Page 26

CHAPTER 26

2 HANDS BY TATE MCRAE

Brianne Archer:

I hate plane flights as it is but riding for two and a half hours next to the guy you kind of like without even being able to get him to look at you probably takes the cake for the worst flight I’ve ever had. I clench my jaw as we all get out of the Uber and head into the massive hotel. The entire street is swarmed. The hotel is swarmed. Everything is insane and loud and completely overstimulating. I’ve never been to Vegas and I feel like I will never in my life want to come back considering that this trip has been shitty thus far. I sigh as we step inside and at least the hotel has nice music… And I’m not talking about the loud blaring music and mumbling coming from the casino about twenty feet to the left of us. Jesus Christ, is it always like this here?

“Okay, we’re going to check in then we’re going to get ready and Griffin is coming to get us so we can go casino hopping and to bars,” Bellamy tells us. I nod, walking with him silently.

“What’s wrong?” Bellamy asks, closing in next to me.

“Nothing,” I mumble.

“You’re never quiet for this long,” he tells me and I roll my eyes to myself.

“I feel out of place here with all of you. I miss Dakota,” I admit.

It’s partially true but also, I don’t feel like I can fully be myself right now which has never been the case when I’m around Bellamy, even with his friends around. I know it slightly has to do with Parker and my not knowing how to act around him.

“Well, I’m sure Parker feels the same. You guys are kind of friends. Stick with him. I will try my best to make sure you feel included. Seriously, try to have fun, B.”

He nudges me and I bite my tongue at the thought of Bellamy pushing me toward Parker. My so-called ‘friend.’ My friend who I want to kiss and punch all at the same time. He can’t and won't know that. Either way, I don’t like the feeling of being the baby, the one Bellamy has to watch over and make sure isn’t left out. I feel like hiding away right now.

“Sure, whatever,” I mumble.

“Bri needs a nap,” Lawson mumbles.

“And you need a muzzle,” I speak back and hear Sienna chuckle.

“God I love you,” she speaks to me and I smirk to myself as we approach the front desk.

I stand behind Bellamy as he checks in. Parker stands beside me and I feel the brush of the back of his hand on my wrist. I feel the weight of the air between us as he continues to casually brush my skin with his. I know he’s doing it on purpose. I internally question why the hell he didn’t even turn in my direction the whole flight, even when no one was paying attention but now, he’s being casual and subtle like this. I move my arms and cross them over my chest, my interest piquing when the woman at the front desk says we have three rooms.

“Three?” I ask, stepping forward.

“Shit. Griffin was assuming that Dakota was coming with you so he…” Bellamy looks at Parker and sighs.

“Me and Parker can stay together and you and Kam can have our room,” Bellamy offers instantly.

“No. That’s stupid. Stay with your girlfriend,” I fight.

“And what, let you share a room with my friend and be a horrible brother? No,” Bellamy tells me and I feel my cheeks turn red.

I know to them it looks like I’m just the embarrassed little sister, but right now, I feel like I’ve been caught even though no one knows anything. I feel my throat tighten and I don’t know where all the emotion comes from. I force a smile.

“No,” Parker speaks up, his eyes on me. Persistently on me. He shakes his head.

“Parky it’s—”

“Fine. It’s fine. I’m going to just get a room for the two nights we’re here. Whatever room you guys have available,” he tells the woman at the front desk.

“It’s going to cost a fortune if you—”

“Nothing I don’t have,” Parker fights me, shutting me up instantly.

I roll my eyes and walk away, tired of both of them at this moment. Yay, two nights in Vegas with a situationship that no one can know about who wants more but also gives me mixed signals, a bossy brother, and a skeptical Lawson who is going to be on my ass worse than Bellamy is most of the time. To top it all off, I don’t have Dakota.

“Bri, just calm down, we’ll get it figured out,” Bellamy has an edge to his tone and I just roll my eyes.

“I just told you I feel out of place and now I’m the reason things are getting screwed up. Excuse me if I’m not happy about any of this,” I speak to my brother and he furrows his brows and just sighs.

Parker gets his situation figured out and I only pay attention when I’m handed a room key by my brother. I storm away from everyone else and head up to my room. Bellamy texts me the time he wants to leave the hotel. I don’t reply. I text Dakota a quick message about how much I miss him and he tells me I need to call him after our outing tonight and spill everything in the fluffy robes that the hotel probably has for us. I agree. I get a text from Parker with nothing but his room number…

I don’t bother changing or taking anything but my phone and my room key. I leave and follow the hotel signs that point to his room. I knock on the door and wait a few seconds before knocking again. There’s no response so I check my phone and make sure I have the right room number. The door opens and the second I see it’s him, I’m swept inside and pinned to the door that’s closing behind me. I stare up at him, my back pressed to the door, his hard and perfect body pressed to mine and his left hand pinning me to the door. His right hand is resting above my head. He leans over me, his eyes peering down.

“Be my girlfriend,” he practically begs. But the moral of it stings in my chest.

“Kiss me.” I urge, wanting the distraction, but also needing Parker.

“No.” He fights himself, I can see it in his expression.

“Then no,” I argue back.

“Why not?” he smirks and I nudge his chest back, overwhelmed by the whole day and tired of the game Parker is playing.

I thought his text this morning talking about his excitement meant that he let go of the boyfriend thing. I thought he was ready to just enjoy this thing between us, but no.

“No, you’re annoying. Stop smirking at me,” I fight. “Why do you want me to be your girlfriend so bad?”

“Because I really want to kiss you right now,” he tells me, more bold than he’s been before.

“That’s a horrible excuse to want me to be your girlfriend,” I tell him.

“It’s not an excuse and it’s also not my only reason. Say yes,” he urges.

“The more you want me to say yes, the more I have the need to say no,” I tell him.

“You’re infuriating.,” he tells me like I’m not trying to be.

“And you’re giving me ultimatums. What if I don’t want the title of girlfriend?” I ask.

“Does my lover sound better? My partner? My person?” he asks.

“No, no, and this isn’t Grey’s Anatomy. It's real life… where people are allowed to kiss without putting labels on it,” I tell him.

“I like labels and these pressed to you in any way I want them,” he explains, holding both of his massive hands up. I put my hands in his and push them down between us.

“And I like kissing. And sex. And mutual respect,” I tell him.

“I respect you,” he fights.

“No, you respect my brother, so you won't sleep with me again or kiss me or even freaking touch me just to save your ass in case he finds out,” I fight and Parker is instantly quiet.

He stares down at me, his eyes now dark and completely unreadable to me. It’s true what I said and I don’t take it back. He wants me to be his girlfriend to cover his tracks, not because he wants me for real and it’s all clicking into place. I said I wanted to move slowly and while kissing and sleeping together isn’t moving slowly, neither is jumping into a relationship… We’re both wrong. Parker’s lips part but before he can get a word out, there’s a knock on his door.

“Parky? Are you there?” My brother’s voice is booming outside the door we’re pressed against. My eyes go wide and Parker cringes. I move outside of view and panic. I look at Parker looking for anything and he shrugs and motions around the room.

“Hello?” Bellamy knocks again and before I can move from where I stand, Parker opens the door and I press my back hard against the cold wall right next to where Parker stands.

He could reach out and touch me meaning if Bellamy takes even a single step forward, he would see me and we’d be fucked. I don’t even breathe. Parker puts his arm up, his hand splayed right next to my head, blocking Bell from stepping inside.

“What’s up?” he asks, his voice completely casual, not husky and dry like it just was when we were alone.

“Have you talked to Brianne since we were downstairs? She wasn’t in her room when I knocked,” Bellamy says and I cringe.

“I haven’t. Maybe she’s showering or something,” Parker lies like it’s the easiest thing in the world and I quietly take out my phone and start texting him, hoping it will get this to move along.

“You look pissed,” Bellamy tells him.

“Yeah, I just failed an assignment but I’ve got an A in the class so… I’ll get over it before we go out,” Parker explains, once again lying like it’s second nature.

“Oh, shit. Bri just texted me and said she went to get a Starbucks from the one in the lobby. Thanks anyway, Parky, and sorry about the room situation,” Bellamy apologizes.

“It’s not an issue,” he mumbles.

“I just feel bad. You know Bri doesn’t have many friends and she’s… She’s my sister. I have to protect her so I’m glad you guys are kind of friends in a way and that you can make her feel comfortable and protected. It’s cool. Kind of like Lawson is to her, in a way,” Bellamy tells him.

“No problem, but your sister seems like she can take care of herself,” Parker defends.

“You just don’t know my sister like I do. Growing up, I always protected her from guys, mean teachers, or anything. Anyone. It’s what she needed and what she still needs.”

I hear the intent behind Bellamy’s voice, the care, but it does sting because Parker is right. Not my brother. I hold in my sigh and Parker moves his hand down, his finger tracing my skin until it hits my hand. He hooks his pointer finger with my middle finger, keeping it there, so subtle Bellamy won't notice.

“You’re right,” Parker clenches his jaw and I stay as quiet as possible.

“Well, I’ll see you in a few hours at the casinos, alright?” Bellamy walks away and Parker waves, then closes the door and I let out the biggest sigh I have ever held in my chest. Parker shakes his head and walks away.

“I don’t like sneaking around,” he mumbles.

“There’s nothing to even hide because nothing is happening between us,” I admit.

“Lie,” he argues, turning back to me so quickly that I run into his chest. He stares down at me. “There’s something happening between us. Both of us are just too stubborn and too in our own ways to give in to the other. You first.” He tilts his chin up slightly, his hands holding each side of my face.

“No.” I cross my arms. “I stand by what I said. About you respecting me and my wants and wishes.”

“It has nothing to do with him. Once again, not everything revolves around Bellamy fucking Archer, Bri,” he uses the nickname that he never does and I look at him with a straight, deadpan face.

“I wish that were true but you have to understand where I’m coming from considering the only reason you gave me is that if Bellamy finds out, it won't be as bad if we’re dating as opposed to just ‘messing around.’’'

Parker clenches his jaw.

“What do you want me to say? Are you waiting for me to say that I want you to be my girlfriend because I really like you? Because I search for you in rooms and crowds and I watch you when you’re not looking so I can see you smile? That when we’re alone or when you’re asleep next to me I try to count every freckle on your face just so I can know something about you that no one else in the world could possibly know?” he pauses, catching his breath slightly. He reaches for me, holding my face between his hands.

“I have never had anything but myself and football. I have never wanted to have anything. Not friends, not family, or girlfriends because all I’ve known is that those things are temporary, and without a label, I feel like this is temporary. Do you need to hear that I want you to be my girlfriend for my own fucking morals because I like the thought of knowing that I have something that’s even slightly mine that no one else can have for the time being? Is that enough? Or do you just want to focus on your brother?” he asks me and my lips part at the confession.

My heart stutters and stops then starts and beats out of my chest.

“I like you, Brianne. I don’t know what else you need me to do to prove that to you. Do you want me to take you to the chapel down the street and let Elvis have his way with us? Because I will,” he throws the words out there and my parted lips close and press into a smile.

I try to choke the laugh down and his face turns into a slight smirk too.

“I’m not going to force you to be my girl. That speech wasn’t to make you feel pressured or bad for me. I don’t own you and I never will but I want a part… A piece that’s just mine. I can wait as long as it takes you to feel comfortable but I don’t want you thinking that I only want the label because of someone outside of this bubble. Here, when it’s us, that’s all it is. No one else is affecting it, no one else matters to me,” he explains and I nod.

His thumb strokes over my cheekbone. I grab his wrist and hold him as he holds me.

“Do you really try to count my freckles?” I ask and he laughs and shakes his head, his eyes looking away from me and around the room.

“Yeah I have and I fail every time,” he explains and I smirk.

“Keep trying. I’ll be here tonight,” I tell him and lean up on my tiptoes.

I press my lips to the side of his mouth, not quite his lips. I back off and slowly back away, our eyes locking for only a second before I dart away and out of the door. This feeling is something I should run from. Absolutely. It scares me, but it’s exhilarating at the same time.