Page 35

CHAPTER 35

FRISKY BY DOMINIC FIKE

Brianne Archer:

I wake up not only wrapped up in bedsheets on the softest bed ever but also wrapped in limbs. Very large, very possessive arms wrap around me so tightly it’s almost like they’re afraid I’d leave. Part of me feels bad because, in my past, I have left Parker. Whether we have silly sleepovers that amounted to nothing but kissing and cuddling or… Or if we’re talking about the first time we slept together where I ran out on him. I’m also happy to know that I won’t be running out again, hopefully. I do try to loosen his grip so I can go pee. I wonder if an apartment filled with hockey players and a football player has good coffee. Maybe even a Keurig, if I’m lucky. Parker groans as I break away from him.

“Don’t go…” he whines and I smirk and swat at his needy hands.

“I’m not going anywhere. I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell him and he lets go with another groan, then he rolls over.

I get up, still only wearing his shirt. I take my mess of hair and actually throw the mop of it on top of my head. There are knots and tangles everywhere but that’s a problem for another time. I sneak across the hall, leaving Parker’s door cracked. There’s a TV playing in the living room. I didn’t even look at my phone to see what time it was. I need to check my phone to make sure my brother isn’t freaking out on me for being gone and not answering him.

Ever since our fight, Bellamy hasn’t really been on me the way he was. He has been more of a silent observer in my life. Every time we’re around each other, it’s civil. It’s normal. I can laugh with him but it still feels tense and odd. It nags on me in the back of my mind, that me and Bellamy haven’t resolved whatever this situation is. I make a mental note to talk to him before the problem festers and it bothers us forever.

I walk into the bathroom and there’s a shower running. The way this apartment is set up, I know it was meant for student housing. The showers are in stalls, three sitting right in front of me. There are also toilet stalls and three sinks. It’s like a community bathroom, but large enough for everyone to still have their own space. Parker doesn’t share a sink. Nico and Andrew do. My toothbrush is on Parker’s sink and my own face wash lives there now too. I’ve been over here and used this bathroom countless times. Even knowing Parker lives with three tall, hot, hockey players, never has this specific situation ensued where I walk in here during a moment I probably shouldn’t have… but I really need to pee. I hesitate, then freeze the second the water turns off. I move to turn away but the person that walks out of the shower stall with a towel around his waist is not who I expected in the slightest.

“Dakota?” I ask and he stands there, still partially wet and half naked staring at me.

“Baby? What are you doing here?” he asks and I scoff.

“What am I doing here? I have a very large Parker-sized reason to be here. Why the hell are you, my best friend, here right now? Naked, might I add,” I tack the last part on and he shrugs.

“I don’t kiss and tell.” He starts forward and I stand in front of him, my mind reeling with possibilities.

I thought Xander was wanting to get with Leah. I’m sure it’s not him because even if Leah isn’t showing interest, Dakota would never jeopardize that possibility… Andrew has an almost girlfriend, I’m sure of that but almost isn’t for sure. Maybe they aren’t exclusive. I don’t know Andrew’s sexuality. It could be him or the most obvious candidate… Nico.

Nico is hot. Incredibly hot. He’s around the same height as Dakota at 6’. He’s built and broad-shouldered. He has perfect lips and messy spiked hair, shorter on the sides and longer on the top. He has pretty brown eyes and he seems really sweet. But the question is… Is this a hookup or more? With Dakota, he never shows how he’s feeling in that regard. I press my hand to his chest, stopping him.

“No, you don’t get to slut it up in a hockey player's bed and then not tell me all the dirty details,” I tell him.

“And what about you? Miss Promiscuous, are you even wearing pants?” He pulls up the edge of my shirt and I’m still not even wearing underwear so I tug it back down.

“Not important,” I smirk.

“Very important! You aren’t wearing underwear!” he shouts.

“You’re not either!” I shout back.

“I was washing myself which you should probably do considering the fact that you had a lot of dirty provocative fun last night, didn’t you? Tell me,” Dakota urges.

“You—”

“Oh, shit…” We hear a voice behind my back and both turn to the most gorgeous blonde I’ve ever seen in my life. Diana.

Dakota and I stare… Our eyes meeting hers, then glancing down to see her in her entirety. She’s wearing Andrew’s hockey jersey which immediately takes Andrew out of the equation in my head now too. Unless…

“Oh my god…” My eyes go wide when I look back at Dakota.

“No! No. Don’t even go there,” he argues.

“Where are we going? Because if it’s with both of you, I’m in.” Her voice is raspy, and the intention behind her words is very blatant. Now, it’s set in stone in my mind. Diana is a hot little vixen. Dakota is the luckiest man alive.

“Andrew and her?” I ask him.

“Wait, Andrew and me what?” she asks, the rasp in her voice feeling more permanent instead of just morning voice.

She smiles, her perfect teeth showing. Dear God, I have never been nervous around another girl because of her beauty, but I’m nervous around Diana.

“You three…” I point between Dakota, her, and the door where Andrew probably is. Then I look at Dakota who is pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I think I would remember if he was in that bed last night,” she clarifies. “But he was not… Just me,” she clarifies and waves to both of us. “Speaking of, I don’t think I’ve ever actually met either of you face-to-face in person. I’m Diana.”

She walks forward, Andrew’s hockey jersey rising on her body as she lifts her arm, revealing her mile-long legs. I look at her and snap out of it, extending my hand. I shake hers and so does Dakota.

“Sorry for her and for this. Usually, I’m not in a bathroom at 9 am being interrogated but—”

“I was not interrogating you!” I yell at him then whip my attention to Diana. “I was not interrogating him!”

“And if you were, what would it be about?” she asks with laughter in her voice.

“It would be… Wait, are you and Andrew…. together?” I ask her and she smirks, her eyes drifting to Dakota then back to me.

“You’re never going to beat these interrogation claims,” she jokes and we all chuckle softly. “But me and Andrew are—”

“Who the hell is yelling at each other in—” Parker stops in the doorway of the bathroom when he sees the situation.

“Hey Diana… Hey, Dakota,” he nods and walks in toward me then stops, furrowing his eyebrows together. “Wait… What are you doing here?” he asks, pointing a finger at Dak.

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it again if this is how I get to wake up every time,” he eyes Parker then he looks me up and down. His eyes definitely don’t miss Diana.

“You two make a hot couple.” He compliments. “And you should drop the hockey dud and—”

“Thanks, but also, what are you doing in my bathroom naked?” Parker asks again.

“Hey Dakota, are you—” Nico walks in, sloppy bedhead and sleep clouding his entire being. He’s very shirtless, and now much more awake when he sees the situation.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” I ask Nico and he looks between me and Dakota.

“Me, what? Who brought Dakota home?” he asks and I roll my eyes.

“Duh! Did you sleep with my best friend?” I ask him, turning my body to him.

“What do you think?” he smirks and I let my jaw drop.

“Dakota! You bagged a hottie!” I jump up and down, clapping my hands. Dakota puts his hands on my shoulders to stop me from jumping.

“Awe, Bri, you think I’m hot? Hey, Parks, your girlfriend thinks I’m hot,” Nico nudges Parker.

“For the record, we all think you’re hot,” Diana clarifies, her arms crossed over her chest as she leans against the sinks.

“Andrew! Your…” Nico stops his yelling and looks at her. Then, he shrugs. “Your Diana thinks I’m hot!” he clarifies, avoiding a title. Parker is looking at all of us, incredibly confused. He stares, looking between Nico and Dakota, then he shakes his head.

“Nico… You’re gay?” Parker asks.

“Um… Yeah? How did you not notice?” he asks.

“I didn’t know you could notice gay?” he asks and throws his hands up.

“I’ve also never brought a girl back here or had a girlfriend since you met me,” he tells him.

“Okay, but…” He shakes his head.

“Why is it so loud in here?” Xander walks in, sounding the grumpiest I’ve ever heard him sound. What happened last night between Leah and Xander? “Hey, what’s Dakota doing here? And why are you all in the bathroom together? Hi, Diana,” Xander’s voice turned almost shy when speaking to Diana like she’s his coach or something.

“Did you know Nico is gay?” Parker asks. I nudge Parker.

“Hey, you can’t just tell everyone, don’t out him,” I chastise Parker, and Nico sighs.

“You can’t out me when I’m already out. Parker is just stupid.” Nico throws his hands up now.

“Yes, I knew Nico was gay. We all know Nico is gay. That’s why he lives with the hottest guys on campus,” Xander answers.

“The hottest guys on campus are Parker, Bellamy, and Lawson. Football players are way hotter than hockey players,” Nico argues.

“Ew, don’t mention my brother,” I cringe. All of them roll their eyes.

“Orgy? In the bathroom?” Andrew walks in, his hair is messy too like he just woke up.

“No orgy.” Parker points to him. “What the fuck are we doing in here? Can we take this meeting somewhere else?”

“I was coming to pee and met new friends,” Diana’s eyes light up.

“I was attacked upon walking out of the shower,” Dakota defends.

“Because you decided to slut around at my boyfriend's apartment! I have questions!” I argue with Dakota.

“You’re not even wearing underwear right now and you have the audacity to tell me I’m—”

“He’s my boyfriend! Obviously, I’m going to sleep with him. You have explaining to do! I want all the details,” I argue with him.

“Wait, you’re not wearing underwear? In an apartment full of men?” Xander asks. “Dude, that’s like the biggest win. We make her feel comfortable. Also, high five for consummating the relationship” He holds his hand out for a bro hug to Parker. Parker just glares at him.

“Hey, Bri… Can you do that thing where you make Parker not grumpy for a little while?” Nico asks me.

“He can’t be grumpy. He has a family now, look.” Andrew motions around all of us and Parker turns to him like he’s going to attack.

I take his arm and wrap it around me, pulling him from the situation.

“You’re an asshole, Drew!” Parker calls out, dragging behind me. I smirk and look back.

“You’re not off the hook, Dak!” I yelled at him.

“Neither are you!” he chimes. I slam Parker’s door shut and smirk at him.

“Sorry for them—”

“I love it. Don’t apologize,” I cut him off.

“I’m glad you met Diana. She’s really cool, isn’t she?” Parker asks and I nod and shake my head.

“I just can’t put a pin on the she and Andrew’s situation like what they are and also why

Xander got all nervous around her,” I admit.

“They aren’t dating but they’re kind of exclusive, I guess? All I know is, we all just found out that she’s the hockey coach's daughter, and that’s why Xander is acting weird. He thinks this could fuck over all three of them next year if this ends badly.”

“If she looks like that, I would sure as hell like to see her dad,” I look over my shoulder like I’m signaling to her and when I turn back to him, he’s approaching me, his body heat radiating.

“No. Mine,” he clarifies, staking his claim. He tilts my chin up.

“Why did you even come after me?” I ask.

“Well, normally no one is awake at this point so I was hoping….” He backs us up fully now until my shoulder blades touch the wooden door. “That no one would be in there so I could lock the bathroom door and eat my breakfast,” he tells me. My face is hot as I stare up at him.

“Sorry that didn’t work out for you…” I whisper.

“I can have breakfast in bed…”

He yanks me from the door and lifts me up just to plop me back down on the bed. I squeal and laugh then gasp the second Parker spreads my legs and does exactly what he said he was going to do. I don’t know if I’m going to get used to this version of Parker Thompson. The confident, ever amused, always smirking, silly mood Parker. I love this version of him though. I hope he stays because this person… This is the person I can see myself falling for and that realization is almost crushing to me.

* * *

I stretch on the floor of the apartment, keeping my body warm. It’s Saturday and we were made aware this morning when I was still with Parker that the football team is flying out tomorrow morning for a Sunday game since they won last night. Leah told all of us she’s not going to ruin our Saturday by making us practice, but she is going to tell us to keep our bodies stretched and ready for a full-out performance tomorrow and perfect form during all of our stunts, tumbling, and cheers. So I moved our coffee table and decided to stretch in the living room with replays of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. I like New Jersey the best because their accents are my favorite. I focus on the TV centered in a middle split and the door opens, Bellamy sauntering in and Kamryn right behind him.

Bellamy just nods his head to me and I give him a close-lipped smile. Kamryn waves.

“Hey, Bri,” she chirps.

“Hey, Kam,” I breathe out my words as I release my stretch.

I look between her and Bellamy, his eyes not meeting mine and I shake my head, turning back to the TV, not even bothering today with trying. If he’s not going to resolve the fight, that’s fine. I’m not making the first move here this time because Parker and Dakota are right. I’m not at fault here. I’m not forcing this to work, especially since it seems like he doesn’t want to fix anything.

“Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Bellamy, look at your sister,” Kamryn snaps.

I press my lips together and sigh, turning my show down and then I just pause it altogether knowing I’ll miss far too much. Kamryn has a way about her where she can make people talk. She plays mediator a lot between Lawson and Bellamy when they fight like brothers. I’ve seen it right before my eyes. She’s like a detonator.

“She’s pissed at me Ryn, this isn’t the time,” he mumbles, trying to keep his voice quiet.

“Why are you talking about me like I’m not in the room?” I ask and he sighs.

“Things aren’t good right now, B. You’re not happy with me and I’m not going to make that worse, okay?” he asks and I chuckle a sarcastic laugh.

“Okay, whatever Bellamy,” I shake my head and Kamryn grumbles.

“No. This is not how it’s going to be. You guys are going to actually speak to each other and lay it out all on the floor. Bri, speak your mind. I don’t care if you don’t want to.” She raises her eyebrows at me, mothering me to a degree I’ve never seen before. I hesitate and then I look at Bellamy and do exactly what Kamryn says.

“You were a dick the other day and you’ve been a dick since I started at SPU,” I tell him and he clenches his jaw.

“I can understand the other day. I can give you that but I don’t see how you can say that about me since you’ve been at SPU the past few months. I’m your brother… I don’t know what you’re expecting me to act like,” he admits and I shake my head, standing up so I can sit on the couch now.

“I’m expecting the guy I grew up with. The guy who respects me the way he would any woman and not treat me like a child. I understand I’m younger than you. I understand that I have a lot to learn and work on, but treating me like some pet or kid is… It’s not you and it never has been. I want you to protect me and be my brother when I need it, not because I’m wearing a short skirt. A skirt that all your friends and girlfriend also wear. How is it fair to try to hide me and tell me not to wear something and then turn around and like it when other girls wear that or think other people look pretty in things like that? It’s not. It’s barbaric and rude,” I fight.

“Okay, I agree. I was being…” he sighs and sits down.

Kamryn walks into our kitchen, staying close enough to hear but still giving us space.

“Bri, I’m lost here. I am completely lost on how to go about you being… You being all grown up. You’re falling in love. You’re going on dates. You’re…” He shivers. “You’re having sex and you’re drinking and partying. You’re doing everything a college person is supposed to do. You’re doing exactly what I was hyping up one of my friends to do a few months back and I was being a hypocrite. It’s hard to see you in a light that isn’t my baby sister but as an adult. I’m sorry. I’m adjusting. I’m growing and I’m—”

“Changing?” I ask and he nods. “The thing you accused me of instead of being happy for me,” I point out. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at my brother.

“I don’t like feeling like you’re hiding half of your life from me. I don’t like that you feel as if I’ve made it hard for you to talk to me or be open to me. I miss debriefing with you. I miss feeling like you were my best friend and my baby sister. Not my roommate so I’m sorry,” he apologizes and I feel tears prick the back of my eyes.

“What you said the other day was too far. Everything you said. About our parents. Running to Dakota. Shitting on me like that was… It was below you. So far below you that I didn’t even know what to say or how to respond,” I admit.

“I wasn’t going to say what you think I was. I was trying to tell you that Mom and Dad would be disappointed to know we got this close and are actually fighting over something so stupid. I would never in my life tell you that Mom and Dad are disappointed in you because that would never be true. Even if you were nothing, it would still be everything to them but you’re not. You’re independent and you’re funny and you’re someone to be proud of and I’m sorry you haven’t felt proud or happy with me,” he apologizes again and I nod, feeling tears pool in my eyes.

“I don’t like this either and I’ve been bothered by how far apart we feel and I’m sorry for putting distance between us. I just don’t want to feel judged by my choices. I don’t want you to be grossed out by me telling you about my issues or my encounters,” I admit.

“I’m never going to judge you. I can’t.” He shakes his head and I nod.

“I’m sorry too,” I admit out loud.

“Come here.” He stands up and opens his arms to me and I stand up, hugging my brother, feeling like I can fucking breathe again. I don’t know what life is like without Bellamy and I never want to. Even the small distance between us these past few weeks has been absolute hell on earth for me, even though I kept the distance on purpose, waiting for him to come to me like he did.

“I don’t know how to fight with you. I’m not used to it,” he tells me and I laugh.

“So let’s just not,” I tell him.

“Good idea. No secrets. No judgment. Let’s be Bri and Bellamy like we’ve always been, not how these past few months have been. Deal?” he asks me and my heart sinks.

Secrets. None. But I’ve kept a giant one from him. A Parker-sized secret feels even more volatile right now. More than it ever has. I nod, silently and swallow back the anxiety I have in my chest.

“I’m never going to stay mad at you Bellamy,” I admit, backing up.

“I thought I fucked up everything. I thought you were going to be mad at me forever,” he jokes.

“No. I need you too much,” I tell him.

I do need him, and now the true fear of losing him forever is real in my chest and so damn heavy. He’s going to blow up. He’s going to hate me forever. Maybe… Maybe I should just stop seeing Parker now before it’s too late. I cringe internally. It’s already too damn late. I practically start drooling at the thought of him and I’m supposed to pretend he doesn’t exist to fix and placate my relationship with Bellamy? Parker’s words replay in my own head. He told me not to put everyone else’s feelings ahead of mine. Not to constantly put other people’s wishes first… but Bellamy is different. I can’t just disregard that.

I should just tell Bellamy now before everything blows up. Originally, I wanted Parker to be with me but I think Kamryn being here is better. She can calm Bellamy down and I can explain better. I should tell him before things go too far and there’s no turning back, I—

“Are you okay?” Bellamy asks me and I nod.

“Yes… Just thinking. Relieved is all,” I lie, reality snapping back in when I look at my brother. I can’t tell him. Not without Parker. Not yet.

“Me too. I love you.”

Bellamy hugs me one more time and kisses the top of my head. I squeeze him back, more scared than ever now. I’ll figure this out. I’ll talk myself down. It’ll be fine. I can’t worry Parker with this. I don’t want to annoy Dakota by talking about it again. He’s fed up already having to hear me question my relationship with Parker because he’s friends with my brother. I’m tired of it too. I just wish that Parker and Bellamy had never met. My life would be void of problems if that was the case but it’s not. I have a platter of issues I need to figure out so I don’t lose Bellamy or Parker. Because as of right now, the three most important people are them and Dakota. Living without them would be devastating…