JD's POV

I watch the back of Benji's head as it disappears behind the front door. I look up at the stairs where Brad was just a few minutes ago.

Bunch of fucking whiny bitches.

"Ugh."

I drag my feet across the floor as I make my way up the stairs towards Brads room.

"Lad, open up."

I wait a few minutes, then finally hear the door click open. I push through, watching Brad walk back over to the sink in his en suite.

"What's up?" He asks calmly.

Eh?

"You feelin alright?" I say rubbing my chin.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He replies, drying his hands with a towel.

I walk further into his en suite, then lean against the door frame.

"Well then, what the fuck was that downstairs?" I ask.

He sighs. "I don't wanna talk about it." Placing his hands on either side of the basin with his head hanging low.

"Did you go and see Lexi?"

"Yea" He replies nonchalantly. Looking at me through the mirror.

"You strike out or what? Is that why you're--"

"Fuck off Jay." He says, pulling his shirt off. "I didn't even swing."

I cock an eyebrow. "Oh yea? What's with the claw marks on your shoulders then?"

He rolls his eyes at me but remains silent.

"You know, if you need any tips, I'm happy to share my secrets." I tease.

"Lad, it ain't like that." He replies looking back at me over his shoulder. "I'm taking it slow with this one. Besides, what fucking tips have you got? You haven't even gotten past first base yet."

Wanker.

"Low blow B." I reply with my arms crossed over my chest and my brows furrowed. "We're taking it nice and slow too, in case you haven't realised yet."

As much as it was killing my fucking balls, I had to admit, I was enjoying every minute I spent with Julie. She was definitely something else that's for sure.

"And how's that going for you?" He asks with a smirk as he leans back against the sink.

"Fine and dandy brother." I reply confidently. "No complaints from me."

He studies me for a moment, then a sly grin spreads slowly on his face as he walks over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Whatever helps you sleep at night Jay." He says, then casually removes his pants, standing butt naked in front of me. "Now if you'd be so kind as to fuck off. I need a shower and a wank."

I roll my eyes and quickly turn around, pausing at his bedroom door to say "I can see why you haven't made it to yet. Better clear out the cobwebs lad before your dick goes into early retirement."

"Fuck off dickhead." He calls out before slamming the bathroom door.

I chuckle to myself as I make my way into my bedroom. My outfit's hanging nicely on the wardrobe door so I don't bother giving it a second thought.

What am I forgetting to do?

I look around the well kept room, not noticing anything out of place. I didn't want to have any sort of expectations for tonight but I was holding out hope that Julie would be up for staying over tonight, so I wanted to make sure the place was looking mint.

Ah! That's it!

I look down at my junk inside my boxers, knowing I'm in desperate need of a trim.

Tonight's the night! Let's get you lookin all handsome big boy!

Benjamins POV

I couldn't understand what the hell Brads problem was. I knew he hated going to those meetings and I felt bad that he had to deal with our clients on his own, but the reasoning didn't justify his behaviour towards me just now. I was still trying to recover from my irresponsible choices from last night, which may have damaged the Vaughn name, so I was feeling even more guilty that I wasn't able to be there with him this morning, but fuck me, people make mistakes and I ain't perfect. Far from it.

After the unexpected rejection from Lexi and the events that transpired afterwards, I was feeling quite vulnerable and fucked up in the head. My brother was always the one who would joke around, shift my mood when I was stuck in the negative corners of my mind, so to have him speak to me that way, came as a massive shock.

As I suck in the remains of my cigarette, I realise that maybe I'm the problem here. . He did specifically say that not everything was about me. Is that really how he feels? Is that really how I've been going about in life these last few years? Did his words have this effect on me because I've been too self absorbed that I was subconsciously taking him and the kind of brother he was, for granted?

Was I finally ready to move on from the past and be the older brother he needed now?

I put my cigarette out and rub my face in frustration. My eyes remain closed as I allow the sunlight trickling in through the trees to softly kiss my eyelids, easing my mind and body back into a calmer state.

Fucking timing.

I reach down and take my phone out of my pocket.

Shit. The fuck does he want now?

I take a deep breath before I answer the call. "Dad?"

"Hello son, I haven't heard from you in a few days. I take it everything is going well down in Orlando?"

It wasn't unusual for my dad to check in with us from time to time, but it would mainly be about business. He didn't care for the small talk or anything remotely close to father-son bonding. He was a loyal and doting husband, and cherished the ground my mum walked on. He would do anything for her,

When we found out about our mother's diagnoses, something in him snapped. He closed himself off from everyone except for her, said his time was precious and was only to be spared for her. The business came second, which is why he decided to let us take the reigns. His children in turn, came last.

"Yea, all good here. We've just wrapped up our last meeting, so we will be good to leave as scheduled tomorrow afternoon."

"I wouldn't particularly use the phrase good, son, seeing as I received a phone call from Mr Corbin the other day."

That Asshole.

"Dad, we've got it handled, I can assure you."

"I have already dealt with it, but I expect a lot more from you Benjamin. You handle these little incidents there and then. You understand me boy?"

I take a deep breath, desperately trying to bite my tongue to avoid another confrontation with my dad. Why the fuck put me in charge and hand over the responsibility, if there is no trust in the first place?

Fuck it. Not worth it.

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now I have another issue to discuss with you."

I feel a lump form in my throat as my thoughts steer me directly to my mum. "What is it dad? Is it mum? Is she okay?"

I hear him sigh heavily and I could practically picture him rubbing his temples. "No son, your mum is okay. She is still in good spirits. This isn't about her."

I breathe out the breath I didn't realise I was holding. Time was limited and I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her while I was so far away.

"There have been a change of plans and I will need you and your brother to stay on for a few more days in Orlando. I have notified the captain and he will be returning back to England with the private jet you had flown in. He will return once our business has concluded."

What the fuck.

"Dad, what are you talking about? There is no unfinished business here. My calendar is clear. I don't want to stay here any longer than I fucking have to."

"Don't you take that tone with me boy."

"Dad--"

"I don't want to hear it Benjamin. This is final. You and Bradley will stay on until I say so."

"Doing what?"

"I will elaborate more on the matters tomorrow night when I arrive."

"Wait what? You're coming here?"

"Yes son. Now I'm done with these questions. Expect a call from me tomorrow."

And just like that. He had shut me down. All future questions were obliterated. I look down at my phone, utterly confused from the conversation I just had.

What the fuck is going on now?

I let out a low frustrated growl, unhappy about all the unanswered questions in my head, unhappy about going back upstairs, in the same vicinity as someone who seems to have a dislike for me at the moment, but I was definitely mostly unhappy about the fact that I was stuck here, god knows how long for... with her. How the fuck am I meant to stay sane knowing she's breathing the same air as me, but wishes I was choking on something that was likely to be fatal, instead.

This is fucking unbearable.

I take out another smoke and quickly inhale it, then slowly make my way back up to the suite while admitting defeat about my thoughts on attending the party tonight.

A few hours later...

Alexis POV

1 new message from Shan.

Hmm. What time is it now? Shit it's 4:10pm.

I had been feeling sorry for myself, permanently in the fetal position on my bed for a few hours now since Brad left, since the incident, since... but if I didn't make an attempt to get dressed soon, I would end up being late to my own birthday party and most likely piss everyone off. Especially Jules and Shan.

I swing my legs off the bed, then drag myself into the shower once again. I scrub myself down and quickly rinse my hair.

I head towards my wardrobe straight after and retrieve my outfit that's hanging inside.

Ugh. Why did they have to do a dress up party?

I eye up my outfit of choice... Sexy bat girl. I'm not even sure why I chose it in the first place.

I lay it down on my bed and head back into the bathroom to dry my hair and hope to god the powers of makeup will do wonders to my face to help disguise this look of guilt and terror that seems to have set up camp, directly on top.

A few minutes later and I finally think I'm ready. Ready to leave, but definitely not ready to face Brad.

Oh god, would he tell Benjamin? No.. no he wouldn't.

That would be majorly cringe worthy, especially for him. Benjamin would be having a field day with it too if he ever found out.

I feel the neck hairs start to tingle as I think about it. I wouldn't be able to face him if he knew, especially with the way I ended it yesterday. I had the last say, I was in control. I needed him to see that he no longer had an effect on me. I needed him to hear it directly from my mouth, even if it was a complete lie. I didn't want to feel this way, I didn't want to want him, but apparently my head and this thing called a vagina currently don't see eye to eye.

I hear the roar of an engine out front as I finish tweaking my makeup and hair.

Seth.

"Cooper? You in there?" I hear him yell out from the patio doors.

"Yep. In my room."

"K well are you decent or what?" He says slightly wary.

I chuckle. "Duh! Come in, I'm almost done." I turn back to my bathroom mirror, patting down my outfit and readjust my stupid bat girl wings, when he finally comes into view, chuckling behind me.

"Hey Lil Coop."

"Hey Seth. How you been? " I say as I turn around and walk out of the bathroom.

"Just got back from an awesome holiday, proposed to the love of my life, she surprisingly said yes and now I'm heading to a costume party that's got free booze." He says tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Can't really complain now can I?"

"No, no I guess you can't. You seem to have it all Seth. I think I'm a little jealous." I reply, folding my arms across my chest as I fully absorb his words.

Seth had a way about him that made you feel at ease whenever he was present. His laugh and smile were infectious. You just couldn't help but like the guy. It was evident why Shan fell for him. He had it all. A great job working for one of these high rollers, I always forget which one. He had a great girl and despite what he went through a few years back, he had such a great outlook on life.

A great physique and face too.

(Seth - Played by KJ Apa)

He was lucky. Those thick blush pink lips, chiselled jaw, striking red hair and the fact that he was over 6 foot was a sure thing to have most women dropping their panties. But the best thing about him was he was loyal as fuck. He was insanely in love with Shan and I couldn't think of a better suit for my best friend.

As I eye him up, my eyes scan over his outfit of choice.

"Let me guess, you're meant to be a Jock?"

"Yea, it was basically the only choice I was given. Well actually it was either this or be one of Shans hell dogs since she's going as the devil." He says rolling his eyes. "And you? Bat girl I presume?"

"How'd you guess? Did these stupid wings give it away?" I say rolling my eyes as I fidget uncomfortably at the strap attached to my wings, feeling it dig deeper underneath my bra. "Anyway, I'm ready when you are."

"Actually, before we head off. Just wanted to run something past you first." He says, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I didn't want to be rude and just assume it would be ok."

"Okay... kinda freaking me out a bit Seth."

He chuckles. "It's nothing weird. It's just that one of my mates is down this weekend from England and I said we could catch up."

"Okaaaay? Where is this going Seth? I'm not your girlfriend." I chuckle.

He rolls his eyes at me. "What I'm trying to say is that, I went ahead and told him to tag along tonight."

"Oh!" I gasp. "Hmm, yea I guess that's cool. What do I care? I have a very limited amount of friends, so the more the merrier right?"

"Sweet. He's waiting by the car." He says as he starts to walk out of my room. "I'll introduce you to him, he's pretty chilled so I think you guys will get on well."

Another Brit. Great. I hope he doesn't have the accent. That shit gets me every damn time.

I follow him out the patio doors, towards his black Porsche Cayenne that's sitting nicely on my driveway. "Well as long as he isn't a horny sadistic arrogant prick , then I think we will be just fine."

"That's quite specific Coop, but okay. He's definitely not a sadist but like all men, he can be a bit of a horn dog. He is also quite the charmer. You know how these English men are." Seth replies. "Oh and he's single too." He adds, looking back at me with a wink.

I roll my eyes at him, knowing I don't need another male factor in the equation.