

At one point, Markus and Britt took off on me, fantastic. Okay, no biggie, I will collect apples and meet up with everyone later. I walked around, trying to pick apples close to me since I hate heights and can't climb a tree. I found an apple that was up a little way and tried jumping for it. Yeah, I failed at this until someone reached for it and plucked it from its branch.

The person handed it to me as I looked to see Payton standing there.

"Thanks," I said as I took the apple from him.

"I thought you could use some help," he mentioned.

"Yeah, I'm not a fan of heights and climbing," I said casually. He chuckled.

"Then let me help you," he offered as I nodded.

I watched Payton walk over to the tree and climb it. He reached for apples and tossed them to me with me catching them into the bag until it was full. Then he climbed down from the tree and walked over to me.

"That helps," I said, looking at the bag of apples.

"We found climbing the trees, you can get the best ones, but shh, don't tell anyone. The people who own the orchard don't like people climbing the trees," he mentioned as I chuckled.

I watched as he smiled, which made me smile. We started walking back to the others who sat at a picnic table, eating donuts and drinking cider.

"Damn, you're slow," Parker said as we sat down.

"I had to climb a tree," Payton mentioned.

"Climb faster," Parker remarked as he held up a bag of apples, causing Payton to roll his eyes. "So, it seems a set of twins have a birthday coming up."

"What twins?" Payton asked him as I ate my donut.

"Selena and Josie," Parker answered as I continued to eat, saying nothing.

"Wait. What?" Payton asked.

"Twins as in born on the same day. Are you slow or something?" Park asked him. Everyone laughed except me because I wasn't paying attention to the conversation.

Payton looked at Selena, who nodded, and everyone else smiled while I ate my donut without a care in the world.

"Wait. How old are you two?" Payton asked Selena.

"Seventeen," she answered.

He turned to me. "You graduated at seventeen?"

I looked at him, confused. "Yeah, why?"

"I thought you were eighteen?" He asked me.

"I started school at four because our birthday is in October," I explained as he looked at me, confused.

I looked at everyone who looked back at me; then, I looked at Payton, who stared at me.

"Why is everyone looking at me like that?" I asked them as they denied why they were looking at me the way they were. I shrugged and went back to eating my donut. People are weird.

Payton

I didn't know that Josie is seventeen. I figured she was eighteen when they graduated high school. I also knew she was turning eighteen this October, which was perfect timing. It's a good thing I didn't kiss her. That's all I need is getting a hassle because I'm twenty. People might not think it's a problem, but I prefer girls to be legal age. The girls I dated before were legal age.

I rubbed my chin as I thought about my next move. Then it hit me.

"So, a birthday, huh? Shouldn't we have a birthday party to celebrate?" I asked as Josie ate her donut.

"Well, brother, I think a birthday party would be a grand idea," Parker added as I gave him and the others a knowing look.

I tapped Josie, getting her attention.

"Would you like a birthday party with cake and ice cream?" I asked her as she looked at me strangely.

"I wasn't planning on a birthday party," she replied as Parker facepalmed himself.

"Oh," I said as she went back to her donut.

Have you ever tried to be casual about something, and the person is oblivious about it? That is my problem at the moment. It would take more work than I thought with her.

Shaun

Travis and I went to the apple orchard, picked some apples, then went to get cider and donuts. I saw everyone sitting at a table.

"Don't even think about going over there," Travis told me as I looked at him.

"I'm going to say hi. I do live with the family," I reminded him.

"Fine, but we will discuss this later," he huffed, then stormed off. Yeah, his discussions meant pain. I stood there as Parker noticed me and waved me over to them. I didn't know if I should go over or not. If I go over there, I get to deal with Travis later. If not, then they would question it.

I took my chances and walked over to them.

"How come you didn't ride with us?" Parker asked me as the others looked at me.

"Oh, Travis and I wanted to spend time together," I lied.

"More like control," Markus mentioned as I ignored his comment.

"How's it going?" I asked them.

"You tell us," Matthew answered.

Then I heard Travis beckoned me. "I have to go. I'll see you later," I said as I walked away from them.

We didn't stay at the orchard. Travis got his stuff, and we left. We ended back at his place, and that's when the shit hit the fan. He laid into me. First, he degraded me. Next, he beat me to the point my nose and mouth were bloody.

I cowered in fear, and he said, "You need to listen. I refuse to have my boyfriend associate with his ex's family."

"I live with them," I choked out.

"You don't anymore. You're moving in with me," Travis informed me as I looked at him. "I told you in the beginning. They don't care about you. You're a joke to them, but I will take care of you. Now, be a good boy and wash up. You're a mess."

I did as told and got into the shower. I washed up, then Travis joined me. He was rough, and I didn't say a word. The last time I said something, he punched me. I let him get on with it.

We finished, and I dressed as he looked at me.

"You should know that I do the things I do because I care about you, Shaun. I wish you would stop making me angry," he said as he finished dressing and leaves.

I stood there as my phone lit up and saw Parker's name. I didn't answer. When everyone was out of the house, I would grab my stuff and return to Travis's place. It was easier that way.

I sat down on the bed and sighed. I didn't expect college to be this way or my life. I missed Pax, but he wasn't talking to me. I hurt him, and now I'm paying the price. I deserved it. Travis was right; no one would love me. God, I need a drink.