"Aw they must love me," Griffin said with extra cheeriness in his tone, "I mean you must be saying great things about me for them to invite me out again," he pointed out as he finished his arm curl reps.

"Such great things," I breathed out sarcastically as I set my weights down in exhaustion. It's Monday morning—the morning after Jade and Jaci told me to bring Griffin with us to this new bar—and I'm starting to feel slightly overwhelmed with the lie that I constantly have to keep up.

Griffin finishes his reps out before setting his weights down completely and standing in front of me, "I suppose I'll go, I love trying new places out anyway," he said. "Besides it's winter break and it's a Monday night so what better things could I possibly be doing?"

I let out a breathless sigh as I recovered from my previous reps while sitting on the bench under Griffin's stare, "I don't know, I feel like there are too many details to keep up with."

Griffin shrugged, "Not really—we can improvise,"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You're sure?" I asked. "Because I talked to them about liking you and—"

"Wait. You like Cayden? Like feelings wise?" Griffin asked with wide eyes.

I blinked a few times, "Yeah... I mean I think so,"

Griffin sucked in a breath as a wide smile began displaying on his lips, "No. Fucking. Way."

I felt my cheeks grow hot as a goofy smile plastered on my lips. Actually being able to talk about Cayden with someone, made me feel good—so good. It was like finally spilling all the bottled-up feelings out without worrying about pronouns or names. I could just say what I wanted without having to worry about slipping up.

"You think so? Girl, you're all smiley and giddy right now. There is no maybe—you definitely like her," he pointed out before sitting down on the cushioned bench beside me, "Have you told her? What did she say? Oh my god, are you guys exclusive?"

I shake my head rapidly, "No, no I haven't even told her yet,"

Griffin blinks a few times with wide eyes, "You haven't told her Avina? Please tell me you have a good reason," he said and my brows raise when he used my full name.

"I-I well... like I told Jade and Jaci, I know she's into me, I just don't know if she's also into anyone else,"

"Who else would she be in to?"

I pursed my lips, hating that I was about to mention a girl that could possibly be a part of Cayden's life in more than a platonic way. "Zera," I reluctantly said.

Griffin raises a brow, "Zera? Like Zera that one girl we briefly met at the club?"

"That would be the one,"

Griffin gives me a cautious look, "How would that even be possible? Wait, is it because she was there the night Cayden was? Because that's a little unreasonable—"

"No Griff, she called her that night when I went to her place after Electric,"

"I didn't know we were looking through phones now,"

"I didn't. The call popped up with her picture—"

"Yikes, a picture?" Griffin cut me off with a surprised expression, which didn't ease my nerves. I could tell Griffin sensed my body language when he said, "Sorry... look I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe they're associates or friends—just friends,"

"But what if they're not?" I sighed, feeling my stomach contract in jealousy.

Griffin shakes his head, "I'm going to assume you didn't ask her about it," he said which earned a reluctant nod from me. "I mean, I can see why since that was the night—"

"We first officially hooked up,"

"Yeah that," Griffin agreed. "Look she seems to be into you like you said. Has she called her any other times? Or maybe mentioned her?"

"No,"

"Then you have nothing to worry about," Griffin said.

I nod hesitantly, "Yeah you're right," I said as I grabbed my water bottle, "But I still can't address the whole DTR thing with her... I mean it could be too soon. What if I scare her off? Or what if she is still talking to her ex? Or what if she ends up choosing her ex? I just... I don't know," I rambled which caused Griffin's dark eyes to carefully analyze me.

Griffin sighs, "Look Vina, I just want to make sure you're really in this. Because I don't want to stress you out but this is only going to get more complicated. The more you see Cayden and the more things evolve and the more you rely on me, the messier it's going to get. You really need to know that you're in it and that you trust her enough to not let your doubt ruin it all,"

"I am in it," I said, feeling confident. This conversation with Griffin felt like the most honest I'd ever been about Cayden and it felt good to say. "It's just... everything is so new and it's so hard to read. The sneaking around and lying also aren't helping—it makes it so hard to figure out how we'll actually be as a couple, especially when we can't even go on a date peacefully together since we'll risk being seen."

"It sounds like you guys need a chance to be away from New York."

"We definitely do. Or we need Sebastian and all of his hundreds of friends to be anywhere else and for my roommates to not tell anyone what's going on." I said, knowing that going out to even a place in Brooklyn is a risk... I mean Sebastian practically has connections everywhere since he's always meeting new people and going to different areas in New York. It doesn't help that everyone knows me as his girlfriend, so one sight of me and they'll end up texting him. New York seems so big, but when you know so many people it really isn't. Or should I say when people know you?

"What's a low-key place here in New York that you haven't been?" Griffin asked with his head tilted.

"Literally nowhere—J&J and Sebastian and I would always go somewhere new each weekend, meeting so many new people. I mean I still have people come up to me and say they know me and I don't even recall meeting them," I briefly explained. "I know I sound paranoid but it only takes—"

"One time."

I shake my head, "Yep, and knowing my luck, we'd probably get caught."

"Would it really be so bad if Sebastian found out?"

"It's really important to me that I don't intrude on their relationship," I said. "They've been friends forever and I just... I don't know."

"I don't think you should care so much about what he thinks," Griffin said, honestly. "I know that's easier said than done, but it's true. What matters is you and Cayden. If you really think this could be a long-term situation."

"But what if everything crashes and burns? What if we try this out and realize we're not actually as into each other as we thought? I ruin their friendship and lose Cayden in the process? And who knows how my friends will react."

"If they actually care about you, they'll stick around. And if it doesn't work out, so what? Just go for it and see what happens. You'll never know until you actually commit." he said. "Besides you have me if it doesn't work out."

"That's not reassuring," I joked which caused Griffin to lightly shove me.

"Fuck you!" he laughed before rising from the bench, "Just for that you need to do ten extra reps."

I scoffed dramatically, "Wow, fine okay,"

Griffin chuckled as he watched my tired arms try to lift the weights back up, "I love you Vin."

I breathed out big breaths as I curled my arms, "Yeah love you too Griff—so so much," I said sarcastically, but also in a meaningful way.

I wiped the sweat forming on my forehead before turning to face Griffin, "Seriously thank you for the advice," I smiled. "But on another note, how are you so wise?"

"Offering advice like this is easier than actually having to be the person in the situation, so give yourself some credit," Griffin gave me a reassuring smile as he picked my weights up and put them back on the rack. "This is a lot of shit to deal with. But since it seems like you really like Cayden, I think it's worth it."

"It is isn't it?"

"Yes, now come on I desperately need some coffee in my system." Griffin guided me to my feet.

Hi everyone:) I just wanted to check in with you all and get some thoughts about how you all feel! How are you liking Vina and Cayden's dynamic so far? Do you wish Vina would've taken the step to DTR with Cayden? Do you think Vina's choice to lie to J&J was smart or naive? How do you guys like Griffin or J&J so far? I'd love for you guys to tell me how you feel about everything, I enjoy reading your comments

Weekendlustt