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

A date on Halloween

Josie

I didn't know what Payton planned for our date, but I felt excited. All he told me to do was dress warmly. So I did. I wore jeans, a top, sneakers, and a hoodie. I heard a knock at the door and answered it to find Payton standing there in jeans and a hoodie, holding flowers.

Payton handed me the flowers. I thanked him before setting them on top of the dresser. He held out his hand. I took it as he led me out of the room and out of the building.

We walked to Payton's car, got in, and he drove to a diner. He pulled up as we got out of the car and went inside, walking to a booth. Once we sat down, a waitress came to take our order, and we talked.

"I figure we can eat first, then have some fun," Payton mentioned.

"Food's always good," I said as I grinned, and he chuckled.

The waitress returned with our food, and we dug in. I was hungry as I ate my burger.

"At least you have an appetite," Payton mentioned.

"I love food and burgers. I never understood why girls don't eat. I think they would be happier if they did," I said in between bites.

"I prefer girls to eat. Every girl I dated picked at their food or ordered a salad; then, I would find out they would make a move on Markus," he added as I stop mid-bite.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"The girls thought Markus is hotter," he answered as he ate.

"Markus is cute, but I don't think he's hotter," I mentioned as Payton stopped mid-bite and looked at me. "Even if he wasn't gay, he's not my type."

Payton looked at me curiously as I took a bite.

"So, who's your type?" He asked me.

I set my burger down and looked at him. "A guy willing to drive all over town to buy me a Slurpee," I said as a smile formed on his face. "It's the same guy who rescued me from a horrible date, wanted me to go to an apple orchard, and threw me a birthday party. Kindness goes a long way." I picked up my burger and ate.

"That guy sounds like a great guy," Payton said.

"It took him a minute to realize that I existed," I retorted as he rolled his eyes and chuckled. I laughed as I finished eating.

We finished our meal and went to a haunted house. Payton paid for us, and we stood in line, talking. Some girls flirted with him, and I sighed. Then I watched as he told them he wasn't interested as he wrapped his arms around me. That surprised me. The girls left.

"Before you even think it, I have no interest in those girls," Payton told me as I looked at him.

"I didn't have that idea," I fibbed.

"I might be a tool, but I'm not my Grandpa," Payton told me as I laughed.

Payton

We waited to go inside the haunted house as I held Josie's hand. I knew she thought I would flirt with those girls, but I didn't. When I take an interest in someone, it's the person I want. I don't want anyone else. Grays are loyal to one person, even if we can be tools.

While we waited, I saw Shaun off in the distance. That's the first time I have seen him in weeks. I haven't seen him at the house in weeks.

I held Josie's hand and left the line to the haunted house to see Shaun's going on. I was good at it because that meant we spent more time together.

"Payton, we were almost to the door," Josie mentioned as I walked towards Shaun.

"Don't worry; it just means our date will last long," I assured Josie as she smiled.

We reached Shaun, and that's when I saw it. He sported a shiner.

"Shaun?" I asked, getting his attention.

Shaun furrowed his brows. "Hey, Payton," Shaun answered. His tone didn't sound happy.

"Where have you been? We haven't seen you in weeks," I mentioned.

"I've been busy with school, work, and Travis," Shaun answered in a curt tone.

"Park called you," I said.

"I've been busy," Shaun snapped as I looked at him, and Josie gripped my arm. "Sorry, the school has been difficult."

"Uh, huh," I said, knowing full well that was bullshit.

Then I heard a voice that irritated the piss out of me.

"There you are," Travis said, walking up to Shaun, who didn't look happy to see him. "What did I say about waiting for me?" Travis asked as I watched their interaction with each other.

"Sorry, I needed to use the bathroom," Shaun lied as we stood there.

"Next time, tell me," Travis ordered Shaun, Travis's voice laced with anger. Travis ignored us, but I acknowledge him.

"I see you're keeping our friend busy," I said as Travis looked at me, annoyed. "We haven't seen him in weeks."

"Shaun's a busy guy and doesn't have time for anything. It's best if he focuses on important things," Travis said in a curt tone.

I knew that tone. Family history told me Travis wasn't a good guy. I remember Kaiden suspected people when he met Greg. I was five but pops told me what happened when I got older. I stared at Travis.

"We need to go," Travis said as he dragged Shaun away.

I let go of Josie and stopped Travis as he looked at me, then I saw it. Shaun's face showed fear, and his eyes pleaded with me.

"Did you need something?" Travis asked angrily.

"No," I answered as he stormed off, shoving Shaun forward. I stood there as I felt someone touch my arm. I looked at Josie, who gave me a knowing look. I had a feeling things would get worse before they got better.

Shaun

Travis shoved me towards the car. I knew seeing Payton was a mistake. I tried to act like he wasn't there, then he came over to me. Why did he have to come over to me?

We got to the car, and out of people's view, then I felt it. Travis was quick, and his punches hurt. This time he didn't stop at the blows; he broke my arm. I felt the snap and screamed in pain as I held my arm.

"Great, now I have to take you to a clinic and tell people that you're a klutz. I'm so tired of lying for you, Shaun. If you were a good boy, we wouldn't have to lie," Travis snapped as I got into the car.

I sat there quietly, keeping my mouth shut. Every time I opened it, I got worse. Travis took me to a clinic and lied. The people wrapped my arm and cleaned up my cuts. When they finished, we left. Travis shoved the bill at me.

"Here, you can pay for it," he ordered me as I took the bill. It's another one to add to the pile. I had to pick up extra shifts at the bakery to pay for the invoices and pay Travis. I'm barely getting by in school. My grades are abysmal, and all I wanted is a drink.

We returned, and I went inside as Travis left. I didn't ask or care. I wanted a drink. I went up to my room and grabbed the bottle, downing it until I drank myself into a stupor. It was the only thing that helped. It numbed the pain and emotions. I didn't need to think or remind myself how horrible I am.

No one is going to save me, and I'm okay with that. Death would be a better option now.

They say you have to hit rock bottom to go up. I hit below rock bottom and lost hope of going up. It would take help from others to pull me out of the state I landed into, but it would also make me suspicious of getting close to someone ever again.