Page 3

CHAPTER 3

MY BODY BY YOUNG THE GIANT.

Brianne Archer:

I stand in front of Dakota’s bed in my bra and underwear, staring at the three outfits I have laid out. I tap my pointer finger to my lips. I’m already ready besides my outfit. My hair is natural in waves down my back, and I did my makeup too. I hate doing makeup on days that aren’t dance days or cheer days. I grew up wearing makeup for competitions and football games so I normally find myself not wearing any when I’m not required to—except for nights like this when I have no idea who I could meet or talk to.

Dakota walks out of his bathroom wearing only a towel, his chest dripping from his shower. My best friend is hot. That’s all I can say in my head before turning back to my clothes. I don’t miss the way he shakes his head at my lack of clothes before he turns toward his own dresser. I grew up a dancer and cheerleader, modesty isn’t a word in my vocabulary.

“You know we’re never going to beat the dating allegations if this is how our friendship is going to be,” he tells me.

“Don’t care. I can have hot friends that I don’t want to fuck. If people don’t want to accept that, then that’s on them. Like you said, people will believe what they want.” I shrug.

Yes, Dakota and I grew really comfortable really fast, but we’re so alike it feels like I’ve known him forever.

“Why are you not wearing any clothes?” he asks.

“Which one?” I ask, motioning to the outfits laid out.

Dakota stands next to me, his arms crossed over his bare chest as he looks down at the clothes. He brings his finger to his lips, tapping as he deciphers.

“Middle,” he tells me.

I don’t question it and put on the lace shirt. It’s tight and black, and it’s off the shoulders. I pull my hair out of my shirt and grab the black mini-skirt that matches. The skirt sits on my hips, showing my lower stomach, and my belly button. I brought my tall black boots that hug my calves. Dakota is getting dressed too. He’s in black loose-fitting jeans, and shrugging on a black button-up. He doesn’t button it all the way, leaving his chest muscles on display for all the lucky onlookers that I know will be staring at him.

“Wait, do your roommates think we’re dating?” I ask him.

“Nope, but they do think we’re fucking,” he tells me, and I mimic a gag. He smirks and shrugs. “I told them we weren’t. That we won't. They don’t believe me,” he explains.

He’s not close with his roommates, They met on a Facebook group that was meant for searching for roommates. They don’t play sports, according to him. He said he preferred it that way. I guess he has no intentions of being close with them, which is fine by me, more Dakota time for me.

“You look good,” I smile, and he turns to look in his floor-length mirror.

“No one needs to think we’re dating tonight. I want to get laid,” he tells me, and I nod.

“I’ll be the best wingwoman ever,” I tell him, giving him a nod.

“You haven’t slept with anyone since you got here. Why don’t you keep your eyes open, and try to get lucky?” he asks.

“Because everyone that’s going to be here is going to be a football player,” I tell him, and he shrugs.

“So what? You can’t avoid football players all year, Baby. And I promise you, even with your brother being who he is, they aren’t going to pretend you don’t exist when you look like you do. You’re hot,” he laughs, and I feel my cheeks burn red.

I never thought that any of them would look at me the way Dak is describing. Mostly because Bellamy’s friends he brings around me are so close with him they’re like my brothers too. Griffin and Lawson are the perfect example. They would never look at me that way but there are so many players that aren’t close with him like that… so maybe Dakota’s right.

“All I’m saying is that your brother never told you not to fuck his teammates. Maybe don’t sleep with all of them, but also you’re an adult who can make big girl decisions. Who cares if you sleep with a football player? Also, no offense, but what your brother doesn’t know won't kill him. One day, when you’re both married and older, you can tell him and it’ll be a good laugh. Until then, who gives a shit?” Dakota shrugs, and I put my hands on my hips, smiling at him.

“You know, you’re right. It does give me a rush thinking about sleeping with a football player. I never have because they all panic when they figure out who my brother is. Even after he graduated from high school, none of them would talk to me. They avoided me like the plague. Are you sure they’ll see me like you say?” I ask and Dakota scoffs.

“They already do. They avoided you because they thought you were hot. Pay attention tonight and you’ll notice them noticing you. You’ve just been blocking them out because of Bellamy so you’ve never noticed it. Realize you’re as hot as you feel, and run with it, Baby. I’m serious,” Dakota tells me and I smile wide.

“This is why you’re my best friend. Let’s go.”

I hold my arm out for him. He hooks his with mine, and we leave his room. His apartment is empty and we make our way out of it and to my Jeep.

“Please no country music,” Dakota begs, and I roll my eyes.

“You have three choices. Country, Taylor Swift, or—”

“Tate McRae?” he asks, and I smirk.

“It’s like you can read my mind,” I sigh the words out.

I hit shuffle on her discography and pull out of my parking spot. We might have to Uber home unless Dakota gets his wishes and he goes home with someone. We drive all the way to Haven, and I look in the parking lot, and on the street where cars are lined, and don’t see my brother's car or Lawson’s yet. I park and Dakota and I walk in together, flashing our ID to the bouncer, not even getting a second glance as they let us in. I love living in a college town.

The bar is dark. I’ve never been in here but this place is a perfect mix of bar and club. There are tables pressed to the walls and a giant round bar in the middle. There is a dance floor and people are already on it. The music is loud and there are plenty of places to disappear in this building if you are looking for that. So many dark corners, and of course there are a lot of eyes, but it seems like no one would care if they caught someone in the moment. I sure as hell wouldn’t bat an eye.

We both go straight to the bar and I sigh. I should make a rule that anytime I go out I shouldn’t be buying my own drinks. I should add to Leah’s freaking rule list and make my own for my freshman year…

“If you don’t want to buy your own drinks, then get to flirting,” Dakota picks up on my attitude right away and nods his head.

My eyes follow where he directs my attention, and I see Parker Thompson standing at the bar with a few hockey players and he is… mouthwatering. Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Why is he hanging out with hockey players though? Does he know my ex?

“I can’t talk to him. He’s too pretty,” I tell Dakota, and he rolls his eyes.

“That’s exactly why you should talk to him,” he tells me, and I groan, my moral consciousness still peeking through.

A football player is one thing, there are plenty of mediocre players on the team I cheer for. But Parker? That’s anything but mediocre. That’s the exact opposite.

“Okay, Dakota, think clearly. Are you sure I shouldn’t be straying away from guys my brother knows or could consider to be his friends?” I ask.

Bellamy hangs out with Parker. I don’t know if they’re actually close but I have seen pictures of them together on his Instagram. They were hanging out at the bonfire and they even rode together.

“Okay, fine. Theoretically, yes. You probably should stay away but also theoretically speaking, if Parker Thompson needed a dog I’d get on my hands and knees and start barking. That’s how hot he is. Didn’t Leah tell us that if we wanted to fuck football players that was fine, but to keep it to ourselves? She’s your captain, you’re not supposed to ignore what she says,” he argues, and I groan.

I look over my shoulder toward Parker and I guess I catch his attention. His eyes hit me like a truck. He’s got a straw in his mouth, and the only thing I know about Parker is that he’s drop-dead gorgeous and that he doesn’t talk much. I also know he’s got killer reflexes considering how he plays and what happened between us at the bonfire. He eyes me, his eyes moving up and down my body. I feel like I’m on fire at his glance. I guess he doesn’t have any rules about looking at his teammate's sister… He has to know I’m Bellamy’s sister, doesn’t he? Maybe he does but he doesn’t care. Or maybe he’s drunk… Maybe he’s trying to be the protective teammate for his team captain.

“He just undressed you with his eyes,” Dakota tells me, and I wipe all emotion from my face.

Stay calm. Calm, cool, and absolutely collected. Hot guys talk to you all the time. Even though Parker isn’t just hot. He’s a Greek sculpture of a God-level beautiful but that’s beside the point. I can handle pretty men.

“Hi…” I turn to see someone else approach.

Also attractive. He’s got light brown hair and pretty eyes. He’s smiling and his teeth are perfect. All good signs. Dakota smirks with raised eyebrows and walks away.

“Hi…” I speak to the guy that’s now next to me.

I don’t hesitate to join in conversation with him. Mystery man shifts, and I notice Parker's eyes are still on me, more serious now as he stares from across the bar. There’s no hesitation or reservation in the way he’s looking at me. I recognize the look in his eyes. It’s protection and it annoys me right away. Yep, he’s definitely playing the big brother card right now. Great.

“You look pissed… You should smile more.”

I furrow my brows and fight the urge to scowl at the guy in front of me. He’s smiling, as if what he said was a compliment. He also looks like someone who’s never been punched in the face before. After the last comment he made, I wish that would change.

“And you should speak when spoken to,” I snap back.

“Feisty…” He touches me, and I back away with ease, not wanting to draw attention.

“Hands off,” I tell him. He rolls his eyes.

“You’re one of those girls,” he chuckles to himself, and I scoff.

“Someone who likes their personal space when speaking to random strangers they just met at the bar? Yeah, I am. And you’re one of those guys, aren’t you? The kind who don’t like the word no, and don’t care to listen when I say it?” I ask him, and I feel a heavy presence that the two of us are being surrounded.

I look around and see Parker standing behind me, his eyes on the guy. But he’s not alone. There are three other large men standing around him. I’ve never been made to feel exponentially tiny but right now, I do.

The hockey players Parker was just standing with are now standing around us. There’s a player with incredibly wide shoulders, a very strong build and dusty brown hair that’s faded on the sides but long on top. His eyes look serious, but I can tell he’s a nice guy. Then, there’s the one standing next to him, who is only slightly shorter but not by much. He’s buff with a prominent chest and arms and he’s of Asian descent. Also hot, just like his friend. Then, there’s one more, standing between me and the mystery man.

“Oh, come on…” The mystery man groans to the guys around him. He talks like he knows them.

“Back off, Barsky. She’s a freshman and obviously not interested. Go away,” the one next to me speaks.

He has dark black curls and is built in the same mouthwatering way both of his other friends are. I can see tattoos scattered on his arms and one on his neck. I eye him and look over my shoulder at Parker who’s silent, and stern with his stare.

“She was—”

“Eyeing me, so you can go,” Parker tells him.

When I look back at the mystery guy, he’s turning away. All the other guys nod to Parker and then back away too. I look at Parker and furrow my brows.

“First of all, your eyes aren’t innocent either. Second, who were they? Do you know them?” I ask and Parker asks for a drink from the bartender.

I watch him move with ease. He doesn’t talk a lot but he’s smooth. Mysterious. Maybe that works for him, I don’t know.

“The guy you were talking to is on the hockey team. Apparently, he’s a dick,” Parker tells me.

“Apparently?” I ask.

“I’ve never met him. I don’t know how he is,” Parker eyes me as he drinks from his new beverage the bartender just provided.

“And the other guys that walked over here with you? Are they also hockey players?” I ask him and he sighs.

“Yes, and my roommates. Andrew was the one on the left. Then there was Nico next to Andrew. The guy on your side was Xander,” he tells me and I nod.

“And why did you come over here?” I ask.

“Because I know you and saw that you felt uncomfortable. My roommates know that guy and he’ll listen if his teammates step in. Most people would say thank you,” he explains.

He keeps his answers clipped and to the point. His eyes won't leave my face to the point that I want to hide from his stare. His eyes are so bright that I almost can’t. He doesn’t seem like the joking type, but I am.

“Thank you for being my knight in shining armor,” I say sarcastically. He rolls his eyes.

“Smart ass.” He swigs from his beer. I smirk. “You’re welcome, Princess,” He jokes.

I continue on now that the thanks are out of the way.

“And—”

“No more questions…” he speaks, stepping closer to me, his eyes cast down on me, still burning through me. Oh my god. Don’t panic. Be calm.

“What do you suggest instead?” I ask, smirking up to him.

He looks down, and I can see amusement in his eyes. But I see reservations too. He clears his throat, and shakes his head, stepping back. I don’t know if he’s anxious just like me or if there’s another reason he backed down. I’m assuming it’s the ladder.

“You’re a bad idea, Brianne,” he says softly.

“The reddest out of all the flags, right?” I ask, leaning into his joke.

“Your red flags look pretty green to me in this lighting.” His eyes are roving over me.

“Have you had too much to drink, Parker Thomspon?” I ask him and he looks at his beer.

“Not too much, but I have had a few…” he mumbles, drinking his beer again.

“Maybe that’s a sign,” I raise my eyebrows, and he presses his lips together.

“You don’t know anything.” He doesn’t smile, just drinks his drink, and backs away from me. “That’s my cue to leave.” he nods over my shoulder and turns away from me. I look over and see my brother and his girlfriend, and behind them, I see Lawson and his situationship Sienna. Of course, Parker was the one to point it out. Of course, he backed away the second my brother got here. He does care, even if I thought he didn’t at first. Great, my fun is now dampened. But he said I would want him to leave. Does that mean he would stay if I wanted him to? And what would my brother say if he did see that… Me flirting with his teammate. He’d surely freak out. I sigh and walk away. Tonight isn’t about me, it’s about Griffin, and Jade, his girlfriend, and that they’re leaving because Griffin got drafted for the NFL. I hug a wall and people watch instead.

I watch everyone else have fun. I watch everyone take shots and dance. Dakota was with a girl by the bar a little while ago and both of them have disappeared from sight. I see the joy on my brother's face as he stares at his girlfriend. He watches her take shots like she’s hanging the moon and I think I’m in love with their love. I watch his instinct to protect her, and I smile, knowing I’ve met a few of my brother's exes, but none seem that special.

I also watch Lawson, and how he’s not standing directly with Sienna, but he’s definitely watching her like his life depended on it. Lawson isn’t the dating type, but with the way he’s looking at her, I have a feeling he wants to be. I feel a presence next to me, closer than most strangers would stand. My brother mentioned to me that Lawson had eyes for Sienna in a more than friendly type of way. I turn my attention to my side to see Parker next to me. His hand is in his pocket, his eyes scanning around.

“What? Do I need more protection? You know, everyone that’s friends with my brother always does this stupid shit around me. Protect Brianne. Protect the little sister, follow her around, and make sure she doesn’t do anything wrong. You can go take shots with your friends, go dance with a girl, stop watching me like—”

“Shhhh.”

He shuts me up, and my jaw hangs slack. I turn my body toward him. We’re standing out of the normal light so there are shadows casting over both of us. You’d have to be looking to really find us in this pocket of the bar. He’s smirking and it’s the first genuine expression I’ve seen on his face. Everyone has said he doesn’t talk a lot, but he seems to be talkative around me, even if his replies are short. I should probably listen to him and stop talking so much or I’ll scare him away.

“Did I talk too much?” I ask him and he shakes his head.

“No, I’d let you talk for hours if you were saying something worthwhile but you weren’t. I’m over here because you’re doing what I do. People watching. I am not over here on your brother's account. He’s my team captain, not my boss,” he tells me, and I narrow my eyes. Alrighty then…

“I just don’t really know anyone,” I shrug.

“The guy you came with? Where is he?” he asks.

“Probably with his tongue down someone’s throat,” I admit, and Parker runs his eyes over my face, he tries his best to read me, I can tell. “You don’t have to stay here with—”

“Not everyone needs to have a motive to want to stand next to you, Brianne. If you want me to walk away, I will, but I don’t have any reason for standing next to a pretty girl except that I want to,” he tells me, and I stare up at him with a tilt of my head,

“Is that why you’re standing so close to me, because you want to?” I ask, and he casts his eyes down once more.

He nods softly, and my neck is tilted all the way back as I stare at him. I inch and my chest is against his. This feels wrong—standing this close to a football player that I know is friends with my brother. It feels wrong in so many ways. It feels wrong, but it also feels so good. I wanted this. I did, but… I shouldn’t… We’re just looking at each other, there’s nothing wrong with looking at him. Who kisses random strangers in bars? Well… I do. I have but I shouldn’t.

“You don’t think this is a mistake?” I ask, and his eyes flicker from my lips to my eyes.

“I never said that,” he speaks softly, and I feel my entire life hanging over my head.

He’s been drinking. That’s what this is. Parker plays football with my brother. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t care that Bellamy is my brother. But the way he’s looking at me is not even slightly friendly. He doesn’t know what he’s doing and I do. So I should stop but I want it and him. I’ve never argued with myself this much over the thought of a measly kiss.

“Parker—”

My words are cut off by yelling and we break away. Parker pushes past me and I move with him, not understanding why he’s moving so fast until I see who is involved in the fight that’s broken out behind us—my brother and, of course, Lawson.

“No, stay there,” he tells me, and I open my mouth but he gives me that look. The one that makes me freeze in place. “Don’t get yourself hurt, Brianne,” he grumbles and moves toward the fight.

Parker, acting as a concerned teammate, tries his hardest to pull Lawson away from another guy who is screaming insanely vulgar things toward Lawson and both Kamryn and Sienna who stand behind him, mortified. I watch as the other guy, who seemed to start the entire debacle, aims his fist for Lawson but misses and hits Parker right above his eye. I cringe at the impact and scurry around them, waiting for the fight to officially be broken up.

In all the years that Lawson and Bellamy have been friends, Bellamy has always had stories to tell me about Lawson getting in fights. I don’t know what he fights about or why it happens, I just know he does it. So seeing it in real life for the first time is no surprise to me but what is surprising is that it seems to be over a girl, and not only that but not even his friends can break him from the fight easily.

“What the hell is going on?” I turn over my shoulder to see Dakota has basically materialized out of thin air.

“Where the hell have you been?” I ask him and he smirks as he shrugs.

“Here and there,” he tells me.

I roll my eyes. I turn my attention to the fight that’s now broken up. Everyone is surrounding Lawson but not a single person is looking at Parker—not a single person gives a shit that he just took a punch for Lawson, one that obviously hurt by the looks of it. I contemplate what to do. I’m in front of everyone, my brother, his friends… Parker’s not even concerned about himself it seems. I look at Dakota and nod my head to Parker. I mouth the words ‘what do I do?’ to him and he looks between me and Parker then smirks.

“Talk to him,” Dakota speaks beside me.

He wouldn’t encourage me if he didn’t think it was a good idea. I reach forward and touch Parker's elbow, pulling his attention to me.

“Are you okay? Can I get you anything?” I ask, and his features soften. “You took a really hard hit, and I just want to make sure you feel alright… Since no one else seemed to notice… Not that you aren’t noticed. You are, I just mean—”

“I’m fine,” he speaks softly but stiffly, shaking his head.

I furrow my brows, seeing that he’s obviously not fine. The blood on his forehead is showcasing how not fine he is. I don’t reach for him, but I do keep his attention, my hand still on his arm.

“What happened?” I ask, and he shrugs.

He said he doesn’t know but Lawson got into a fight with some guy because of Sienna. It’s not shocking. Lawson is prone to fighting, but not in specific defense of a girl he’s sleeping with. So I assume it’s more than that—more than him just sleeping with her. Bellamy told me Lawson isn’t the dating type, but maybe she’s different, special to him in some way. My brother looks livid as he talks to Kamryn, and I know he’s pissed at his best friend. Lawson has disappeared and is nowhere to be found, and the bar is in complete chaos right now. I’m overwhelmed as I look around.

“You look like you’re about to pass out…” Parker speaks now and I shake my head.

“This is just really chaotic, and everyone is screaming, and you’re hurt and pretending you’re not,” I tell him, anger coating my words even though I’m not mad. Frustrated yes, but not mad.

“Why do you care?” he asks, and I frown slightly, my eyes meeting him again.

He’s hurt, why wouldn’t I care?

“B-because you’re hurt. Of course, I care that someone I know is hurt. It seems like no one else cares, including yourself,” I raise my eyebrows at him.

His eyes search mine, and he opens his mouth to speak, but I don’t let him.

“Come here,” I take his hand, feeling the exponential size difference between our hands as I do. I drag him through the crowd and he stumbles behind me.

“Brianne, what are you doing?” he asks, and I notice that he doesn’t call me by a nickname.

Not by the names everyone else calls me. It’s always my full name, and I like the way it sounds coming from his lips. I hope he doesn’t change that either.

“I want to look at your face,” I tell him and realize how it sounds. “I mean your cut. You… You’re hurt, and I wanted to look at the…” I sigh and groan. “Just shut up,” I tell him.

“I’m not talking, you are,” he tells me, and I glare at him over my shoulder.

I stop abruptly in the hallway, and he presses into me as I turn around. I try not to let it affect me, but it’s incredibly hard. I’m not the type to be affected by small things. Hand touches, or even kisses. But the sheer proximity of Parker Thompson is taking my breath away, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Maybe it’s because he’s like forbidden fruit. I’m only affected because I can’t have him. I reach up softly and try to get a better look, but he turns his face.

“I said I was fine,” he tells me, his voice set and slightly irritated. Grumpy.

“You’re being annoying is what you are. Let me look at it, Parker,” I insist, and he sighs.

“If I let you look at it, will you leave me alone?” he asks, and I furrow my brows.

“Asshole,” I mumble.

“Not trying to be,” It sounds like he replies through his teeth, and I pull him further into the hall, and toward one of the bathrooms.

I yank open the door and don’t notice anyone inside so I pull him toward the counter.

“Just let me see if you’re okay in this lighting,” I tell him quietly.

I push myself on the counter.

“It’s fine. I told you it’s not a big deal,” his voice is gruff.

He’s being such a guy right now. A grumpy, moody man. I roll my eyes, and grab his hand, pulling him toward me. He nestles right between my legs, and I ignore just how intimate it feels. I’m helping him, then he’s gone. Nothing else is going to happen. I’m deciding now that no matter how attractive he is, I can’t make this mistake. Bellamy would be so angry. Even so, who knows if he’s really interested. Part of me thinks I made this all up in my head. Or that he’s more intoxicated than he’s letting on which is why he’s remotely looking at me like he is right now.

“You don’t look fine,” I tell him matter-of-factly.

I reach for his face, and he lets me this time. I stare up at his face, and brush his hair from his forehead, taking a wet paper towel to dab on his harsh cut. He sucks in a sharp breath between his teeth, and I press my lips together in a grimace. His eyes watch me like I’m the only thing that exists, and I’m pretending like it’s not affecting me. I slow my movements and he stares at me so intently that I can’t focus on anything but his eyes, then his lips. He hesitates but inches his face forward. My heart feels like it’s about to explode. Like there’s nothing that can keep it in my chest until we hear someone clear their throat. Parker inches back, and to my horror, Lawson and Sienna both walk out of a bathroom stall.

“We were just…” Parker starts, but Lawson isn’t having it.

I’m sure he’s about to go play babysitter and tattle tale to my brother.

“Don’t care. I didn’t see anything, and this is a really shitty situation for all four of us. I didn’t see you guys, you didn’t see us,” Lawson interrupts.

Lawson grabs Sienna’s hand, and his eyes drift between Parker and me. I feel embarrassment creep up on my cheeks. This is like my own brother walking in on me. I’ve known Lawson for years… Parker and I weren’t actually doing anything but I still feel caught. Lawson turns away, then stops himself, and I prepare myself for him to be angry. Not that he has any right. Nothing was happening, no matter what it looked like.

“And I would be a fucking dick not to warn the two of you that whatever the fuck you’re doing could hurt Bellamy. And that it could also be a really shitty idea for the team Parks,” he tells us, once again making me feel like a child.

That’s Bellamy and Lawson's specialty. I’m not going to deal with this for the next year. The two of them sticking their head where it doesn’t belong. Brothers or not, I can make my own choices.

“Nothing is going on. Forget it, Lawson, and stay out of my shit.”

I push off the counter and then push past him. I was telling myself that nothing was going to happen. For someone like Lawson to act like a kiss is life-altering and world-ending is hilarious considering his track record. He has no room to speak on who I do and don’t kiss. No one does.

Either way, I never even got the chance to stop the kiss before it started… If that’s what was even happening. I don’t know and I don’t want to think about it. I want to leave. So I search the bar, and when my eyes land on Dakota who is searching like a madman with his eyes until they land on me, I feel relief. We both surge toward each other, and he grabs my shoulders.

“Are you okay? Where did you go?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“I’ll tell you later. Do you… Are you leaving with someone or—”

“You. I’m leaving with you. Are you ready? You can stay at my place tonight,” he asks, and I nod.

He hooks his arm over my shoulders, and we leave, not another word exchanged with anyone else. Thank God.