Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
B riar
“Thanks for rooming with me,” I say to Taylor as we unpack our suitcases. We are meeting up with our group in the lobby and heading out to the beach together in twenty minutes. I know she may have preferred to room with Hawk.
“No problem.” Taylor shrugs. “I don’t think these rooming arrangements are going to last anyway. You know what I mean? Besides, I saw you and Aaron on the plane; there’s chemistry there.”
My eyes pop at her statement. “I do not have chemistry with Aaron Murray.” I accentuate each word.
“Okay, yeah, sure,” she replies sarcastically.
“I was practically having a nervous breakdown on the flight. I thought we were going to crash.”
“And Aaron came to your rescue. He’s into you. You’re a lucky bitch. Aaron is superhot.”
“I’m not hooking up with Aaron,” I clarify. End of story. I find my bikini and head to the bathroom.
“Whatever,” Taylor mutters.
The truth is I am super attracted to Aaron. I think of the night he helped me clean off my car from all the snow. He was a real gentleman. Everything about him is drawing me to him, from the way he looks, to how sweet he was being on the plane. But I’m nobody’s fool. Aaron may want in my pants, but I know better than to sleep with a player. Even if we are on vacation and no-strings hookups are expected.
I slip on my black bikini and give myself a silent pep talk. No matter what happens, I need to keep my wits about me. Just think of Aaron as enemy number one. There is no way he can squirm his way into your bed because you see him for what he is. A jock with no heart, who is only out for fun.
I leave the bathroom to see Taylor is ready to head out. I grab my jean shorts and tank top and slip them over my bikini. I put on my hat and sunglasses and grab my purse, along with sunscreen.
“Ready?” Taylor asks.
“Lead the way,” I say to her.
We leave our room and bump into Aaron and Levi just outside our door. “Lookee here, we’re neighbors,” Aaron notes.
“Just great,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that, Briar?” he asks. His skin has a natural tan. He’s wearing a tank top and what looks like a shorts-style bathing suit. His muscles go on for days, and his flop of dirty-blond hair falls a bit into his eyes, but it’s those glowing green eyes that make me feel like I am drowning.
I blink. “Nothing.” I walk a head of everyone.
“Hey, wait up,” Aaron calls out, easily catching up to me.
We bump into Ivy and Lynsey at the elevator.
“How are your rooms?” Lynsey asks.
“Ours is nice. We have a partial ocean view,” I say, which was unexpected because when we paid, it said our rate included a city view room.
“We lucked out too with the partial ocean view,” Aaron adds.
Levi high-fives him.
We all get onto the elevator.
“I’m starving,” Levi announces.
“Me too,” Aaron replies.
“I could eat something,” Taylor adds.
Lynsey is looking at her phone. “Lennon and Sofia said we should meet the group in the lobby restaurant for lunch.”
Everyone nods.
“I’m making a group chat so we can all stay on the same page,” Levi says.
We head out to meet everyone at the restaurant. There is a large buffet set up for lunch.
We all load up our plates and sit around a table together. The place is very tropical and the restaurant is overlooking the ocean. I’ve never been to a place like this, and it all feels very dreamy.
“This is so beautiful,” I note, taking in my surroundings instead of the food.
“You better eat. You’ll need your energy for today’s activities,” Aaron says to me.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You don’t need to worry about my energy or my plans for the day.”
“Whoa, chill. We signed everyone up for water sports after lunch,” he declares and then he narrows his eyes on me just like I did to him a moment before. He leans into me. “Were you thinking I was suggesting energy for some private activities? Because that isn’t what I meant, but if your mind went there maybe that should tell you something.”
His hot breath brushes my cheek. I feel a small clench between my thighs but it doesn’t last because my shield goes up.
“You’re effing crazy,” I reply.
He chuckles and it’s deep and throaty. “I don’t know why but I like causing a reaction out of you, even if it’s negative.”
He goes back to eating the roast beef on his plate.
“That sounds really messed up,” I inform him.
“Nah, I just find your prickly personality a turn-on. I’m a glutton for punishment.” He winks.
I roll my eyes and go back to eating the chicken breast and salad on my plate. I don’t know why Aaron chose to sit beside me. He’s annoying.
After lunch we all head to the beach. I’m walking beside Ivy when she says, “You clearly want him.”
“Huh, who?” I ask.
She gives me a look that says, “who am I trying to fool?”
“I don’t want Aaron. He’s being annoying is all,” I counter.
“He’s a nice guy,” she says.
“How would you know?” I ask her.
“He’s sat in my section late at night by himself. He isn’t just some dense hockey jock with no personality. There’s more to him,” she says, sounding so sure.
“So he doesn’t just hook up with a girl and move on?” I question.
“No, that’s exactly what he does, but I bet he’s amazing in bed. I bet he could deliver multiple orgasms,” she continues.
I stop walking mid-step. “Does everyone on the trip know about me now?” I ask, referring to the fact I have never experienced an orgasm.
“Kind of.” She winces. “Just trying to be a good friend, Briar.”
“Gah, I do appreciate you, but I don’t need everyone worrying about my sex life. Trust me. I’ve got it under control,” I assure my friend.
Ivy raises her brows. “If you say so. I’ve got my sight set on Simon. Hopefully that pans out.”
“Good luck,” I say as we walk up to a shack on the beach that says water sports.
A guy named Gus is working in the shack. He greets us with what sounds like an Aussie accent.
Taylor tells him she would like to go windsurfing and then Hawk says we should all take turns and go parasailing.
“I prefer to not be air bound. I’ll stick with windsurfing,” I say to Gus.
Gus laughs. “Sure thing.”
“You’re air bound when you do those things in gymnastics,” Aaron notes.
“I’m still in control,” I reply.
“Ah, so you’re one of those,” Aaron states.
“Excuse me?” I ask, feeling my hackles rising.
“A control freak,” he answers.
He isn’t wrong, but I don’t like being called one.
I narrow my eyes at Aaron, growl, and walk away. “Wait a second, pretty lady,” Gus says. “I need to help you with your windsurfer.”
Gus guides me to an area where the windsurfers are being stored.
Gus lifts a windsurfer and carries it over to the water. “You know I used to be a control freak too,” he tells me. “I gave up my suit and moved to this island. I never looked back.”
“I’m not a control freak, Gus,” I reply. “Aaron is just. . .”
“He wants you. . . I could see it too. Do you not feel the same?” he asks. Gus looks to be in his forties. He’s a good-looking man for his age.
“It’s not that. Aaron is a player. That’s not my thing,” I say to this stranger.
“Eh, you’re young. How do you know what your thing is? It’s better to have lots of experiences to figure yourself out,” he says. “The best thinking I do is out on the water. You think you are in control of your movements, but then a big wave can knock you out or the wind moving in another direction can throw you off your rhythm. That’s what I love about water sports. It makes you realize you aren’t really in control after all.”
Gus is trying to teach me life lessons along with windsurfing.
“I should come out with you for the first try,” he suggests. “You’ll want to keep your legs about a hips width a part and have a little bend in your knees.”
“I’ve never windsurfed before but I’m pretty athletic,” I say to Gus.
Nolan walks by. “She’s a professional gymnast,” he tells Gus.
“Ah, makes sense,” Gus says.
I’ve signed up for a therapy lesson, not a windsurfing lesson.
“Gymnastics requires I aim for perfection,” I tell him as if that’s explanation enough.
“And yet, does perfection really exist?” Gus counters.
Oh boy. I just want to get out on the water.
“Okay, I see I’ve gotten a little too deep for you.” He chuckles. “Let’s get a life jacket on you. I assume you can swim?”
“I can,” I confirm.
“Good,” he says.
Nolan and Levi pull up beside me and Gus hooks them up with a windsurfer too. They’ve both done this before, so they slip on their life jackets and head out on to the water.
“Okay, well, if you need me. I’ll be in the shack,” Gus says.
“Thank you,” I say to him. I watch Nolan and Levi head out on to the water. I’m a visual learner, so I watch how they pull on the sail part of the windsurfer and take off. With my life jacket on, I try to follow the same steps they took. The other girls are all getting on the boat to go parasailing. Aaron went along with them, which is nice because I need to keep my distance from him. My attraction to him is visceral. I’m picky when it comes to guys. I usually don’t feel this kind of chemical reaction in my body. I don’t like it.
The first time I try to get up on the sail, I fall into the water. I think that maybe I made a mistake not taking Gus up on his offer of a lesson. After a little self-pep talk, I try again. Gymnastics is the kind of sport where you fall a lot before you get the hang of things. Quitting was never an option for me. I get back up. My knee is a little scuffed, but I am standing on the board and it feels good.
My sail catches the wind. I glide across the water. The warmth of the air and the way the board moves effortlessly through the water brings a smile to my face. Even though I have good friends back in Riverside, and I am close with my teammates on the gymnastics team, there is a part of me who’s a bit of a loner. I spend a lot of time on my own and in my head. Levi and Nolan pass me. They don’t wave but I get a head nod from each of them. I wouldn’t dare let go of my sail. I’d probably end up in the water. I watch the rest of the group board the boat and then they head out into deeper waters.
I’m bored so I head back to the beach. I remove the life jacket. I hear someone clapping so I turn around. “Good for you, beautiful.” It’s Gus. “Are you calling it a day?”
“Thanks, yeah,” I admit.
I thank Gus for his help and walk back to the hotel pool. The thing is huge. I find a lounge chair. I take off my shorts and tank top and lie back on a lounge chair, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my skin.
I hear a whistle. “Looking fine, Briar.”
I crack an eye open. It’s Nolan, and Levi is with him.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Mind if we snag the chairs beside you?” he asks.
“Feel free,” I tell them.
“Was that your first time windsurfing?” Levi asks.
“Yes,” I reply.
“Damn, you were good,” Nolan adds.
A waitress comes by and we order drinks. The guys get alcohol, and I order a Sprite.
“Come on, we’re on vacation. You need to let loose,” Levi encourages.
I frown. “Do you ever let loose, Briar? All I hear when you’re at work is how you go from class to gymnastics practice to Black Jack’s. You need to have fun while you’re young.”
“If you think about that theory, it doesn’t make sense. If you’re having so much fun when you’re young, how do you prepare yourself for adulthood? You know, a degree, making money?” I ask.
“There needs to be balance. I get good grades in school,” Nolan states.
“I also do,” Levi says. “But I don’t want to look back on my college days and not remember the good times.”
“Okay, guys, I get what you’re saying. So, what do you suggest?” I ask.
The guys look at each other and nod. I am friends with both of them and we hang out at work, so I feel comfortable with them.
When the waitress brings their drinks, Nolan asks, “Can I get a sex on the beach for my lovely friend here and three shots of tequila?”
“Sorry, the tequila shots aren’t part of the all-inclusive,” the waitress explains.
“I’ll cover it,” Nolan assures.
Levi whistles. “Let the party begin.”
“Should I be reading in to your choice of drink for me?” I ask Nolan.
He pinches his index finger and thumb together. “Just a little bit.”
Just great. Everyone is concerned by my lack of orgasms now.
By the time everyone gets back from parasailing, the guys and I have joined some of the other hotel guests who have made a makeshift dance floor by the pool. I’m only about three shots in plus the sex on the beach, but I am feeling good.
“What did we miss out on?” Taylor asks, watching us.
“We can join them,” Hawk says, looping a hand around her waist and whispering against her ear. Taylor begins to dance with Hawk.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I should feel self-conscious dancing in my bikini, but I’m not.
“Damn, Briar, look at you,” Aaron says. He starts dancing but doesn’t touch me. My skin prickles from his closeness. He moves in and whispers, “Is it because of me that you’re giving up control?”
His comment rubs me the wrong way. Yes, him calling me a control freak didn’t sit right with me. I want to let loose but I feel like I’ve trained myself not to. I won’t give him the satisfaction though.
I lean into him as I continue to dance. He moves his hips in rhythm with mine. We still aren’t touching, when I lean forward he licks his lips, and I whisper, “In your dreams.”
That causes his face to fall. I move away from him and begin to dance with Nolan. There is no chemistry between us. At least not on my end, so it feels good to just let loose with someone I trust. We dance quite a bit. I may be bumping and grinding a little with Nolan but it’s all in good fun. When Aaron walks away from the group and heads to the bar, I worry I may have offended him but that would require him to have a heart. To actually care.
We dance for a while more and then we head up to our rooms to shower before meeting for dinner.
I realize when I take off my bikini that I forgot to put on sunscreen and my skin is burned. Taylor loans me some aloe vera, which provides me with some relief. After my shower, I slip on a wine-colored sundress. It’s a halter-top dress and it leaves my shoulders exposed. I brush out my hair and leave it to air dry.
When Taylor goes to shower, I lie on my bed and chill for a bit. I scroll through my phone and see some weird posts popping up about Annie and Cade. I wonder what it’s all about, but then Taylor is ready, so we head down to the lobby to meet everyone for dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort.
At dinner we are throwing back wine and eating delicious food. I’ve never been on a vacation like this before and it feels good.
“What’s the plan for after dinner?” Simon asks.
“We should go to one of the clubs,” Ivy suggests.
Everyone around the table seems to be down with the idea. I’ve never been to a club. I hang out with friends at a bar or go for coffee, but I’ve never really done the dancing thing. I’m not about to announce that at the table, so I nod along with everyone else.
By the time we are done with dinner, everyone is feeling good from all the wine. We take a taxi to a nearby club.
We all head inside and everyone goes to the bar to do some shots. I’m done after one shot because I don’t want to spend more money on this trip. I wait for everyone to finish up their shots so I stand a little off to the side.
Aaron notices me standing off to the side and he walks over to me.
“Aren’t you having more shots?” he asks.
“One is good enough for me,” I reply.
“I hear you. I don’t drink much during the season,” he says.
“But I see you at Black Jack’s all the time,” I retort.
“Ah, so you’ve noticed me.” He grins.
I roll my eyes.
“I order carbonated water and food,” he explains. “Usually one of the guys in the hockey house cooks dinner but sometimes I like a second dinner, and I don’t know how to cook,” he explains with a crooked smile that makes him seem charming.
“Black Jack’s does have good food,” I agree because he is being friendly, and I don’t want to come off as being too bitchy, which I’m not, just guarded.
The group finishes drinking and heads out to the dance floor. Since they are dancing in a group I join them, but I’m not having as much fun as they are. I start to yawn and walk over to Taylor to say I’m heading back to the hotel. I’d rather lie in bed and just relax. It isn’t often that I have nothing to do.
“Are you sure you want to take a cab back to the hotel by yourself?” Taylor asks.
Aaron hears the question. “I can cab back with you.”
“That isn’t necessary,” I say to him.
“Look, you’re a young beautiful girl. I would feel better if I tagged along and made sure you were safe.” Him calling me beautiful causes a flush to crawl up my cheeks, and it is nice of him to offer to take me back. On the way here our driver wanted to sell us drugs from the front seat of his car so it may not be so safe. Even though I’m used to taking care of myself. “Come on, Briar. There isn’t a whole lot to think about.”
“Okay, thanks,” I concede. I would feel safer if he came back to the hotel with me.
We say bye to everyone. Taylor waggles her brows at me, insinuating something may happen with Aaron, but that is definitely not the plan.
We head out of the club and Aaron flags down the first cab waiting in a line. He holds the door open for me and we get into the back seat.
“What’s your story, Briar?” he asks.
I giggle. “That isn’t a real question.”
“Okay, let’s start with where are you from?” He smiles.
“A small town in Michigan,” I reply. “And you?” I ask since he’s nice enough to escort me back to the hotel.”
“Lots of places really. My dad was a hockey player too. We moved around a lot, but my family finally settled in Grand Locke, Michigan,” he says.
“Nice. Now it’s my turn. Why did you want to leave the club now? I thought you would be more interested in partying,” I say.
“I didn’t realize this was a game,” Aaron replies, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Why do I have to be so awkward?
“It isn’t. I just figured since you were asking questions it was fair game,” I retort.
“To answer your question, I left because I have a lot on my mind. I’m usually interested in partying but not tonight,” he says vaguely.
“Why aren’t you interested in partying?” he asks.
“I’m not much of a party person. I’m usually training on the team, doing schoolwork, and working at Black Jack’s.”
“So, you never let loose,” he says.
“I hang out with friends.” He isn’t being judgmental, just inquisitive, so I indulge his questions.
“Is partying hard on your bucket list?” he asks.
“I’d rather not discuss my bucket list,” I reply, rubbing my hand over my other arm. We arrive to the hotel and Aaron pays for the cab. “It’s okay, I got it,” I say.
“No, Briar it’s on me,” he argues.
We leave the cab and head into the lobby. Since he is staying in the room next to mine, we also wait for the elevator together. He’s wearing a white polo that looks bright against his tanned skin. His eyes also seem brighter too. Aaron is an extremely handsome guy. I’m not used to getting this kind of attention from a guy like him.
“Your bucket list has intrigued me though,” he says. “I’d like to wake you up tomorrow before dawn and take you to watch the sunrise. I bet it would be beautiful to watch over the water.”
He isn’t wrong.
I watch him, trying to understand his motives.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I reply.
“Why the heck not?” he asks.
“For starters, we have good friends who are dating. Charlie is important to me; I can tell you’re close with Finn. It’s important for us to get along,” I explain.
“And second?” he replies.
My brows furrow.
“You said for starters, so I thought there was more,” he replies.
“Something is brewing between Cade and Annie,” I say.
“You mean their fake relationship?” he asks and then slaps a hand across his mouth. “You didn’t hear that.”
“Relax, I already know,” I assure him.
“Nice, keeping a secret for your friend,” I chide.
“Honestly, I know how close you are with Annie, I assumed you’d know, but then I realized I shouldn’t make assumptions,” he explains. “Now, I don’t think it’s a big deal watching a sunrise together. It might help me clear my head.”
I don’t ask him what he means but watching the sunrise does seem therapeutic.
“Okay,” I say as I reach the door to my room. “What time do you want to meet?”
“Let me check what time sunrise is here,” he says, pulling out his phone from his cream-colored chinos. “It says six thirty. I’ll come by your room.”
“Sure. I’ll set an alarm,” I tell him.
“Have a good night, Briar. I’ll meet you in the hall at ten after six.”
“Okay, you too.” I slip into my room and close the door. My heart is beating fast, my face feels flushed, and my body feels warm. Aaron is probably one of the best-looking guys I have ever seen, but I shouldn’t be reacting this way. I let out a long breath and slip out of my dress and into a pair of pajamas, which are a matching shorts and T-shirt set.
I yawn but I’m not ready to get into bed yet. I figure I’ll go sit out on the balcony. With the partial ocean view, I can watch the waves rolling over the shore.
I open the blinds and I’m about to open the door when I spot Aaron sitting on the chair on his balcony, drinking a beer. I quickly shut the blinds before he notices me. Why does he have to be everywhere I turn? I slip into bed instead and watch some Netflix, but I can’t get Aaron out of my head. Why has he taken a sudden interest in me? We’ve been out with our friends in Riverside together as a group. We didn’t really speak to each other. Did I notice he was hot? It would be hard not to. The guys on the hockey team get a lot of attention.
It’s something the athletes on the gymnastics team aren’t used to. Besides, the last thing I need is to fall for a hockey player.