New Years Eve

Melanie's POV

"Hey, can I come in?"

I quickly pull the covers up to hide the fact that I'm not decent. "Yeah, come in," I call out, my voice a bit shaky.

Grace enters, her face a mix of concern and sadness. "Mel, are you okay? You seemed upset last night."

I offer a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind, you know? New Year's Eve and all."

She sits down on the edge of the bed, looking at me with understanding. "Mel, I want you to know that I trust you. Thank you so much for helping me with Theo yesterday, I trust you and Theo completely."

I feel a pang of guilt as I meet her gaze. Grace is kind, trusting, and completely unaware of the tangled web of emotions between her, Theo, and me. "Thanks, Grace. That means a lot."

She reaches out and squeezes my hand gently. "And I hope you find happiness this coming year, Mel. You deserve it."

As she leaves the room, I can't help but feel a heavy weight on my chest. The new year is just hours away, and I'm left wondering how this tangled situation will unravel in the months to come.

We all sit and the living room and Bea says, "Guys I've had a shit week and I wanna throw a New Years Party."

Theo chuckles, "Alright, a homegrown New Year's party it is. What do you have in mind, Bea?"

Bea starts brainstorming, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Well, we can invite some friends over, get some good music going, and have snacks and drinks. It doesn't have to be anything huge, just a fun way to ring in the New Year together."

Grace nods enthusiastically, "That sounds like a blast! I'm in."

Josh agrees, "Me too. Let's do it."

I glance at Theo, who gives me a subtle wink, which I interpret as a sign that he's looking forward to spending the night with me. It's a complicated situation, but in that moment, I decide to set aside my doubts and enjoy the upcoming celebration.

As the evening progresses, we begin planning our impromptu New Year's party, knowing that the coming year will likely bring more surprises and challenges for all of us.

———————————————————————————

Grace's POV

I decide to seize this opportunity for some alone time with Theo. As everyone leaves to gather party supplies, I walk up to him with a playful smile. "Hey, babe," I say, wrapping my arms around his waist.

Theo turns to me, a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he quickly returns the smile. "Hey, Grace. What's up?"

I lean in, planting a soft kiss on his lips. "I just wanted a moment alone with you."

He chuckles, his hands resting gently on my waist. "Well, you've got it. What's on your mind?"

I gaze into his eyes, feeling a mixture of love and curiosity. "Theo, it feels like we've been through so much together, and I want to make sure we keep that connection strong. Lately, it seems like you're distant sometimes. Is everything okay between us?"

Theo's expression softens, and he pulls me closer. "Grace, I love you, you know that, right? Sometimes, I might get caught up in other things, but it doesn't mean I'm any less in love with you. We've had our share of ups and downs, but I'm committed to making this work. Always."

His words reassure me, and I press my forehead against his. "I love you too, Theo. Let's cherish every moment together, even the simple ones like this."

He nods, and we share a sweet, lingering kiss, savoring the connection we have built despite life's complexities. In that moment, I feel more secure in our relationship, knowing that we can weather any storm as long as we stay committed to each other.

"We're home alone babe." He said, I laughed and rolled my eyes.

I walked away from the door and back into the kitchen. I opened the fridge and scanned it, my hand reaching out to grab a bottle of water. I closed the door and jumped when I saw him, his hands went straight to my hips, lifting me up to sit on the counter.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I said, laughing.

"Just wanna see my girl, that a crime?"

"No, but there are other ways you could have got my attention."

"Yeah?" He said, his voice low.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him in closer, our bodies pressing together.

"Yes."

"How else can I get your attention?" He whispered, his lips grazing my neck.

I let my head fall back, exposing my throat.

"You could have just asked me to come back."

"I did."

"Yeah, I know. But I'm not your maid. I can't come running every time you ask."

"So, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying, that when you want something, you can get it yourself."

His eyes met mine and I smiled, raising my eyebrow.

"You wanna play it like that?"

"Yes. Are you scared?"

"No." He laughed. "You think I'm gonna be afraid of a girl?"

"Yes, I think you are. You have been so far."

"I think I might surprise you, princess."

He lifted me off the counter and started walking down the hallway towards our bedroom. He opened the door and threw me onto his bed, I watched as he stood there, smirking at me. He climbed onto the bed, hovering above me, his body pressed against mine.

"You're gonna regret this."

"No I'm not. Make me."

"What was that?" He asked, his lips inches from mine.

"You heard me, you're gonna have to make me."

He laughed and shook his head, he sat up and ran his hands up my thighs.

"You're a bad girl for cheating on me" He said.

I watched him as he slowly started lifting up the edge of my dress. I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair.

"So what are you gonna do about it?"

"What am I gonna do about it?"

I nodded, biting my lip.

"Well first, I'm gonna take this dress off."

"Oh really?"

"Yep."

He grabbed the edge of the dress and lifted it up, I raised my arms and let him pull it over my head, he dropped it to the floor.

"You look so beautiful in this."

"I do?"

"You do. It's almost a shame to take it off."

I smirked, watching him.

"Almost."

"I think maybe we should leave it on for a little while longer."

I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"No, you can take it off. I think I'd prefer it if you did."

"Ok. You sure?"

"I'm positive."

"Ok. Well, I can't argue with that."

I smiled, he leaned down and kissed me, his hands running down my body.

"I've missed this Theo." I said.

"You know, I'll always love you ."

"Oh yeah?"

"Mmhmm."

"And why would that be?"

"You'll have to find out."

I laughed, shaking my head.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"Yeah. But you love me."

"That's debatable."

"What was that?" He asked, smiling.

"I said that's debatable."

He smirked, leaning down to kiss my neck.

"You're a horrible liar, you know that right?"

"Yeah, well, I can't lie when you're kissing me like that."

———————————————————————————

Theo's POV

"Babe, Millie just left the house and I'm here all alone with no one to cuddle. I'm cold."

"Oh shut up, I'm putting my shoes on. Grace just left to go and see Steph and Jess,"

I quickly slip on my shoes, feeling an undeniable urge to see Melanie. Grace is out with her friends, and this could be a rare moment of solitude between Melanie and me.

As I step out the door and into the chilly air, Melanie's voice crackles through the phone. "You're actually coming?"

I chuckle. "Of course, Mel. I can't have you freezing all alone." The truth is, I've missed her. Our secret rendezvous have become a complicated dance, and I find myself drawn to her.

I reach Millie's place, and there she is, standing by the door, her lips curled into a sly smile. "Took you long enough," she teases.

I can't help but return her smile, and we share a brief, affectionate hug. It's in these stolen moments that I feel a familiar spark of desire, one that's hard to deny. "So, what's the plan?" I ask, genuinely curious about where the evening might take us.

Melanie's gaze meets mine, and she leans in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's make this New Year's Eve unforgettable."

We sit down on the sofa and she asks, "So did you fuck her?"

I don't know what to say, I look down at my lap.

She reaches over, places her hand on my thigh. She says, "I'm not trying to be bitch, but we did talk about this beforehand."

I look up, her expression is warm. I say, "Yes, we did talk about it." I take a deep breath, let it out and say, "And yes, I did."

"Was it any good?" I look at her, "Are you kidding? You know how long it's been."

She laughs. She says, "That's true, I'm sorry. How did it happen?"

"It was her idea. She said that she thought we were becoming distant."

"Did you feel distant from her?"

"Yes, a little."

"A little? Was that because of me?"

"Yes. But only cause I'm cheating on her with you, I like you more Mel"

"Are you gonna break up with her one day?"

I don't know what to say. I don't want to lose her.

I reach over and run my fingers through her hair. It's so soft. I say, "You have beautiful hair."

"Thank you," she says, "but you didn't answer my question."

"I don't know."

"Is it cause of me?"

"I like you a lot, I don't want to break up with her."

She looks disappointed, but she puts on a smile.

"Do you like her?"

"She's fun, and she's cute. She was my first love."

"Oh."

I can see her getting upset, so I lean over and kiss her.

"Let's not talk about it anymore."

"Okay."

I grab the remote and turn on the tv, and we watch an episode of a show about people who live in a haunted house.

At some point, she falls asleep. Her head rests against my shoulder. She looks peaceful, and it makes me think of our first night together, when we cuddled after sex.

I look down at her, I smile and then kiss her on the forehead.

"Goodnight."

I pick her up and carry her to her room.

I place her in her bed, tuck her in and give her a kiss on the forehead again. I turn off the light and leave.

"Mel, don't forget to come over for the new years party. I love you."

She never heard me say I love you, even though I did, I just didn't want to admit it.

——————————————————————————

Grace's POV

"Where the fuck is he?" I need to know where Theo is and why the hell he's not answering his phone. It's been two hours.

"I don't know," Bea says, sounding as worried as I am. "Josh is calling him."

"What if he's been hit by a bus?"

"You're not helping, Jess."

I don't know what to do. I've called him six times. His voicemail is full and it won't even let me leave another message.

The party is in two hours. Two. Hours.

It's not like him not to show up or at least let us know he's running late. He was so excited about this. It's new years eve.

"Wait. Where's Mel? Does she know anything?"

Bea shakes her head.

"He's not with her," she says.

I want to believe that but they're so tight and I don't see why they wouldn't tell us.

"She wouldn't lie to me, would she?"

"No." Bea answers too fast and now I don't know what to think.

"Bea."

"I don't know! I don't know what's going on with them and why the hell Mel's being so weird but you're not going to talk to her about Theo."

"She's his best friend."

"And he's hers and we're all his friends so you're not calling her and you're not bringing her here."

"But she's-"

"Grace, no. This is our night too. If Theo wants to be a douche bag and not show up for whatever reason, then that's on him. We're going to have fun. Got it?"

"Yeah, fine."

"And we're not talking about him all night. I swear, Grace, I will cut you if you bring him up once."

Theo opens the door and I shout, "finally!"

He steps into the living room, smiling like everything's normal, like he wasn't even gone.

"I've been looking all over for you." I say.

"Why? Everything's fine."

"Well, where have you been? We've been trying to get a hold of you all night."

"I had to take care of some things."

"Like what? You're always glued to your phone."

"It was on silent."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

He shrugs and walks past me into the kitchen.

"You've been missing out. Josh got so high, he tried to put a bowl in the microwave. And Bea was crying. It was the funniest shit ever."

He's still smiling. "Sounds like fun."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, Grace. I'm fine. What's wrong with you?"

I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't explain the feeling I'm getting from him. It's off.

"Nothing."

I turn to follow him.

"Can we have a minute?" He asks, looking over my shoulder at someone.

"What?"

"I just want a minute with you. Please."

Theo never says please.

I nod and follow him upstairs.

"What is going on?"

"Nothing, baby."

"I feel like something's going on."

"With what?"

"I don't know. Everything. You."

"Me?"

"Yes. I'm getting this weird vibe from you."

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been acting different."

"I have?"

"You're never around anymore. And when you are, it's like you're somewhere else."

"I've been busy."

"Too busy to pick up the phone?"

"I didn't hear it."

"For two hours?"

"I'm sorry."

"Where were you, Theo?"

"I was-"

"Grace!" I hear Bea calling from downstairs.

"Come on."

"I'm not done."

"I can't keep having this conversation with you."

"Well, we're gonna have to. I can't-"

"Grace! Come down!"

"We'll talk later. Okay?"

"Whatever."

"Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad. Just- I'm not. Let's go."

He takes my hand and follows me downstairs.

"Hey, asshole. We're not done talking about this."

"I don't see the point."

"What's going on with you?"

"I just said. I've been busy. I'm sorry."

"So what was so important you couldn't answer your phone?"

"Just stuff. Why do you care so much?"

"Because I'm your girlfriend and I'm supposed to care about what's going on in your life."

"Okay, so ask me about what's going on in my life instead of yelling at me."

"You've been acting strange for weeks."

"And how have I been acting?"

"I don't know. Off."

"Off."

"Yes, off. I don't know how else to explain it."

"How can you explain something you don't understand?"

"You're being condescending."

"I'm not. I'm sorry."

"Theo, we just haven't spent any time together lately. We're always so busy with friends and everything and- I miss you."

"Baby, I'm sorry."

"I've gotta go get dressed. Come up in a bit. Okay?"

"I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise."