Vancouver Nights

by Blythe Stone

  Vancouver

  Nights

  Written by:

  Chamberlain & Stone

  Introduction

  Welcome to a summer alt we crafted to take a small breather from the intensity of where we have gotten with the Paper Dolls main series. This installation is an alternate world in which Avery and Olivia did not meet in High School, Natalie and Olivia dated while young but broke it off, and Avery and Nat are dating as adults in their late 20’s. A lot of people have been requesting a little polyamory with these three so we’re here to deliver. Relationship dynamics are rocked when Olivia bumps into the steady couple at a gala event in her home town. Avery and Nat invite Olivia to stay with them in Vancouver while Natalie is working on a horror film.

  If you have suggestions for other alternate stories you would like to see played out with these wonderful original characters, and the more under-used ones in the PD series as a whole, we would love to receive your requests!

  We’ve also been mulling over the idea of creating themed Paper Dolls podcast episodes for each book and each character as a way to drive donations to our very dead Patreon page. If you’d be interested in subscribing for special content, drop us a note on our Paper Dolls Series Tumblr page with your suggestions.

  We are also taking requests for general podcast episode topics. Let us know if there’s something you would like to see us write or hear us talk about!

  XoXoX

  Chamberlain & Stone

  General disclaimer: this story contains gay sex, foul language, and polyamory.

  1

  (Avery)

  This event was so boring and Nat was working so I had nothing to do but wait for it to be over. It was rare that I went with her to anything like this. She knew how I got when I was bored. It was common for me to drink too much if left alone like that.

  She was off talking to all of the rich assholes that would give money to whatever charity this party was for and I was sitting in the corner watching her. She was smooth and practiced with how she avoided being touched in the wrong places by drunk donors. Her smile sparkled with life but she was probably thinking about how dumb the guys were.

  It was fine though. They could look at her all they wanted but she never let them do anything else.

  More than one tried to get her contact information. She was gorgeous and smart and she had that kind of charm that could win anyone over.

  What I loved most about her was the vicious wit she had. It was sharp and it could cut you without you realizing until later. She shook a man’s hand and I knew he was taken with her. That dreamy, drunk look in his eyes and the way his gaze followed her as she walked away.

  It was almost midnight and we’d arrived at six. I wasn’t even supposed to be here, technically, but she’d gotten me in, no problem. No one talked to me and I liked it that way. I stayed on the fringes, just watching, except for those times I made my way to the bar to get a refill. Even so, I’d only gone through seven drinks.

  She walked straight over and moved the chair beside mine so she could stand close. The event hall had tons of tables spaced out but I’d chosen the one that was almost at the edge of the balcony. No one would come over here since it was so cold out.

  I raised my eyebrows and took one last drink of the rum and coke I’d been sipping on.

  “You look tired,” I said.

  “You know I'll manage,” she smiled. I felt her hand on the back of my neck, rubbing my skin. “Not too much longer now,” she breathed. “It'll be nice to crawl into bed with you.”

  “You’re not kidding. That’s all I want, a shower and bed,” I said, looking up at her.

  Did anyone really know Natalie besides me? She was definitely the only person who had gotten past my walls.

  “How many people asked for your number or gave you their card this time?” I asked, smiling.

  It was a little game I liked to play, guessing the number and seeing if I could get close.

  “Well, we've been here for hours,” she said.

  “My guess is ten, no… Eleven” I said.

  She reached for her purse and pulled a stack of cards and papers out, laying them down in front of me on the bar.

  “More than that,” she groaned.

  There had to be at least 30 cards and several bits of torn announcements and napkins.

  “And that doesn't count the whisperers,” she teased. “All smiles and promises and you know where you can find me.” She fingered a couple of hotel room keys, I watched them slide by the tips of her manicured fingers across the surface of the table that was too clean.

  “Oh, that sucks, but at least no one tried to follow you into the bathroom like last time.”

  I leaned my head on her arm, hoping for more touches. I was starving for her since we didn’t get as much time together these days.

  Nat smoothed her hands down the front of my body, pushing into me until she was leaning down over me and she had me held in a very loving hug from behind.

  “I've missed you so much,” she whispered sexily. Her low pleasing tones were always my favorite. “Just give me a few more minutes,” she asked, holding me tight and rocking me. “Then we can go home together, take that shower, and crawl naked into bed.”

  As she pulled back from me she used her hand to lead my chin to the side so that she could reward me with a long and deep kiss. We held our breath a little. She whimpered and soaked right into me, still while keeping all the control.

  “Mmmm,” I sighed. “Okay, but I'll be on the balcony when you're done. I need some air after that kiss.”

  I put my hands on her arms like that would keep her with me but I knew she had to go so I didn't hold too tight.

  “I'll be quick,” she said, moving away. She looked back at me after a few of her steps but then she was gone.

  I missed her skin. I could still taste her kiss but it was like a ghost now. She stayed with you, lingering like the faint smell of her perfume. It was expensive just like everything here.

  I turned back to the bar and finished my drink. I left a tip for the bartender and walked toward the door. The cold wind would sober me up and make me feel human again.

  Watching people throw fuck you money around made me a little sick. It warped perception and made fools of people who could be good. I stayed away from the main party. The key to sanity for someone like me.

  Nat was the reason I was still here. She got me through the past with her certainty and devotion. It was a dependency of sorts. I was hers for life because I could imagine no better future than to be wrapped in her love.

  The edge of the balcony called to me. I went there to put my hands on the rails and look down. Thirteen stories between me and concrete. I could look up and see the impressive view of the city and the hills beyond but the spot below was much more interesting.

  I could be dead in thirty seconds if I fell. I'd thought about it before. A long fall to a short end. Falljump? You had to move muscles and bend knees to jump. I could fall though. That was easy.

  “Oh shit,” I heard a female voice come close from behind me. “Didn’t expect it to be so cold out here.”

  She walked up to the rail right next to me and leaned in. “Oh yikes,” she said, looking down.

  Maybe she was drunk, or just weird. I couldn’t exactly tell but she was beautiful.

  Her eyes stared down like mine had just done, surveying the distance. Green eyes that shone and spoke like rays of light through tinted crystal.

  “Good thing this railing’s here,” she laughed, almost breathlessly.

  “Depends on your perspective,” I said.

  “Whaaaat?” She smiled queerly, looking over at me. If I said she was merely attractive befor
e I was kidding myself. Once she smiled I received the full force of her overall beauty.

  “Nothing, just something I was thinking a minute ago. I'm crazy, ignore me,” I said.

  I didn't move, just planted my hands on the rail again and leaned over.

  “Why?! That’s boring,” she said, turning and staring at me. Dark hair, tanned skin, long lashes, perfect teeth, and smile lines. Not only that, she moved her body like a person unafraid of being judged. It was like she already knew me. “Are you one of those flying squirrel people,” she asked, trying to get me. “You know, I’ve seen that. It’s insane. You’re a weirdo,” she smiled, turning back to the rail and trying to mimic me. She stepped up on the railing and leaned forward a little, like me, but something told me she probably wasn’t completely sober.

  “Whoa, okay,” she laughed, falling back and landing onto her heels on the solid ground. “I shouldn’t try that,” she laughed openly. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing. Don’t you have someplace to be?”

  “Yeah, you should probably keep your feet on the ground,” I laughed.

  I reached out to steady her with one hand but that meant I had to step back from the edge.

  “I don't have anywhere to be. I'm just waiting for this thing to be over and cold isn't bad. I'm hot natured,” I explained.

  She could probably tell from my hand on her arm. I always ran hot. It was a curse in the summer.

  “But not a flying squirrel,” she asked, not afraid to be close or lean into me. Her body hit mine, flanking my side tenderly. It was intimate, and she stared up at me all dreamy. I felt her hand rub onto my stomach over my dress.

  If anyone were to see us they would surely assume we were a couple or at the very least, in love.

  “No, I don't fly and I'm not as cute as a squirrel,” I answered.

  I swallowed hard, trying not to notice how green her eyes were and how every part of me was now alive with tingles.

  She was touching me in ways people didn't dare. I couldn't push myself away like I did with everyone else besides Nat.

  She was a pretty stranger and she was drunk. That was it.

  “Oh, I highly doubt you’re aware of how cute you are,” the woman said.

  Her eyes were traveling down my body, taking time to drink me in.

  “Aaaaand, I just realized I’m probably making you insanely uncomfortable,” she laughed, embarrassed but not at all surprised with herself. Her hands slowly retreated as she moved to give me back my autonomy.

  “Not uncomfortable, just intrigued but cautious,” I replied. “And I'm not cute for the record.”

  It was a relief to not feel her. Only because I didn't like feeling like an ass. People were attractive. I was going to find other people besides Natalie desirable but I usually didn't.

  “Are you a donor?” I asked.

  “To this charity?” The woman asked. If she was older than me she didn’t look it. “Yes, of course.” She crossed her arms in around her body and I could tell she was apologetic about before. “Wouldn’t be here otherwise,” she said, looking off. “I’m just arm candy tonight. Here to butter some people up.”

  “Oh really,” I said.

  “Uh-huh,” she nodded, eyebrows raising. “That’s what happens when you’re one of the only women representing new tech. You get whittled down to your body and asked to do extra shit like wear overpriced dresses and put on a winning smile.”

  “Which is both disgusting and typical,” I commented.

  “I agree,” she nodded, better now at finding her boundary.

  “I hate these things. It's all show. If they really wanted to do something with their money they could just directly fund programs. Half the people here are just attending to be seen,” I complained.

  “Ouch,” she reacted.

  “I said half. I'm sure you're not on the wrong side of that,” I assured her.

  “Nah, you’re right,” she decided rather quickly. “A lot of people won’t give unless someone tells them they have to. I won’t fight you on that. They all want an event and pretty women, and to feel special. But why are you here,” she wondered, sobered up now and no longer touchy or flighty with me.

  “My girlfriend was presenting earlier and technically I'm here as her assistant but I just sit at the bar and watch. It's a way I get to be close to her.”

  “Hmm, presentations. Yeah, I was a little late,” she laughed awkwardly. “I’ve been to so many of these things,” she fluffed her hair, it wasn’t pride so much as half-drunken exhaustion. “She must be famous though if she was presenting. Congrats.”

  I snorted. “She's an actress slash model and I'd rather it be boring and normal most days. Finding paps in the bushes outside your apartment isn't the thrill that some people imagine.”

  “Well, I hope the good outweighs the bad,” she comforted. “The only actress I ever dated was amazing and I fucked it up, so… I’m the wrong person to ask on how to balance things like that.”

  “She would make anything worth it.” I smiled and thought of Nat and our lives.

  “And now I’m jealous,” the woman said, shrugging.

  “I’m sorry you fucked it up but I'm sure you'll find someone or maybe you already have. Now you know how not to fuck it up,” I said.

  “Wishful thinking,” she smiled.

  “What do you do anyway?” I asked.

  It was a nice change to meet someone interesting at a charity event.

  “Ah- well… I’m an engineer. If you want the short answer anyway. I helped create a start-up during college and it just took off. Sort of stole any vision I had for what I should do. I’m beginning to reconsider though. A little bit. More to life than money, right?”

  “For sure. But if you don't have it life can be hard,” I said.

  Flashes of my childhood home ran through my head before I could stop them. The place didn't hold any particular evil but it was connected to the people and circumstances.

  “Anyway, what would you rather be doing?”

  “That’s the thing,” she laughed, giving off her stress-level. “There’s a lot I could be doing instead of this. And why am I doing this? ‘Cause it’s easy, probably. Or I’m used to it? Anyway, it’s probably boring to hear about. You probably have to go.”

  “No, it's a good distraction. You're interesting,” I said.

  I shrugged and leaned against the railing.

  “I'm just waiting for my girlfriend to be done,” I assured.

  “When I was in high school I thought I’d end up in college for the rest of my life,” she explained. “And I wasn’t scared of that. More- excited,” she beamed nervously. “But then I got in and got out. And, per usual, I received fortune I did not deserve, or need, and I just let this thing lead to that and now I’m here and wondering, what am I doing? Do I even like this? Do I even like me? Who even am I?”

  Her voice nearly trailed off for a moment. She took a deep breath in and then covered her mouth with her hand before nervously laughing.

  “Sorry,” she said. “It just… Feels really good to say that out loud.” She paused a beat and then spoke again, this time a bit more detached from the whole world. “Do you ever get the feeling that you might never be happy?”

  “Despite having all the reasons to be? Yeah, I might know something about that,” I said, giving her a grim smile. “Circumstances can sweep you away until you get lost. It's easier to say things to a stranger sometimes. There's less guilt that way.”

  “Anyway,” she sighed. “I should probably get back in there. If I leave early I can spend some time alone in my room at the hotel. Stop bothering attractive strangers with my quarter-life crisis.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “If you were bothering me you would have known it. I would have gone inside but it was nice to have a real conversation at least,” I said.

  I watched her step away and head for the door that led inside. We could probably be friends but I'd probably never see her again. I wav
ed and turned back to the night.

  2

  (Olivia)

  I realized I’d said too much and done too much. There was no need for me to be dumping all my random bullshit on this person who was probably just being extremely kind and patient with me.

  I turned back, realizing I hadn’t even caught her name.

  But then I saw, as soon as I’d turned away she’d turned away too. Her back was towards me and it wasn’t something I should push since I’d probably never see her again.

  I turned, slow but sad.

  And my body hit another.

  I looked up.