Talia looked between me and Alexis with a smirk.
“How unfortunate! But you managed to break free unscathed. See, Alexis had a little crush on Tucker when we were freshmen and he finally asked her out after she spent months dropping not-so-subtle hints that she was into him. I guess he assumed the date was less for getting to know each other and you know, talking or hanging out, and more about getting to know each other.” She winked at me clarifying her meaning.
“When our little Lexi here didn’t put out for him he made up a rumor she was lesbian and spread it around the school. It lasted like a day before other guys she had dated stepped forward and told everyone she was most definitely not.”
She looked over at Alexis this time. “See, not all guys are bad. Most of the guys at our school are protective of the girls since we’re such a small group, but there always has to be one jerk. Anyway, the rumor died but Alexis never forgave him. It’s understandable to a degree but I think it’s time to let it go.” She leaned over me enunciating the words at Alexis.
“Fine I will try to forget about it. Tucker isn’t worth my time anyway. Let’s go mingle.”
As we approached the group, I noticed I was the only person around wearing pants, it seemed there was a unisex wardrobe of shorts and hoodies. I tried to not let my discomfort show as I smiled at the various people Talia and Alexis were introducing me to. It was so overwhelming trying to remember names and faces so I decided to focus on surviving this night and I would make an effort to learn people’s names when it wasn’t such a large crowd.
We moved to different clusters of people and it seemed that the girls knew everyone and everyone knew, and obviously liked, them. We had been talking to some of the girls on their volleyball team when two large shadows approached them. I noticed them getting closer before the other girls and just before I opened my mouth to warn them they stepped into the light from the fire and I saw they were actually two guys that looked about our age, just super-sized. They snuck up and picked up Talia and Alexis from behind and took off running down the beach and the girls laughed and mockingly hit them on their backs. Moments later the four of them made it back all laughing and talking animatedly about something.
“Aubrey! These two jerks are Donny and Bear. They’re on the football team and enjoy torturing us for some reason.”
Talia smacked Donny on the arm, as if he even noticed it. Despite her being just shy of six feet Donny was at least a head taller than her. Bear definitely lived up to his name. He was about the same height as his friend but had another forty pounds on him.
Donny stepped forward to shake my hand and while he was distracting me, Bear came up from behind me. I was amazed he was able to move that fast, given his size, but before I could think my feet were off the ground and I was being thrown over his shoulder and I was upside down.
“Everyone I want you to meet Aubrey. She is the new girl and has been claimed by me!”
Bear continued jogging around the bon fire making sure everyone heard him. People started laughing and eventually he brought me back to my feet holding my shoulders until I was steady. I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry in that moment, but an instinct took over and I pushed him playfully before looking back for a familiar face. I realized the majority of the crowd was now staring at me some looking confusing others amused.
“Thanks for that intro Bear, maybe next time I’d like to be on my own two feet though.”
“Sorry but you’re one of us now. We treat our girls all the same.” He waved a hand to emphasize his point toward Talia and Alexis who were making their way through the crowd over to us.
“Well I guess you’ve met everyone now, or they met you!” Alexis was still laughing when she got to my side. “I think you have everyone’s interest now. Way to get noticed.”
“Thanks, I totally planned that.” I gave a small stink eye and adjusted my clothes. “You guys should have warned me!”
“No way! That’s initiation into the group—you are now one of us.”
“You should take advantage of this attention while you can.” I turned to Bear as he got the attention of the crowd.
“Hey guys! Aubrey is having a New Year’s Eve party at her place tomorrow night and everyone’s invited! Mckayla will send out a text with the directions!”
The crowd started cheering as Mckayla ran over to us. “What are you doing? She lives with her brother. Brandon is going to kill her!”
I was still processing what happened. I hadn’t considered Brandon yet, but it seemed like a good way to pay back everyone who were being so welcoming to me.
“He’ll be okay with it. He’s never said no to me before and I bet he’ll be happy I’m trying to meet people.”
As I said it I knew I was going to be in trouble. Mckayla’s face said she thought so too. It was too late to take it back so I decided to make the best of the rest of the night and face the wrath of Brandon tomorrow.
I walked down the beach needing to take a second to regroup before talking to people again. I noticed the lone figure was again facing the ocean, so I changed my direction to make my way to it. When I got closer I could tell it was a guy about six feet tall. He must have heard me since he turned my direction when I got a few yards away. He looked at me for a moment before his handsome face turned serious.
“Hi, I’m Aubrey I noticed you over here by yourself and I thought it would be easier to meet one person than try to take on that whole group.”
“I know who you are. I think the whole beach does now.” He turned back to the ocean. I probably should have taken that as a sign but I wasn’t willing to give up.
“So do you go to our school? The girls said most people here do but I guess you could go somewhere else, or be homeschooled, or maybe you graduated already . . .”
“You talk a lot.”
“Well you didn’t answer my question. You don’t have to be rude to someone just trying to talk to you.”
I turned and walked away from him just as a rogue wave hit the beach knocking me over. So much for grace and dignity. I felt strong hands reach around my waist lifting me up before I was dragged out into the ocean.
“You could have found a way to get my attention without throwing yourself out to sea.”
“I was not trying to get your attention! I just wasn’t expecting that. Thanks for your help but I’m fine now so you can let go of me.” He looked down at his hands that were still around my waist before practically pushing me away. I didn’t bother saying anything else to him before marching away.
“What happened to you?” Mckayla was the first to notice me walking back to the group but others turned when she yelled.
“I was getting warm so I decided to take a little dip.” There was no way I was going to tell her what happened with that jerk and give her more to laugh at.
“You should go change into some of my clothes then come back out there are still some people you should meet.” I tried not to groan as I walked back to her house. I was done meeting strangers and I just wanted the night to be over. Although in the morning I’ll have to talk to Brandon about the party, so maybe I should stretch this out.
The rest of the night was uneventful and a whirl of new faces. It was awkward having everyone know my name before I had a chance to learn theirs, but most people seemed to be really cool. I set a goal that tomorrow night I would try harder to remember everyone and maybe by school on Monday I would know some people.
Chapter 6
I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling dreading having to get up. I finally got home last night at two am after helping Mckayla clean up. I wanted to sleep all day, but I knew I had to talk to Brandon about tonight so I would have time to get everything ready. I stuck one leg out of bed. Then a few minutes later and after several pep talks on how brave I was I sat up and finally got out of bed.
I peeked into the living room conflicted about whether or not I wanted Brandon to be in there. I saw a mass on the couch and thought he was
sleeping until I noticed the blonde hair sticking out from the blanket. I shrieked as I jumped back assuming the sleeping stranger was either a murderer or robber. It made sense at the time when my heart was racing and my body was deciding between the fight or flight response. I compromised between the two. I ran to the kitchen to grab the nearest knife and held it to my chest as I waited for the stranger to move.
Slowly the lump stirred and sat up facing me. His face showed signs of sleep and he stared me down with a glare. For what? He grumbled something at me but I only caught, “who are you?”
He has the audacity to ask me who I was, in my own home. Who was this guy? I answered him as I slowly side stepped toward Brandon’s room. I didn’t want to spook him but I wanted my brother to kick this guy out. “I’m Aubrey.”
“Aubrey?”
“Who are you? And why are you on my couch?”
“Your couch?”
“Yes I live here!”
“You live here?”
“Stop repeating me and tell me who you are!” I held the knife in front of me ready for this crazy to come at me.
“Why is everyone yelling?” Finally Brandon decided to make an entrance. I turned to find him dragging his feet into the living the room rubbing his face with one hand and holding his glasses in the other. I looked at him realizing he must be completely blind without them on otherwise he would be freaking out too.
“Who is on our couch?”
“Oh I forgot to tell you Carter was meeting me over at the office to do some work late last night. You must have been asleep when we got here since I didn’t see you, and he stayed the night rather than driving back south.”
Carter sits up on the couch and I noticed he doesn’t have a shirt on. “Dude, you didn’t mention you were seeing anyone, let alone that some hot chick moved in with you!”
“Carter calm down! I told you my sister was going to be moving in with me. This is Aubrey. Aubrey you have now had the misfortune of meeting Carter, my business partner.”
“You said your little sister was moving in. You did not mention that she’s a little hot . . .”
“Stop talking! Aubrey is seventeen and way out of your league so keep your hands, even your eyes, off of her.”
Feeling more courageous now that Brandon was with me I glared down at him. “Yeah, like he has a chance with me. When was the last time you showered? You look like a bum and your grossness is all over my new pillows and blanket!”
Carter looked around him like he was seeing the new additions for the first time. “Oh you did this? Hmmm it looks nice, about time Brandon got some color in here.”
I laughed despite myself, but it was nice having someone else confirm what I told Brandon yesterday. One compliment on my décor and I felt myself softening toward him. I was easily bought, apparently.
“Thanks. I thought so too. He put up a fight, but I obviously won. Seriously though, what did you two do last night? You both look awful.”
“We went out.”
I looked at Brandon with my eyebrows raised. “Out? I didn’t know you did ‘out.’ I thought you were boring computer guy.”
“I let Carter drag me out every once in a while.”
“Speaking of out . . . were you guys planning on going to a party tonight?”
“No I don’t think so, why?”
This was the moment I have been dreading for twelve hours since I opened my big mouth. “Well I met some really cool people last night, and may have invited them to a party. Tonight. Here.”
“You invited strangers over for a party? Here?” Apparently he was as shocked as I was over the situation.
“It sort of came up, unexpectedly.” I held my breath waiting for Brandon to freak.
“I guess I should meet your friends so I know who you’re out with. Carter and I will call some of our friends and we will throw something together.”
“What?” I was shocked. Who was this guy? I don’t know if it was Carter’s influence or my brother had been replaced last night but I wasn’t going to question it. “Thanks, I’ll go let Mckayla know so she can let people know where we live. You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
“Yeah, of course Bree! I should have thought of it first. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there and meeting new friends.”
I put the knife back in the kitchen still watching him waiting for him to come to his senses. When he walked over to the couch and turned on the TV I ran into my room to tell Mckayla the party was on.
☀☀☀
That night everything was ready for the party thanks to Brandon and Carter. By the time I had gotten ready and decided on an outfit-black leggings, a shimmery champagne tunic and matching heels—the food and drinks were already set up on the island and the left over Christmas lights were strung on the balcony. They had music playing and the TV was set to the celebration in New York so we could watch the ball drop at midnight.
A few of their friends had begun showing up around nine and a half hour later my home was packed with people I didn’t recognize. I started to panic thinking Mckayla sent the wrong address then I realized she hadn’t shown up yet either. I moved toward my room when I saw two masses coming toward me through the crowd. Oh no! Here we go again. I moved as quickly as I could trying to weave my way through people, but I was too slow. Before I could make a noise I was lifted up and sitting on Donny’s shoulders.
“Here she is everyone! Told you this was the right party!”
Donny looked up at me, explaining they had mixed up the numbers and were wandering around the third floor before someone who knew Brandon told them he lived in the penthouse. I looked back toward the front door and saw an endless stream of teenagers; a few I recognized from last night, but the majority were strangers. Donny stalked toward them with me still on his shoulders, so I took advantage of this to greet everyone.
“Thanks for coming everyone! There is food and drinks in the kitchen and room out on the balcony!”
Brandon must have heard me yelling, or more likely he saw me eight feet in the air. “Hey Aubrey, are these your friends?”
He looked at Donny like he was slightly afraid of him or his size. I looked down at him wishing Donny would put me down but knowing that was unlikely at least until he found his next victim.
“Brandon this is Donny, he’s on the football team at school. Donny, this is my brother Brandon.” They did some fist bump/hand shake thing all guys seem to know as Donny began introducing the other people to me and Brandon. I was as overwhelmed as I was last night trying to remember everyone. Brandon seemed to handle the situation better, welcoming everyone before turning toward a group of his friends.
Finally, Mckayla walked in with Alexis and Talia behind her. She gave me an apologetic smile when she saw me still on Donny’s shoulders. She walked up and told him to put me down, amazingly he listened to her, and she gave me a hug followed by Talia then Alexis.
“We’re so sorry we’re late! Talia had a wardrobe malfunction then she changed and ended up matching Alexis, so Alexis had to change then I was the only one not wearing heels so I had to change into a different dress that went with these pumps.”
I smiled at her rambling. “I’m just grateful you guys are here. I don’t really know anyone else here besides Donny, I haven’t even seen Bear!”
I looked around for Brandon so he could meet the girls and saw him talking to Carter by the TV. I pulled them over and got his attention. ”These are Mckayla’s friends, Alexis and Talia. Guys this is my brother, Brandon and his business partner, Carter.”
Talia’s smile brightened up to a thousand watts when she looked at them. Well that’s concerning.
“Don’t be silly Aubrey! We’re your friends too!” She flipped her hair and continued looking directly at Brandon. This was too much for me to witness but as I turned to leave Carter caught my elbow.
“I wanted to apologize to you about this morning. I’m not normally that blunt. I was just confused and got mixed up and .
. .”
I cut him off before he could finish. “It’s alright Carter. I was the one holding a knife directed at you so let’s call it even and forget about it.”
My knees went weak as his smile grew. I must have been so stressed this morning I completely missed how gorgeous he is. He was about the same height as Brandon but more filled out. The shirt he wore stretched across his broad shoulders and clung to his biceps, he definitely works out. His blonde hair was longer on top and styled perfectly without looking like he spent much time on it. I realized I was staring but I couldn’t make myself look away from his perfect face and crystal blue eyes. Either he noticed—or I was making him uncomfortable—since he cleared his throat.
“By the way you look great Aubrey. I still have a hard time believing you’re seventeen.”
I didn’t know what to say to that so I just smiled as I pulled Talia away from my brother and the other two followed. I tried to strut it as I walked in case he was watching me but I ended up leaning on Mckayla to keep from fainting. My thoughts shocked me. How could I possibly be thinking about another guy after everything that happened? Plus, there was no way Brandon would let him anywhere near me. I couldn’t deny I felt something when he looked in my eyes. I would have to go about this carefully.
For the rest of the night we stuck together dancing and laughing. Midnight snuck up and the crowd started chanting the countdown. “9–8-7–6-5–4-3–2-1-Happy New Year!”
I smiled at my friends and decided to leave behind everything that had happened and start over new.
Chapter 7
One night was not enough time to recover from the New Year’s party, the crowd began to thin around two but it didn’t end until five that morning. The girls had stayed the night all cramming into my bed. Luckily, we were all so tired none of us noticed how crowded it was. We finally woke around one that afternoon and stumbled into the kitchen on a hunt for food. Brandon and Carter were slumped on the couch with a bag of chips between them and sandwiches on their laps. They looked over at us at the same time laughing at how haggard we looked. Talia blushed but remained strong and walked toward the fridge pulling out orange juice as I set out four cups.
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