Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
B riar
After watching the sunrise this morning, the rest of the day went by in a blur. How could it not? Watching the sunrise over the stunning aqua blue waters, hearing the soft brush of waves along the shore; it was all so tranquil. But what really had me stumped was the way Aaron opened up to me. He was wearing his emotions on his sleeve. I was not expecting that kind of depth to him. And when he told me his mom was sick, my heart stopped beating for a minute. He is clearly close with her and loves her very much. His parents’ relationship sounds like it came directly out of a fairy-tale book. I was sure that those were make believe.
Beneath his cocky bravado was a boy who loves his mother and family. A man in pain. He needed this trip more than any of us. I feel bad now for thinking he didn’t belong.
After a day of suntanning, drinking, and taking walks down the beach, I am back in my room getting ready for dinner tonight.
“When I got up to go to the bathroom early this morning, you weren’t here,” Taylor notes as I am slathering lip gloss on my lips. I appreciate her not calling me out when everyone was around. Aaron and I showed up to breakfast separately. He didn’t like that I asked him to walk into the restaurant a moment after I did, but I didn’t want everyone reading anything into it because there was nothing to read into.
“I got up early to watch the sunrise,” I answer with nonchalance. I shake out my hair since I am letting it air-dry.
“Were you by yourself?” she inquires as she slips on a royal-blue bodycon dress.
I was hoping she wouldn’t ask that question. I don’t want to lie to her.
“I went with Aaron,” I say tightly.
“I knew it,” she cheers.
“Chill,” I laugh. “It was just a friendly outing.”
“Friendly my ass. I saw him checking you out all day. And you weren’t giving him your usual attitude,” she notes.
“I don’t give him attitude,” I counter.
“Oh, come on, Briar.”
“Look he’s a jock. I give them all attitude, so they know I’m not interested,” I confess.
“I know, but I have a feeling there’s more to what’s going on with you guys.”
I break down because she isn’t wrong. My head has been spinning all day. We’ve kept a distance from each other, but I was checking him out all day, and I caught him checking me out. We couldn’t keep our eyes off each other.
“Maybe there is,” I say. “It’s kind of hard not to be attracted to him.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying all along.”
I give her a knowing look. “I just have to stay strong and not act on it.”
“Why can’t you allow yourself to have a little fun?” she asks, her lips turned down.
“I have everything planned out. I’m a year out from graduation. I head to the Olympics then apply to law school. I work hard and stay focused. I can’t afford to get lost in some guy.”
“That’s not what a hookup is about,” Taylor explains.
“I get it. But I don’t think I’m built for sex with no feelings attached.”
“Then maybe you should throw caution to the wind and try it out. You’re only young once,” Taylor advises.
She isn’t wrong. Some days I want to just let loose and say screw my responsibilities, but then on other days I remember that I have me, myself, and I which keeps me on track.
“Maybe,” I say to appease her but the truth is I’m considering her words. Being on vacation for the first time is making me want to take some risks.
We head out for dinner to one of the restaurants at the resort. Everyone is looking sun-kissed and happy. They are also talking about plans for Christmas Eve. There aren’t many options but we will all be having dinner together again.
Tonight’s dinner is eclectic Asian cuisine. It’s pretty fancy, considering the amount of money this trip cost. After dinner, everyone is planning to hit up another club. I’m planning to stay in. I need to catch up with Annie and find out what is going on with her and Cade.
After dinner, everyone is hyped and walking toward the entrance of the hotel to catch Ubers. I follow them until we reach the door. “’Kay, have a good night.” I wave, getting ready to walk away. I know if I would have mentioned not joining them earlier, they would have tried to convince me to go clubbing with them.
“Hell to the no,” Lennon states. “You’re coming dancing tonight. I saw you dancing by the pool that first day. You need to let loose, girl.”
“She isn’t wrong,” Taylor agrees.
“You’re coming out with us and it’s final,” Ivy states.
“Fine,” I agree.
We get into Ubers. I’m with Taylor, Hawk, Nolan, and Levi.
“I hope you guys are cool with changing up rooms tonight,” Taylor says. I see that Hawk winks at her.
The comment was directed at me. “Uh, yeah, that’s fine.”
The Uber stops at the curb outside the club and we all get out.
“We should hit the bar first,” Taylor suggests. Since I’m not keen on spending money, I opt out of drinking. Everyone orders tequila. When Aaron sees me standing off to the side he asks, “Do you want a shot?”
“I’m good, thanks,” I reply. I’ve wrapped my arms around my front, feeling a little out of my element.
“Briar, this one is on me,” Sofia says.
“It’s okay. I’m still feeling the wine from dinner anyway,” I assure my friend.
Aaron frowns. “I’d like to buy you a drink.”
“I’d rather not,” I tell him.
“I’m going to go buy a bottle of alcohol at the corner store,” Lennon announces. “You want to join me, Briar?”
“Sure,” I reply, feeling like getting out of here would be a relief.
We head out. “I don’t want to spend a boatload on drinks either.” She grins. Lennon knows I like to budget. We’ve shared a lot of quiet shifts together at Black Jack’s. My mom pays for the lease on my SUV and I have my scholarship and stipend for food and living arrangements, so I am always mindful of spending.
We head into the corner store. There are all kinds of alcohol bottles lined up on shelves.
“What are you in the mood for? Maybe we can share one of these.” She points to the smaller bottles.
“I’ll let you pick,” I say to Lennon since I’m not much of a drinker.
“How about the Malibu rum? We can get this mix to wash it down,” she says picking up a tall bottle of pina colada mix. It’s only four dollars for the mix, which is a score. We each spend ten dollars and head out of the store.
Lennon opens the bottle and gulps some rum. She makes a sour face and passes it to me before she downs the pina colada mix.
“Hmm, it’s actually really good,” she says.
We sit on the curb for a while and drink. “What are you going to do about Aaron?”
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
“He clearly wants you,” she states.
“He’s made that very clear,” I confirm. “But I’ve never had a one-night stand. I’m completely out of my element.” I take a swig of rum and follow it with the mix.
“There’s a first time for everything, and word on the street is he’s good in bed and has an enormous cock,” she adds.
“OMG, Lennon, I just can’t.” I start laughing so hard I’m holding my stomach. “I’m not some puck bunny who talks penis size.”
“No, but you’re a girl who needs a good orgasm,” she reminds.
I groan. “You guys aren’t going to let me live this down. This is so unfair.”
“All is fair in love and war. Is that the saying?” Lennon asks, but she looks confused.
“You’re confusing me.” I laugh.
We continue to drink until the last drop of rum. By the time we need to stand, we are both more than tipsy.
“Shit, I drank too much,” I admit.
“Nah, we’ll go dance it off at the club. Should we throw away the rest of the mix?” she asks.
“Yeah, they obviously won’t let us bring outside drinks into the club.”
We walk into the club with our arms linked.
There’s an addictive beat of music that makes me want to move my body.
Everyone is dancing in one big group, so we join. But when the next song starts, Ivy and Simon break away. Taylor and Hawk also start to dance together. The music has a reggae feel and I find myself swaying my hips. Lynsey and Levi also move away as he wraps a hand around her waist. I watch my friends dancing and it seems so sensual. With the alcohol running through my veins, my body feels lose and pliant.
“You want to dance?” Aaron asks.
“No,” I reply.
“I don’t bite, Briar.” He grins like the Cheshire cat.
“I’m aware of that.” Damn, he looks good in a white linen button-down. The first few buttons are open, revealing his strong chest. He’s wearing jeans and he just looks so damn good.
He extends his hand. “Come on, it’s easy.”
“I know how to dance, Aaron,” I snap. “I’m a gymnast but I’ve taken dance classes.”
“Oh yeah, tell me more.” His green eyes glow in the dark light with colorful flashing laser beams shooting off the surfaces.
My walls are crumbling from his advances. It’s only a dance.