Some Way

by Tiffany Jade

  "Wake up asshole! It’s time to go," Dax yells in my ear and starts smacking me with a pillow.

  "Fuck off," I moan, rolling over trying to go back to sleep.

  "Nope! Get yo ass up, we going to the beach!" Dax's cheeriness does nothing to make me want to move, but I know he won't leave me alone if I don't get up, so I begrudgingly sit up. He's already running around the hotel room in his black swim trunks, collecting towels and a few bottles of water, throwing them into a bag. He flips around and throws my black trunks at me. I head to the bathroom, splashing water on my face to wake up before brushing my teeth.

  Beach day with Aaron...yay.

  Deciding if I'm going to ignore or go for Liv...more yay.

  D interrupts my thoughts, barging into the bathroom.

  "Let's go dude." He throws my slides, snapback, and sunglasses at me and heads for the door. "And remember to stay the fuck away from Aaron's girl, yeah?" I slip my sunglasses on and nod.

  "Yeah."

  After a long ass drive Dax finally pulls into a dirt parking lot, landing next to a yellow Camaro. According to him we were meeting the group at their 'hidden spot,' glancing around I had to give them credit, the place was pretty cool.

  The dirt lot we were in branched off to a walking sand path that led to a pretty large section of beach. We could see everyone down there already, most of the guys throwing a football around, shocker I know.

  A few people were out in the water and a few were chilling in fold out chairs in the sand. My eyes locked onto a tiny little brunette in cut off shorts and a white tank. Her tan skin standing out against the white, her laughter floating up to me as she threw her head back at something her friend was saying. She was in a much better mood today it looked like.

  I couldn't help the clenching of my jaw as I watched Aaron walk up to her and wrap his arms around her, he planted a kiss on her cheek and she grinned up at him.

  "You good bro?" D throws an elbow at me as he walks up to me. I unclench my jaw and smirk at him.

  "Hell yeah, let’s go." Reaching up I adjust my snapback and begin to head for the beach with Dax following close behind.

  "Daxon! Grayson! You guys made it!" Aaron notices us walking down the path and lets Liv go to jog towards us with his hand raised in a wave. I notice the look of shock on Liv's face as her eyes land on me. Aaron sticks his hand out towards me. "No hard feelings 'bout last night bro?" he asks me. I look at him confused. "You know, my drunk ass coming at you for trying to get me to play the game...?" Aaron explains. AH, I reach for his hand and see the relief wash over him as he pumps it up and down in a shake.

  "It's all good dude," I tell him, not like I had this hand you're shaking all over your girl last night or anything--nope, we cool. He smiles at me again before reaching over to grab Dax's hand too. "Well Grayson, you left early, why don't you come meet the rest of the crew, and officially meet the girl who helped me beat your ass in pong." We all start walking again and he leads us over to where Liv is standing, she only looks slightly pissed off. That's a good start to my day.

  "You know, the boy may be dumber than a box of rocks, but he looks damn good with his shirt off," Jenna jokes as we watch Aaron and his friends toss a football around. I throw my head back in laughter. She's not wrong. He must have noticed us laughing though because he heads over to us and wraps me up in a hug.

  "What's so funny babe?" he asks, kissing my cheek.

  "Oh, Jenna just telling me about some of the convos she eavesdropped on at the party last night." I cover for her, smiling up at him. He grins back. Something catches his eye over my shoulder and he lets me go.

  "Daxon! Grayson! You guys made it!"

  No fucking way. I flip around and sure enough my eyes are met with a cocky grin from Grayson. Jenna had said they would probably be around, but I hadn't expected to see him so soon.

  God damn if that boy wasn't gorgeous. He was wearing black swim trunks with a white t-shirt, and a white snapback on his head.

  I watch as they chat with Aaron for a bit, Grayson's eyes keep glancing over at me. After a minute they all begin to head in my direction. Nope. That's a whole lotta nope.

  "Uh, I'll be right back," I tell Jenna, quickly turning and heading for the water. She grabs my arm to stop me.

  "You can't avoid him forever," she whispers as they get closer.

  "Watch me." I yank my arm away and try to leave again.

  "Babe! Wait!" Aaron's voice shouts in my direction.

  Fuck.

  I turn around slowly, Grayson's smirk pissing me off. Aaron stands beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulders as the twins stop in front of me.

  "Daxon, Grayson, this is my girl, Liv," he squeezes me and turns his head to me. "Babe, Daxon and Grayson, or as you called them last night, 'The Losers,'" he chuckles at his joke. I force a smile. Daxon reaches his hand out, I give him a quick shake and drop my hand back to my side.

  "Nice to officially meet you Liv, call me Dax or D," he says with a smile.

  "Nice to meet you too Dax," I nod at him. Grayson sticks his hand out. I stare at it.

  "Liv," he nods towards his hand, Aaron gives me a weird look. Well yeah, let's make it obvious Liv. I quickly give Grayson my hand.

  "Nice to meet you, Queen." He squeezes my hand as he says it and subtly rubs his thumb in a little circle. Aaron starts laughing again.

  "She wishes," Aaron responds. Grayson takes his eyes off of me and looks at Aaron, his jaw clenching.

  Welp, gotta blast!

  I take my hand from Grayson's grip. "Yeah, so nice to meet you boys, I've gotta go. Over there. Somewhere," I wave behind me somewhere.

  Turning around I flinch as Aaron pats me on the butt. Biting my tongue and taking a deep breath I keep walking. I hear them continue the introductions with Jenna and the rest of the group that are on the beach as I head for the water.

  Deciding I need the escape I slip out of my tank top, tossing it to the side I then bend down to pull my shorts off. I catch Grayson staring as I slide them down.

  Lovely.

  I can feel the heat in my cheeks as his eyes move from my ass to my face. He shoots a wink in my direction. Damn, it’s hot out here today.

  I quickly stand up and head for the water. Calming down right away as the waves gently lap towards me. I head out to the outcropping of rocks near the shore that make this our favorite beach, it creates a perfect little pool, perfect for relaxing…or hiding from very attractive, really not good for you, clearly bad, boys.

  Gently stepping around the stones I sit down in the water and relax against one of the larger stones. Closing my eyes, I start taking deep breaths. It’s just an infatuation. Let it go.

  That ass though... I watch as Liv runs away from me, only to stop and take her clothes off.

  As she bends over I catch her eye and wink, after shooting me a glare she stands up and heads for the water.

  Like I wasn't supposed to watch, yeah okay.

  "That cool Gray?" D's voice pulls me out of my trance of watching her.

  "Hmm?" I focus back on the group standing around me. Aaron is giving me an angry look.

  Say something fucker, I dare you.

  I keep my eyes on his, and smirk as he quickly backs down. Smarter than he looks that one. Dax clears his throat so I turn to look at him.

  "They need more beer but have already been drinking, I'm gonna take Aaron and Jenna and make a run. Cool?" D pulls his keys out as he lets me in on the plan.

  "Ya bro, no problem." I wave them off as they head for Dax's truck.

  Seeing everyone else around is busy doing their own thing, I sit in the sand and look out towards Liv again.

  She's landed herself in a pretty sweet natural pool out in the ocean. I’m staring and honestly don’t give a fuck if anyone sees.

  She has her head tipped back so the sun can warm her face. Her extended neck teases me with thoughts of wrapping my hand around it while I... fuck this.

  I turn and make sure D has left with lo
ver boy before standing up and pulling my shirt off. I throw my phone, hat and wallet down and head for the water.

  "Looking good there, Queen." Took him long enough to say something.

  I'd kept my eyes closed while I heard him wading up to join me. He'd been standing in front of me for a couple of minutes, enjoying the view I hope.

  "What do you want, Grayson?" I finally give up and look at him.

  Sweet Jesus, what is that man made out of? I can't stop my eyes from looking him up and down. Finding myself entranced as droplets of water run down his tan, chiseled, stomach.

  He grins as he watches my eyes before settling down in the water across from me.

  "Just the pleasure of your company." He relaxes against his own rock.

  "Mhmm," I murmur, rolling my eyes at him. He chuckles.

  "For real Liv, let’s be friends." His face turns serious as he meets my eyes.

  "Friends?" I slide my sunglasses off the top of my head to cover my eyes, he doesn't need to know I keep watching his muscles as he moves his arms in the water.

  "Yeah, friends...you know...people who like talk...and maybe hang out...I don't know, I've never been friends with a girl before."

  Wow, the cocky Grayson looks...unsure of himself? He stares down at his hands and now it’s my turn to chuckle.

  "You've never been friends with a girl?" The unsure look on his face disappears as he looks up at me, aaaaand fuckboy Grayson is back.

  "Most girls don't want me for that," he licks his lips and looks right at mine. My eyes instantly roll again so he begins to laugh again.

  "For real though, I just want to get to know you, you seem chill. I just moved here I could use a friend." He shoots me a smile, a real smile. And I can't help but to smile back. I scoot closer to him and stick my hand out.

  "Friends than." He takes my hand and shakes it.

  Hook.

  Line.

  Sinker.

  I'm in.

  Chapter 4

  "Fucking PIVOT, bro!" Jenna and I jump as a muffled shout comes from outside the door of our apartment as we sit at our kitchen table enjoying our first day of summer break.

  Finals had been a bitch, but I had done well so I was going to enjoy every moment of the time before school started back up again.

  "The hell?!" Jenna stands with her coffee cup in hand and heads for the door. She sticks her head out to see what is going on. Her eyes widen as she looks down the hall and she quickly slams the door shut. "No fucking way."

  "What?!" I stand up quickly and head for the door.

  "Well, we finally got new neighbors across the hall." The apartment across from us had been empty for a couple months now. Our landlord had told us he thought he had new tenants coming in so I don't understand why she's so surprised. I motion for her to move away from the door and open it myself to peek outside.

  Just in time to see Grayson and Daxon walking their couch into their new apartment.

  "Did you buy the heaviest damn couch they had?" Dax asks me as we set the grey sectional down at an angle in the living room.

  "Yes, I specifically asked them to give me the one that would make my brother bitch the most when we moved in." I flip him off as I head back to the door to grab more stuff.

  As soon as I step out into the hall I'm stopped dead in my tracks by a very confused looking Liv. Quickly looking her up and down I grin at her morning look. She’s standing in front of me bare foot, with hot pink painted toes, tight black shorts hugging every curve, an oversize white Champion hoodie, black framed glasses resting on her makeup free face and a messy bun haphazardly laying on top of her head. She's fucking gorgeous.

  Wait, tell me our father did not get us an apartment across from Aaron, please be her apartment.

  "Good morning Queen." I close the distance between us and peek over her shoulder into her open door. Lots of pink and gray. Oh God, and sparkly things, lots of sparkly things. I think I'm good.

  Jenna pops up behind her and waves. I wave back and look back down at Liv.

  "Um good morning?" Liv finally answers me.

  "Hey there new neighbors!" D comes up behind me, he quickly hugs each girl and comes back to stand next to me.

  "What are you guys doing?" Liv asks, still looking confused, or is that worry?

  "Uhhh, moving in," D tells her with a laugh. "What are the odds right? You guys wanna help?" Liv tilts her head and looks up at me.

  "It'd be a 'friendly' thing to do," I whisper to her with a wink. She chuckles and rolls her eyes.

  "Sure," she responds. She glances down at herself, "Just let me go change and we will come help, you boys want coffee?"

  "God yes!" both D and I quickly answer, earning another laugh from her.

  "Alright, give us a few minutes." She heads back into her apartment and Dax and I head back to the truck for our next load.

  "So," I stop in front of D as we get outside. "On a scale from one to ten, how bad do you think it would be if I –" he smacks me upside the head before I can even finish my sentence.

  "At least a twenty headass, don't even think about fucking her. I will actually kill you. Painfully. Permanently. I know where you sleep."

  "But—" I rub my head where he clocked me, fucker has been working out.

  "No Grayson. I'm not kidding. We do a lot of dumb shit when it comes to girls but stay away from her, I'm not dealing with girl crazy across the hall for however long Dad has us stuck in this hellhole." Dax glares at me before reaching into the back of the truck and grabbing a box. I look back towards the building and run my hand through my hair. I notice D's eyes back on me. He shifts the box to one arm and pats me on the shoulder.

  "She's a bad idea, bro."

  "I know."

  But I like bad ideas.

  "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck me running!" Jenna bursts out laughing as I yell once I get to my room.

  "I'm sure he gladly would." I can hear her begin making another pot of coffee in the kitchen. I throw myself down on my bed, facedown.

  After a couple of minutes, I hear her footsteps as she comes into my room. "Don't be so extra Liv, he's just a boy." She sits down next to me as I roll over.

  "Have you seen him?!" she starts laughing again.

  "He is pretty isn't he?" She pauses and tilts her head, "I think Dax is hotter though." Now I'm the one laughing.

  "See, we are both screwed!" She lays down next to me with a sigh.

  "No, you are screwed. You have a boyfriend, I'm single as a Pringle and ready to mingle. Or ready to have dirty, back scratching, choke me daddy, make the neighbors call the cops--"

  "OKAY I GET IT!" A knock at the door thankfully distracts me from the images Jenna has just placed in my head. "Shit, you go get the door, I still need to change." I quickly stand up and head for my closet.

  "Yes, your majesty." Jenna bows with a sarcastic grin as she heads out of my room.

  "Coffee?!" I hear Grayson ask as she opens the door. I shake my head as I pick out my clothes.

  Living next to them is going to be an adventure. I decide on some simple cut-off shorts and a red crop top to help the boys move in. I head into my bathroom to fix my hair and upon noticing myself in the mirror I want to scream. Great look Liv, just blow him away with that bedhead.

  Shaking my head at myself I pull my hair tie out and try to tame the crazy into a high ponytail. I head back out into my room to search for some shoes but as I'm bent over feeling for my right slide under my bed, I feel large hands grip my waist. I quickly stand up and find myself once again pressed up against the hard wall of Grayson's chest.

  "Can we maybe be, best friends?" he whispers into my ear as his hands tighten on my hips. I have to stop the moan from leaving my lips at the sound of his husky whisper and the feel of his body pressed up against mine. Oh the things I bet he can do with those hands he has laying on my waist.

  STOP IT. I quickly move out of his hands.

  "Best friends don't do that Grayson!" I scold him as I quickly grab my shoes
and slide them on. He sits on my bed and gives me the cutest puppy dog pout I've ever seen.

  He's quite the sight right now, his big muscular frame, tattoos peeking through his shorts and down his arms, sitting on my pink comforter surrounded by furry and sequined pillows. I shake my head at him, but I can’t fight the smile on my face.

  "I told you, I've never done this before!" He tries to defend himself, continuing with the pout.

  "Your puppy dog eyes have no power over me mister," I inform him as I grab a pillow and smack him playfully with it. He stands up with another pillow in his hand.

  "You sure about that?" he asks with a smirk, right before he throws the pillow at me and runs back into the kitchen. "Let's go Liv, we got lots of stuff to move!"

  "You guys have so much stuff." Liv sighs as she throws herself down on the couch next to Jenna. I grab some waters out of the fridge and throw them to them.

  "Oh, it wasn't that bad," I tell them as I sit on the floor next to Dax.

  "You girls better rest up for the party," D speaks in between drinks of his water. Liv glances over with a surprised look on her face.

  "Party?" she asks.

  "We gotta throw a house warming party." I shrug, "And you're coming so don't even try to get out of it. We already invited everyone else and they are coming." I pull out my phone to show her all the texts coming in of people saying they will be there. Aaron's name pops up right as she looks over. Was that a disappointed look? Oh shut up Grayson, it’s her boyfriend she wouldn't be disappointed he was coming.

  "What time?" Jenna asks as she finishes off her water and heads towards the kitchen to throw it away. She starts to head for the door, signaling at Liv to get up.

  "Nine, so you girls have plenty of time to get ready." Dax laughs at Jenna's rush to get out the door. Liv hasn't moved so she walks over and pulls her up and guides her to the door.