The next morning, I met Griffin at the gym, desperate for any advice he could give me. If I should meet up and talk with Kori. If telling Cayden would be a good idea. Or if I should leave it all alone and focus on Cayden. It was tricky because I didn't want to mess up what Cayden and I had, and I feel like something involving this, easily could.

I didn't waste time making my way to the gym and putting my things in the locker room before meeting Griffin at the treadmills where he was already getting warmed up. My heart soared in my chest at the sight of him, as if he held all the answers. I felt so grateful that I even had someone like him to talk to or to come to for advice.

"Good fucking morning Vin," Griffin greeted me as I turned the treadmill on. "How did your date go yesterday?"

"Good, we actually went out that same night to a low-key hidden club in East Village."

"Shit give me the address, I'd love to check it out," he laughed, but he quickly tilted his head in observation when I didn't laugh along with him like I usually would. "Oh no... what happened?"

"Zera is Cayden's ex."

Griffin's eyes grew wide as he blinked a few times, "Damn! I did not expect that one."

I sighed. "That's not even the big deal, but it was a little bit of a shock."

"A little bit? Oh god if Zera being Cayden's ex is only a little bit of a shock then what is the big deal?" he asked as he increased the treadmill speed to a fast walk.

"Kori."

Griffin side-eyed me, "What about her?"

I increased my speed to match his, "Cayden was upset because she thought something was going on between Zera and me, which made me think about Kori... someone who I actually went out with. How would Cayden feel about that?"

"Did you sleep with Kori?"

"No."

"And you and Cayden were in separation when this all happened? No overlaps?" Griffin asked.

I shook my head, "No overlaps."

"Then don't tell her," Griffin shrugged. "But you probably should talk to Kori—have you spoken to her since the last time you guys went out?"

I scanned my brain, thinking of the last time I texted Kori, but the only time I could recall was when we made arrangements to go to the Christmas Cookie pop-up. She's probably even texted me within the past day, but I've been so caught up with Cayden that I haven't bothered to think about Kori, which makes me feel like the shittiest person ever.

"I'm going to take that as a no," Griffin easily read the thoughtful expression on my face. "Vin, you know I love you, but you shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have entertained Kori, knowing that you and Cayden weren't fully done."

"I thought we were done, but... I knew I wasn't over Cayden," I admitted.

He nodded, "At least you can admit that, but now you definitely need to have a talk with Kori... I mean you guys went on a date."

"It technically was never said to be a date—"

"Okay, well something was there, whether it was light flirting and late-night convo's—you still owe her an explanation," he said.

"Yeah, you're right," I said, knowing that I'd probably want an explanation too if someone did to me, what I did to Kori. Technically, in a way, Cayden did ghost me as I did to Kori, which makes this all worse. Why would I do this to someone knowing what it felt like and hating it? "I just... I didn't take it that seriously. I knew I was never going to hook up with her, or that it wasn't going to become anything."

"But did she know that?" Griffin asked with a raised brow.

I roll my eyes playfully, "I hate that you're so good at giving me advice."

Griffin laughed. "Do you? Because I'm pretty sure you'd go insane if it wasn't for me."

"Yeah, yeah," I said. "I'll talk to Kori today."

"Good luck with that—" he went to say, but my phone buzzing repeatedly cut him off.

Cayden

"Yikes, she has impeccable timing." Griffin joked which caused me to give him a deadpan look.

I furrowed my brows wondering why she was calling instead of just texting me. Last night actually turned out to be really fun with her, at least after the Zera situation. We danced, had a few drinks, and kissed a little bit before I headed back to my place and she headed back to hers. It felt... like we were an official couple or something. I don't know. It was nice being out in public with her, and just doing normal things. It makes me realize that we have so much to do together, and it's relatively exciting, except when I remember what obstacles we still have to get past. Sebastian. My roommates.

"Good morning, Vi." her smooth raspy voice flowed through the phone speaker that was now pressed against my ear. By the sound of her voice, she seems like she just woke up. God, what I would give to be in bed with her right now, cuddled up under her soft heavy blankets with her arms around me.

"Cay... good morning," I said while Griffin made goofy faces at me, which easily caused me to smile like an idiot. "Calling instead of texting I see?"

"I wanted to hear your voice... it was weird being at my place without you last night."

My face instantly heated up as my smile grew into a grin, causing Griffin to make a heart with his hands, teasing me. "You missed me?" I asked, even though I knew that's what she implied. I just wanted to hear her say it, feeling warm at the idea that she did.

"Of course," she said. "What are you doing right now? I was wondering if you wanted to hang out."

I felt my chest grow even warmer as I looked at Griffin who still was grinning goofily at me, "I'm actually at the gym right now, but we could—" I thought about the conversation I needed to have with Kori, "do something in a little while?"

"Yeah, that works. I'll probably go for a run later, but we can text and figure something out."

I smiled, "Okay."

"Okay, see you later."

Right after we ended the phone call, Griffin began squealing like a little girl. Luckily everyone in the gym had headphones in or their ears would be shot.

"She missed you?" he reiterated our conversation causing my grin to stay plastered onto my face.

"Yeah..." I trailed off like some high schooler who had a huge crush. "She wanted to hang out and I would've offered after the gym but—"

"You have to talk to Kori."

"Yeah," I sighed, knowing I would rather hang out with Cayden.

Griffin smiles, "You're doing the right thing, Vin—plus we still have to grab mimosas after this, so that should help with the awkward conversation."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I hope so."

Griffin clears his throat. "Have you talked to Jade and Jaci about being gay? Or about you and Cayden?"

My stomach sinks at the topic he brought up, but I know he only wants what's best for me. "No... I will. I just, they still hang out with Sebastian so who knows how they'll take it."

Griffin rolls his eyes, "Well, fuck them if they don't understand. Seriously, Avina, you don't deserve friends who choose that asshole's side over yours. You're better off, especially because you have me, and you know I'm not going anywhere."

I smiled at him, feeling safe and loved, something that he and Cayden had a way of making me feel. I knew Griffin was right, Jade and Jaci needed to know and if it all came crumbling down then it would be for the best. I don't need those kinds of people in my life. People who don't support me.

"Thank you, Griff. Seriously that means a lot to me," I said as he smiled softly at me. "I'll tell them after winter break is over, that way Cayden and I can at least be in a more stable place. I also would need to discuss this with her first since her and Sebastian's friendship is on the line, so I think it's best to wait—besides winter breaks ends near the end of January, so I think we should be ready by then."

Griffin nods. "You promise to at least bring it up to her when the end of break approaches?"

"Yes of course."

"Okay, as long as you do that. If she's still not comfortable then I would understand, but you at least need to talk about it with her," he said.

"Yeah and I should probably tell her about you," I laughed.

Griffin's eyes go wide, "She still doesn't know?"

I purse my lips to hold back my smile, "No..."

"God, what am I going to do with you?" he laughed. "You got me so stressed, I'm going to need at least five mimosas to feel somewhat normal again."

"Me too Griff...Me too."

Hi, just checking in with you all:) How are you feeling about Vina and Cayden? Do you think Vina's doing the right thing by talking to Kori? Is it right to not tell Cayden about Kori?

Weekendlustt