MVNGPRTS

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my WORST, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my BEST.”

[jaakey]

new babygirl just dropped <3

[tedllasso]

KRISTEN STEWART by Lachlan Bailey  for Vogue Australia, February 2022.

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce wasn’t too hurt about it. It wasn’t a real question og going out with him, so it wasn’t a real rejection. His record still stood. Finding out more information about her and her family was nice though, to know her family owned the ice cream shoppe. It was cool. His parents didn’t really do much like that. His father was a 10th grade English teacher, his mother 2nd grade. 

He continued to tickle her, being careful not to get injured himself or kicked somewhere he didn’t want. When she offered to go to the movies he paused, giving her a stern look. “Is that a yes to the movies, Miss Roberts?”

Still squirming and kicking, Billie tried to free herself but had no luck. “Yes, okay, it’s a yes to the movies. Now stop with the tickling before I hurt you. And don’t think I won’t.” It was a threat. Having grown up with two older brothers, Billie was always more than ready to defend herself.

For the most part, Billie played her cards close to her chest. Letting Bryce know just a little bit more about her was a big step for her. But, she liked him, and she knew that if she really wanted anything to happen (though she wouldn’t admit to that), she had to lower her walls just a little.

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kieran thought about it for a moment. “Knowing her, probs. I mean, can we ever really know? We could ask her but wouldn’t that be just as awkward? You got asked out by a hot guy and you turned him down. That’s like, a nerds dream. You turned down the catcher of the football team’s jump shot guy. Bro, that’s super cool of you.” He had no idea what anything to do with sports was, but he tried his best. 

“And, we’re still getting sush tonight. It’s a win all around. Except for Rice, who got rejected. That’s sad for him. I hope he recovers okay.”

“She always tries to act like she isn’t into pulling shit, I knew she was bullshitting.” Kit shook his head, a slight smirk on his face. If he was being honest, he was kind of impressed. However, if Billie hadn’t set the guy up and he had just got rejected, Kit did feel a little bad. “I guess it would be a little awkward to ask, but don’t you wanna know? I kinda wanna know.” He looked off into the distance as if in deep thought. “Should we ask Dave what to do? Or Mom?”

The whole thing about sports went right over Kit’s head, so he focused on the sushi of it all. “What kinda sushi are we gonna get? I think that’s the most important thing here.”

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce just blinked, sitting there as she quickly took her phone back before he could protest or defend himself. “You.. That’s your brother? You totally let me just do that, didn’t you?” He moved so he wasn’t sitting next to her, but back in front of her again. It was true though. Bryce didn’t get rejected. Maybe it was just his confidence in person that got people. It was doomed from the start because it was her brother this whole time. 

“At least he’s got an excuse to say no. What’s yours?” He leaned forward to tickle her, a grin on his face.

“That’s my brother.” Billie nodded, trying to control her laughter. “I totally let you do that completely on purpose.” Billie wasn’t a sore loser by any means, but she sure did love to win. And this win was so satisfying. “Our parents own Scoops, that’s why we all work there.” She explained, giving Bryce some much needed context.

She was just about to answer his question, but when he started tickling her, she started trying to wiggle her way to freedom without accidentally kicking anyone. “Stop, stop, stop. If I say I’ll go to the movies with you, will you stop?” She barely managed to get the words out between laughs.

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kieran hung on every word. He was sure rejection wasn’t easy, as he had been through plenty himself. He was a little surprised that Kit could still say no. He figured a free movie and snacks, why not? He didn’t have to sleep with the guy. It was a noble thing to do for their sister though. If Rice really liked Billie, why was he asking out Kit? Was he just using her to get close to him?

“Wow, so that was awkward. Pretty wild.” He gave his brother a face as if to say yikes.

Kit might not have been the smartest guy around, but he was loyal. No one could argue that. He wondered if Kieran would do the same if he’d been the one to receive the phone call instead. With a shrug to answer his unspoken thoughts, he pocketed his phone and turned to face his brother.

“That was seriously weird. Do you think she set him up? It kinda sounded like she set him up. I dunno what their deal is, they act like they don’t like each other even though it’s clear that they do. I don’t get it.” Romance wasn’t something that Kit was well versed in. Sure, he got dates, but he’d never done whatever it was that Billie was doing. 

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce just listened as he kept talking, opening his mouth to respond but closing it as Scoop guy kept going on about his hair. He looked at Billie as if to ask is he always like this? before she motioned to continue. 

“Right, yeah no I get that. So I was curious if you wanted to see a movie on Saturday if you aren’t too busy or anything.” He didn’t have any particular movie in mind. It was a blank slate until he got a yes, and they could pick a movie from there. He knew he probably shouldn’t have kept up the act, but he wasn’t going to let Billie win this one. 

The moment the truth came out, Billie snorted, and the sound garnered her more than a couple of odd looks from other people at the party. She looked at Bryce and tried to keep a straight face despite her obvious laughter. The jig was up, but it was so worth it. “Aw, Kit, that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me all week. Up until now Kier has been my favourite brother, but now you’re definitely back in the running. Love you, thanks, bye.”

Quickly taking her phone back, Billie ended the call and bit her bottom lip, waiting for Bryce’s reaction. “That was kind of a fail, huh? I bet you don’t get rejected a lot. How’s your ego? Not too bruised, I hope.”

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kieran listened, confused as to why someone was asking Kit out instead of himself. If Rice was really as hot as everyone claimed, why was he busy trying to mack on the guy at the ice cream shop? Though, he had to admit, Kit was one of his favorite people. He had good qualities. Any guy would be lucky to have him. Though, it was a weird pairing if he said so himself. 

Hopping up on the counter space by the register, he listened to the call, grumbling to himself because he wasn’t the one who even cut Kit’s hair. He had nothing to do with how luscious it may or may not be. It got him to thinking about the rest of them, his own hair, his sister’s, Debbie. When his brother mouthed to him, he just shrugged his shoulders, almost dropping his water on the ground.

The offer to see a movie took Kit by surprised. He thought there would be more conversation about his hair, although when he saw Kieran’s face, he knew it was probably best to let the subject drop. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his brother to cut his hair, it was just that he was particular about it. It wasn’t personal.

“Uh, I dunno. That seems a little weird. Even for me. Going out with someone who’s interested in my sister? That’s a little too... close... for me.” Kit still had a suspicious look on his face, confused about what was going on. Why was this guy asking him out? Not that he didn’t love going to see movies, but he was certain from the interactions he’d seen between Billie and this Rice guy that they were into each other. Not to mention the fact that Kit was straight. “If this is some kind of joke, dude, it’s not really funny. Billie is a nice girl, you shouldn’t just get close to her to get to me. That’s mean.”

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce just rose a brow at the conversation he heard. He didn’t know what to make of it, but both men on the other side sounded frantic. He was trying to think up what he was going to say or offer or do. He hadn’t planned on this originally, and asking someone out over the phone wasn’t usually his thing. Sure, a text message maybe with a hot person he met, but a phone call? What was this, 1998? 

“Uh, hey there. Sorry but I just had to say something and the moment came up, you know? I just…” he tried to think quick on his feet, remembering what Billie said before she called, “really wanted to say your hair is cool. I dig it.”

Already it was off to a good start, and Billie was having a hard time keeping herself from laughing. She could always count on her brothers, no matter what, even if they didn’t know what they were doing. “You don’t need to borrow Ted’s car, Kier.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Bryce here just wants to talk to Kit. Everything is fine.”

As Kit started reacting to the compliment about his hair, Billie had to hold her breath just to keep from bursting out with laughter. Once she was sure that she had control, she looked at Bryce and motioned to the phone. “Go on, ask him.”

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kieran waited for Kit to answer the phone. When he heard it was Billie, he was ready, on guard. If she needed someone, the only option, the best option, was her brothers. Maybe a bit delusional, but the oldest of the trio was fully committed and ready to go take down whatever party this was. “Answer it answer it answer it.”

He listened, leaning against the counter on his elbows as if he wouldn’t be able to hear her over speaker phone if he wasn’t right up on the phone. As if she was standing right in front of him. “I’ll take the car. Mom’s car? Ted from across the street would let me borrow his car. Don’t ask where mine is. Do you need us? Obviously you need us you called.”

He scrunched his nose when she said there was a guy there for Kit, waving it off and going back to the counter to get himself a cup of water.

Kit was confused by the fact that his sister had called him and then passed him off to who he quickly recognized as the Rice guy. That voice was one he wouldn’t forget. Especially after hearing it hit on his sister. Something felt odd about this whole thing, and he shot Kieran a suspicious look. “Uh, thanks, Rice. I can’t say I get many people calling me to tell me how nice my hair is, but it’s always nice to hear. Most people just say it to my face and then ask to touch it. Usually I let them, depends on how creepy they look.”

There was another pause from Kit as he looked to his brother. ‘What is going on?’ he mouthed silently, an eyebrow raised. This was really weird.

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce just let her move about to get her phone with a small nod. She seemed to know an awful lot about him. He wasn’t going to assume why, but he wondered. He knew two people could be just friends regardless of gender. Besides, the town seemed to all know each other, and maybe they grew up together. He didn’t know. There seemed like a little bit of a gap between ages, but again it was just his best guess. He didn’t know anything about him. 

He waited for the phone to ring, just leaning back on the edge of the kiddie pool for him to answer the phone so he could ask this guy out. Bryce didn’t want to, but he wasn’t going to back down either. He was in this deep already. 

When Kit finally answered the phone, Billie got ready to speak but was interrupted by her brother. “What? No, I’m not.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Shut up for a minute, okay? I’ve got this guy here who wants to talk to you. You remember Bryce? He’s come into Scoops a few times. He’s here with me and wants to have a chat.” Looking up from the phone, Bille watched Bryce to see what he would do.

Pranks weren’t usually her thing, but this was something that had just fallen into her lap. She couldn’t not do it. Handing the phone over to Bryce, she sat back and waited for things to play out, knowing that one or both of her brothers would say something to make this awkwardly hilarious.

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kieran was weary of this guy. He didn’t know who he was or what he was about, but it didn’t sound good. Billie was no different than Kit in his eyes. When she was born, he was just as excited as he was for Kit. Kieran was a born parent, kind of. No one trusted him to babysit and not come back home to half a child, but they’d trust their dogs, cats, and lizards. He wasn’t the smart one by any means, but he wasn’t completely incapable. 

“We have food upstairs, my dude. Or just eat ice cream.” He walked behind the counter to get a scoop of white chocolate chips. “I can totally watch the counter for you, bro. Say hi to Dave for me, oh I miss that guy,” he sighed dreamily. “Is that your phone ringing or mine?”

Only Kit would complain about there not being any food around while standing in an ice cream shop. He was about to go upstairs when he heard the phone ringing. “Uh, it’s mine.” He said before pulling the device from his pocket. “Oh, it’s Billie. Maybe she wants us to go pick her up from the cult party.”

Tapping the screen to answer the call, Kit then put it on speaker so that Kieran could join in on the conversation. It was best to have an adult on standby if their sister really was in trouble. Or, at least as close to an adult as they could get on short notice -- Kieran would have to do. “Hey, Bills. If you need help, blink twice and we’ll come and get you.” There was a brief moment of silence before Kit spoke again. “...Are you blinking?”

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce rolled his eyes, moving his knee to bump it against her leg. When she mentioned having the ice cream guys number, he rose a brow. Why? He wondered if they were friends, if something had gone on between them or if something was currently going on. “Yeah. He’s cute I guess.” He wasn’t really his type either, but he was trying to prove a point here. 

“Sure. I’m a risk taker. I’ll ask him out then. Who’s going to say no to all of this?” He teased again, hand over his own abs. Surely at some point Billie would cave, right? Or maybe he’d be taking some weird ice cream guy out for a movie. At least he’d be seeing a movie. That had to be a plus side, right? “What’s his number? I’ll call him up.

“We’ll call him on my phone. He might not answer an unknown number. He’s a little weird like that. Consider it me formally introducing you guys. You can thank me later.” Billie knew full well that her brothers would be together, and she knew that when they were together they could be completely unpredictable. So the coming phone call was bound to be hilarious. She also knew that Bryce was trying to call her bluff, which made the whole thing even funnier.

Leaning behind them, Billie picked up her phone that had been laying on the grass nearby. Scrolling through her contacts, she landed on ‘Stupid 2′ and tapped call. As the line started ringing, she put it on speaker while they waited for an answer. “His name is Kit, and the quickest way to win him over is by complimenting his hair.”

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

“What a fucking nerd, pft,” he scoffed. He hadn’t ever met this guy, or seen him. He was never around when Rice was. At least Kit had met him, but at the cost of bad ice cream? “Is he like a straight up Vanilla Ice Vanilla? Is he a Bubblegum guy? A chocolate vanilla twist,” he shuttered at the thought. Despite his own ice cream flavor being a mint chocolate chip, they were actual chocolate chips and not just chocolate flakes. He still mixed and matched and tried countless things in the time since the shop opened and any time they switched things around, every and any topping. Were strawberry gummy bears the ideal topping for mint ice cream? No. Was it his comfort food? Yes.

“Whoa, you think he could be a cult leader? On a scale of Dave to Honest Abe and his hat, how tall is this guy? You think it’s a sex cult?” He paused for a moment as if in deep thought. “At least she’s getting laid. Proud of her.” He got excited when he said yes to sushi, making a fist and bringing his arm down as if to say yes!

“Mainly vanilla. At least that’s what he’s got every time I’ve been here. Like, who just always gets vanilla ice cream? That’s one hell of a red flag, dude. You’d think Billie would steer clear of a guy like that. I mean, come on. She’s supposed to be the smart one.” He shook his head solemnly, as if he couldn’t be more disappointed. As close as he was with Kieran, Kit was just as close with their sister. The three of them came as a package deal, even if their younger sister didn’t always act like it.

“I mean, it adds up, right? The guy seems too good to be true, and he’s not even close to being Billie’s type. He’s a jock. A jock. She hates those kinda guys. There’s something fishy going on here, Kier. We gotta protect our baby sister.” Kit’s brows furrowed as he tried to come up with a plan. “I can’t think on an empty stomach.” He walked over to a small fridge that sat near the counter and opened it, looking inside. “Why don’t we ever have any food in here?”

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

“I’m pretty sure your brother’s nipples shouldn’t be an issue. These are premium grade beef. I’m a little offended you’d think otherwise.” Bryce moved to sit next to her, knees up with his arms resting forward on them. There was something about her he couldn’t quite place. It’s what drew him in, what made him want more. It was fun. Every other Barbie had drooled over him, thrown herself at him, or took to him like a Black Friday boot sale. She didn’t. It was refreshing.

“Maybe if you won’t go to a movie with me I’ll ask that one guy at the ice cream shop. Those uniforms are pretty cute if you’re into sailors. He’s got a charm about him or something.” Bryce had no idea yet that it was her own family’s shop, only that’s where he met her when he was out wondering about one day. It was all teasing, but he wondered if it would make her even a little jealous, if it would change her mind into caving to go on a movie date.

“I’m a little concerned with how obsessed you are with your own nipples, were you you not breastfeed as a baby or something? I recommend you see someone about that. I’m not trying to kink shame you or whatever, but seriously, you need some help.” There was a playful smirk on Billie’s face as she spoke, put purposely in place so that Bryce knew she was still just joking, just playing the game. She wasn’t the type of girl to just throw herself at the first hot person she saw, that just wasn’t her. So, as much as she wanted to take Bryce up on the offer of a movie, she just couldn’t cave that easily.

At the mention of Bryce asking out the guy at the ice cream shop instead, Billie had to do everything she could not to burst out laughing. “The dude with the floppy hair? Yeah, he’s... he’s something. You should definitely shoot your shot with that guy. I have his number, actually. You wanna call him and see if he’s interested?”

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FIFTY-SIX | KIERIT

Kit was right. Dave had the answers to everything. He’d know the best way to take about this. Or…he’d forget by the time he actually went home…upstairs. Nearing 32, he probably should have had his life figured out by now. He was growing closer and closer to a crisis (opposed to his normal crisis) by the day. He didn’t know what he wanted to do. He just wanted to be a duck, to float in some kind of feathery buoyancy on the river, the wind ruffling his feathers, the sun in his eyes warming his little beak. That was the dream. But seeing as he wasn’t a duck, and they didn’t live on a river, he had to figure out something else to do. 

“I don’t know,” he drawled out, narrowing his eyes in thought. “I’d hope not but really, I don’t know. Do you know anything about this Rice guy. Like, who names their kid Rice? Is that a California thing? Is it like a California roll? Do you wanna get sushi for dinner?”

“Nah, just that he’s tall and that he goes to college like some fucking nerd. Has terrible taste in ice cream too. Never goes for the good flavours, never mixes things up. Sometimes I’m tempted to sprinkle a little weed on his scoop just to see if that loosens him up a little.” Just like Kieran, Kit was a protective brother. Not that Billie needed protecting. Out of the three of them, she was the mostly likely to win any kind of fight. “You think maybe he’s the leader of the cult? Posing as some college dude but he’s actually like 53 and is just going around small towns rounding up young people to take back home to his cult base to be his live-in sex slaves that all sleep in one big bed and only wear kinky shit like from that red room in that shades of grey movie?” He was almost out of breath by the time he finally finished talking.

Kit’s imagination often got away from him, especially when he was talking with Kieran. “Billie’s smarter than that, right? She wouldn’t fall for that shit. Where’s Dave when you need him?” For a moment, Kit seemed stressed, then he suddenly chilled out. “Yeah, I could go for some sushi.”

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FIFTY-SEVEN | BRYLIE

Bryce watched as she poked at his muscle. “Oh really? Is it working?” He grinned at her. Billie wasn’t his normal type. He still followed the rules of the way, dating the cheerleader types, valley girls, valley boys, the ditzy blondes, the legally blondes, and the bros. Billie was different, but this wasn’t Cali either. Everyone was different. He liked the game of catch and release they played. 

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say you like this more than you let on. I mean, your hands are all over me, Roberts. You can’t take your eyes off my nipples. That’s it, isn’t it?” He covered himself up with his palms as if he wasn’t still wearing a small pair of swim trunks. “I don’t know if I appreciate being objectified like this. You’ve got a lot to think about.” He moved back to lightly splash her, defeating his spoken purpose of protecting her from the very same water.

“Not as much as you’d like to think it is.” Billie shook her head, eyes locked on Bryce’s. She was stubborn enough to hold her ground, but smart enough to know how far to push it before letting her guard down a little. Just looking at the pair, they were an unlikely match. There were plenty of blonde bombshells in bikinis at the party that Bryce could’ve focused his attention on, and yet he didn’t seem to look at a single one of them. Billie would be lying if she said she didn’t wonder why. But, she just figured he liked the challenge.

“Oh, please. I have two brothers that have an aversion to shirts, your nipples don’t faze me for even a second.” She rolled her eyes, grinning just slightly. Unlike the other girls there, she was in a one piece bathing suit, so she had a lot less on show than everyone else. “I’ve got a lot of think about? As if. You’re the one trying to play the hero so I’ll go out with you. You’ve gotta work way harder than that, pretty boy.” She said, splashing water right back at him.