It’s official: I am an adult. This day could not have come soon enough. Some people say you’re not supposed to feel a difference between 17 and 18, but I say that’s not true. I feel different. I can vote, buy lottery tickets, and I can sign my own contracts for once.

The surprise party was the most insane thing ever. Everybody played it off so good. You guys do not understand—I was convinced my party was happening later this month in Vegas. There was so much everyone was saying that was making me think that too. First of all, the Vegas trip was on my actual birthday… Steve was telling me that I could bring more friends from San Clemente on the plane… Even my friend Paul slipped up and told me Vegas was where the big party was going down. Everyone had me fooled. Shane thought for sure they had busted the surprise when I came home that night and he was still there with Kano. I guess I should have noticed that Kane was stuntin’. Looking a little too good is a sure sign something was going down. But no, I didn’t catch on. I was thinking about the Oakley photo shoot and how I just wanted to get it over with and be done. Steve dropping that big fat lie messed me up even more. He even got Dylan and Jamie from Oakley in on it. They had me believing that we were doing a photo shoot at the Oakley headquarters instead of doing it up in L.A.

When I walked into Oakley, I wasn’t sure what was up. Just seconds before I walked in Jereme freakin Rogers slipped in the door. That’s why you see me run up to the door, but Steve yelled for me to wait up. I guess Jereme was late or something. He’s always lagging. So when I finally come in, I kinda sneak around the corner expecting to see Jereme for the photo shoot and that’s when everyone started yelling and screaming “surprise!” All these flashes went off I knew it was my party, but it still took me a while to really let everything sink in because I checked in with the Oakley guys later to see if there was still a photo shoot. They just laughed. Hey, man, a party is one thing, but I had to make sure business was handled.

My mom had food from my favorite place - Wahoo’s. And to make sure the place was packed, my friends sent out all these texts about the party to half of my old high school. Even though it was pouring rain, people came out. And can we talk about the entertainment? Lil Jon. WHAT? Lil Jon. WHAT? At my party! OKAY!!! He was spinnin’ all my favorite songs like he had my play list from my Ipod. Then, like things weren’t hot enough? Three 6 Mafia comes out. Being on stage with them while they did “Poppin’ My Collar” was the sickest thing I think I’ve done in a while. I hate to admit it, but Kane blew the surprise that Three 6 Mafia was going to be performing. He came up to me and asked when they were going on and I had no idea up to that point they were even going to be there. My mom and dad, Shane and Kane, Steve and all my friends: Tony, Casey, Taylor, Mitch and Kayla… They did it big for me and I loved every minute of it. By the way, how funny were Tony and his date? They were both matching in bright red!

One thing that was kind of awkward about the party was Kayla feeling like I was avoiding her. I explained it to her later how so many people from my past were there and I had to be a good host and try to get around to all of them to say “hi.” I think Kayla understood that, but it didn’t help that the party was happening right in the middle of me having all these doubts about being a good boyfriend to her.

We weren’t having problems. I was having problems. Kayla’s a fantastic girl. She’s sick. And she’s definitely had more experience being in long-term relationships than I have. So I felt like what she kinda had high expectations of what a good boyfriend should be. And she deserves a great guy. Unfortunately, I also have the stress and pressure of a pro career to deal with. What I could give her was never going to be enough. Plus, our relationship just took off at rocket speed and I wasn’t ready for that. So we split up, but it was the best break-up ever. That sounds funny to say, I know, but it was really mature and adult and I feel like I did all that worrying about talking to Kayla for nothing. She and I are still friends. But I’m definitely putting girls on hold for a while until I’m in a better place to really appreciate what I’ve got.