Chantal Fernando - Toxic Girl

His eyes warm. “I like you calling me that.”

“Good,” I reply, staring at his lips.

“Do you want another drink?” he asks.

I look down at my now empty vodka orange and nod. “Yes, please,” I tell him. As he orders me another drink, I see someone walking up to us.

“Grayson,” she says, batting her lashes. I recognise her as Dylan—the girl whose house the party was at. I don’t miss the way that Grayson stiffens a little at her presence.

“Dylan,” he says, nodding his head at her. “Have you met Paris?”

“No, I haven’t,” she says, smirking. What the hell is her problem? Grayson puts his arm around me and squeezes gently.

“Paris, this is Dylan,” he says, handing me my drink.

“Hi,” I say, bringing the glass to my lips.

She raises a finely arched brow. “So you’re the one hogging all of Grayson’s time.”

“Dylan,” Grayson snaps, the warning in his tone unmistakable. My eyes dart between the two of them.

“So how do the two of you know each other?” I ask, trying to keep my tone even.

“Family friend,” Grayson replies at the same time Dylan says, “We used to date.”

Silence.

“Well, isn’t that… awkward,” I add when no one says anything. I down my drink in two gulps and place the empty glass down on the table. Grabbing my clutch off the table, I stand up, getting off Grayson’s lap. He follows suit, standing and leading me out to his car, leaving Dylan standing there alone.

“She’s your ex? I knew you weren’t a saint before you met me, but why lie about it?” I ask as soon as we get into the car.

“I didn’t want you to get upset,” he says, starting the engine.

“Lying upsets me!” I snap, looking out the window.

He sighs. “Our dads work together. I’ve known her for years. She’s really good friends with my sister.”

“Did you sleep with her?” I ask, already knowing the answer. No woman gets that look of possession in her eyes without having a taste. I look over at him to see a tick in his jaw and know that’s my answer.

“Yes,” he replies reluctantly, “but it never meant anything.”

“And now?”

“And now we’re just friends. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Paris,” he says, looking over at me.

“Sorry you didn’t tell me or sorry you got caught lying?” I ask, my voice breaking.

“Fuck,” Grayson says, pulling over onto the side of the road. He turns to face me, his eyes full of worry and panic. “She doesn’t mean anything to me. You do. You mean everything. You can’t hold my past against me, Paris.”

“You’re right, I can’t. But I expect you to be honest with me,” I tell him. I’ve been honest with him about everything… except that one thing. I push that thought out of my mind. I’ll have to deal with that later. And face the consequences too. Fuck, I’m the biggest hypocrite.

“Look, I slept with a fair few girls before we started dating. I’m not exactly proud, but I’m not sorry either, because it was before you. I am sorry I didn’t tell you, and you had to find out like that. And that is me being honest.”

“Okay,” I say, flicking the polish off my nails. What the hell else can I say? I’m not being honest with him either. This relationship is doomed for failure once the truth comes out.

“Hey,” he says gently, reaching out and taking my hand into his. “Are we okay?”

I look down at our threaded hands. “Yeah, we’re okay.”

But I don’t know if that is the truth.

I stare at my reflection, wondering for the third time if what I’m wearing is okay.

“You look amazing,” Grayson says, staring at me with heat in his eyes. I smooth down my black dress, hoping that he’s right.

“I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before,” I say, puffing out a breath. I pat my lips together, staring at the pink lipstick I chose today.

“They will love you,” he says, putting his big hands on my shoulders. “Leah can’t make it though, so it will just be my mum, dad, and the two of us.”

“Where are we meeting them again?” I ask as I walk into my bedroom, sitting down on my bed.

“The hotel where I work,” he says. He’s taken me there before, Windmills, it’s called.

“Why would we be meeting them there?” I ask, frowning. His dark eyes sparkle, and his dimples make an appearance.

“Because my dad owns the hotel.”

I gape. “You never told me that.” Wait, his father owns the whole hotel chain? Great, I’m on my way to meet his millionaire parents. Me. A stripper. Wonderful, just fucking wonderful. I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. I knew he was well off. I mean he does have his own house and a nice car and motorcycle. But I didn’t think he was that rich, or at least that his family was.

“I thought you knew,” he pauses. “Everyone knows.”

“Not me apparently,” I mutter. Not like I talk to many people. Just Grayson and Anaya. And some of the girls at Toxic.

“At least I know you’re not with me for my money,” he jokes. I stand up and swat him on the shoulder.

“Not funny, Gray,” I tell him. “No wonder you knew everyone when we went to the hotel bar. And to think I just thought you were popular.”

He smirks at me. “Nope, not popular. Just the boss’s son.”

“Ha, I doubt that,” I say, putting both my hands on his chest. He encases me in his arms, and I breathe in his delicious scent. Maybe we could stay here in bed instead?

“It will be fine. It’s just dinner,” he says, rubbing his warm hands down my back.

“Is this going to be one of those dinners where there are four different forks, and I’m not going to know which one to use?” I ask grumpily. I feel his body shake with silent laughter. Glad I can be so amusing.

“I’ll let you know which fork to use,” he says, moving back and staring at me with dancing eyes.

I pout. “Fine.”

He smiles wide, holding my chin and lifting my face up. “When we get home, I’ll show you just how much I love that dress on you.”

My heart races. Let’s get this dinner over with.

* * *

Do you know what’s awkward? Answering question after question, and each answer you give turning out to be more horrifying than the last.

What do your parents do? Not much because they are dead.

Do you have any other family? Yes.

Do you talk to them? No, not really.

And so the night went on. It turned out there were multiple forks, and Grayson started laughing when I gave him a look that said ‘I told you so’. Grayson’s mother, Laura, is the epitome of sophistication. She has dark hair, cut in a severe bob, light brown eyes, and a soft voice. His father, Derek, looks like an older version of Grayson with dark hair and eyes, and a set of dimples. The only difference being his eyes aren’t playful or amused like Grayson’s usually are; instead, they seem shrewd and slightly calculating.

“Would you like dessert, dear?” Laura asks me.

“No, thank you,” I say with a polite smile. Grayson glances at me and frowns. He knows I love dessert, and I’m not usually one to turn it down. However, I’d rather this dinner end as soon as possible. They have been nothing but kind to me, but with the questioning and looks in their eyes, I can tell they would rather their son be with someone else. I don’t know if it’s for the fact I obviously don’t have any money or what, but I don’t think I’ll be bonding with them any time soon. Grayson sits next to me, his arm rested casually on the back of my chair. He’s been sweet and attentive all night, even telling his parents to stop with the questions. I appreciated that—a lot.

“Do you want to go, babe?” Grayson asks, softly so only I can hear.

“Do you?” I ask, not wanting to be rude and leave if he wanted to stay. He kisses me and then stands up.

“We have to go. We have classes in the morning. But thanks for dinner,” he says casually, putting out his hand to me. I take it and stand up, thanking both his parents and telling them it was nice to meet them.

“Are you okay?” he asks me as he opens the car’s passenger side door.

“Fine. Why?” I ask.

He leans on the car door, watching me silently. “You were perfect,” is all he says. He closes the door and walks over to the driver’s side. Perfect? I felt awkward as hell.

“Are you staying at mine tonight?” he asks as we pull onto the main road.

“No, can you take me home?” I ask.

“Why?” he asks, his lips turning into a frown.

“I have work tonight,” I tell him. I start in two hours. It’s my second to last shift, and then I’m free. No longer a Toxic Girl. No longer Snow. Just plain old Paris. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Grayson sighs. “I hate you working late. I can just imagine all the men hitting on you.”

He has no idea. “This is my second to last shift, remember,” I tell him.

“Good. You know I can help you if you need…”

“Grayson,” I snap, not wanting to hear his offer. He’s mentioned it once before, and there is no way in hell I will become a kept woman.

“Yeah, okay,” he mumbles, sulking.

“I thought you wanted to show me how much you loved this dress?” I ask in a sultry, suggestive voice.

“Fuck,” he says under his breath, glancing at me before tightening his fists on the steering wheel.

The car goes a little faster.

The next day, I stare at the missed calls on my phone, wondering why my sister and brother are both calling me. I send London a quick text message, asking her if everything is okay, and then head to class. It’s not unheard of for London to call me, usually when she needs something, but my brother? He never contacts me. I put my sunglasses on, and walk quickly to campus, not wanting to be late for my class. As I walk toward the building Leah, Grayson’s sister, stops me.

“Hi, Paris,” she says as she walks toward me. We haven’t really spoken before, apart from a few hellos and smiles. As petty as it may seem, Leah is Dylan’s friend, so I didn’t really see her becoming my best friend any time soon. Having said that, she seems to be a nice girl, always smiling, and I know she loves her brother a lot by the stories Grayson has told me.

“Hey, Leah, how are you?” I ask her, offering her a small smile.

She pushes her hair behind her ear. “I’m good. Just thought maybe we could hang out some time? My brother is crazy about you, and I don’t know you at all.”

She wants to hang out?

“Umm, sure,” I say, not sounding convincing even to my own ears.

She gives me a knowing look. “I’ll get your number off Grayson and send you a text.”

“Leah!” someone calls out. We both look in that direction. When I see Dylan walking over, I stifle a groan. Not someone I want to see right now… or ever.

“Hey, Dylan,” Leah says, giving me an apologetic look.

“Hey. I didn’t know you two were friends,” Dylan says, shooting a sneer in my direction.

Leah shrugs and says, “She’s dating my brother. I’d like to get to know her.”

Dylan’s face drops at that reminder. “Everyone dates your brother. You going to make friends with the whole school?”

Leah scowls. “Paris is different. He’s crazy about her.”

Dylan makes a scoffing noise. Bitch.

“Anyway, Paris, we’ll catch up soon, yeah?” Leah says, pulling the strap of her bag.

“Umm, okay,” I say, blinking slowly. “See ya.” I walk off, ignoring Dylan’s dirty looks.

Maybe Leah and I could be friends? I shake my head and head to class.

Priorities.

* * *

Grayson releases a guttural moan as he finishes. Panting, I slide off him and lie down next to him, smiling as I catch my breath. This is the first time we made love without a condom, because I’m now on the pill, and it was incredible.

“I’m getting kind of good at that,” I boast.

Grayson grunts. “More than good. You’re amazing, babe.”

I smile wider into the dim light, and then move into the crook of his arm. He turns to face me, moonlight on his face, our eyes connected. “Want to go again?” I ask into the silence.

He chuckles. “I’m going to need a minute.”

“A minute? You old man,” I joke. I squeal as he rolls on top of me, pushing me into the mattress. I love the feel of his weight on top of me.

“Old? I’ll show you old,” he says, tickling me until I scream. He rolls me so I’m lying completely on top of him.