Page 27

CHAPTER 27

JUNO BY SAbrINA CARPENTER

Brianne Archer:

I shrug on my black leather jacket and run over to the mirror to look at the complete outfit. It’s not as cold in Vegas as it is in Washington right now, but the jacket really adds to it. The red top I have on is the lowest cut I’ve probably ever worn, right down to my sternum. The material around my ribs hugs tightly and laces together in the back. I’m wearing a black skirt to match as well, low rise with sparkles spread throughout the material. I wear black knee-high cowboy boots that are the same leather as my jacket. My hair is all the way down as I normally try to keep some of it out of my face but I don’t have a need to tonight.

I’m wearing red lipstick, which is something I never do because it reminds me of cheer and dance competitions. But tonight, it looks like it’s meant for me. I take my phone out and take a picture in the mirror, sending it to Dakota right away. I click my phone screen off and scurry into the hallway feeling like I’m already late to meet everyone downstairs. I head down on the elevator and make my way into the bustling lobby. Now that it’s nighttime, it’s more crowded and so loud. There are people passing by a million miles an hour, so fast it’s like a blur. I look around for my brother or his girlfriend, for the top of Lawson’s blonde hair or—

My eyes don’t find anyone but Parker and his eyes have already found me. He’s staring at me with the most serious expression I’ve ever seen him wear. It looks like he shaved, trimmed, and shaped his facial hair. It’s perfect and his hair is just the same, tousled and pushed back out of his face with the exception of a few strands. His hair is just past his ears now, longer and wavy and messy but in a purposeful way. He’s wearing slacks and a satin shirt that looks so soft that it might melt in my fingertips. I make my way to him and the second I’m in view with my leather jacket draped over my arm instead of on my body, his eyes rake over me. They devour me, telling me that he’s letting his imagination reign free right now. I open my mouth to speak and I’m interrupted right away by my brother clapping Parker on the back and everyone else coming into view. I force a smile and look at everyone as they surround me.

“Bri, put your jacket on,” Lawson tells me and I glare at him.

“Agreed,” Bellamy tells me and he nudges Lawson.

“She looks fine,” Parker shrugs and looks at both of them.

They look at him like he’s crazy for not just agreeing.

“What? I’ve seen both of you defend your girlfriends against douchebag guys who demean and diminish them to nothing but their bodies and all that shit. It’s hypocritical for you to act just like that because she’s your sister,” Parker defends me and my jaw slightly drops.

“Oh, I like you. You’re coming with me,” Kamryn hooks her arm with Parker and Sienna does the same on the other side of my… Of Parker. I smirk and walk with the trio, turning over my shoulder to see my brother and Lawson staring at all of us with shocked expressions. I shrug my shoulders and skip slightly to catch up.

“You guys coming?” I ask and Bellamy shakes his head, his face melting into a smile.

“My baby sister is all grown up,” Bellamy hooks his arm over my shoulder and I groan.

“It’s crazy. I’m in college, I have sex, go to parties, and drink alcohol,” I say everything that normally makes him cringe.

“Don’t push it.,” he shakes his head.

“I absolutely love pushing it,” I remind him.

“You’re on thin ice,” he warns.

“Well, dammit, I should have brought my tap shoes,” I fight back and Kamryn laughs in front of us.

“You’re also my favorite person.” She grabs my hand and pulls me up with her.

We all look really good. Kamryn is decked out in sparkles—a black low-cut dress hugs every single inch of her body. The dress looks like it was infused with diamonds with the way it shimmers in the lights. Her fishnets also have diamonds just like Sienna’s do. Sienna is wearing a white corset top that makes her boobs look absolutely stellar, to the point it’s hard for me not to stare. The boobs are rhinestoned and her black skirt hugs her perfect curves. I absolutely love Sienna’s style. She’s wearing chunky heels to match her outfit, unlike Kamryn who’s wearing taller, more dangerous footwear.

Bellamy is in head-to-toe black, a button-down with black pants and Lawson wears a short-sleeve shirt that’s somewhat see-through showing off his body and his arms. I don’t look into it much more because I’ll start laughing. All I can imagine when I look at him is what Dakota would be saying if he was seeing the same thing. I make sure to text him a description of Lawson’s outfit just so I can feel like he’s present.

Griffin doesn’t meet us until a little later into our night. I am only two margaritas deep while everyone around me, with the exception of Parker and Lawson, has had plenty. I’m not sure why Lawson isn’t drinking when his girlfriend is definitely drinking enough for both of them. I can feel Bellamy’s eyes on me with every sip I take of my drink. I clench my jaw, my body tense at the thought. I know he continues to catch my glares in his direction too. Everyone is having so much fun, as much as I feel like I should be having. It’s hard when you feel like everyone around you is in their own world and you’re just floating in their orbit. When I’m with Bellamy alone, it doesn’t feel that way. When I’m around him and his friends. It feels like I’m an afterthought. I get up from the bar and try to get my brother’s attention but he’s in his own world so I just leave, not minding the feeling of being alone.

The best part about Vegas is that no matter where you wander, there’s always another bar. There’s another room of slot machines. There are too many people for anyone to really care what you’re doing or how you got there. So I can blend in and become a part of the bar I approach now, opening another tab and ordering myself a shot of chilled El Jimador with an orange instead of a lime.

“Put that on my tab.”

I turn to my left and see a man who must be double my age but is absolutely fine. I stare, my eyes roving over him taking in every single expensive thing about him.

“Sure thing, boss,” the bartender speaks out.

“Boss?” I ask him.

“I’m not the boss. Just a frequent flier which is why I’ve never seen you here,” he raises his eyebrows at me. There’s peppered white hair in his beard and hair.

“I’m here with my friends for the game tomorrow. Our friend plays for The Raiders,” I admit.

“Ahh, well, welcome to Vegas…” he starts, then waits.

“Brianne,” I tell him.

“Brianne,” he purrs my name and then a hand is placed on my back and wrapped all the way around my waist.

“What are you doing? Are you okay?”

Parker is on me like white on rice and I look up to him, my hands on his chest, mostly from shock. I notice now that he didn’t approach because of the man talking to me. He hasn’t even noticed the guy behind me. He’s actually concerned.

“I wanted to get a drink without being stared at by my brother,” I mumble.

“Well, let me know next time so I don’t turn around and notice you went missing without a word. You scared me half to death,” he tells me and lets me go, putting some space between us.

Then, his eyes land on the man behind me who’s smirking from ear to ear.

“Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” he asks.

“This is Parker, Parker this is…”

“Dimitri,” he tells me.

“Nice to meet you,” Parker relaxes by the second, shoving his hand in his pocket.

“What are you drinking, Parker?” Dimitri asks.

“Nothing tonight, thank you though,” he tells him.

A man approaches the stranger next to me and brings him an iPad and papers. I watch the interaction, watch Dimitri make orders, and I smirk at him as the employee walks away.

“I thought you said you weren’t the boss,” I mumble to him.

“Semantics,” he shrugs and stands up, adjusting his suit.

“Your girlfriend is gorgeous. You’re gorgeous,” he speaks to Parker first and then me.

“She’s…” Parker hesitates. “Someone to be proud of,” he corrects himself instead of correcting Dimitri.

“Take care of yourself, you two, and have fun at the game tomorrow,” Dimitri winks at me and I smirk, turning back to my shot.

“I can’t take you anywhere without someone wanting you, can I?” He asks.

“Last time we went out together, you were the one who wanted me. Remember that,” I pat his chest for him to step back.

“Earlier when I said you look fine I—”

“Thank you for that, for standing up with me. I know Bellamy means well but it can get to be very annoying,” I tell Parker.

“I don’t care about that. I just needed you to know you look more than fine, you look…” He doesn’t say anything, he just looks me up and down and then shakes his head like he can’t think of the word.

“I think you’re looking for the word fuckable,” I tell him and he rolls his eyes and then sighs.

“Unfortunately for me, yes,” he mumbles to himself.

I throw the shot back and set the empty glass on the bar with the orange rind.

“You took that like a champ,” he smirks down at me.

I feel my nerves ease slightly but I shake my head and then my hands out.

“Hey…” He grabs my chin and tilts me back up so I’m looking at him.

“I think I want to go back to the hotel or… Or maybe just call an Uber and do something else. You don’t have to come and you don’t have to be around me or feel bad. Honestly, it would probably be suspicious if we both left at the same time but it’s not like Bellamy would even care considering he doesn’t even notice that I walked away. Tonight, you were the one who did and I know it’s so silly to be getting this way about my idiot brother but it just… It stresses me out and—”

Parker takes my shaky hand and puts it on his chest.

“Take a deep breath,” he instructs.

“It’s just so infuriating being talked to like—”

Parker kisses me. My world disappears. It explodes. It implodes. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know what is happening. I don’t know who’s speaking. I don’t know who’s around. Everything ceases when I’m reunited with the one person who can kiss me and create enough heat to burn the goddamn world. I melt at the plush feeling of his perfect lips on mine, so soft and careful in such a reckless place. The tickle of his full facial hair. He pulls back and moves my hair from my forehead, his eyes searching mine.

“That was a really great way of telling me to shut the hell up,” I mumble.

“Not shut up, calm down,” he tells me, his hand brushing over my knuckles as my hand is pressed flat to his chest.

“I’m assuming that was a one-time thing,” I speak up and take a step back, the world coming back into play in my mind.

I forgot that we are in fact in public and anyone could be watching.

“For now but I couldn’t help myself tonight,” he smirks and I know my cheeks are burning red even through my makeup, considering how hot my face is.

The rowdiness behind me makes me stiffen, knowing who’s about to approach.

“Parker, are you smiling right now?” Bellamy asks and Parker puts space between us.

“The bartender is funny,” he shrugs.

“Where did you go?” Bellamy asks.

“What’s it to you?” I ask, shocking myself. I did try to tell him, though…

My brother stares at me with shock and somewhat annoyance. I shrug, not taking back my words. I don’t feel bad for saying them even if I am surprised I did. He promised to make me feel included, not only tonight but living with him in general, and though I have been trying, it obviously hasn’t been working. Bellamy isn’t keeping his promise.

“Come on, I’m done losing money. I want to dance. JADE!” Kamryn grabs her friend.

“Where are you going?” Bellamy calls after her, his attention no longer on me within a split second.

“Dancing! Come on Bri!” Kamryn look at me as she yells but then is pulled off by her friends. I’m left with the guys.

“I think I want to go back to the hotel,” I admit. Lawson, Bellamy, and Parker stare at me.

“I’m going after them, meet up with me in a second when you figure this out with her,” Lawson suggests and walks away.

Bellamy looks like he’s going to argue but finally, he turns back to me. Parker is standing between us, almost like a barrier.

“It’s fine, seriously,” I nod and put a smile on my face.

Parker shakes his head and looks away. I know he knows exactly how I’m feeling which is why that response hits him differently.

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been MIA all night. Come on, don’t you want to have fun?” he asks, lightening up and I shake my head at my brother.

“I have felt completely left out all night and you asked me to bring my ID yet judge me every drink I order. I don’t want to be with you guys. I'd rather just go talk to Dakota and go to bed,” I argue.

“You’d rather FaceTime your boyfriend in the hotel than just give it another shot with us at a club?” he asks and I shrug, my eyes drifting. “Is there something else bothering you? Do you need me to come back and—”

“No, nothing is wrong, I just want to go back. You don’t need to ruin your night for me,” I offer, thankful he offered at all.

“Are you sure?” Bellamy puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Always. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” I tell them and I can see the slight clench of Parker’s jaw.

“I want to go back too. Is it okay if I catch an Uber with you?” Parker asks and I roll my eyes.

“Not you playing the protective alpha male too. I already have Bellamy and Lawson… but thanks,” I joke and only part of me is being honest.

I don’t need him ruining his own night by babysitting me.

“He’s right. You shouldn’t be wandering around Vegas alone, but Parky, I don’t want you to go back just because she is. Don’t ruin your night,” Bellamy tells his friend.

“It’s not ruining my night. I wanted to go back to….” he stops himself and looks at me, then Bellamy, and shakes his head.

“Are you… Oh my god. You wanna call your new girlfriend or something, don’t you?” Bellamy asks and I shift my weight and sigh, annoyed that he’s trying to be so involved in Parker’s relationship status.

“No. Stop asking,” Parker snaps.

“Just tell me if it’s someone I know,” Bellamy pushes. “Is it a hookup or are you together?”

“None of your business. Don’t ask again because my sex life is that. Mine, not yours. For the record, she’s not my girlfriend yet but I damn sure want her to be. Keep her name out of your mouth for the time being,” Parker looks at Bellamy sternly.

“I can do that easily considering I don’t know her name,” Bellamy argues in a joking tone.

“Let’s go, Bri. Your brother is pissing me off,” he nods his head so casually, I almost convince myself that he wasn’t just talking about me.

“Same here,” I mumble.

“Don’t be mean to me,” Bellamy calls after us.

“Stop being annoying, then… And stop letting your friends babysit me!” I shout back and look at Parker.

We continue outside and Parker puts his hand on my back once we’re far enough away, guiding me. I nudge him off and cross my arms.

“Not faking a smile now?” he asks and I sigh deeply.

“You seriously don’t need to follow me back to the hotel. You’re ruining your experience by—”

“You might be crazy if you think I’d rather be in a club or casino instead of being with you in one of our quiet and large hotel rooms. You’re even crazier if you think I’d let you leave in a random city all by yourself. Seriously,” he shakes his head.

“Fine,” I mumble.

“Fine,” he grumbles.

“Don’t be grumpy,” I nudge him.

“I’m overwhelmed and all I’ve wanted to do since I had to pull myself away from you is kiss you again. So, add frustration to that list,” he chimes, his voice tight.

“So I’m frustrating now?” I ask.

“More than you’ll ever know, Sunshine, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you,” he mutters and I smirk.

“Am I frustrating enough that you won't come back to my hotel room when we get back?” I ask.

“Never that frustrating,” he admits and I smile to myself while Parker books our Uber.