“How does it feel being a high school graduate?” Korey asks after we finish our photo shoot for the day.

I’m currently cleaning up the props, moving them over to the clear tub that we carry around with us for such occasions. The bride is gushing with her groom over their successful photo shoot. They’re on their way back towards their reception, which we were happily told to stay and enjoy.

“I don’t feel much different,” I answer, pulling the tie out of my hair so that it can do its’ own thing.

“What? When I graduated I felt like I was partying all summer…in reality I never left the couch.”

I roll my eyes at that not so shocking statement. Korey isn’t the type to party, never has been so I can see her enjoying her summer vacations sitting on the couch watching drama reruns on TV. Not that I’m saying that’s a bad thing because, honestly, I would be doing the same. I shouldn’t say would be because I’ve already kind of been doing that but, unlike Korey, I have a job…working for her.

“I can’t party all summer. I have you to look after.”

Korey gasps. “Look after? I am your boss, I am looking after you!”

“Says the one who forgot we had a photo shoot today.”

“I’m a busy woman, sometimes I forget things!”

“Like how you forgot that wedding shoot last week or the graduation photos the time before that or-“

“I get it, I have a bad memory, shut up!” Korey childishly stomps her feet against the ground. She has on a pout that tells me she is on the verge of firing me. Not really though because she would go crazy without me but, still, she doesn’t seem pleased.

“Why are you so mean to me, Mylo?” She grumbles while we take everything back to the van.

“I’m just being honest.”

“Your honesty can suck it.”

Korey and I end up staying at the reception for some time, just for the free food honestly. Once we’re done we head back to the office where Korey lets me head on home early. I thank her for it although I don’t mind staying. I like my job and I like Korey so it doesn’t feel like a pain to be there.

It’s while I’m heading out to my car that I get a message. I hold up my phone to see that Jace has messaged me asking if I’ve gotten off work yet. I reply with a yes and nearly drop my phone at the lightning fast response he gives me.

Want to go bowling? Some friends wanted to meet up, thought you’d like to come along.

I stare at the request for a moment, sitting in my car with the door hanging wide open. I contemplate whether or not to say yes. I guess I don’t see why I would say no. I have spent time with Jace’s friends before although I’m not sure who all is coming along.

However, is he sure he wants me to hang out with them? Are they even aware that we’re going out? They can’t be. I don’t think anyone is, hell, I’m not even fully sure we are.

Bowling does sound fun though. My plans were just to go home and nap. Ok, so napping sounds more appealing but…I agree to go along.

We’re supposed to meet up in an hour so rather than heading home I hang out in town until it’s time. Jace and I meet in the parking lot of the bowling alley at the designated time. He is smiling as per usual while I must be wearing some sort of not so good expression because the moment Jace sees me he frowns.

“Something wrong?” He asks, which has me patting my face like somehow it will tell me what expression I’m making that has him asking that.

“No?”

Why did that sound like a question?

“You look troubled,” he responds, shrugging his shoulders before suddenly pressing his hand to my forehead. I jump back, giving him a quizzical stare that he answers with a chuckle. “I was checking if you felt hot, thought maybe you were catching a summer cold.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Mentally I may not be but we don’t need to discuss that.

“Whose all here anyways?” I ask in hopes to change the subject. Jace takes the bait.

“Ah, Daryl, Savannah, Mickey and Cierra.”

Cierra?

Jace doesn’t seem to find an issue with the girl coming along because he doesn’t look bothered. In fact, he is tugging me towards the alley with a gleeful expression. I, on the other hand, find it odd that he’s so willing to bring his (secret) boyfriend to hang out with one of his ex-girlfriends.

Ok, so it seems they didn’t break up on bad terms. Also, we’re in a group setting but, still, it’s weird right? I sure as hell wouldn’t take Jace around any of my ex-boyfriends even if I think he’s pulling my leg. I shouldn’t be an asshole about this though. If he wants me to get along with his friends then I’ll do my best. I know Savannah and Mickey, I’ve spent time with them outside of school before but Daryl and Cierra are more of a “I know a bit about them but nothing really” so it’ll be more difficult.

We get our shoes, find which bowling balls we want to use (the bright as fuck pink one is obviously mine) then join Jace’s friends on one of the alley’s.

“Hey Mylo, I thought I would never see you again after you graduated!” Mickey says upon seeing me.

“Yeah, I was hoping that would be the case but, sadly, life doesn’t always go as planned, does it?”

Mickey dramatically throws his hand over his chest. “That hurt.”

“Good, I hoped it would.”

“I can’t believe you’re hanging around with Mylo,” Savannah says, winking at me teasingly, which has me flipping her off. I'll have you know I am a blessing to be around. “Jace, you’re too nice. He’s going to taint you.”

Jace looks back at me with a mocking grin while he plays along. “I already feel a little tainted.”

“It’s adorable how you guys are trying to tease me, like you think your opinions matter.”

The group howls at my low blow, even Cierra lets out a giggle, which has me glaring at her for some reason. Ok, I need to chill so, before I shoot laser beams at her from my eyes, I turn away and take a seat by Jace’s side at the table. Daryl has already put our names into the system so our game can begin.

I’m not that great at bowling or any type of physical activity so it’s no surprise that when it’s my turn I get three pins and nothing on my second try. I am actually shocked and find myself standing there in awe over the fact that my bowling ball didn’t go straight into the gutter. Jace, on the other hand, seems to think I’m sad I didn’t get more because he appears behind me.

“You’ll do better next time,” he says reassuringly then nearly chokes on his own laughter at my response.

“I sure as hell won’t. The only physical activity I’m good at is sex so that was a bloody miracle!”

Jace’s face goes completely red, his hand coming up to cover said face. I smile at the reaction, ready to lean over and tease him when Mickey appears behind us. It seems it’s his turn and while, yeah, I’m not for that “lets keep us a secret thing” I don’t want to out Jace without his permission either.

Quickly, I back off and return to the table with Jace while Mickey takes his turn.

It’s pretty fun hanging out with everyone. I’ve never had an issue with large groups of people. In fact, I tend to thrive with more attention on me. Even if I don’t hang out with them on a daily basis it’s easy to make conversation. However, there is one thing that sort of irks me even if I don’t want to admit it does.

Cierra giggles at Jace’s joke yet again, her hand reaching across the table to playfully pat his arm before pulling away. Her lips haven’t done anything but smile since he has arrived and she has this light dusting of pink beneath her eyes. Said eyes can’t seem to get themselves off Jace either and that makes my teeth grind.

Someone needs a reminder that their dating status has expired.

Well, it’s not like she knows Jace is taken. There’s nothing wrong with having your eyes on someone when you don’t know they’re taken. See? This shit is why I hate the secret game because I can’t play it. My inner bitch wants to jump across the table and whack her over the head a few times. (Is it really inner though?)

Not because I’m jealous but because I’m territorial, there’s a difference! If Jace is pretending to date me then the man best not be cheating on me. Oh, what the hell, I don’t even make any sense at this point. I’m always contradicting myself. Why do I even bother?

My stomach growling tells me that perhaps I’m being more irritable than usual because I’m hungry. Getting something to eat doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Sure, I stuffed my face at the reception but I am a growing boy. I’m hungry after thirty minutes so, yeah, it’s time to eat.

“I’m getting a snack, want anything?” I ask Jace to which he requests I grab him a drink. Nodding, I get up to do exactly that when suddenly Cierra decides she’d like to tag along.

“Yeah, I’m hungry too!” She chirps, hopping out of her seat to follow me.

You fucking serious? This isn’t going to end well…and it will likely be my fault but at least I am willing to admit to it.

Rolling my eyes, I walk away with Cierra right behind me. There are a few people in line at the snack bar so we end up having to wait side by side. Cierra doesn’t seem to notice the tension between us because she’s chattering away like there’s no tomorrow. I remain mostly silent at her side until my curiosity eats away at me enough to force out a question that would be best if we avoided it but, fuck it, I don’t make good decisions.

“You really ok with spending time around your ex?” I ask so bluntly that it shocks Cierra enough to physically jump.

She stares at me with wide eyes that continue to blink rapidly like she can’t process the question. I’m sort of accustomed to the look, Olivia makes it quite a lot and she’s been my best friend for an eternity. What can I say, I don’t like to beat around the bush. It’s easier to just get shit out of the way...hold the phone, I'm contradicting myself again. Whatever, I do what I want!

“Uh…you mean Jace?” Cierra inquires, glancing over her shoulder at the boy. It pisses me off how she smiles immediately before facing me. “Not really. We didn’t have a bad break up or anything.”

“Seems all the girls say that.”

Cierra hums, giggling for a moment before actually continuing to speak, “Jace was a great boyfriend. He was sweet, understanding, considerate, like some sort of prince from a fairy tale.”

Hearing that has me giving her a quizzical stare, she notices my confusion and seems to understand my unspoken question.

“But it felt like he did it out of obligation rather than love. I felt cared for but not loved, know what I mean?”

“No.”

Because I don’t know what it feels like to be loved either.

Shaking her head, Cierra brushes a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. She shrugs while she tries to explain, “It’s hard to describe…but I’m not the only one who felt that way. Honestly, I think Jace is in love with someone else.”

“What makes you say that?”

“There was someone he spoke to that always made him happy. I’m not sure why they aren’t together or who it is but…he’s definitely in love with them.”

“You know, you were very open with basically a complete stranger,” I point out, causing Cierra’s eyes to grow wide yet again. Slowly, I start to smile while she does the same, the both of us chuckling softly to ourselves.

“Well, you asked and you’re surprisingly easy to talk to,” she admits moments before we arrive at the counter.

“Thanks.”

The two of us get our food and drinks before returning to our game. Jace smiles the moment I take a seat next to him then has the audacity to try and steal from my cheese fries. I smack his hand away, the boy yelping at the unexpected attack. My glare must be enough to scare him off because he doesn’t try such a horrendous betrayal again.

Our evening continues with fun games and laughter. The night is over before I even realize it. It’s growing late and we’ve played enough games so everyone decides to call it a night. I’m not all that surprised that Cierra requests a hug goodbye from Jace, which he happily gives. Does that bother me?

Fuck yeah it does, this piece of shit is about to get whacked and by piece of shit I mean Jace. Cierra isn't so bad and it's funny how quickly I changed my mind about it.

I don’t bring it up though until after everyone has left. Jace and I are at my car since apparently he still has to open the door for me. Before he can do that, I step in front of him, lean against my vehicle and ask, “Having your secret boyfriend hang out with your ex-girlfriend, did you really think that through?”

Jace’s eyes go wide from my sudden question. He tilts his head to the side while he asks, “Did…it bother you?”

“Which part? Her flirting with you the whole night, the hug, or both?”

“You know you kind of answered the question by saying that.”

I roll my eyes. “Uh huh, ok playboy, I don’t mind hanging out with your ex-girlfriends since it’ll be impossible to avoid them all-“

“Are you implying that I’m a slut?”

“But next time I want a warning so I can mentally prepare myself.”

Jace always seems to find humor in what I have to say because, yet again, he’s looking at me in amusement.

“Sorry, I’ll warn you next time but, you had fun, right? I’d feel awful if you hated the whole night.”

Humming, I pretend to think it over, enjoying the slight panic that makes its way onto Jace’s face. After a few moments of watching his panic I reply, “It was all right, would have been better if you weren’t there.”

“Wow, I didn’t know you were so petty.”

“Baby, please, I’m the definition of petty.”

Jace's smile is practically lighting up the night and he needs to get that checked because I don't think it's normal. “I’ll keep that in mind. Do you work tomorrow too?”

I nod, which seems to help end our evening completely. Jace tells me to get home safe, which has me scowling at him. I feel like a child when he says that but, whatever, I wave it off and jump into my car while Jace returns to his own.

Our evening ends with me still wondering how serious Jace is or not…and why I’m still bothering to put up with him.