Friends with Benefits

Thirteen.

"Happy birthday to you.." Mykie sang, entering my bedroom with a big cup of coffee. I blinked myself awake as I laughed at her careful but adorable dance. "..Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to my awesome roommate and best friend, Sarah!" She handed me the cup of coffee that was made the exact way that I like it: strong and a splash of creamer. "Happy birthday to you!!" Her voice echoed off the walls of my little room with my laughter. I set down the coffee on my nightstand to give her a hug.

"Thank you, Mykie!" We squeezed each other in unison causing us to laugh. I sat on the edge of my bed. She promptly brought out her phone to read me the notes. She was practically jumping up and down in eagerness.
"Okay, so! We have brunch at your favorite place, Yolk, at 11am, hair, makeup and nails at one, dinner at seven then party at nine!"
"Mykie.. how did you afford all of this?"
"You'll find out later. Come on, birthday girl! It's birthday shower time!" She pulled me up by my forearm.
"Wait?! But who—"
"Shower!!" She yelled, pushing me into the bathroom and shutting the door.

I allowed the hot water to wake me up for a few minutes then I started my normal shower routine. Mykie had instructed me through the bathroom door to not wash my hair since the hairstylist would need it to be a little oily for styling.
Brunch was amazing, per usual. I replied to a few of the texts from my family wishing me a happy birthday but still had not heard from Tyler. I continuously checked my phone on the way to the salon for hair and makeup, still nothing. Mykie got her hair and makeup done next to me as I got the full treatment: hair styled, full glam makeup, manicure and pedicure. I barely recognized myself in the mirror when they were done giving my long, bright red hair loose curls and a gorgeous neutral eye with black winged eyeliner and a stunning red lip.
I admired my acrylic French tip nails before a familiar voice startled me.

"I heard there was a birthday girl here?" I looked up into the mirror to see Tyler walking up behind me with a giant bouquet of red roses and a 'Happy Birthday' balloon in the air. Everyone gasped, applauded and admired us as he kissed me on the forehead.
"Tyler! What—how—oh, my god!" I kissed his lips. He tried to hand me the flowers but I waved my hands in the air. "My nails are still wet!" A salon employee ran over to take the flowers and set them down on the counter in front of me. "Thank you so much! That's so sweet of you." I pouted my bottom lip as his smile grew even more wide.
"I'll see you in a couple of hours, beautiful." I wiped away red lipstick from his lips the best I could. He kissed my forehead again then gave a high five to Mykie before hopping out of the salon.

"Girl! Is that your boyfriend!?" Another salon employee asked. I shook my head bashfully.
"We're kinda dating."
"Kinda? Red roses mean love." Mykie chimed in. I turned my head to her. "I'm just sayin'!" She held up her hands in the air.
"She's right. It sure does, girl." The same employee added. I shook my head at them again.
"He hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend or anything. It's barely been 48 hours since we established mutual feelings!"
"How old are you turning today?"
"24."
"How much you wanna bet there's 24 roses in that bouquet?" She said firmly. Mykie jumped up from her chair and counted the flowers.
"21..22..23.." She glanced at all the eyes on her. Now there had been a small crowd of the employees gathering around us. "24!" She declared. Everything shrieked and gasped. My cheeks were definitely as red as my hair and the roses combined. It's a good thing they used full coverage foundation.
"Give it another day, girl. He's smitten." The employee whispered into my ear. I stared at the flowers smiling.

I picked out a dress from Mykie's closet since I didn't own that many. It was very tight on me. Tyler encouraged me to wear it. The main reason was for him to take it off of me later.
The party was a blast. Since I only knew Mykie and my classmates, Mykie had Tyler invite people. A few were teammates, their wives or girlfriends. They all gave me hugs and gifts, leaving me in complete shock. The rest of the people, squeezing into our small apartment, were friends of Tyler. He introduced me to all of them. It wasn't until the final introduction to his best friend, and Stars Captain Jamie Benn, that had me nervous about what I meant to Tyler. Would he introduce me as his friend? His girlfriend? 'That girl I told you about that I was banging for six months'?
I begged Tyler for a shot before more introductions. He obliged, walked with me hand in hand to the kitchen and handed me two shots. He held up his two shots.