1. Surprise went wrong

 XIMENA

“Happy birthday baby. I love you with every being of mine and until eternity. Thank you for always loving and considering me.”

I sent the text to my boyfriend with a smile on my face before tucking my phone into my purse.

“Your cake is ready.” The baker informed me.

I walked towards her, taking a closer look at the blue and white cake I had requested a week ago for Jake’s birthday. 

“It’s beautiful,” I complimented. 

“I did it just as you described,” the baker informed me. 

On the birthday cake was written, ‘Happy birthday Jake with the number 9, his jersey number on it.

Every time I celebrate a new year with him, I smile because of how far we’ve come as a couple. From high school until now. 

Most people wouldn’t expect our relationship to come this far. Everyone who dated in high school doesn't usually last this long or so we’ve heard but Jake and I have been together for years and are even stronger.

He had no idea that I'd be attending his party tonight. I told him I was busy at work so that I could surprise him later and he bought it. 

He told me the little arrangement he had with his teammates, and I couldn't wait to see his reaction once he saw me.

I headed straight to his apartment where I could already hear the music blasting out through the speaker from outside. A smile tugged my lips as I pushed the door open but nothing prepared me for the crowd inside.

His apartment had been turned into a mini club. Couples made out at a side, grinding each other and having fun when my eyes fell on Jake and the rest of his team.

Wasn't he supposed to have a small party with them? I wondered why he didn't inform me when he changed his plans.

Henry, one of his teammates nudged him the second he noticed me and Jake's eyes widened. He met me midway and gave me a side hug just as I was about to reach for a kiss.

“Happy birthday Jake!” And happy anniversary to us. I said the last part to myself because people were watching and we both agreed to keep our relationship private when we gained admission into college.

Neither of us could live freely in high school without people constantly being in our business and trying to turn us against each other.

This was supposed to be a fresh start and give us the chance to live our lives without people stirring fire, but sometimes, I feel like I only agreed to it for his sake.

He became popular the second we resumed college and was loved by everyone. Girls fawned over him every time and I didn't want him to miss out on the fun by being his shadow.

“I thought you were busy!” He yelled over the loud music as he glanced at the cake that was now sitting in his hands. 

“I wanted to surprise you but it looks like someone already did!” I shouted back.

He parted his lips to speak when Henry showed up out of nowhere. He took the cake from Jake before I could even stop him and I heaved out a sigh.

It doesn't matter how many times I've been around his friends, I can never get used to their attitude. I could see the boys already eating it from my peripheral vision. I had hoped he'd at least blow a candle and make a wish, but it seems that wouldn't be necessary now.

This wasn't exactly how I planned to spend the night, but what really matters is Jake enjoying his day.

“I didn't know the guys planned this!” He explained quickly.

I hadn't even gotten the chance to speak when a girl came to drag him away. 

“What are you doing here? The game is about to start!” She pulled him back to the crowd and I heaved out a sigh.

I guess my other plan can wait.

Jake flashed me an apologetic look as I followed behind him. I didn't know what game they were playing and didn't intend to join either.

“Xi, are you playing too?” Jake asked once he saw me leaning against the wall and I shook my head. 

“No, I'll just watch.”

“Of course,” a girl scoffed in the crowd. “She follows him everywhere. One would actually think they are dating.”

My chest tightened at her words but I didn't pay much attention to it. Jake is mine and I didn't need their validation to make that true.

“She's so loyal to him,” another one chuckled. “She never missed his games or any opportunity to be with him.”

“Aren't they childhood friends?” A blonde girl asked. She stood out the most among the group of girls and I recognized her immediately.

Maya. 

She is a junior but within the short frame she had spent on campus, she is even more popular than some finalists. She won the Miss Charm pageant at just eighteen and men had been falling at her feet ever since.

Why is she here though? I know Jake's friends and their mutual friends and I didn't think I had seen her in their circle before.

“Jake, why don't you just put us out of this misery?” Henry asked and every head turned to Jake. “Who is she to you really?”

“I'd be careful though, most girls would be disappointed if you have the wrong answer,” he added and Jake's eyes locked with mine.

My heart skipped a beat as I waited for his response. Is he really going to tell them? Although we agreed to keep our relationship a secret, I hate pretending to be just friends when we are outside.

I want to kiss him the second we see irrespective of the people there but we can't even hold hands for long or people will notice us.

“Y'all should mind your business,” Jake chuckled as he flashed me a wink and my heart did that backflip once again.

It doesn't matter how long we have been dating, I still blush at the slightest thing and I can't wait until we finally go public so that I can kiss him like I have been dying to do since I stepped into his apartment.

The girls whined but Jake brushed it off and the game began. It was flip the bottle with a wild dare. No one really cared about finding out a secret, they just wanted a show.

My mouth hung open when Henry got a dare to suck a girl's boobs for thirty seconds. He did it right in front of everyone and they cheered louder than ever, as they recorded the whole thing.

Jake would glance at me every now and then, making sure I was okay when it was finally his turn.

“I dare you to make out with Maya for three minutes and get her to ask you to finish things upstairs.”

I choked on my spit, coughing hard from what I just heard and everyone was now looking at me.

“Got any problem with that?” A girl shot me a look and I swallowed hard.

Jake wouldn't do that, right?

He's not going to make out with another girl when I'm standing right here. Finish what upstairs? Fuck her?

My stomach churned violently at the thought and I broke out in cold sweat. Anyone would be tempted to be with Maya especially with a banging body like that. Anyone but my boyfriend.

My eyes met Jake’s in an instant as my palm became sweaty. 

“You're not going to turn it down are you?” Henry arched his brows. “Unless you're actually dating Ximena and have been lying to our face all along.”

I saw the conflicted look on his face and my heart raced even faster. God, no. He wouldn't dare.

“Jake, it's just a game,” Maya's soft voice echoed through the air as my heart drummed against my ribcage.

The tension thickened with each passing second as everyone waited for Jake’s decision, myself included. He wouldn't disrespect me like this even as a joke.

“We don't have all day bro,” Henry pressed and I wanted to scream at his face because what the hell is his problem?

“If you agree to this, you're telling everyone here that Ximena means nothing to you,” another voice spoke in the background but I was no longer looking at their faces.

My attention was fixed on Jake as I hid my shaky hands behind me. 

“Can you stop acting like kids?” Jake finally spoke up. “It's just a game,” he said the last part with his eyes locked onto me.

No. No… this better be a joke.

Before I could utter a word, he walked up to Maya and claimed her lips. A camera flashed in my eyes to record my reaction as I stood rooted to the spot, watching my boyfriend kiss the girl I could never dream of competing with.

“She looks like she is about to cry,” someone mocked and before the tears could slide down my cheeks, I ran out of his apartment into the street.