Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Harper : Tiffany got right near that DJ booth , picked up the mic and the DJ cut the music . " Is everyone having a good time ? " Her voice was loud but sweet . The place erupted in cheers and applause . " I'm glad you are and it's about to get even better . We're gonna play a guessing game ." Everyone began to boo and she chuckled . " Relax , it's going to be quite juicy . Just stay with me here . First up , Rob and James !. " 76 E55 vouchers She pointed at the two of them together in the crowd and they started awkwardly looking around . " Yeah , you two right there . James in the brown coat and Rob in the neon green shirt . Give it up for the two of them ! " Slowly, everyone began to clap , wanting to see where this was going . The two guys grinned like idiots , probably because she gave them attention . " This game is about to be real juicy and I know what some of you must be thinking . What about Maddox ? He's probably caught up somewhere else . Should we wait for him ? " " No ! " the crowd said in unison . " Alright , then , " she said , then dragged out the pause before continuing , " which of these two guys is most likely to leave scratches down a girl's back ? " There was an instant chorus of oohs and whistles , James smirking confidently while Rob raised his eyebrows in mocking innocence . People started calling out their guesses and she let it go on for a few seconds before she spoke again . " If you said Rob , you're absolutely right ! " The place erupted in laughter . The crowd now seemed even more interested in the game . She went to ask a few more questions to some more guys , like who was likely to wake up in the wrong bed after a wild night and who was likely to text someone in the morning just to say that they left their bra . " Alright , boys now that you've had your fun , let's see how the girls handle it . Up first , Harper and Kate ! " My jaw clenched at how she was quick to single me out . 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 28 76 E 55 vouchers Zoey and Ella shook their heads at me and came real close , telling me not to play , but Tiffany was the one with the mic and quickly began to speak . " Just so we're clear . Kate is the girl in the black dress and the girl in the cheap version of the designer dress I'm wearing is Harper . You obviously know that . " I stood out a lot when those who were close enough looked at me while laughing in agreement with her . She didn't even ask the question yet and my heart was already pounding . I wanted to go up there and stop her . I even hoped Grayson would do something . " Now , which one of these two girls did my bro ... " She trailed off when her mic was suddenly cut off , making her look over at the DJ . He just shrugged like he was trying to fix the problem . She was so frustrated that she almost slammed the mic against the floor , but had to keep it cool for all the guests . Then , people began to cheer while looking in a certain direction . I looked over and Maddox was making his way to her . As soon as he was close enough , he yanked the mic from her , bringing it to his lips so he could speak . " Enough of this stupid game ." He chuckled , the mic now loud and clear again . " This is my fucking birthday party , so let's have a good time ! Music ! " The whole crowd cheered as the DJ turned up the volume . She shot him glares , like he had just gotten in the way of her biggest announcement yet . As he dragged her up the stairs and they turned at the corner , Zoey and Ella sighed with relief . " Whatever that was , I'm glad it didn't happen ! " Ella said . " My girl can't catch a break . " Zoey gently placed a hand on my shoulder . My heart was beating in the same rhythm as the beat pumping through the speakers . I had never been so relieved about anything but at the same time , my blood boiled as I looked over at Grayson . I just needed some fresh air outside and I asked my girls not to follow me . It was hard for them to do , but they respected my decision . When I came outside , I moved further away from all the music and voices until I got to the lawn and could only hear a muffled EDM beat and crickets somewhere around me . My surroundings were filled with warm night lights hanging from the trees so I'd watch my step along the pavers in the middle . I stopped in my tracks right when I got to a large tree , placing my back against it and closing my eyes . Then , I heard footsteps along the pavers and looked back . I instantly regretted my decision to stop moving when I did . Had I been on the other side of the tree trunk , Grayson wouldn't have spotted me and I would've preferred that . " What do you want ? " I didn't even hide the irritation in my voice as I looked away and moved a few steps I move 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 28 forward . " I just came to check if you're okay . " He stopped right behind me , still on the pavers . 76 55 vouchers " Now you care ? " I chuckled in disbelief , facing him . " Where was that part of you the moment you heard Tiffany say my name up there ? You just waited , like you also wanted to hear what would come from her mouth . We both know how that always ends . I didn't expect you to stand up for me , but don't come out here when I just want to be alone ." " I heard about the comments she made when she showed up in the same dress as you and I'm- " " If you're going to apologize on her behalf , don't . I'm tired of it and we talked about this . " He chuckled . " Oh , Harp , take it easy , okay ? That's not what I wanted to say . You might be wearing the same dress as her , but yours is just ... perfect ." There it was , the same look from earlier when I arrived . He was checking me out and even stepped on the lawn to circle around me . I immediately forgot that I was mad at him . " Did you even take a good look at how everyone's been watching you tonight ? " His voice was low and suggestive . " No one can take their eyes off you , absolutely no one . This dress was meant for you ." He stopped right behind me and paused for a moment , like he had something else to say and I actually waited . Like an idiot , I wanted to hear more . " Harper ! " I turned around and spotted Zoey and Ella rushing towards me . That broke the tension between Grayson and I and he cleared his throat as he got back up on the pavers again . " I should go back inside . Give me a call or text if you need me . " He began to leave while moving backwards , not taking his eyes off me even for a second . That was the longest he had ever stared at me and it sent shivers down my spine . He said and did all the right things I always longed for . My girls only gave him a smile and nod of acknowledgement as they continued to make their way to me . " What was that about ? " Zoey asked when he was at a distance . Ella pursed her lips with crossed arms . " Let me guess , he wanted to apologize for his fucking wife ? " My lips curved into a smile . " No. It was different this time . " " Different ? " they asked in unison . I closed my eyes , thinking back to a few seconds earlier when he looked at me the way every other guy did that night . " Hello ? " Ella nudged the side of my arm. 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 28 76 55 vouchers I snapped out of it , telling both of them what had happened with Grayson before they showed up . They shared a knowing look , faced me again , then burst into laughter . " What ? " I frowned . " Nope ! " Ella waved her finger in my face . " Seriously , this isn't good for you . " Zoey said with a look of disapproval . " But let's be real here , have you taken a good look at how many guys have been checking you out since we arrived ? You're flaming hot tonight ! Some even looked like they'd break their necks when looking back at these damn curves ! " " While that is true ," Ella began , " Grayson only has eyes for his wife . That's why he chose her . Whatever it was you thought you saw and felt before we got here , don't let it make you think he wants you or something . " Zoey gasped . " Isn't that a little too harsh ? " " Ella's right ." I sighed . " I needed to hear that . I'm glad you're here with me . " I grinned , opening my arms wide for both of them . The group hug was nice and warm and should have lasted longer , but Zoey's statement put an end to that moment . " How did the volume on that mic cut when it did ? And why did it work just fine when Maddox showed up ? Whatever the case , I'm glad that happened . Who knew what Tiffany was going to say up there ? " " I only have a few guesses , but we'll never find out since he stopped her before she could do it . For someone who barely paid attention to me , he definitely came to the rescue when it mattered the most ." " This is the part where you find him , get some answers and kiss him ! " I shook my head at Zoey . " No way . " " Harper's right , " Ella chimed in . " If they're going to talk , he'll have to be the one to initiate it ." " Don't forget that ... " I trailed off when my phone began to ring from my purse and as soon as I took it out , my heart skipped a beat at the caller ID . It was Maddox and I chuckled lightly . " Looks like someone wants to talk . " 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Maddox 76 55 vouchers Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!