Summary: Eddie gets an offer from his company to work in Barbados over the summer. Beautiful weather, all expenses paid trip, and a stay in a suite at one of the most highly rated resorts in the world. How could he say no? Unfortunately, Eddie soon realizes there were a lot of reasons to say no. His skin doesn’t take kindly to the harsh sun, his suite ends up being the size of a shoe box, and, oh yeah, it’s also a nudist resort.
Pairing: Reddie (side Benverly and Stanlonbrough)
Rating: E
Warnings: Smut, explicit language
Read on AO3
The following month passed in a whirlwind. Eddie’s mind barely had time to keep up with the developments in his relationship with Richie. They were friends, Eddie believed, above all else, but they also acted like a couple. It had Eddie’s head throbbing any time he tried to think too hard on it.
Everything had been thrown into overdrive after their first encounter, the mutual eagerness for their explorations to continue didn’t go ignored. The second time they’d gotten together had been exactly two nights later; Richie had spent the entire day on the pool deck, eyeing Eddie up as overtly as possible. He’d made sure to put on a show no matter what he was doing. Swimming, putting on sunscreen, drinking a pina colada; he’d even managed to look sexy when him and Beverly had started a round of marco-polo in the pool. Eddie’d never thought that watching someone feel around blindly with their eyes screwed shut could be attractive, but Richie made it work.
The minute Eddie clocked out, Richie had been at his side, an eagerness evident in his step as he followed Eddie to his room. After the unnecessary commentary on how tiny Eddie’s room was, “A small room for a small person!”, Eddie had pushed Richie on to the bed, climbed into his lap, and eagerly reclaimed those lips that had been occupying his mind for the last 48 hours.
The second time had been just as mind blowing as the first, leaving Eddie’s face soaked with sweat and tears, and his cheeks sore from grinning so hard.
They’d fallen into a routine after that, seeking one another out whenever they could to relieve some of the tension that seemed to build up when they were away from each other.
Eddie had been amazed to find that there was no awkwardness between them, no necessity for them to build artificial comfort through small talk or forced jokes. Conversation always flowed freely, and at first Eddie had wondered if it was just a by-product of Richie’s easy-going nature. But the longer they spent time together, the more the truth solidified; Eddie and Richie had some sort of connection that couldn’t be denied. Although neither of them had pointed it out, its novelty making the idea of bringing attention to it intimidating, it was evident to everyone around them.
Like the time Richie had stolen Eddie away in the middle of his shift, giving Stan a pleading look as they passed. Stan had just rolled his eyes and covered for Eddie while he got his ass pounded in the storage closet. Stan would have been upset if it’d been any other dimwitted co-worker dropping his responsibility so he could fuck during work hours; but it hadn’t been just any dimwitted co-worker, it’d been his dimwitted Eddie, so Stan let it slide.
There were also the countless nights that Beverly had been kicked out of her room so that Richie could have Eddie over for some midnight activities. Beverly hadn’t actually minded, it had given her continuous excuses to stay at Ben’s overnight. However, even if she hadn’t been in the pursuit of her own man, she’d still have been too enamored by Richie’s attachment to be upset.
Mike didn’t seem bothered by Eddie’s slightly more frazzled work ethic, either. Eddie still did his job efficiently enough, though there were definitely a few extra flustered moments where he’d drop a guest’s drink because he tripped over a pool noodle while staring at Richie. Mike, apparently, thought it endearing, and would just respond with a knowing grin and a wink.
The evidence continued to pile up that Eddie and Richie were more than just friends with benefits, but regardless, the two in question still refused to discuss the giant, confusing, suffocating, elephant in the room.
It was exactly a month and three days into their unlabeled fling when Richie finally burst the ever-growing lump in Eddie’s chest.
It was Eddie’s day off, so he’d taken the opportunity to show Richie all the secret places he’d discovered while exploring the resort those past few weeks.
There was the abandoned section of the resort that had once been barred off for renovation, which had been cancelled once they’d discovered they lacked the funds needed to go through with it.
There was also the small hallway on the 5th floor that seemed to lead to nowhere, but if you went to the end of it you’d discover that the ‘wall’ there wasn’t a wall at all, but rather a thick partition of material light enough to push aside, revealing a small graveyard of vending machines.
Of course, their last stop was the arcade room that Stan had introduced to Eddie, which Richie went absolutely wild for. Even though the video games didn’t work, and the couch they pulled down from the wall was covered in an uncomfortable plastic sheet, Richie still liked the room for its atmosphere. Eddie wasn’t sure he understood, but he was ecstatic to see the happiness it brought Richie.
Fifteen minutes later and Richie had Eddie bent over the pool table. Eddie could feel the bruises forming on his hip bones from where they continuously slammed into the edge of the pool table; mahogany turning his golden skin purple. The thought of having a visible memory of this moment, one he could sink his fingers into and pull dull ache from, was far more exhilarating than Eddie ever would have thought.
“Aaahhh- Richie!” Eddie cried out, his fingers desperately seeking purchase across the green wool surface.
“Shhhh, unless you wanna get caught, I suggest you keep that pretty little mouth of your quiet.” Richie chided, as if he wasn’t at all affected by the way Eddie’s hole tightened around him like a boa constrictor. Eddie clenched himself on purpose in retaliation, triumphant when he heard the stuttering of breath from behind him.
“Or maybe you do want to get caught.” Richie continued, lowering his voice along with his body as he draped himself across Eddie. “Hmm? Did we discover another kink of yours to add to the list?”
Eddie gritted his teeth together, refusing to confirm nor deny Richie’s suspicions. While the thought of someone walking in on them did excite him, it also made Eddie’s anxiety spike so high he nearly lost his boner. Thankfully, Richie wasn’t about to let that happen, reaching around Eddie and encircling his cock with a painfully light grip.
Eddie tried to thrust into Richie’s hold, throwing off the rhythm they’d built up and causing Richie to pound into him at an angle that nearly had Eddie seeing stars.
“Let’s see, so far we’ve discovered hair pulling…” Richie wove his fingers through Eddie’s shaggy brown locks and pulled his head back sharply. “nipple play…” Richie continued, removing his grasp from Eddie’s cock and ignoring the noises of protest as he lifted it up to begin pinching Eddie’s pink little bud. “And of course, we know you like it when I do this.” Richie voice lowered as his hand did the same, leaving Eddie’s hair in favor of wrapping around his jaw so he could turn Eddie’s head.
Richie began kissing Eddie in a way that might more accurately be described as licking into his mouth. It was messy, and rough with the way Richie held him in place, hand nearly curling around Eddie’s neck. But Eddie loved it. It reminded him of the first time they’d done this, how it had all started, how the taste of Richie’s mouth had opened him up to a whole new world. It was intoxicating, and the feeling was all encompassing enough that Eddie didn’t even realize the stuttering of Richie’s hips, which Eddie had learned was a telltale sign of his oncoming release.
Eddie didn’t notice that Richie was cumming until he was grunting into Eddie’s mouth, and Eddie could feel the wetness beginning to seep out around Richie’s still thrusting cock.
Eddie was about to offer that he could finish himself off if Richie was too tired, when suddenly he was being manhandled up on to the pool table and turned around so his back was pillowed by the soft tabletop. Richie’s hands were pushing his legs up and apart and his head swooping down between them before Eddie could even wrap his mind around what was happening.
“Want to taste myself in you.”
“Wha- oh fuck oh my god.” Eddie moaned out as Richie began to lap at his hole eagerly. No matter how many times they did this, Eddie couldn’t help losing himself to the sensation. Richie’s tongue was soft, and warm, and firm, but most importantly, it was skilled. Richie knew what he was doing, he knew how to make Eddie’s toes curl and his stomach flip.
“I- please, Rich- need to cum, please- ahhhh!” As Richie wrapped his hand around Eddie’s cock, the smaller man’s back arched off the table.
Richie timed the flicks of his wrist with the flicks of his tongue, and before too long Eddie was cumming with a broken sob filling the room.
Eddie finally lowered his hips back down, noting a small tug in his lower back from holding the strained position for so long, but it was nothing but a whisper compared to the euphoria he felt flooding the rest of his body. His fingers and toes were tingling, buzzing with a flow of energy that emanated from his core. When he finally looked down at Richie, who’d pulled away from cleaning Eddie’s hole up, Eddie bursted out laughing.
“I don’t remember buying this brand of hair gel.” Richie commented, a small smirk disrupting his otherwise casual tone. He gazed up at Eddie from where he was still kneeling below him, Eddie’s cum shining evidently in Richie’s black curls.
“I am so sorry.” Eddie tried to get out between small bursts of giggles. He wanted to be sorry, he really did, but… it was just too funny a sight.
“No worries, Eddie Spaghetti!” Richie stood up, hooking his palms around the backs of Eddie’s knees and pulling him to the very edge of the pool table, so he was flush with Richie’s body. “I think I can find it in me to forgive you.” He added softly, leaning in to capture Eddie’s lips in a tender kiss.
Eddie melted into Richie, but the warmth was gone before he’d even had a chance to get used to it.
“In fact, if you really wanna make it up to me,” Richie began, pulling away slowly until he came back into focus in Eddie’s view. “You’ll come out on the town with me tonight.”
Eddie’s heart hiccupped, something like a bolt of pure energy shooting down his limbs and leaving them tingling. It was true that in the time that Eddie had been in Barbados, he still hadn’t left the resort grounds.
Eddie had let it slip last night while Richie’s hand was idly stroking his cock, his trash mouth rambling nonsense that only somewhat strung together. He’d mumbled something about Eddie’s eyes being brighter than the night lights along The Gap. Eddie was thoroughly confused, his post-orgasm brain struggling to understand why Richie was talking about a clothing company, until Richie seemed to notice Eddie’s muddled features.
Richie finally pulled his hand away from Eddie’s softening cock (for which Eddie was equally thankful and resentful) and propped himself up on an elbow so he could look down at Eddie.
“You haven’t been to St. Laurence Gap yet?” Richie asked, almost incredulously.
“Uhm… no?”
“Hmm, that’s weird… that’s usually the first place tourists go.” Richie joked.
There was a silence in which Richie laid back down beside Eddie, and the proximity prompted Eddie to continue, even though the conversation made him uncomfortable.
“I, uh, haven’t actually been to the city yet…”
“What!?” Richie shot up promptly, and the absurd reaction made Eddie laugh lightly before pushing him back down with a gentle shove to his chest.
“I haven’t had a reason to.” Eddie tried, knowing Richie would be able to see right through the excuse.
“Well… I mean you’re not missing much, I guess. The Gap is like, the only place worth checking out anyway.” Richie’s voice had taken on a softer tone, adjusting to the atmosphere he felt around him.
Eddie chewed on his lip for a bit before responding again.
“Is it safe?” He asked hesitantly.
“If you’re with the right people, yeah.” Richie assured him, and then added on after a beat. “I know it might feel a little overwhelming at first, but I promise it’s worth it just for the cultural experience alone. No pressure, of course, but if you ever wanted to go-”
They’d been cut off when a pounding at their door alerted them to Beverly’s presence, begging them to put on pants before she came in to grab the toiletries she needed for yet another night over at Ben’s.
Eddie hopped off the pool table, squeezing by Richie in search for his clothes.
“Sure.” Eddie tried for nonchalance, but the quickening beat of his heart could probably be heard halfway across the world. He located his underwear and slipped them on over slim hips.
“It doesn’t have to be, like… a date or anything.” Richie added, his tone unreadable.
‘Do you want it to be a date?’ Eddie’s brain questioned loudly, his mouth betraying him when it said nothing of the like. Instead, Eddie wandered over to his t-shirt and pulled it on robotically before turning back to Richie.
“Yeah, no, of course.” Eddie responded, his lips tight as they pulled up into a tense smile.
Eddie could trail Richie’s Adam’s apple as he swallowed thickly, clearly itching to say more but holding back. Eddie wanted to hear what he had to say, wanted to know if Richie was still tiptoeing around this thing between them or if he genuinely wanted to keep things casual. Eddie thought the second option might just kill him, so he opted to believe the first and keep his sanity.
Eddie spotted his shorts on top of the pinball machine and used it as the excuse for his final escape. If Richie wanted to continue to pretend their feelings for one another weren’t perceptible to anyone with eyes, then Eddie would need some time to recover between their little hookups, or he might just explode.
“Meet in the lobby at 7:00?” Eddie asked over his shoulder as he finally finished redressing.
“Uhh, yeah. See you then.”
Eddie turned to address Richie once more before leaving, and from his vantage point in the doorway, he couldn’t help but note how small Richie looked. He was still naked, not having moved from his spot in front of the pool table, and his usual air of cockiness seemed absent.
“I’m expecting you to show me a good time.” Eddie called to Richie.
Presented once again with their usual flirtatiousness, Richie seemed to fall back into himself, cocking an eyebrow at the challenge.
“It’ll be the best night you’ve ever had.” Richie assured him confidently.
Unbeknownst to him, Richie had already provided Eddie with the best night he’d ever had. He doubted anything could top that first time between them when Eddie finally got to experience what love and lust and want truly felt like.
Summary: It’s the day of the wedding rehearsal, and Charlie introduces Bryce to another one of her family members. Also, there may be trouble in paradise for Katelyn and Landry.
Note: Just in case the relationship between Kyra isn’t clear, they are not related by blood or technically even by marriage. They are both related to Katelyn as her cousin, but they are from opposite sides of the family. Charlie only knows Kyra from when she would invite them both over as kids. This distinction will be necessary this chapter, lol.
Also another thing which I have failed to mention enough is that most of the locations and things in this series are real parts of this resort. There are mentions of a bar, specific bartender, and cocktail, all of which really exist at Half Moon resort.
Lastly, I appreciate all the feedback I got on where to take this series. I was able to merge several ideas with things I already had in mind, so there’s no specific credit to be given, but you may see bits and pieces of what you personally suggested from here on out. Thank you all again for your help.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2850
Friday
"There's something different about you...." Kyra narrows her eyes and scans Charlie discerningly. "Is it new makeup? You're all glowy or something."
"No, I don’t think so." Charlie laughs nervously. Kyra knows, or if she doesn't she's about to figure it out. Not that Charlie would keep it from her, but she doesn't want to discuss it here, seated amongst the wedding party at the beachside set-up, waiting for the officiant to arrive to start the rehearsal.
"Oh my god! You and Bryce fu-"
"Kyra!" Charlie covers Kyra's mouth with her hand. "This is not the time nor the place."
Kyra smirks satisfactorily. "You didn't deny it. I expect full details later. And I mean everything."
Charlie rolls her eyes but can't hold back a smirk. "Okay, just keep it down for now."
Kyra glances off to the side where Bryce is waiting and winks at him. Bryce shoots a confused look to Charlie and she just shrugs and throws her hands up. As expected, Kyra is having difficulty with the concept of discretion.
The rehearsal is uneventful, but there seems to be extra tension between between Katelyn and Landry. Not that they’re a super affectionate couple to begin with, but the air is especially icy between them. Maybe it’s just stress and pre-wedding jitters, but whatever the case, seeing those two together makes Charlie even more thankful she’s not still with Andrew.
Bryce approaches Charlie as they are dismissed to head to the rehearsal dinner and loops his arm around her waist. “You walked down that aisle like a pro. You’re going to nail your performance tomorrow.”
Charlie giggles. “Well this is me we’re talking about. No guarantees I won’t fall flat on my face.
Bryce nods. “This is true. I’ll have to make sure you keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum tomorrow.
“But not tonight. I have to deal with my parents again. Oh, and did I mention my brother should be there too? His flight was supposed to get in this afternoon.”
“No you did not. Is he as hard to impress as your parents?”
“Nah,” Charlie shakes her head. “He never liked Andrew, but I have a feeling he’ll like you.”
“Sounds like a good judge of character then, so obviously he’ll love me.” Bryce smirks.
“Hurry it up you two!” Kyra calls over her shoulder. “Cocktail hour starts now, and I don’t want to drink alone.”
~~~
“Guess who!” A pair of large hands cover Charlie’s eyes as she stands at the bar, but she’d know that voice anywhere.
“Will!” She spins around on her tiptoes and throws her arms around her much taller brother. "I’ve missed you!”
He squeezes her back tight. “You too, Chuck.”
“Okay, I don’t miss you anymore. You can get right back on that plane and go back to Africa.”
“Chuck?” Bryce questions with an amused expression on his face. “I haven’t heard that one yet.
“Just a nickname Will calls me to annoy the shit out of me. If you haven’t guessed, Bryce, this is my brother Will. Will this is my boyfriend, Bryce.” The word feels strange and uncertain coming off her tongue now that this thing between them is officially real, but she’s instantly reassured when she sees Bryce smile brighter when he hears it.
“Nice to meet you, Will.” Bryce extends his hand to will, but Will pulls him in for a hug and claps him on the back.
“Same to you. Charlie, I can’t believe you’ve been keeping him a secret from me.” Will puts a hand up to his lips as a shield. “He’s hot!” he mouths inaudibly to Charlie.
“You know I could see that.” Bryce chuckles.
“Yeah, please don’t feed his ego. It’s already big enough,” Charlie teases and the guys both laugh. ”Anyway you’ve been so busy with your Peace Corps stuff, I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you lately,” Charlie offers as an excuse without having to reveal that Bryce didn’t exist in her life before two weeks ago.
“Fair enough. I’ll catch up with you two later, but I should go say hi to mom and dad. You wanna come with?”
“No.” Charlie shakes her head emphatically. “I’ve had enough of them already, mom especially.”
Will frowns sympathetically. “I’m sure as soon as mom sees her favorite baby boy and dad starts hounding me about deadlines for applying to grad school, they’ll forget whatever they were on you about.”
“Good luck with that.” Charlie waves him along with a tight-lipped grin.
“Oh my god!” Kyra walks up beside Charlie. “I haven’t seen Will since we were kids. When did get get so grown up...and hot.”
“Kyra!” Charlie smacks her in the shoulder. “That’s my little brother!”
“Well he’s not my brother. And in case you forgot, we aren’t related, and he’s not a kid anymore.”
“Hey, I don’t blame her.” Bryce joins in. “Good looks run in the Hawkins family. He’s got your gorgeous green eyes, and that stubble and ‘too busy doing humanitarian work to get my hair cut’ look is really working for him.”
“Ugh, now you are drooling over him too? Whose side are you on?”
“Aww, you know I’m on your side, babe.” Bryce pulls Charlie close, taking her breath away with a heated kiss. “You’re the only Hawkins I want.”
Kyra clears her throat. “You guys are disgusting...in the best possible way, of course.
“Sorry,” Charlie steps away from Bryce sheepishly. “We should probably get to our table now. Looks like they are starting to serve dinner."
Charlie reluctantly sits with her family, but sticks to pleasantries with her parents. Kyra rounds out the 6 person table, providing a much needed buffer. Charlie's not sure if her mom is just pretending the whole thing never happened, like she so often does, or if she's just waiting to get into it again when nobody else is around, but she'll take the peace for now. It's not really awkward anyway with all the stories Will has to tell. Unsurprisingly Kyra is hanging on his every word, but he doesn't seem to mind the attention.
A short while after dinner is served Kyra nudges Charlie in the side and nods toward the corner. “Check that out.”
Charlie tries to turn her head inconspicuously and spots Katelyn and Landry seemingly in the middle of an argument. And then, without any notice or goodbyes, they leave the restaurant. “Well that doesn’t look good,” she mumbles under her breath.
Noticing the commotion, the tall Sarah stands up to cover for the couple. “The Bride and Groom wanted me to tell everyone they are retiring early for the evening so they can be well rested for tomorrow.” Landry and Katelyn’s parents all look confused but shrug it off and go back to eating their meals.
“Well,I think the party’s over here. Is there a good bar or somewhere we can go to hang out?” Will asks.
“How about Cedar Bar?” Bryce suggests. “I think Caswell is on tonight, and he’s the best.”
Will Chuckles. “I suppose I’d be familiar with all the bartenders here too if I had to put up with Katelyn for a whole week.”
Charlie laughs. “Bryce is just like that. He's made friends with just about all the staff here. It's unbelievable really."
"It's not fault people can't resist my charming, magnetic personality. It's just how I am." He winks at Charlie.
Charlie rolls her eyes but can't hold back a smirk. "Well then lets go and you can work your magic to get us some free drinks."
~~~
The night is warm and there’s a gentle breeze coming off the water into the open air bar. It’s busy, but not too crowded or loud to engage in conversation. The group finds an open table for four and Bryce goes up to the bar to do his thing. He shakes Caswell’s hand and returns to the table with a triumphant look on his face. “Four Yellowbird cocktails, coming up.”
“Uh, what’s in those?” Kyra asks skeptically.
Bryce shrugs. "When someone offers you their signature cocktail for free, you don't ask."
Moments later a cocktail waitress brings over four hurricane glasses filled with yellow-orange liquid and a colorful fruit garnish. Charlie takes a sip and is met with an interesting mix of flavors but it somehow works. "Not bad. Definitely rum, orange juice, bananas and.... something else. I feel like this is one of those dangerous drinks that could get you drunk real fast."
Kyra takes a big swig of her drink. "I'll be glad to test that theory out."
Will leans over to whisper something in Kyra's ear, a blush creeping over her cheeks before she pushes her drink off to the side. Charlie’s still not quite sure how to feel about whatever is going on between the two of them, but Will’s an adult and she trusts Kyra, so she’s just not going to interfere.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were dating someone new.” Will shakes his head at Charlie. “How did you two meet?”
This part is still tricky, they’ve practiced the story but it’s really hard to look Will in the eyes and lie. “Well we were both medical students,” she offers, which is technically true.
“But didn’t you say you went to Harvard, Bryce?”
“I did, but there is some overlap in the faculty and hospital appointments between Harvard and Boston University so sometimes the students end up in the same place.”
Charlie breathes a sigh of relief at Bryce’s quick-thinking answer, and Will seems satisfied. Bryce places on hand on Charlie’s knee under the table, idly rubbing soothing circles over her skin. He continues with these little touches here in there, but unlike before, these aren’t for anyone else to see.
They finish their cocktails and order another round of less extravagant drinks while catching up. Unsurprisingly, Bryce and Will get along like old friends, and Will only embarrasses Charlie a little. With what Bryce has seen of her already, she’s not worried anything Will says will scare him away.
“Hey guys, mind if I crash your party?” A stunned silence falls over the table as a bleary eyed Katelyn stands before them.
“Um, not at all,” Charlie replies as Bryce pulls up an extra chair to the end of the table.
“No offense, Katelyn, but you kind of look like shit,” Will adds. “Shouldn’t you be getting your beauty sleep for the wedding?”
She rolls her eyes at the same time she wipes the mascara smudges with the back of her hand. “Who knows if there will even be a wedding.”
“What?” Charlie and Kyra both gasp. Although Charlie can think of a multitude of reasons why Katelyn and Landry aren’t right for each other, she couldn’t imagine Katelyn calling off the wedding at this point.
“Landry is just as much of a douchebag as you all thought. Even if you never said it, I could tell you all were thinking it.”
“What happened?” Charlie asks out of genuine concern. As much as she can’t stand the person who Katelyn has become, she’s still family and Charlie still cares.
“Fucking Tanner showed up.” Katelyn pulls out her phone and shows them some screenshots of intimate conversations between Landry and his friend from college within the last few months. “He said they were just joking, but I’m not that naive. I forgave him so long as he cut off communication, and I thought he did. Then Tanner showed up today, and our arguing escalated until we went back to the room. I demanded to see his phone and found a thread of messages hidden under another name. He claimed Tanner’s only here because the invitations went out before I found everything out. He says he still loves me and begged me to go through with the wedding, but I don’t know if I can.”
“Screw him,” Kyra scoffs. “You can do so much better.”
Katelyn might be awful to put up with, but Kyra’s right. Landry’s still not good enough for her, but Charlie’s not sure that’s what Katelyn wants to hear right now. “What Kyra means is that you deserve someone you love and loves you just as much in return.”
Bryce stands up. “Maybe we should let you ladies have some time to talk this through. Will, come get a drink at the bar with me?”
The men leave and Katelyn picks up Wills half-full cocktail and downs it. “I don’t know what to do... Are you going to finish that?” She points to Charlie’s drink, and Charlie slides it over to her.
“What does your gut say you should do? You don’t have to feel obligated to marry him just because we are all here for the wedding.”
Kyra takes another sip of her drink. “Yes, what she said.”
“I don’t even know if I love him. I love what he is on paper. He can give me the life I’ve always wanted, and if I don’t have him, I’m left with nothing.”
“Psshht.” Kyra shakes her head. “Girl, you know you are way out of his league.”
“Who is this Katelyn and what did she do with my independent, intelligent, ambitious cousin? The Katelyn I grew up with wouldn’t need a man for anything,” Charlie echoes the sentiment.
“But I’ve given up going to law school to be a wife. It’s all I have now.”
“Katelyn, you’re only twenty-six, and in case you forgot, still independently wealthy. You have the time and money to do anything you want. If you want to marry Landry because it makes you happy, do that, but not because you think it is what you are supposed to do.”
“Trust me,” Kyra interjects. “You’ll look like much less of a loser if you call off the wedding than if you actually marry that pasty-ass white boy.”
“Kyra!” Charlie shoots her a glare. Sure they’ve all been thinking it but it’s a bit harsh to say out loud.
“Kyra’s right. I should have dumped the cheating, spineless, scrawny-ass bastard a long time ago.”
Charlie leans over to hug Katelyn, stifling a laugh. “We aren’t trying to tell you what you do, but we’ll support whatever decision is best for you. Right, Kyra?” Charlie arches her eyebrows at Kyra as a warning to keep her mouth filtered for Katelyn’s sake.
“Yep.” She gets up to give Katelyn said after Charlie retreats.
“Good.” Katelyn dabs her tears away with a cocktail napkin. “Now I need all the drinks.” She reaches for another drink, but Charlie stops her.
“Are you sure that’s the best idea?”
“Yes.” Katelyn pushes away from the table and walks up to bar, ordering two shots and downing them immediately. Will and Bryce bring her back to the table, already another drink in hand.
Bryce leans in to whisper to Charlie. “We should probably try to keep her from over-doing it.”
“It might be a little late for that, but we’ll watch her.”
The night wears on and the group sneakily orders a couple more non-alcoholic beverages for Katelyn, but she’s already had quite enough. It’s getting late and Kyra and Will bow out first, Will volunteering to “walk Kyra back to her room” as if that isn’t obvious. Charlie finally convinces Katelyn to go back to Landry and face whatever is going to happen.
“I’m just going to use the restroom before we go. Do you need to go, Katelyn?”
“No, I’m good.” Katelyn stumbles back against the wall.
“I’ll wait out here with her,” Bryce offers.
“Good call.” Charlie laughs and pushes through the women’s room door.
~~~
Katelyn is a fucking mess. Bryce has no idea how she and Charlie can be related. She’s good looking enough, but nowhere near as pretty as Charlie. But her personality...yikes. Charlie says Katelyn wasn’t always this way, and he’s grateful Charlie has managed to grow into the person she is despite a similar upbringing.
“Charlie’s so lucky to have you.” Katelyn slurs, stumbling forward and crashing into Bryce’s chest. He tips her back upright, but her hands remain planted on his pecs, giving them a squeeze. “You know how bad I’ve been wanting to feel these? I know you’re always showing off your muscles because you want everyone to look, and I’ve definitely been looking.”
Bryce removes Katelyn’s hands, placing them at her sides. Sure he’s proud of his body and likes to show it off, but he’s certainly not looking for this type of attention. ”That doesn’t mean everyone gets to touch me. That’s reserved for Charlie.”
Katelyn pouts.”But is she as good of kisser as me?”
Bryce should have been anticipating it from her question, but before he can make sense of what’s happening, Katelyn arms around around his neck and her lips are his. Initially shocked and frozen in place, he finally comes around, but it’s already too late.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Landry booms, his face red with anger, and next to him is a bewildered looking Charlie.
