39. Chapter Thirty Eight

Chapter Thirty Eight

D rumming my fingers on my thighs, I can't take it anymore. I push out of the car, preferring to pace outside. It's been over an hour since I text Avery to meet me here, and with each passing second, I have the dreaded feeling she failed to get out of the mansion without any attention. I don't know what came over me when I woke up this morning. I lay in bed all of last night in a half-dream state, imagining ways I can get closer to Avery. Of how I can put myself more in the forefront. I love my brothers, but when competing for attention, they've got the charisma and confidence I sorely lack .

"Would you like me to take you back?" Huxley's-borrowed driver lowers the window and leaned over the passenger seat to ask. I twist my lips, staring at my phone's screen. She said she'd be here.

"Give it a little longer," I sigh, tapping my foot. He nods and retracts, leaving me to question if I should have done something simpler. A walk around Huxley's estate or a leisurely morning swim, maybe? But no - that wouldn't have been surprising enough. I want Avery to see there's more sides to me than the geeky guy who wants to carry bags and open doors for her. She told me last night that she doesn't feel good enough, and I've never resonated with her so much.

I'm about to call it quits when a dark town car races past the street, before backtracking and coming to a screeching halt just beside me. My heart hammers against my ribcage as the backdoor flies open. Axel and Wyatt scoot out, as Huxley abandons the passenger seat. His knuckles are painfully white and when I look past him, I can see why.

"You let Garrett drive?!"

"No one lets Garrett do anything. He just… does ." Huxley doubles over, ready to dry heave. I hide my irritation, crossing my arms in an effort to remain calm.

"Where is Avery? "

"She's riding with Meg," Axel answers, joining my side to face the road. "They were supposed to follow, but Garrett thought shaking them loose around town would be equally as fun." I pinch the bridge of my nose. I should have known better than to think just because I'm patient, waiting my turn to have Avery's undivided attention, that the others would extend me the same courtesy. There's a reason good guys always finish last, because the nosey fuckers in the way are easier to placate than ignore.

"So, what's the deal, Daxy?" Garrett slings an arm over my shoulder. "I was just about to have second breakfast when your distress call came in."

"Distress call?" I frown, looking out at my phone. I'd sent a message in the group chat that I was busy this morning and I'd be back later.

"Yeah, you're never busy. Wyatt should know, he controls your calendar. We were worried you'd been kidnapped and half of your organs would have been listed on the black market by now."

"Not worried enough to forego showering," I roll my eyes as his soapy smell washes over me. Garrett's grin is infectious and I shrug him off before he sees that he's got through to me.

A second town car appears in a much calmer fashion, pulling up smoothly into a parking space beside the building's entrance. Avery and Meg appear with wide smiles and a carton of drinks each. They've dressed similarly in tight-fitting leggings and oversized college sweaters, their hair in high ponytails. Meg calls out the random assortment of drinks they've brought, from coffees to bubble teas, while people snatch up their preference. Slipping away, Avery approaches me last with a sweet smile.

"Sorry we're late. We couldn't be bothered with Garrett's detour, so we took one of our own." She hands me a plastic cup with a straw. Strawberry milkshake with cream and sprinkles. Grinning, I accept it whilst winding an arm around her waist and tugging her closer.

"Couldn't get out undetected, I take it?" I say into her ear. She leans into me, brushing her nose along my jaw.

"Not a chance." Her hands slip underneath my t-shirt, trailing over my abs with sensual slowness. "But don't worry about them. I'm here for you." I smile genuinely then, skating a quick kiss over her temple. Garrett starts to get bouncy, thanks to the mini cup in his large hand. Ahh fuck, who let him have an expresso? Leading Avery towards the building, I can't find it in me to be angry. This is how it's going to be, all of us orbiting around her. I should get used to it and still find a way to stand out.

The warehouse is on the outskirts of town. If it weren't for the music leaking through the high windows, anyone would think the old structure was derelict. Graffiti covers the exterior shutters and the main entrance is boarded up with wooden planks. A simple sign with an arrow indicates the side door is to be used for attendees, which creaks as I open it for Avery to pass through. She doesn't hesitate, trusting me to follow right behind.

Strobe lighting bounces against a polished wooden floor filling the center, sectioned off by red ropes. The back of the warehouse has a small diner next to an arcade, every machine switched on. Random popcorn and candy floss machines are scattered amongst empty tables and chairs. Ed's Roller Disco is said to have once been the place to be on a Friday night. It might not be in its prime anymore, but it's perfectly secluded for us. After putting a call in to the owner and mentioning Huxley's name, I managed to get the place stocked and fully staffed to ourselves for the entire day.

In one bundle, everyone barring Wyatt runs over to the skate hire booth like a bunch of children. He lingers back, keeping himself removed from the fun as he always does. I wait my turn, before requesting my required shoe size from the punky girl behind the desk. I also notice an on-hand arcade assistant, as well as kitchen and serving staff present in the diner. Accepting my skates, I sit in a nearby chair to pull them onto my feet and tie the laces.

Avery and Meg are already on the rink, hand in hand while they skate and sway to the music. I had no doubt they'd be naturals, even if I was hoping to be the one holding Avery's hand. Music bleeds from the speakers, one heavy bass tune blending into the next. Lifting her arms above her head, Avery's sweatshirt rises to reveal the top of her skin-tight leggings leaving nothing to the imagination. Her ass is a testament to all of her dance training, her thighs and calves something to be both jealous and proud of.

Axel passes by, his fingers lingering on my arm and a question in his hazel eyes. I let him pull me to my feet, steadying myself on his arms before he leads the way onto the rink. "You all good, Axe?" Instead of answering, he looks over my shoulder to where Wyatt has taken up position in a booth on his own. With the table dividing us, he can safely watch from the shadows and pose no risk of being invited to join in. I sigh, patting Axel's bicep.

"He'll come around eventually," I say without really believing it. Wyatt hasn't been this distant for this long before. Axel's expression doesn't change and not for the first time, I wish he didn't wear his heart on his sleeve. Empathizing with all of us takes a toll that I worry he won't always be able to handle. I tug us over to the rink, offering out my hand. His resulting smile is heartwarming.

The first glide of wheels shifts something inside both of us. The stress that's been weighing on my chest lately begins to lift with the anticipation of having some fun. One look around and I know having everyone here was for the best. We deserve to cut loose.

Skating around the oval dancefloor, I bump shoulders with Gare to start a race. He's visibly vibrating with energy, breaking through the hold Axel and I had on each other. Hux is quick to join, the four of us speeding around with no finish line. The girls dance in the center, cheering and whooping like cheerleaders. We push ourselves until our calves are burning, not a care in the world. This feels good, right even. To be free, to live the life I've been gifted.

The latest tune by Charlie XCX that has been all over the radio starts to play, gaining our shouts of approval. Moving my shoulders in time with Axel and Hux, my cheeks begin to hurt from smiling for this long and I don't plan on letting it drop any time soon.

Avery joins us as we dance side by side, overtaking and showing off her moves. I whip my phone out to catch a video of her moonwalking backwards, then turn myself to grab a couple of selfies. Garrett's face is right there, taking up most of the screen as if I don't already have a camera roll full of his photobombing. Pocketing my phone, a pair of small hands slide around my waist. Avery turns me to face forwards, her smile lighting up her whole face.

"Thank you for this," she beams despite her split lip. I kiss the tip of her nose, avoiding hurting her mouth. It looks angry and sore, but Avery won't let that stop her from having fun. She lightly tugs my arm, pulling me to the side of the rink. "I'm sorry it's not what you were hoping for." Garrett chooses that moment to yee-haw above the music, and I can't help but laugh.

"It's fine, Little Swan. Seeing you happy is all I wanted."

"Not true," Avery raises a brow knowingly. "You wanted us to spend some alone time together - outside of campus." I nod, not prepared to lie to her. Drawing her into my arms, Avery leans on me for stability.

"We'll get our turn. I'm a patient man. I can wait."

"Oh, Dax," Avery sighs, laying her head on my shoulder. "You shouldn't be so quick to put yourself at the back of the line. Not when your friends are so eager to push in front."

I snort. Story of my life, but I also know patience pays off. Today is a good day. Not all of them will be, and who Avery turns to in her times of need will be telling. Garrett and Axel can be loud and playful, and even Huxley can bolster his way in when he's done with waiting. But not me. I'll be here, stoic and ready. I'll catch Avery when she falls.

"Go have fun," I press my lips aside her forehead, resisting the urge to call her ‘ my love '. On cue, Meg grabs Avery and drags her away laughing. I watch her for a short while longer before seeking out a drink. Once my skates are off and my milkshake is all gone, I stride into the arcade in my socks. Pushing some loose change into a pinball machine, I feel a presence at my side as soon as I release the first ball .

"Bet I can get onto the scoreboard before you can," Gare whispers into my ear, licking my lobe to put me off. I misjudge the flipper and the ball plunges back into the machine. I shove Gare away playfully, spotting another pinball machine across the space and directing him to it.

"Loser buys lunch," I shout across the space between us.

"Perfect, I've already ordered!" he replies with an evil laugh. Starting up the next game, I somehow lose on repeat for the five rounds until Garrett's hands shoot into the air and he roars in victory. Motherfucker. Running over to me, he rubs his knuckles against my hair and bounces into the diner to collect his re-heated prize.

Looking around the room, I fail to spot my brothers until I notice a pair of legs hanging out from one of the booths. Wyatt's booth, to be exact. I exhale deeply, heading over to join. Huxley is lying on his back, his head in Axel's lap who is absent-mindedly playing with his hair. Garrett scoots in, nudging me closer to Wyatt, with a trayful of enough food to feed all of us if he permitted it.

"They'd make a cute couple, don't you think?" Garrett asks, gesturing to the girls with his chin. They're still in the rink while a slow song plays, dancing together sensually. Avery's arms are around Meg's neck, whose hands are planted on Avery's hips. Spinning in slow circles, the two of them joke, smile and giggle together. Gare starts chanting ‘kiss, kiss' loudly, pumping his fist in the air and shattering their moment. Happy to put on a show, Meg turns to twerk against her friend's crotch. Avery spanks her while biting her lip before they start laughing and return to skating side by side.

"No way, those two know their way around a cock," Huxley replies from his horizontal position without even looking. His statement bothers Wyatt and everyone sees it.

"No need to be jealous, Riot," Garrett says around a French fry. "I'd happily play spin the bottle with you if you need some action." He chuckles, but his attempt to lighten the mood falls flat.

"Things are never going to go back to how they were, are they?" Wyatt says stoically. Huxley sits up, the humor in the air dying a cold death.

"Different doesn't have to be bad," Axel attempts. Wyatt's eyes are squarely focused on Avery and Meg, the tic in his jaw beating profusely.

"While I watch my best friends trip over themself to fuck my-" he catches himself and clears his throat. "Avery. That doesn't sound like anything I want to be a part of."

"What are you saying? Are you going somewhere?" Huxley raises a brow. I'm sure beneath the music I hear Axel whimper. Garrett tuts, pushing his basket of fries away.

"Or you could pull the stick out of your ass and admit you want to fuck her too." I wasn't prepared for Garrett's brashness. Sucking in a breath, I divert my eyes to my lap, preferring not to see if there is any truth lingering in Wyatt's green eyes. If what Garrett just said is true, not only have I been blind to everything going on around me, but our lives just became much messier than I anticipated.

"Who's fucking who?" Meg asks, the girls appearing. They pull up small stools to sit at the table and help themselves to the discarded food.

"No one, yet," Garrett winks at Avery. She smacks him upside the head before snatching a pickle from his plate. Tension returns to the table as the majority of us watch them eat in silence. The lack of conversation doesn't go unnoticed.

"Okay, well what do you say we leave these losers to their angst?" Avery asks, nudging Meg with her elbow and grabbing their skates. They head to the booth to swap out for their sneakers, waving goodbye. "We might go catch a movie or something. Don't wait up," Avery calls.

I watch my idea of a dream date get flushed away as she leaves. Once the door swings closed, Wyatt stands up abruptly, shoving his hands in his pockets and stalking off without a backwards glance. Huxley is hot on his heels and Axel follows with pleading eyes.

Leaving me alone with Gare and the aftermath of their departure, I huff at the side of his face. He pauses with a half-eaten burger hovering in front of his face .

"What? Did you want a bite?"

"Don't play dumb. Did you really have to taunt Wyatt like that?" Garrett rolls his jaw as he finishes his mouthful and places the burger down with added care. When he turns to me, there's a starling amount of clarity in his dark brown eyes.

"The way I see it, there are three outcomes of the tightrope we're all treading. We lose Wyatt, we lose Avery, or the pair of them stop pretending they don't feel the attraction I've seen since the start and we all get to live happily ever after." My mouth drops open and my eyes dart around, grappling for something to say.

"They're stepsiblings, Garrett. It's never going to happen." He scoffs, waving me off as he stands. Beneath his mess of dark hair, Garrett's eyes cut through me with more seriousness than I thought he possessed.

"A piece of paper doesn't negate the fact they've never spent more than an hour in each other's company. They're strangers, not siblings. Give it a little more time and a little more nudging from yours truly. You'll see that I'm right. I always am."